Young Adults

CHAPTER 21

The final bell rang, and (Y/n) found herself weaving through the sea of students, her mind fogged by everything that had been said at lunch. She made it to her locker, her fingers moving automatically through the combination as her thoughts spiraled.

Eren, Armin, Mikasa, Ymir-all their voices blended together now, snippets of reason and warning tangled with crude jokes and gut-level honesty. It was a lot. Too much, maybe.

"Okay, okay, there she is," Eren's voice cut through her daze, and she turned just in time to see the four of them strolling up. "You still going?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

(Y/n) gave a small smile and a nod. "Yeah. I'm not backing out."

"Ooooh," Ymir teased, giving her a playful nudge. "Ride or die, huh?"

"Just... text us if you suddenly get kidnapped or whatever," Armin said, only half-joking, pulling out his phone.

"I'll be fine," (Y/n) chuckled, closing her locker and slinging her bag over her shoulder. "I'll let you guys know how it goes. Don't worry."

"Too late," Mikasa said flatly, arms crossed. "I'm already worrying."

With a final round of well-meant stares and good-luck wishes, (Y/n) turned and headed toward the student parking lot, her steps quickening slightly with anticipation-and nerves.

She made it to the double doors, only to pause when a familiar voice called her name.

"Hey, (Y/n)!"

She turned to see Colt Grice approaching, his backpack slung over one shoulder, his eyes bright with something like... surprise? Hope?

"Oh-hey, Colt," she replied, trying to smile despite the slight drop in her stomach.

"How've you been?" he asked, a little breathless, like he hadn't meant to stop her until it already happened.

"I've been good, thanks," she answered politely. "How about you?"

"I'm, uh... I'm good," he replied quickly, then nodded, then... said nothing.

The silence was painfully awkward.

(Y/n) waited another beat, then let out a soft laugh. "Well, I should get going. But it was nice seeing you again."

She stepped past him gently, giving a small wave before heading through the doors. Colt stood there, mouth opening as if to say something else-but he didn't. He just watched her go.

Outside, she exhaled. Weird timing, she thought, brushing the brief encounter off like dust.

And then she saw him.

Levi stood near the back of the parking lot, leaned casually against a sleek black Mustang, the screen of his phone glowing as his thumb lazily scrolled. He hadn't noticed her yet.

Her heart thumped faster. He looked like he'd stepped out of a movie-cool, detached, every bit the enigma everyone made him out to be.

Then, her phone buzzed.

She pulled it from her hoodie pocket and saw Levi's name flashing on the screen.

Glancing up, she saw him now scanning the lot-searching. His eyes swept left, then right... and then they landed on her.

(Y/n) nearly froze in place.

Their eyes locked.

'Oh god.'

Her fingers curled tightly around her phone as she forced herself to walk forward, trying to keep her blush at bay, like the very act of moving wasn't making her entire body hum with anticipation.