Hopelessly Romantic

Part 4

Hitch lead Annie out of the orientation room, and you would find her again, but you had to meet Reiner's friend and get him to come with you. Hitch was very supportive, and you think this has something to do with the school and her reputation, but you shove that aside when a taller man comes into view. "Y/n, this is Bertolt. Bertolt, Y/n." You smile at him. He had a plain haircut for his brown hair, an elongated face, and was lanky. "Nice to meet you," you spoke, realizing how many times you've said that today. Maybe you had a chance to be popular, to be something more than the girl who couldn't afford basic needs. You held your hand out, waiting patiently as the tall brunette smiled shyly, connecting his touch with yours. "Nice to meet you too, Y/n." That's when it occurred to you. "Oh, by the way, how did you know my name, Reiner?" It may have been dumb to bring it up now, in a public area that's slowly turning quieter, but you promised to be a different version of yourself this year.

Something that would get her attention.

"Oh... We went to school, together. I don't think you remember though." You knew a lot of people but never befriended any, and that was your mistake. You could've been friends earlier in time if you just let your guard down a bit, opened up, and allowed them into your broken life. Except, this is a new beginning, something that no one will take away from you. "Oh... No, sorry, but maybe you could remind me? What class did we have together?" He gulps. "Phys ed." Your brows furrow and slowly a smile forms on your lips. "Oh- you were there too, Bertolt, weren't you?" He nods hesitantly, not catching your eyes for that long. You're starting to remember what happened at that school besides the chances to prove yourself. There was a calmness in watching everyone when Annie was not near you, or even when she was.

You made up stories in your head, what it'd be like to be friends with them, or if they go home to a mansion or a palace. It was soothing to know that you could have your desired future, just without the risks. And you also had your reality, which grounded you every day. "Wow, I guess you really did move far, like you wanted." A few people you met in high school told you they wanted to stay close or go the farthest distance possible. Bertolt was the former while Reiner was the latter. You guess they compromised, going a twelve-hour car ride away.

To test the water, you had told yourself the last day in your aunt's house, with your aunt, that's the only reason you asked that question repeatedly. Not because you needed to know your decision was sane. "Yeah, I guess so," Reiner replies, a light dust of roses still on his cheeks, but deepening. "Well, we should get going and survey the school, hm?" Your smile was big for them, hiding the fear you really had. Going back to school. "Yup," Reiner replies, ignoring any protest from Bertolt's face and shoving him towards the door.

Annie and Hitch must've been hitting it off, Hitch's phone in Annie's hand while hers rested in the brunette's. At least you weren't the only one changing, moving on from what you used to be. "Annie!" You saw her eyes dart to yours, anxious like butterflies were in her stomach. She wasn't just changing; she was finding what she never had. "Hey, Y/n! We were just about to start the tour without you." You chuckle at Hitch's words, watching each take their phones back. "Well, now you have four freshmen to guide." She inspects the two men behind you with her eyes, nodding affirmatively. "Good, that'll give me some points when I graduate. Now, who's ready for a tour?" It was more of an exclamation than anything, her voice loud as she walks away with Annie's wrist in her clutch.

"So, that was the terrible cafeteria food," Hitch narrates, walking as everyone catches up to her. "It seemed good to me," you comment, looking around at the once plain walls filling with posters and ads hanging on by tape. "Until you eat it, until you eat it." She slightly shivers and you think it's for a comedic effect as if the food caused her to die. "Oh! Y/n, this is the professor you'll meet tomorrow morning." Your brows furrow. "How'd you know-" "Annie. Plus, he only does evening and morning classes. Let's just say, you don't seem like the evening type." You nod, tongue poking at your cheek as she grabs you by the shoulder, making you look at the class from outside.

"So, for tomorrow, you want to sit near a group, don't look like an outlier. I hear there's another super smart kid in here, search for him." Your face scrunches. "I don't even know him-" "You will, smart kids always find each other. Any who, you won't get picked on by Levi if you do that-" "But what if I want to engage in class-" "Nonsense!" She exclaims, letting go of your shoulders and turning towards the others. "You all don't have him this semester, right?" They both shake their heads. "Good, because once Y/n answers his questions we'll copy." "Hey-" "Onto the library." That piqued your interest.

"Hey, Mrs. Torres-" "Please keep it down, Miss. Dreyse. I don't want an incident like the one before." She must feel embarrassed at that, rubbing the back of her neck and nodding without holding eye contact with the older woman. "Right, promise. Just here to show my newbies around." She doesn't seem to believe that, sighing and tucking a strand of her light gray hair behind her ear. "Quickly, I hope." Hitch nods affirmatively.

"It's big," you comment, eyes wide like a child in a candy store. Truthfully, this was your candy store even as a kid. You loved the fresh smell of books you got to keep, but there was a community with the older women, and people who came here just to have a quiet environment. You remember your grandma would take you here when she needed to do research for a report. It was homely, your second, or third depending on who you asked, home away from home. "Yeah, they put a lot of money into this," Hitch states, picking up a green velvet book. "Ew, but also feels nice." You hear someone chuckle. Turning you meet with Annie standing next to Hitch, a light smile on her usually bored and mad face.

It makes you smile, unconsciously dragging your hand across the row of books until a hand taps yours. You jump slightly, shocked by the contact before you look to your side and spot another blonde with blue eyes. You and he blinked, his hand also close to his chest from the unexpected contact. "U-um, sorry," you say. "No, I am," he replies.

You let a smile take your lips, and for the umpteenth time today, you hold out your hand, repeating your name, "Y/n L/n." "Armin Arlert." You inhale, his hand leaving yours once your names enter the atmosphere. "I'm a freshman." "Same, though I didn't think any other freshman would like these." He gestures to the overflowing books on shelves. You hum. "I could say the same thing, though I'm not really here to look." You turn your head to the side looking at the group you accumulated. "Ah," Armin says, "But you would come here?" You turn your attention back to him, smiling and nodding. "Yeah, this library is the largest I've ever seen." He smiles. "You try Trost? They have a city full of books." Your eyes widen, asking excitedly, "Really?" He hums. "Yeah, they have gift shops, original copies on display, some descriptions about authors- Oh, they also have a section for problematic authors that they don't sell and advise against."

Your brows raise in surprise. "Wow, didn't know Trost was that open to confrontation." He nods. "It took a while, but people complained, and finally someone listened." "That is all that people want, in my opinion." He pauses for a moment, eyes gliding down and up your form. "Well, I hope to see you here again, Y/n." "And I hope to see you around, Armin."

You really were becoming popular in your own way. You're just glad, as you regroup with the people you know, that you don't get overwhelmed and crash. "Now that we explored the library, it's time to go party." You should stop commenting on things you want.