Breathless •Eremika (Love. Me. Now. Or. Never.)

XI: Spirits

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"Is Eren here today?" Mikasa noted, smoothing down the stubborn knots in her onyx hair. She was sitting beside Armin on the bench, staring down at the remaining blank spot where Eren would usually sit. Other students, Jean, Connie and Sasha included, were frolicking in the playground, poising themselves on fences and trees.

"Yeah," Armin stuttered, rubbing the back of his neck, "Probably just slacking off, that's all. It's typical of him to do so."

Mikasa lifted a shoulder dismissively, "Yeah. Do you think I look better in a skirt or in a dress? I personally prefer jeans better but I don't know if Levi would like it."

"Levi?" Armin inclined his head in bewilderment, "Wait, oh, right, his party. Right. Afterschool. Right."

"Yeah, I don't know which outfit I should choose. I don't have many clothes since I'm really not a fan of shopping, but I still want to look alright," Mikasa let out a sigh and unwrapped the scarf from her neck. It was a rare phenomenon because the scarf symbolized the connection between her and Eren and she cherished it more than life itself.

"Why are you so fond of Levi? Have you forgotten about Eren? You've never taken his scarf off before," Armin blurted out, then trailed off, "Sorry, I shouldn't butt into your business."

"Armin... I haven't forgotten about Eren and why would you ask that?" Mikasa clutched the bundle of scarf in her hands tighter.

"It doesn't matter, I said I'm sorry. You'll see him at the party tonight anyway."

"He's going?" she scooted closer to Armin anxiously.

"Yeah. And by the way, you can wear a skirt. I like the way you look in denim jeans though. Eren will like it either way, I know he will," Armin suggested, twiddling with his fingers absentmindedly.

Mikasa could feel the remorse settling into her forlorn heart, causing it to ache. She felt treacherous towards Eren for attending Levi's party. He had hurt her to the soul, yet she knew it was her duty to unravel him from his web of woes. She was his closest friend after all, besides Armin.

'The drowning sensation takes me to a faraway place where no one can reach me,' he had said to her. All she wanted to do was hug him, now. He had never sounded so distraught and depressed to her before. What was going through his mind? What was he thinking? She would like to know.

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"Wow, girl! Look at you!" Sasha gestured wildly at Mikasa's attire, "You look stunning! I bet Levi would be drooling over you in no time!"

"Do you think," Mikasa tugged at the frays of her thigh-length skirt, "Do you think that it's too revealing?"

"No, not at all," Sasha cackled, "look at yourself. You're so lean and pretty! You look better than every girl invited to the party."

"Thank you," Mikasa murmured, feeling rather insecure as she stared down at her bare legs. Levi's house was undecorated, yet his parents' wealth had granted them an entire mansion for gatherings to be held in. The exterior was pristine and the rooms were all bathed with grand bright lights. 

The two girls entered through the opened front doors, and were immediately greeted by a gust of warm air from the inside. The room was crammed with people their age, swaying their hips to the beat of the blaring music from overhead speakers, enjoying each other's presence.

"Drink all the stuff you want, there's spare in the fridge," Levi hollered, standing on a cardboard platform in the center of the colossal dining room. "I'll switch off the lights soon and everyone can enjoy their own shit."