Young Adults

CHAPTER 18

There was no way she hadn't been dreaming back there. His offer echoed through her mind on repeat, and the daunting reality that she'd accepted—meaning she'd be talking with him that very night for "schoolwork"—made her heart pound. What if we don't even talk about school? she wondered frantically, her cheeks growing hot at the thought.

She was glad Eren wasn't around to walk her from first class to gym; with her thoughts swirling so chaotically, there was no chance she'd be able to focus on anything he might've said. By the time she finally reached the gymnasium, she did her best to tamp down the excitement sparking inside her, saving it for a quieter moment later in the day.

Stepping into the girls' locker room, (Y/n) headed for her usual row of lockers—only to be greeted by a surprising sight. Mina stood there in a bright-colored cheer uniform, its vivid hues practically shouting for attention.

"M-Mina!" (Y/n) exclaimed, unable to hide her shock. "Look at you—you're so... so cute!"
She blinked, then asked, "When did this happen?"

Mina, sporting her usual pigtails, grinned. "Over the weekend," she explained. "They held early tryouts here, and, well... they liked me enough to let me on! Honestly, I think I bombed my audition. They probably just saw I was under 150 pounds and said 'sure, whatever'."

"Wow..." (Y/n) said, still taking it in. "W-well, you couldn't have sucked. I mean, it's all about flexibility and a good personality, right? Seems made for you—unless, um, you're not flexible? Then... forget I said that." A tiny laugh escaped her, betraying her own awkwardness at delivering compliments.

Mina's cheeks pinked slightly at (Y/n)'s earnest words, but she seemed pleased nonetheless.

Mina quickly shoved the rest of her school clothes into her locker—she'd left them strewn on the bench in her excitement—before turning back to (Y/n) with a hint of anxiety. (Y/n), in the process of changing, felt Mina's gaze on her and grew momentarily self-conscious.

"Hm? What's wrong?" (Y/n) asked, pausing as she slipped on her gym shirt.

"I feel bad," Mina admitted quietly. "I wanted this so badly, and now I have to give up our gym time together. I won't be in your class anymore."

(Y/n) tugged the hem of her shirt down and turned to offer a reassuring smile. "That's okay. If you're doing something you really want, I can hold my own here," she said, her voice calm with encouragement.

Mina's shoulders relaxed a bit, grateful for (Y/n)'s understanding.

Once the warning bell rang, signaling students to hurry off, Mina and (Y/n) parted ways—Mina heading to the gymnastics room, and (Y/n) making her way to the side of the gym where her class would be. Without Mina's presence, she felt oddly out of place, realizing she didn't really have anyone else to talk to in gym. She stood there, hugging herself and gazing at the floor, absently kicking at a stray piece of lint.

Suddenly, a pair of shoes appeared just a foot away from her. She looked up, mildly startled, hoping—if only for a moment—that it might be the handsome noirette she'd grown so fond of. Instead, it was Jean Kirstchein from yesterday's lunchtime drama.

"Uh, hey there," Jean greeted.

"Hey," she replied succinctly, with no real inflection in her tone.

"Um... sorry to bother you," he continued, cheeks tinged with awkwardness, "but I was wondering if you'd thought about, you know... exchanging numbers with me?"

She paused, recalling his request from lunch. "Ah, right... yeah. I mean, I'd be fine with that—but I don't want you to, well, read too much into it," she told him honestly.