Break Your Wall

With You

Annie and Armin were making their way out of the school and towards his house. They had discussed what they planned to start their project off with so today their main focus was to learn more about the components that made up their idea.

"I live about 10 minutes away, so it shouldn't be too long of a walk." Armin said, looking over at her with his casual smile.

She nodded. "I'm used to walking anyways." Annie began feeling a little more comfortable around him. He was different from everyone else, he would be patient with her and wouldn't push anything too far. Even though she hated to admit it to herself, she actually enjoyed his company. She preferred being alone but with Armin, she escaped from the dullness of her day as he brightened it.

Armin observed as she kept her face the same but he's learned to watch her eyes. Today he's gotten to experience the depth behind it and a new side of her he didn't know existed.

The rest of their walk consisted of a peaceful silence until they reached his house. Armin pulled out his key and unlocked the door, holding it open for her.

Annie stepped in and took in the surroundings. Once you walked in you got a clear view of the living room, connecting to a kitchen then to the left of the living room were stairs leading up to the rest of the house.

"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable anywhere." Armin encouraged as he shut the door. "My grandfather won't be home for awhile so we have the living room to ourselves."

The girl nodded and went into the living room, sitting down on the couch and setting her bag on the floor next to her. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to react, this wasn't something she was used to.

Armin followed behind and sat down beside her, placing his bag on the couch beside him and pulled his lab book out. He didn't notice how close they were until he opened the book and his arm brushed against hers.
Hoping she wouldn't mind as his heart began to race. He's never been this close to a girl besides Mikasa, and didn't know what to do.

Annie wasn't going to make the situation more awkward by scooting away so she accepted it. Leaning down and opening her bag to pull out a notebook and pencil before turning to look down at his book. Since they were that close they might as well share it.

The boy began to read from different areas that covered their type of substance combinations while Annie took notes. They worked on it for about an hour until Annie looked at the clock. I don't have much time before I have to be at work. The blonde girl looked back over to Armin. "I have to go." She closed her notebook and placed it back in her bag. Standing up and slinging it over her shoulder as she was about to head to the door.

"Wait!" He reached up and grabbed her hand, causing her to reflexively yank back but his grip held. "Where do you have to go?"

"It's none of-" she stopped herself before snapping at him, he did only ask an innocent question. "I have a job to go to." She flatly stated, her eyes looking at their hands.

The past hour felt like minutes to Armin, he didn't want her to leave so soon. "I can walk you there then." He added with a smile, ready to persuade against her denial of his offer.

Glancing up to his eyes she narrowed her gaze in thought. "It's not close to here. You'd just be stuck with a long walk there and back."

He let out a soft chuckle before standing up as well. "I don't mind, it's a nice day so what's the harm." He gave her hand a comforting squeeze. "Really it's no problem."

Annie bit her lip, how can I say no to him? After a few moments of silence she gave in. "Fine. Just don't slow me down." Releasing her hand from his grip she headed to the door with Armin to her left, a confident grin grazing his features.

They exited his house and Annie waited as he locked the door and stepped back over to her. "Lead the way." He was still smiling and Annie didn't acknowledge it until she turned to speak to him. Her mouth was slightly agape as he left her lost for words. The fluttering feeling in her stomach grew to the point where she feared if she actually liked him more than just a classmate. Impossible. I'm not attracted to Armin...right? She closed her mouth quickly and forgot what she was going to tell him in the first place, but she couldn't take her eyes off of him. He looked so carefree and relaxed next to her.

Up until the boy tripped over a crack in the sidewalk and about landed on his face except Annie instantly caught him, her left hand on his right and her other on his upper arm. His face flushed a bright red out of humiliation, how can I be so clumsy?!

"Are you okay?" She questioned. Even he caught the slight concern in her voice that she was trying to hide.

Armin rubbed the back of his neck shyly with his free hand, "Y-Yeah. Thank you." His eyes traveled down to their connected hands, not wanting to let go.

Annie released her hold on his arm but kept her left hand with his own, looking away from Armin out of embarrassment. "Just to keep it from happening again.." The warmth that radiated off his hand was a new feeling to her, and she couldn't bring herself to let go of such a comforting hold.

The taller blonde was astonished, she's the one holding my hand! He took in a long breath and let it out slowly, calming himself down. His face color went back to normal and he returned the gesture wholeheartedly.

A comfortable silence took place as they continued on their way to the restaurant Annie worked at. Armin knew better than to question why she was holding his hand, but it couldn't help but think, Does this mean she feels the same way for me?

They arrived sooner than expected and stopped at the entrance of the facility and the awkward silence flooded over.

"So, same thing tomorrow?" Armin asked to brake the deafening silence.

Annie nodded, "Yeah." Not being able to look at him directly as they turned to face one another.

He took in a deep breath, hoping to build his courage before lifting her hand he held up towards him, leaning down along with it to plant a light kiss on her smooth hand. "Until then. Goodbye, Annie." He flashed another smile that took her breath away, before letting go and walking away. Leaving a dumbfounded Annie to watch him leave, frozen on the spot. Right then Annie knew there was no denying it, while trying to hold back the grin growing on her face, that she liked Armin. Perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing after all.