catalyst ⋆˙⟡ nerd!armin arlert x reader

chapter 4

After about thirty minutes, Professor Hange called the class, declaring it over an hour before the dismissal time. You shoved the syllabus in the one folder you had bought for classes, knowing most of the material you'd be given was going to be online.

Jean stood up, leaning over to talk to Mikasa, who looked as though she'd rather be anywhere but here. You felt bad. Jean clearly didn't have bad intentions, but you knew how it felt to be talked to by someone you had no interest in at all whatsoever.

Without thinking, you slung your bag over your shoulder and leaned over your lab table, tapping Jean on the shoulder. "Sorry," You apologized for interrupting. "Do either if you know where the coffee shop on campus is?"

Mikasa's dark eyes lit up when you asked. "Yeah, I do."

You smiled as Jean frowned at you. "Do you mind walking me? I get lost so easily, and I'm supposed to be meeting a friend."

"No, I don't mind at all." She replied, grabbing her cross-body backpack from the floor and slinging it across her chest as she stood, straightening out the red chiffon skirt she had on.

You moved around the desk, maneuvering around the guy next to you, who hadn't introduced himself, which felt odd. How were you two meant to work together if you didn't even know each other's names? 

You shook it off, so what if you didn't know his name? You might prefer he not know you, considering how badly you were going to perform in this class. It might be best if he had no idea who you were, that way he couldn't bitch to everyone about how awful his lab partner is.

Part of you yearned for anonymity, but the other part couldn't help but become aware of the space between your elbows and his on the table throughout class, and how it was shrinking each time you adjusted. Or how he smelled faintly of fresh laundry and peppermint.

You shook your head and squeezed past him.

Mikasa waited by the end of her table for you, walking in front of you out of the class room. Jean gave you a look, and you shrugged, stealing a look at the guy who say next to you, who had pulled his headphones over his head, it was only then did you see the thick silver hoops hugging his ears.

Quickly, you turned and caught up to Mikasa, half expecting her not to talk to you, and just speed walk to the exit when you left the room.

Instead, she slowed and turned to you. "Thank you for back there."

"Don't worry about it, I could see you wanted an out." You replied, giving her a weak smile.

Mikasa sighed. "I like Jean, he's cool and all, but he can come on so strong, and it's only noon. I am barely awake."

You nodded, you got it. She seemed a bit anxious, messing with her hands as you two made your way towards the exit. It took no time to reach the front doors of the building, pushing through the sleek window-framed doors and into the quad between all the science buildings, all equally modern.

Mikasa kept walking, and you couldn't figure out if you should follow her. You did technically need directions to the coffee shop, but you could figure that out by yourself, and didn't want to burden her.

She turned, a few feet in front of you. "You coming?"
Nodding, you sped up. "Sorry, you don't have to do this if you don't want to," You explained, but she shook her head.

"It's okay, I was going to get an Americano after class anyway. I'm also meeting a friend there." Mikasa sighed, taking a deep breath in and closing her eyes as you two approached a staircase, making your way down and out into another courtyard. It seemed like this school had no shortage of them.