Unspoken Norms | Levi Ackerman ✔️

Chp 11 ~ The School Assembly

If you're not good at English, pretend you are! It suits better for the plot:)

Sorry another long chapter...

_____

Your POV

I gnawed at my bottom lip, worrying over the upcoming Term 1 assessments. First it was maths, geo, then English—I usually did well in it so I wasn't too stressed about that—history, science, even art. More were coming for sure.

And now, I was going to get an Academic award in front of the whole school. From Year 7 to Year 12. Another worry in my mind. I still didn't know how I got one—maybe I paid attention in class?—but all I know was that I got notified two days ago.

Armin, Levi and Erwin were also receiving awards from our class. As for the rest of the grade, I had no clue. Not that I even knew half of them.

"The next set of Academic awards are for Year 10," announced the speaker on stage, his sonorous voice booming out over the audience. Levi standing up was my signal to get up as well. A long line of Year 10 students trailed behind us, with Erwin in the lead.

We wound around to the side of the stage, a haphazard sequence of uniformed bodies. I angled my face away from the watchful crowd, hoping they wouldn't notice me.

"First award goes to Erwin Smith," the man declared, arms draped on the wooden lectern. Respected cheers echoed around the large hall as the blonde boy ascended the steps to the stage, pose ramrod-straight. His stride was all storm and grace.

An important-looking woman picked up a small pile from a nearby table. She handed Erwin the first slip of paper, shaking his hand before gesturing to the far side of the platform. As he positioned himself at the end, next to the opposite flight of steps, the announcer spoke again.

"Levi Ackerman." One moment, it was just the speaker's voice. The next, an orchestra of roaring cheers fled the audience, of claps and whoops and whistles.

I winced at the clamorous outburst, right as Levi advanced. Through the noise, I found my eyes glued to his back, the muscles beneath the fabric stretching and shifting. He walked up the steps, poise august; utterly unfazed by the commotion.

I had to admit—I was impressed. Not that I would ever say that. I still hated him.

Once the noise finally died down, I could hear the "whispers" of some girls in my grade.

"Levi is so handsome. How does he do that?" someone sighed dramatically.

Another feminine voice answered, "It's natural for him. He's always handsome. And hot."

"Stop it guys—only I can say that. He's mine," came a more high-pitched tone. Out of curiosity, I glanced to the voice's owner, where large amber eyes met mine. The girl had a perky face, framed by neck-length golden hair. Her gaze was bright, but—maybe it was my imagination—a flash of deceitfulness passed her irises.

I quickly looked away, back to the stage where Levi stopped next to Erwin, arms crossed with the award in his grasp.

"(Y/N) (L/N)." My name sent my feet moving, taking me up the steps. Cheers, much more quiet in contrast to Levi's earlier applause, echoed across the room—beneath it, a few 'boos' shot from Year 10's section. The group of bullies.

I tried to ignore the pang of disappointment surging up my arms, but my efforts deemed no avail. The smile I gave the woman was forced. I hoped she didn't notice it. 

I made sure that I gave Levi an unnecessarily wide berth when I halted beside him. I felt the subtle drift of his eyes in my direction, but I ignored him completely.

It was his fault—he started all this.

***

Levi's POV

After the school assembly, the bell rung, signalling the end of the day.

I headed to my locker, in the right Academic building adjacent to the hall. Both the library and assembly room were in the same block, connecting the end of the two Academic buildings. I slipped the award into my white folder, blowing out a breath.

As soon as I switched the numbers on the lock, opening my compartment, a loud "Can you not?" bounced down the corridor. I leaned back and peered over the locker door, glimpsing (Y/N) surrounded by Jarrod and the gang.

Displeasure was written all over her face; eyes narrowed accusingly. A hand was gripping her lock, as if she was about to open it. Jarrod smirked, fingers unclasping a hairband. The elastic met ground, stark against the pale blue surface.

(Y/N)'s hair cascaded around her, released from the hair tie's binding. I placed my white folder inside the compartment before closing my locker door and approaching the group.

The platinum-haired boy flitted his attention to me, smirk widening. "Ah, look who decided to turn up." Everyone else looked at me, even (Y/N). But I merely slid my hands in my pockets, expression unfeeling as ever.

"Don't you brats have better things to do?" I demanded, voice laced with boredom.

Jarrod shrugged nonchalantly, toeing (Y/N)'s hairband with his black pointed shoes. "I'm definitely not studying."

With him distracted, (Y/N) let go of the lock, trying to carve through the crowd. Arden blocked her way, lapis gaze full of challenge.

"Let me go," she hissed, pushing past him. The stiff pounding of her footsteps down the hall told me no one stopped her, and for some reason I felt a tide of relief. When silence laid in her wake, I cleared my throat, drawing the attention back to me.

"Stop bullying her."

Jarrod's mouth twitched like he was reigning in laughter. "You serious, Levi? Since when were you one for mercy?"

My eyes hardened on him. "You've never truly known me." It was more of a statement than a question. I didn't know what I was doing—all I know was that I had to stop this. They've always been bullying others, again and again.

I hated having to cross these borders, to be enemies with Jarrod. I wasn't losing my rank though; he was nothing without me. If the group was forced to choose either him or me, it would be me.

"Then again, you've never let me," the blonde guy stated. He picked up the hairband, examining it for a cursory moment before tossing it away. "If you really want me to stop, prove to me you're on my side."

My face spoke of no emotion. "I have nothing to prove to you," I said, and walked away.