Addictive ~Levi x Reader AU~

Chapter 5: Snag

Marco and I made our way into our biology class, the two of us just laughing and talking. The class was already filling up with students, most of which neither of us had seen before. We shuffled to the back of the room and claimed a table with two empty seats at it. I won't deny it, it was rather pleasant to be socializing with some else besides Ryuk. Well, I guess I should be saying it was nice to be socializing in general. I had been missing out.

We settled our needed books on our table, still chatting about jovial things that were rather meaningless, but perfect for two strangers. We discussed our music tastes, the weather where we were from, and other minor things when we heard the door burst open, slamming against the wall with a clamorous thud, making me flashback to that morning in Professor Ackerman's class. We both shifted in our seats, directing our attention to the front of the room alongside our classmates. I felt like I would collapse when I saw who had caused the ruckus.

"Hello, my sweets," Hanji sang, flashing us a broad smile. "I'm Professor Zoë, but you can address me as Hanji." She waved her hand in the air dismissively, adding, "We ain't got time for any of that formal bull crap. Am I right or am I right?"

We all just stared at her, disbelief brewing in the atmosphere. How the hell is she a professor? She's gotta be close to my age! I screamed internally, flabbergasted at the discovery. It had to have been a dream. First, I got Professor Douchebag as my lit instructor and now that crazy lady was my biology professor. I failed to see how much worse it could get. Then again, I just didn't give the universe the chance to prove me wrong.

"Oh, come on people," Hanji huffed, resting her hands on her hips while scanning the class. "Y'all need to lighten up." I watched her deep brown eyes grace over each person until they landed on me. Her eyes widened as her smile grew even wider, "Y/N! I didn't know you're in my class!"

I could feel my classmates' eyes turn to me, their stares burning into my skin, including Marco's. I wasn't fond of the attention whatsoever. I disliked the way my skin felt as their curious gazes burned into my flesh, searing my nerves with their orbs. I felt my chest tense up, each breath growing shallower than the last, sending pains darting through my body. My limbs began to tremble as I nervously bounced one of my legs, using my toes like springs. Oh no. Please, not again. I begged internally. I didn't want them to look at me anymore. I barely even wanted to be there. It was driving a stake through me.

Marco broke the silence, whispering to me, "You...you, uh, you know her?"

"She sure does!" Hanji burst, budding in on our conversation as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder as if we were old friends. "We go way back. Way back to this morning."

I nervously glanced around. Everyone was just staring at us, their expressions all confused. I wanted to bolt it for the door, but Hanji had a death grip on my shoulder, leaving me prisoner to my embarrassment. I knew the day was being too kind to me. It had been running too smoothly for there to be no hiccups. Well, I had found the snag in the lining. I could feel my cheeks flushing red with embarrassment with every second that ticked by. She just had to be my instructor.

"Um, excuse Professor -," Marco began.

"Hanji, Hanji. Call me Hanji," Hanji waved her hand dismissively, her grip on me still strong.

"Right," Marco blinked. "Hanji, should we start class?"

Hanji released her grip on me and took a look at the watch on her wrist, chuckling, "Why, yes we should! Everyone! I need you to all pull out your books and turn to page fifty! Time to explore the exciting world of biology!"

She made her way to the front of the room, excitement in her voice as she swayed to her words. I was almost positive I saw a line of saliva running down her chin, almost creeping me out. Wow. She's a character. I mentally noted as I flipped open my book. I turned my attention to Marco and nudged him, causing him to glance up at me. I mouthed to him a 'thank you' and he mouthed back, 'you're welcome', the corners of his lips drawn up. From there, we listened to Hanji go on a rant about the miracle of meiosis and mitosis. At least, I think that's what she was bantering about. I wasn't paying attention.

***

"Ryuk, I'm home," I announced as I dropped my bag and kicked my shoes off by the front door. "Thank the heavens."

I shuffled over to Ryuk's tank and picked him up, cradling him to my chest. He blinked up at me as I trotted over to the cushiony sofa and plopped down on it, my body sinking into the comfy cushions. I pet his head a bit before glancing over at my answering machine. I had two missed calls from earlier that day. With a huff, I reached over and hit the play button, prompting the machine to read my messages to me.

"Monday, August 21st at eleven thirty A.M.," the machine said in it's computerized voice. "Hello, this call is for A/N (just make-up someone's name) -."

"And delete," I mumbled, pressing the delete button. "Stupid wrong numbers."

I continued to scratch Ryuk's head, waiting for the machine to play the next message.

"Monday, August 21st at one fifteen P.M.," it continued. "Y/N?"

I froze. I knew that voice. How could I forget it? As badly as I wanted to, I couldn't. It was forever burned into my brain. That tone and the way they swallowed when they paused to take a breath. I couldn't erase that horrible voice even if I wanted to.

I was about to hit the delete button when the message continued, "Well, I guess you're not there. Just give me a call when ya can. I'll talk to ya later."

At that, the message ended, leading my machine to beep. I sat paralyzed and frozen. I thought my soul was going to jump out of my body and run far, far away. Every cell in my body grew cold, causing my heart to skip a beat or two. No...it can't be. My lips quivered. It can't be them. Why now? Why after all this time? I felt a tear stream down my cheek, its warmth leaving a salty river down my flesh. Ryuk climbed up higher onto my chest and licked it (I know lizards probably don't do this, but it's fiction, so why not?). I felt like I was dreaming, that I was trapped in a nightmare. Everything was crashing down around me, suffocating me.

I cupped my hand over my mouth as the floodgate snapped. I muffled my sobs with my hands as tears fell, Ryuk watching me. My glasses began to steam from the salty heat of my tears, but I didn't care. I remained trembling and sobbing, my body showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

"Dammit," I whimpered.

**Hello, lovelies! Hope you enjoyed this mysterious chapter (not really "mysterious", but, eh). Now we have a mystery caller on our hands. Who could it be? And why do they get to you like this? Stay tuned for the next chapter coming to ya next Monday! Thank you so much for reading! As always, feel free to leave a comment and/or vote! :)**

-Noel Ross