Hopelessly Romantic

Part 6

"And that's why the sun-" "Y/n, turn it off!" You chuckle at the blonde in the bathroom, smacking your radio-tuned alarm off. "It's off-" You speak, looking at the blonde exiting the bathroom. "Hair tie is on your side, sweetheart." You wink at her and she rolls her eyes with a scoff. You don't miss the slight tint of pink on her cheeks. "When are your classes?" You hum at her question, bending over and tugging on your socks- finally , you almost hear Annie gripe. "9:00 and 12- maybe a 3 if the professor's class isn't canceled." Her blue orbs find yours and at the same time, knowingly, you utter, "Mx. Zoe." You felt like an old college student from all the information Hitch poured onto you.

Somehow Hitch found out about your severe anxiety. She dabbles in communications and overheard some of your history. You want to roll your eyes and hit the blonde at that, but maybe she was manipulated. Or blinded by love- false love. You were and look where it got you. "How about you, Annie?" She shrugs. "Two afternoon classes and a morning class like you." You hum, hearing her mumble, "Dumb anatomy." You huff out a chuckle, your body getting ready for the outside. There was this uncomfortable weight on your heart. You didn't want to step outside- not because you were lazy, but because everything would be new, and even if you were so excited for your new- It's not your old comfort that you crave. "Y/n, ready?"

You look over at the door then at Annie, fingers tugging at her hair tie to make sure her bun is secure. You look back at that door handle and realize there is no going back. There is no more before to hold you down. You're alone in college and need to grow up. Or else you'll be left behind again. "Yup, let me put my crocs on-" "You will have so much back pain-" "Shut uppppp!"

Like before, at that wealthy school, you were led to class by Annie, her comforting arm around your shoulder as you two joked about the lives of other students around campus. You both were still children at heart and guessed everyone lived as a spy or superhero, coming up with dumb code names and villains. There was a nice feeling whenever Annie was around you. She knew you, and that was the good old comfort you needed. "Okay," she spoke, breaking your laughter at her dumb super-villain name, brooding bitch. "Call me if anything goes wrong," she ends, leaving you in the cold without her help. "Of course, mom ," you tease, watching her smile as if you're okay.

You want to be okay alone in bustling places, yet you can't hold back your shaking hands and cowering frame as you try to find a respectable place in your dumb, necessary psychology class. "Everyone, seats!" The teacher shouts, and it does nothing to quell the unknown rhythm of your heart. "Okay, now that everyone is seated-" Everything is too much, and it's only your first day-

Until there's a hand on yours.

"Y/n?" It's in slow motion, his voice and hand squeezing yours. He must've sensed your panic even if you've been known to hide behind a wall. "Oh..." But what was his name again? "It is you," he adds, his skin wrinkling at the edges of his eyes. So pretty, you think, watching his golden hair sway a bit as he looks at the professor and then back at you. "It's Armin if you forgot." His voice is quiet, but just like you, he's nervous. "Thanks, nice to see you again, Armin." He smiles, nodding. "Yeah, I'm glad you're here, honestly." You hum in question, encouraging him to continue. "I always get anxious in new environments, and my boyfriend couldn't walk me here all the way because his class was first, but he did give me some advice on where to sit." You smile as he completes, "I guess he was right."

You nod, saying, "Well, I don't have a boyfriend, but my friend walked me all the way over here before her... anatomy class? And I can say my anxiety is mostly gone knowing you're here." He smiles, his cheeks popping dimples as he says, "Same... Um, do you have Levi after this?" You nod, slightly listening to the teacher talk about pulling out a book. "I have his afternoon class, and I will hopefully get food before." He hums, reaching to grab the book that the teacher wanted. You follow suit, feeling comforted when he says, "My boyfriend and I are going to this café if you want to come." You can't help the smile on your lips, the feeling of being wanted when you reply with, "Of course, as long as you tell me more about yourself." He pauses and you hope he feels what you do as he says, "Of course."