Annie Loves Armin

Chapter Six: Everlong

Special thank you once more to my friend, @Ghaziimran for assisting in the writing process for this chapter! :D

Also, bonus points if you listen to Foo Fighter's Everlong while reading. (I've included a link to a cover that I listened to while writing the last half of this.) It definitely inspired most of this chapter!

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"W-what?" Annie sputtered out, her heart beating erratically. She must have heard them wrong. It almost sounded like...

"Armin got in an accident," Bertholdt confirmed and for a moment, Annie froze, phasing out his explanation. Impossible, she thought, he was just here a few hours ago. "...Didn't see the accident happen but..."

"Wait," Annie said quickly. "Start over. What happened? How did you guys find out? Are you at the scene right now? Is he okay?"

"Annie calm down," Bertholdt said quickly. "Reiner and I went to a bar after the dinner and as we were heading home, we heard sirens and saw a bunch of flashing lights at the intersection near Marley's Diner. As we got closer, we noticed that one of the vehicles involved looked exactly like Armin's car and it wasn't until we saw his Fortuna bumper sticker..." Bertholdt stopped to collect his thoughts. Annie swallowed heavily in anticipation. The most important question she had asked had still remained unanswered. "Anyway, Reiner pulled over and we got out to talk to the officers. They tried to push us away but when we mentioned that we knew Armin, they pulled aside and started briefing us on the situation.

"Some witnesses who saw the crash said Armin was hit on the driver's side by someone who ran the red light. He was hit pretty hard, Annie. When we got here, he was still in his car. We tried helping but they wouldn't let us get any closer. The paramedics just got here and they're about to take him to the hospital. They told us he's still alive, but he's in really bad shape."

"Oh God," Annie muttered, feeling her body go numb. "Oh my God. Is anyone else there? Like Mikasa or Eren?"

"No," Bertholdt replied. "Reiner called them just a minute ago and they're headed to the hospital."

"I'm going too," Annie resolved and stood from her bed, holding the phone against her shoulder and moving to her closet.

Bertholdt sighed. "I knew you were going to say that. Just stay put, okay? Reiner and I will come and pick you up in about ten minutes."

Annie nodded, thanking Bertholdt before hanging up. As she continued to get ready, a dark thought kept nagging at her. I could have stopped this from happening. I could have turned him away instantly and he would have been home without getting hurt. It's my fault.

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The ride was silent. No one dared speak a word in fear of somehow making the situation worse. Annie shared worried glances with Bertholdt in the rear-view mirror and he tried to reassure her with a somber smile. It didn't do much, but she was grateful she wasn't spending this time alone. Though she may have wanted to deny it, she needed someone and she was relieved that her friends were quick to heed that call.

Annie received several panicked texts from Mina, who had heard from Marco, who had heard from Jean, who was told by his fiancee Mikasa, about the accident. Though she had since moved away from Trost, she tried her best to remain invested in Annie's life. It was difficult, but not impossible. Hearing that Annie's ex had been seriously injured and knowing the extent of Annie's feelings for him, Mina tried her hardest to comfort Annie.

Even Mikasa sent a small text to Annie, asking if she was okay, knowing how close she and Armin had been. Though, Annie didn't respond.

The hospital was cold and unwelcoming: a perfect place for a few anxious friends to meet. As Annie, Bertholdt and Reiner entered the waiting room, they were immediately greeted by Eren, who was relieved to see them.