Exchange Students - Ereannie High School!AU

By your side

Eren's POV

This is starting to scare me, for the last five hours I've been texting and trying to call Annie, but she doesn't answer my messages and she doesn't pick up my calls. She didn't come to class today, and this only makes me feel even worried, I just hope she's alright... The only thing that distracted me from my thoughts was the last bell of the day ringing, I stood up and grabbed my bag, quickly walking out of the classroom, I'm going to her house today, no matter what.

-Eren where are you going?!- I heard Armin shout down the hall, I stopped and turned around, a determined look on my face, yet I was worried sick.

-I need to see Annie, I need to see if she's alright- I replied, I turned around once again and walked away, I know some might call me paranoid, but I have this bad feeling in my guts, and that can't be a good sign. I didn't care how long it took me to get to her house, the sun already set, but there wasn't a single star on the dark sky, it was clouded, all you could see was the faint moon shining down, I knocked on the door, and the one who opened it was Reiner.

-Hey Eren, I was expecting you so come in- I also grew closer to Reiner, he's like the big brother I never had, I could tell there was something going on with the way he spoke, his eyes stared straight into my soul and pierced through it like a sword, it felt painful, he was in pain but why? He sat me down on the couch, Bertolt coming out of the kitchen and sitting down next to him.

-Guys, what's going on? Is everything alright?- I asked, I let the concern show in my tone, Reiner lowered his head, using his hands to cover his eyes, Bertolt patted his back in a comforting way, this was starting to scare me, I clenched my fists.

-Our father... Is at the hospital, he isn't in a good state and they're not sure if he'll survive...- I could see them holding back the tears, trying to stand strong for his father, Bert's voice sounded like he was being choked, he could barely speak well, I instinctively stood up, my hands curled in fists as I looked down, I didn't know what to do, but then I felt Reiner's hand on my shoulder.

-It's not us that you should worry about, Eren...- He started to speak like the big brother he is, his eyes darted towards the stairs, all of us did, my eyes returned back to him when he started to speak again.

-She hasn't come out of her room, and doesn't let anyone inside, but maybe... She'll let you in- I nodded, Reiner lowered his hand from my shoulder and it fell to his side, I silently walked up the wooden stairs, I recognized Annie's room thanks to the door, I hesitated at first, but I need to be there for her, so without losing another second, I knocked on her door.

-Go away, Bertolt...- She replied, I could barely hear her voice, she sounded tired, I laid my forehead on the white rectangular piece of wood,closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

-It's me, Eren- There was a brief moment of silence, but it felt like it lasted an eternity, I heard her stand up, walk up to the door, unlock it and then walk away from it. A second after that, I slowly peeked through the door, I walked inside and gently closed it behind me, she was sitting on the center of her bed, she was wearing her typical, long-sleeved, white hoodie, along with pale blue sweatpants, barefoot, her blonde hair tied up like it normally was. She looked so normal, emotionless, but I could see it through her beautiful blue eyes, she was suffering inside.

-Your brothers told me what happened, are you alright?...- Of course only I would ask something so stupid like that! It's obvious she's not alright at ALL! I wish I could kick myself for saying something like that.

-Stuff like this happen all the time, right?... But then, why... do I feel so useless?- As she started to speak, her gaze turned from the window towards myself, for a second, I felt her pain, her fear, her sadness, all coming at me like a crushing weight, like tons of bricks were being thrown at my soul until it couldn't last anymore. She couldn't hold it in any longer, tears started to suddenly roll down her cheeks, her hands clutching to the fabric of the clothes she wore, crestfallen as she kept on crying.

I wrapped my arms around her, brought her closer to me and made her sit across my lap, Annie doesn't need to be told everything's going to be alright, we don't know that, she doesn't need fake hope. She hugged me tightly, burying her face in my chest, she silently cried, years and years of tears rolled down her face, some staining my uniform, some falling onto the bed.

-I feel so... lonely... I just...- She was choking in her tears, she couldn't speak properly without sobbing a little, her voice sounded a bit muffled, I have never seen her so damaged, so fragile, she always looked so strong, like she could never fall, yet she was acting like this now. I'm not disgusted, I don't love her less, this actually makes me fall for her even more, because I know she trusts me enough to let me see her like this, not even her brothers were allowed to come inside, yet here I am.

-You don't have to do this on your own,  I'm here for you- I whispered in her ear, I was resting my back against the wall next to the bed, she looked up to me and smiled, it was the happiest smile I have ever seen in my life, I kissed her lips briefly, removing the tears from her eyelashes, I kissed her forehead, the depressing moment turned into a calming one, I felt a lot of stress get off my shoulders, I could tell she felt the same, of course we have no idea of telling how her father would come out, but she knew there was someone for her, that she could rely on, that she wasn't alone anymore.

I noticed she fell asleep in my arms, I yawned and carefully placed down on the bed, I was tired too, a lot, I couldn't help myself as I laid down next to her sleeping, small body, she looked so peaceful in her sleep, I wonder what she dreams about, I see her smile again, her chest rising and falling slowly as she breathes, I wrap my arm around her waist, and close my eyes, drifting off to the realm of dreams as well.