Zuri: Attack On Titan

Seeing Armin

     When you see someone you thought was dead, I think its mutual to almost fall off a fifty meter wall. No? Okay, fine, that's not usually the case. But before we get to that part, let me tell you how I know Armin.

   When I was just starting my first year in school, we were out for recess when I first saw Armin. He was cornered near the schoolhouse by a kid and his dumb friends, a year or two older than us. They were shoving him against the wall and hitting him countless times. Not trying to be a hero here, but when I saw that, I walked over and punched the lead kid in the face. He stared at me, and I gave him the most stern look I could muster. He shuddered, holding his red nose. He backed off, his gang following almost obediently.

     I looked over at the blonde boy. "Hey." I had said, holding out my hand. He let out a slightly shocked  breath, then taking my hand and shaking it gently. "Thank you." He said. "You shouldn't let them do that to you." I had told him. "Well, it doesn't matter." The boy shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. "My name is Armin." He told me. "Nice to meet you, Armin!" I said almost too cheerfully. "My name is Zuri."

    Since then, Armin and I stayed together, and I didn't let anyone bully him. In our fourth year of school, he seemed distant. Whenever I tried to talk to him, he walked away from me. He went over to talk to another two children, who I later learned were Eren and Mikasa. I definitely wasn't happy, but I didn't stoop to that level of spreading rumors and whatnot. I just grew away from him, and let the two protect him instead of me. Not saying that it didn't hurt.

    And now, here I am, standing on Wall Rose, staring at the back of Armin's head like an idiot. I shake my head to clear it, and walk over to my father, holding his lunch in my left hand. I drop it next to his foot before turning around, his Garrison Regiment emblem on his shoulder briefly catching my eye. I turn back to where Armin was standing, deep in conversation with Eren and Mikasa. Ever since everyone inside the walls had learned that Eren could transform into a Titan, I had tried to stop thinking about them. Now I couldn't, standing here staring at the three.

    I turn back around and kick a gravel stone across the Wall top, alerting Armin. He turns towards me, his eyes widening. "Z-Z..." He stutters. "It's Zuri." I say neutrally. "You didn't forget my name did you, Armin?" He stands, staring at me. Eren walks to his left, Mikasa to his right. Eren looks at me with a suspicious look, as if inspecting every inch of me. Mikasa seemed distant and emotionless, as usual.

     Armin rushes forward, giving me a hug, one of his arms thrown over my shoulder, the other connected under my arm. I let out a light surprised sound, before returning his embrace. When I let go, he continues to cling to me, before Eren pulls him off of me by his shoulder. Armin continues to stare at me, like I'm some monster. "I.. But you're.. Dead.." He finally gets out. I take a step forwards. "Im obviously not dead." I tell him.

   He shakes his head as if to clear it. "Who are you?" Eren says, stepping forwards. I take my hand and put it on my forehead. "I just said my name, Eren." I say. "Are you as deaf as you are moody?" Seeing Eren, I realize how much he hasn't changed. His hair is still a messy, brown color that looks as if it hasn't been combed in days. His emerald eyes still furrowed in on themselves with that anger that was always there, no matter what mood he was in.

     "I'm not deaf!" He yells, his fists clenching. Mikasa would push him back lightly with her hand. My father would turn in my direction. So would almost every other person on the wall within 10 meters. I feel my face turning red. Armin would reach for my hand. I pull my hand back a few inches before relaxing it again. It had always been a little romantic between us anyway.

     As Armin grasps my hand, I could almost feel the heat pulsing from Mikasa and Eren. *They had never known about me,* I think, surprised. *And now they've been through so much with Armin. Heck, one of them is part Titan now!*

     I take my hand from Armin's grasp, looking at his face. The deep, gorgeous blue eyes that I had grown to love sparkled with affection, his blonde hair tossing in the slight, sudden breeze. "I.. I thought you died..." He gets out. "I obviously didn't." I repeat, the breeze slicing through my long brown hair.

     I definitely wouldn't call myself gorgeous, but I'm not the ugliest person, either. I have crystal grey eyes, and dark brown hair that covers my back. There is a very light band of freckles across my nose, though they are barely noticeable. I'm not fat, but I'm not a twig either. Im just about in the middle. Armin, as he always used to tell me, thinks Im beautiful. And, to be truthful, Im really not.

     The breeze suddenly picks up to a harsh wind. A bright green and orange flash would break through the calmness of the baby blue sky behind us, tearing me away from my thoughts. I turn around to see a looming, skinless face. It towers over us, the shadow casting long black strides over the wall. "Dear God.." Mikasa whispers. They all instantly draw their long, flesh-slicing swords. I move backwards, surprised. I suddenly notice the Scout Regiment emblems on their uniforms. *Dear God,* I think. *Armin's a Scout!*

     Mikasa narrows her eyes, giving me a dismissive glance before turning her attention back onto the Colossal Titan. I reach for Armin's arm. "I just reunited with you," I whisper to him. "I know I can't keep you from your job, so just don't die. Please." My voice sounds weak, and I hate it. Im not strong, but Im not weak. Armin turns his attention to me. His eyes sparkle with affection. "Ill try not to." He whispers. Then, he turns back to the Colossal Titan. It was then I realized how much my Armin had changed.

     And that I could never get my old, friendless Armin back. 

     It was never going to be just Armin and me. Ever again.