Unspoken Norms | Levi Ackerman ✔️

Chp 24 ~ I Need Your Help

Fun Fact: If Levi was sick, you'd barely notice it.

_____

Your POV

"Okay everyone! Off you go to lunch! Don't forget the tips we went through!" Miss Munroe declared, gathering her equipment.

Students filed past my desk, where Jean and I speedily jotted down notes from the whiteboard. Others had given up writing them, deeming it worthless, but we knew better than to discard important advice—advice that could boost my exam performance.

Before I could start the last sentence, a heavy stack of paper was dumped on our table, making both of us jolt. My eyes flicked up, just in time to see Levi halt a chair in front of us and sit down.

"Give us a moment," he demanded bluntly, looking off to the side; as if the mere sight of me greatly offended him.

I got up from my seat, memorising the final sentence on the board—

"Tch, where do you think you're going?" Levi's tone proclaimed apathy; and clear displeasure.

Blinking with confusion, I asked, "D-don't you need a word with Jean?"

Those cold eyes hardened—well if it was possible for ice to harden. "Idiot. I need a word with you."

Horseface whistled lowly and rose to his feet, packing up his belongings. I froze where I was, a swirl of apprehension fluttering through my veins. The most popular guy in the grade... needs a word with me?

Jean's command on the second day of school echoed in my mind. Do you get it now? So no matter what you do, try to interact with the popular group as little as possible.

Then why was Levi...?

"I need your help." Frost spread further along my limbs, making me freeze all over. This boy who was all brilliance and pride, asking me for help.

"Why would you ask help from an idiot?" I blurted out before I could reconsider what to say.

"Because this idiot can do English," Levi said, fixing me with a glare. "Are you going to help me or not? Spit out an answer so you don't waste my time."

Everyone else had exited the room now, even Miss Munroe who lingered by the door, keys in hand. "Come on, you two. You have the entire lunch to chat." She tapped her salad container tucked under her arm. "I need a break, too."

I returned my gaze to Levi. "Fine. I'll help you."

***

Levi's POV

"What is it you need help with?" (Y/N) inquired, scanning the booklet I'd deposited on her desk. We sat under the maple tree, the breeze carrying the scent of early spring.

Both of my friends watched me from the opposite bench; Furlan smirking widely, Isabel beaming proudly. As if they knew what I was up to.

I cleared my throat, turning my attention back to the stack of paper. "Revising, preparing for the English exam. All that shit."

She faced me directly. "So... you want me to tutor you?"

Tutoring. What a disgusting term to use. "No. Just help me."

(Y/N) gathered all the sheets and stood, slinging her bag over a shoulder. "Basically tutoring, then."

"No," I snapped. "There's a difference."

"Is there really?"

Self-righteous brat. Outwardly, I shot her another one of my glares. "We're meeting up at the library after school."

She nodded and left, heading towards the distant tree where Jean and Eren sat. I clenched my fist beneath the table, feeling an avalanche of emotion overtake me.

You said forget it. Forget everything. Now, what exactly are you doing?

An arm hooked around my neck, and I felt my instincts surge, muscles stiffening—

Furlan laughed, loosening his grip on me. "I see you've found yourself a date."

"A date? That's no date—"

"It is to us," Isabel put in, bracing her chin between her upturned palms. Her eyes twinkled with admiration, as if seeing what her big brother 'achieved' for the first time.

I pushed out a heavy breath, slowly unfurling my fist. The emotion—vexation, hatred, anger—subsided as quickly as it had come. "Whatever."

I didn't want to admit it but... ignoring all the stress of exams, all the barriers and complications of our grade... I was actually looking forward to this afternoon.