Friend or Foe... (AoT Reader Insert)

Chapter 9: The Start of Something New

"Where were you this morning?" Mina inquired, her eyes flickering towards me for a moment before returning to her food.

"In the same place as you," I yawned, "but I woke up before you. As usual."

Mina took a moment to swallow before responding, "says the one who was basically asleep during the commander's roll call this morning!"

"Not true," I murmured through a mouthful of food, "the sun was just in my eyes. Why would I ever want to ruin my vision by staring at the sun?"

The ravenette stared at me skeptically, her head slightly tilted as one of her eyebrows raised.

It was the look she gave me when she knew I was lying.

"What?" I said defensively, "just because I'm prone to yawning this morning doesn't mean I stayed up late last night-"

"Ha!" the girl suddenly shouted, "I never said anything about you staying up late. I knew something was up with you. So tell me this, (Y/n); where did you go last night?"

I groaned internally.

I knew I should've just slept through breakfast.

"I didn't go anywhere," I feigned innocents, "I literally just couldn't fall asleep. Is that so hard to believe?"

Mina studied my expression.

I studied hers.

I'm sure it would've gone on longer if not for the pair of cadets who sat across from us.

"You do look rather tired, (Y/n)," Sasha worried, "it does not really seem like you got a good night's rest."

I lowered my head onto the table in defeat.

"Is it really that obvious?"

"I mean... the constant yawns are kind of a give away," the shaved boy (who I'd learned was named Connie) mused, "though I think they're a good look for you."

I stifled a laugh as I sat up, "was that supposed to be a compliment?"

"More or less," Connie smiled, "was it a bad one?"

"What a foolish thing to give a compliment about," I teased, "but if I had to rate it, I'd give it a three out of five."

The door to the mess hall flew open and revealed none other than Commander Shadis himself.

"Ten minutes before we run the final balance tests," the commander announced, "anyone who has yet to pass the test will have to retake the test today. Anyone who passes will be allowed to remain as a part of the 104th Training Cadets. Anyone who fails will be working the fields for the rest of their lives."

Closing the door (a little aggressively, might I add), the mess hall stiffened with anticipation.

"Is it bad that I'm kind of excited to see how Eren will do today?" Connie asked, a slight smile on his face, "I mean... last night he even came to me for help! Unfortunately though, I couldn't really help him out all that much. Most of my talent is natural."

I laughed at the way the foolish boy held himself, "perhaps I should take some of that natural talent for myself!" I joked, "then maybe I'd be able to get a good night's rest."

"I am not sure if that is how talent works, (Y/n)." Sasha cautioned.

I found myself smiling at Sasha's genuine concern for something so trivial.

"I mean, anything can be considered talent when it's impressive enough," I mused, "but talent and hard work should never be confused for one another. I think it would be pretty foolish of someone to assume that because someone is good at something it was because they were talented from the start."