Attack on Titan: Bloodline -- Version 2

• Chapter 7 •

850.

Mikasa was beginning to stir awake. She sat up, her hair a tangled, black mess, and rubbed her eyes. She looked around. Oil lamps had been lit, illuminating the girls' dormitory and casting an orange glow on the room. Many of the girls were waking up or waking each other up. Mikasa looked up and heard a light snore.

She sighed lightly and stood up on her mattress, reaching up and tugging at the sheet, pulling it gently off her sister's face. She said softly, "Lorraine? It's time to get up. Come on." Lorraine squinted in the orange light, her vision blurry as she looked at Mikasa. She groggily asked, "What time is it?" Mikasa said, petting Lorraine's face softly, "It's around five thirty. Come on, Lo. It's the day of graduation." Lorraine sighed and sat up. Her long, silky black hair falling over her shoulders, delicately draping around her round, baby face. Even though it was tangled, it remained soft and thick. She yawned deeply, stretching her arms above her head.

"Fine."

She slid out of bed reluctantly and grabbed her uniform, walking with Mikasa to the shower room. The Ackerman girls both set their uniforms on the bench and both walked into their usual stalls. As Lorraine felt the lukewarm water hit her now-toned body, she exhaled heavily. Her muscles were now tight and strong. She had some real definition, especially in her legs, and her once-perfect skin had many very light, nearly invisible scars from the multiple minor accidents she had experienced during her training. She never believed she would make it three years. She never thought she would see herself, her friends, and her sister reach graduation day together. It felt almost like a dream. She smiled, closing her eyes and letting the water hit her face, helping to wake her up a bit more before turning the water off and stepping out, wrapping a towel around her petite body.

She made sure her uniform was perfect before leaving the dormitories alongside Mikasa, heading out into the barely lit courtyard with many of the other Cadets. She tousled her long, silky hair, spraying a light mist of residual water into the air. Just over the horizon, the sun had just peeked into the navy-coloured sky, bathing the training grounds in a yellow-orange glow.

"Mikasa! Lorraine! Good morning!"

Lorraine smiled and happily greeted her little blonde friend, "Morning, Armin. You seem really chipper today." He shrugged and said, "Well, yeah. I mean, we've made it so far in just three years." Lorraine laughed and said, "You're right. We're so close to our goal, now." Mikasa said gently, "We all made it." Lorraine snickered, "Well, the three of us did, anyway. Seems like a certain someone is still asleep." Armin laughed nervously, "Yeah. He kind of didn't want to wake up. You know how he is when he's half-asleep." Lorraine sighed and turned towards the boys' dormitory.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to go in there and--"

She bumped directly into a familiar face once again. She barely even had to look up to know who it was.

Reiner beamed and said, chuckling his hearty chuckle, "Morning, Lo. I just wanted to wish you luck on the exams today." Lorraine smiled and said, dusting off her pants awkwardly, "Thank you. Best of luck to you, too, Reiner." He placed his large hand on her relatively small shoulder and smiled. She returned the smile before he turned and walked off towards the mess hall.

"He's always so kind to us. His confidence is infectious. Not to mention, he's always got an air of sincerity about him."

"Morning, guys."

Eren yawned and ran his hand through his somewhat neat hair. His blue-green eyes shone with determination, despite his clear tiredness. Lorraine drew her attention to her friends and Mikasa once again, her gaze following Reiner until he turned into the mess hall. Eren nudged her roughly and said, "Hey, Lorraine, you excited for today?" Lorraine smiled and said confidently, "Hell yeah. I think I've got a good chance." Armin said sweetly, "You have improved the most out of all of us. At least, I think so." Mikasa nodded in agreement. Lorraine blushed crimson and said, "Aw, come on, guys. That's not--" Eren interrupted, "Yeah, but I still think I can kick her ass!" Lorraine and Eren laughed. Mikasa said calmly, "We're all much stronger than we were three years ago." Armin sighed, his expression falling. Lorraine noticed this and gently patted his arm, giving him a reassuring look.