Nicotine (Eremin)

Chapter 5

(A/N: Hey guys! I'm back! I'll be trying to make more regular updates, so expect a new chapter every week or so. (probably on weekends) I'm sorry I've been disregarding this fic, but I will start writing again, and I hope to get a lot of chapters out of this one, too. I'm also sorry if there are any inconsistencies, because I might have forgotton a few aspects of the plot. Please tell me if I make any noticeable plot errors! Thank you so much for 13K+ reads on my first JeanMarco fic. I logged back into wattpad a few days ago with nearly 1,000 notifications! I also want you guys to know that I read every single comment you leave me, and I have a few screenshotted on my phone because they genuinely motivate me to write. Thank you so much!!)

January

Chapter 5

Armin's POV

        It was pretty hard to drag myself through the day. Jean and Marco pretty much abandoned me for some of their other friends, so it was pretty lonely. Plus, I didn't have very good service at my school, so it was close to impossible to communicate with Eren.

        I threw my bag next to my desk in the back of the room of my science class. Before the bell rang to indicate the start of class, people split off into their groups of friends. I don't know why- I knew I had friends- but it made me a little sad knowing I didn't have an immediate group to go to. The bell rang, and students scattered to get to their seats.

        I never really cared much about science. Eren was a huge nerd for it, though, and he usually helped me with science homework, and I would help him with English. That was pretty much our trade off, so I never paid much attention in science.

        I stared at the girl in front of me for maybe 20 minutes. Her hair was braided in a series of twists and knots that looked utterly painful. I drooled on my notebook without realizing it, and quickly covered it with the sleeve of my hoodie.

        "Arlert? Armin Arlert?" my science teacher called from the front of the room, phone in one hand. All eyes turned to me as I frantically tried to wipe the spit from my face and desk.

        "Oh, uh, yeah?" I asked sheepishly.

        "You're needed in the counseling office." he said with a half smile. I nodded and slid my notebook into my backpack. I threw it over my shoulder and made my way to the door.

        The counseling office wasn't that far from the science room, so it wasn't that far of a walk. The general aroma of the counseling office made me uncomfortable. Everyone who worked there smiled demonically 24/7.

        "Um, I was called down?" I approached the woman at the front desk. she glanced at a note on her desk, and then beck to me with the same demonic smile.

        "Arlert?" she asked, still refusing to break the grin.

        "Yeah, that's me." I said awkwardly, keeping my hands in the pockets of my hoodie. The woman handed me the note.

        "Ms. Ral requested you in her room." she said, pointing me down a short hall. When I got to Petra's office, I lightly knocked on the door and waited.

        She opened the door looking... worried? And- my grandpa was sitting in the room. What the hell is going on?"

        "Armin, please have a seat." she gestured to the only open chair in the room. I set my bag down next to it, and sat down.

        "Do you know why we called you down?" Petra asked, sitting next to my grandpa. I shook my head.

        "Honestly, I have no idea." I said. The two exchanged cconcerned glances.

        "Well, when we talked in the coffeeshop yesterday, you mentioned meeting someone online, and I felt concerned for your safety. I called your grandfather a few hours ago, and explained the issue, and he agrees that your personal safety could be in danger." she explained, with an occasional nod from Grandad.

        I was puzzled. I honestly had no idea why having a friend could violate my safety.

        "I'm sorry? I'm a little confused." I said. Petra cleared her throat.

        "Well, have you ever met this boy that you claim is your friend?" she asked.

        "Um, no but-"

        "Then there is no guarantee that he is actually a teenage boy. He, or she for all we know, could be a pedophile stalking you on the internet." my grandpa added. I scoffed and leaned back.

        "I met Eren when we were 13. That was five years ago, and he hasn't changed at all. I'm pretty certain that he exists." I pointed out.

        "You've never met him. for all you know, he could be in his fourties." Ms. Ral said, basically repeating my dad.

        "This is ridiculous. Eren is my friend." I stood up to leave and go back to science. Grandad stood up with me.

        "Sit down. This is not a subject we would like to debate. You will not make any further contact with this boy. Am I clear?" Grandad had never been this strict. He never even raised his voice at me.

        "No, honestly, it's not clear. It's not clear why you're cutting off communication with the only friend that i have. You don't understand that-"

        "Am I clear?" he repeated. I looked into his eyes, expecting sympathy. I only got disappointment. I sighed loudly and muttered 'yes.'

        "Good. Now, please hand me your phone." he said, outstretching his hand.

        "What, why?" I asked, moving my hand over my cell phone in my back pocket. 

        "I need to make sure you do not communicate with him any longer." he said, taking my phone by force.

        This can't be happening.