The Month Of May

Chapter 26

WE WERE BOTH IN THE TOP TEN.

I was frozen. I didn't know what to say or do. Top ten...I thought I had underperformed enough at the examination in order to pass under the radar, yet Shadis had indeed called my name...

What in the world? I had used my eyes on the judges, but they still had scored me high..? This was dangerous. If Erwin found me, I'd be in serious trouble. What had I done? I should have done worse. Now the whole mission was jeopardized. Dammit, if Erwin came out to greet us and saw my blue eyes and lack of family, I'd be damned...!

"Annie, this is great news! I just-I don't know how I pulled it off!" Armin jumped up and down ecstatically, a brightened look on his jovial, babyish face. I wanted to be excited for him. Unfortunately, I didn't have that luxury. "I-I made it. Annie, I made it...!"

I swallowed down my fear and plastered on a small smile for him. I weakly squeezed his hand, more as a way to reassure myself than him.

"That's great, Armin. I'm really proud of you."

"Well, it wouldn't have been possible without you," His words were so wholehearted and genuine that guilt began to trickle down my spine. This poor boy...If only he knew. He threw himself toward me,
launching us into a tight hug. My blue eyes widened into round circles, my body frozen as he hugged me. "I mean, seriously! I didn't think I passed, but I made it into the top ten...!"

"...Eren and I told you that you did well in your examination," My voice was soft, lacking the bluntness and usual delivery of communication; he had thrown me off entirely! "You've earned this."

"Thank you. You too!"

He awkwardly let go of me, a huge grin still plastered on his round features.

"Eren and Mikasa got top ten, too!"

"Good for Eren," I replied dryly. Armin sighed.

"Yeah, he deserves it. I know he's been working really hard," Armin gazed outward toward his two best friends. Eren was jumping around in a circle happily while Mikasa was just standing there as Eren circled her. Armin sighed again. "I'm still
annoyed that Mikasa said that to you."

"She wasn't wrong, Armin. Did you ever...ever think that I was...abandoned..for a reason?"

"Yes," He said firmly. "Your parents were awful, and that's why."

"How can you be so sure of that?" I was bewildered by his blind faith in me. He smiled.

"Because I know you, Annie! I know that you're not that kind of person."

How wrong he was. Where had he gotten that? Loneliness was my speciality. Just how twisted was his opinion of me? I must have done too much with my eyes, now all I could do was feel terrible...

"I'm sorry. I need some time," I pulled myself away without another word before quickly walking off. I could hear him calling after me, but I continued to run. When I was sure I lost him, I settled into an alley, the same one Armin had first discovered me in...I plopped down, leaning against the wall before throwing my face in my hands.

What had I done...?

Out of all the people in this wall, Armin had to be the one to find me? It couldn't have been anyone else? Some other poor soul? Why did it have to be Armin? He was too nice to be deceived by me. Why...Why him?

It...It was too unfortunate. I fiddled with the ring on my finger. I couldn't falter now, but...I didn't want to do this. No, I didn't. Not to him. There was...something about him. I didn't know what it was, but...

No. I had to stop. This is how any person would have treated me. I was growing soft, I couldn't let him faze me. However, the fact that he was the first person to ever treat me well just...caught me off guard. That...That was all.

I inhaled sharply before getting to my feet. There was no time for softness. I was Annie Leonhart, stoic and detached, only focused on the mission. There was no time. This was for Armin's benefit, it was. It would help him out in the long run. Even if he had to lose a friend, I had to do it...

For the betterment of humankind, this was the only way.