Little Snowflakes (Eremin Fanfic)

Speech

Hi everyone! I hope you enjoy. So far, there's not much Eremin... I'll keep working on it! Hopefully I will get some reads. I should probably have this in the summary, but whatever—Disclaimer: I do not own Armin Arlert, Eren Jaeger, or any other characters from Shingeki no Kyojin. 

Armin’s POV

This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for to happen. Of course, I was immediately regretting it. But so many teens at Green Bridge High were depending on this. Without even thinking it. They wouldn’t dream to admit it.

And here I was, about to tell 4 entire grades.

I stood behind the wings of the stage. My cheeks were already red; I could feel myself burning up.

“Today, we have someone representing our Student Council. A student, actually. He would like to make a speech to all of you.”

My teeth chattered with excitement. How could I do this? Everyone knew me as the shy, sort of intelligent kid who always avoids social engagement. Would people laugh at me?

It was a likely bet.

“And his name is…”

Could it get anymore suspenseful? Maybe it just seemed that way to me.

“...Armin Arlert!”

About a third of the audience weakly clapped as I awkwardly walked up to the podium with my notes. It quickly died out as I got to my spot on the stage.

I guess I stepped too close to the microphone, because when I quietly said: “Hi, everyone,” microphone feedback squealed loudly into the speakers. People cringed and covered their ears. I adjusted the placement of it and spoke again.

“Hi, everyone.”

Deafening silence.

“Um… I-I, uh… am Armin Arlert, and I’m proud to be representing Green Bridge High School’s Student Council for this assembly.”

I looked down at my notes.

“There is an important matter that I would like to speak about today that I think is under appreciated at times. I also would like to say it for the new freshmen joining us this year. Welcome, guys.”

A couple of people laughed in the audience. Was that at me?

“This school is a wonderful school… full of wonderful people. Everyone is unique in their own way, and most people aren’t afraid to show their true selves.

“However, I think that there are some people still struggling, as many kids our age do.” I sound like some kind of weird psychologist or something.

“And I want to introduce the idea of an LGBT club at this school. For help. It is completely anonymous to the people who don’t go, so you have your privacy. You can feel open with us. We want to help you be yourself, though. And this club will hopefully not have to stay anonymous.

“Our goals are to have people be open. I think that many kids are struggling with the fact that the typical high school student is not always welcoming for gay people.

“By the end of the year, for all of you who want to join—we want you to be comfortable about sharing yourself to the world. I don’t think that anyone should have to keep themselves bottled up. I don’t think it’s fair.

“And…”

C’mon, Armin. You could just wrap it up now. You don’t have to say it. It’s a stupid idea.

“And, I would like to share with you, just so I can be an honest model...”

“... I am gay.”

Nice job, idiot. You just came out of the closet to the whole school. Worse, a very judgemental school. So smart.

Well, that was the plan…

“... I know what it feels like to feel left alone. But I think this club could help you. We would love it if you considered joining. We want this school to be a good home.”

I took a deep breath, trying to keep tears in. What you just did was brave. You stood up for all of the troubled teens in this school.

“Thank you for your time.”

I stepped back from the podium, and looking down the whole way, I walked off the stage. No applause. Everyone was astounded, I guess.

“Thank you, Mr. Arlert,” The principal looked my way and smiled. I did not return anything. I was emotionally damaged.

I didn’t go back into the audience. I went into one of the teacher bathrooms and just sat on the closed-lid toilet, tears spilling down my cheeks and dropping on my knees.

After probably about a half hour, I figured that the assembly would be done soon, and I stood up and went to the mirror. I turned the faucet on the sink and splashed cold water on my face. It no longer looked like I had been crying, just plain old me. I shut off the light and closed the door behind me as I slowly stepped out of the bathroom. I saw what were probably either freshmen or sophomores rounding the corner and I quickly did the same as if I was travelling with the same crowd. A younger girl, probably a freshman, came up to me. “Your speech sounded really good. Thanks for doing that,” She said to me shyly. I blushed. “O-Oh… thank you,” I returned. “It was my pleasure.”

“I have two gay dads. I really think that speech was important. I’m sure they probably dealt with something like that when they were in high school,” She said. I smiled. “Yeah, I just really want anyone to feel like they don’t have to be private about themselves.”

She nodded. “Bye,” She said. I waved.

Juniors followed the crowd. A couple of boys pushed me against the wall, which I’m sure wasn’t an accident. What should’ve I expected? Not everyone’s going to approve of my speech. Not everyone is going to be kind about it.

Something caught my eye. Before I even really saw it, I knew what it was. Rather—who. Those blue green eyes, like the ocean in a storm. The dark brown hair messily pulled out of his eyes.

I kept walking forward, trying not to be creepy. A few seconds later, I felt a tapping on my shoulder. I turned around. It was him.

“Hi, Armin,” he said to me with a genuine smile on his face. Was I blushing? Shit. “Oh, hi, Eren.”

Eren had been a good friend of mine all the way from 6th grade, when I moved in and started middle school. He had saved me from my social anxiety issues and had been my friend. He still was a friend of mine now; not as close—he had made a few new friends, but I didn’t mind, because I knew he still cared about me.

He’s a typical jock. The same age as me, yells a lot, but is very handsome. You could say…  I might’ve liked him a little more than a friend. It was about 8th grade when I was sick and tired of pushing the thoughts about me possibly being gay to the back of my mind. I started to think, Wow, this must be who I really am if it’s bothering me this much.

And, of course, what also helped me realize this were my unavoidable feelings for my best friend.

“I thought you’re speech was really great,” He said to me. “You were very brave.”

“Thanks,” I said. How will Eren treat me now that he knows I’m gay?

“Armin,” he said, “I want you to know that you are still my good friend, ok?”

I nodded, no words coming out.

He patted me on the back and I looked up at him again. “I’ll see you Monday,” He said.

“Ok, see you then, Eren.”

“Bye,” He said to me happily.

“Bye,” I said quietly, more to myself.

I couldn’t pull the smile off of my face for the last hour of the day.

Like I said, not much Eremin. But I've been working a lot on this story, and there's definitely Eremin developing with each POV! Please comment what you think, should I update, and if I should, how often? I'm thinking maybe weekly or bi weekly? I hope you like it so far, and if you want more, I guess just comment below! :D