"How could you Armin?" Eren snarled, shoving him back. "I trusted you with a key of my room, and you go around meddling with my private stuff?!"
"Eren please," Armin begged, nearly getting on his knees, "You have to hear me out!"
The brunette inhaled sharply, and pointed a finger to the door. "I don't want to hear it. Leave. Now."
"Eren, please..."
Eren shook his head, glaring at Armin with dark eyes. "Leave."
Armin sighed and slowly walked himself to the door. "I'm... really sorry Eren."
Eren turned his gaze to me. Surprisingly, there wasn't as much hate or anger in his eyes as before. It was mostly... disappointment. "I expected better from you (Y/N). I really did."
In all honesty, Eren's rage wasn't enough to get rid of my previous shock. My lip trembled as I tried to speak. "I'm sorry about invading your father's stuff... but, I have to side with Armin this time."
I let my eyes travel to the scattered papers on the floor. "There is something.... very, very important in those notes. Whatever you decide to do with them, please do it carefully."
Ripping my gaze from the papers, I walked out the door, closing it behind me.
The shock was still there, that was more than clear. But, there was something that was even clearer.
After getting Armin to open the door of the boy's dorm, I quickly rushed to my own, hoping Petra was still out with her father.
Reaching my dorm, I quickly unlocked it and tossed all unneeded things on my bed. Petra wasn't here, but I felt like I needed more privacy.
I had never felt my mind so clear before, like I knew what had to be done. I stepped inside the bathroom and locked it behind me. I headed for the sink and just stood there, staring at my reflection.
Let's do this.
I closed my eyes and calmed my mind, trying to focus on the one thing I had always believed I had no control over.
Not this time.
Voice!
This time, it didn't sound like I was calling for it. This time, it sounded more like I was commanding it to come.
And who would've guessed that's all it took?
I'm here.
I couldn't see anything, but I still poured my rage on the void.
You knew this didn't you? You knew it all along!
The voice remained silent, but when it spoke again, it kept it's coolness.
What do you mean?
Surprisingly, the stuff from my clothes is still here. I snatched out the piece of paper I had snitched and held it out in the air.
Honestly, I didn't even know if this thing can read, but judging from it's sharp inhale of air, it definitely knows what it is.
Where did you get that?
Where I got this from is none of your business. Now tell me the truth!
The voice spoke with a hint of a growl in its voice.
There is nothing to tell.
Liar!
The air got colder and menacing after I said that word.
There is nothing to say! Even if I knew something, what makes you think I'll tell you?!
You're lying! You know something, I know you do! Now tell me!
NEVER!
It's snarl was so harsh and venomous it struck me silent. The roar-like-snarl shook my whole body, and even I knew my actual body shuddered from it's power.
I will NEVER tell you! You are better off knowing NOTHING! The less you know, the better. Your nosiness will cause nothing but despair and destruction!"
I was completely speechless at it's words. My mouth was open, but now words ever came out.
Do us all a favor (Y/N), and stop prying into things that are far too complicated for you and your little brain can handle.
Little brain? How dare you--
A sharp pain struck my head, jerking me back conscious. That imbecile must've broken my connection by force.
Wincing, I stood up from my awkward position on the floor. The pain in my head still lingered even after I gave my head a soft massage.
Annoyance and anger bubbled in my veins, making my blood boil dangerously. I've never felt so much hate burn in my heart, other than the time when my parents were brutally murdered.
I clenched my fists. If only I had more time, I could've read it all...
Out of rage and regret, I slammed my fist on the cold sink, feeling it slightly crack underneath the sudden pressure.
Pain immediately erupted from the hand I used. I gripped it harshly, squatting down and bringing it to my chest.
There were dark shaded of purple on my hand, and a little blood seeping out from the place where it took most of the impact.
The overwhelming pain was just enough to distract me from my rage. I winced as I stood up to grab the first-aid kit provided in each room.
I am not so talented when dealing with medicine. No, let me rephrase that.
I am really stupid when it comes to medicine.
I took the only thing I was familiar with from the box, and setting aside everything else.
If something touches the bruise, then it hurts like hell. So all I have to do is cover it up with something, right?
I grabbed the bandages and clumsily wrapped it around my hand, making sure it covered the worst bruises.
Done.
As for the pain, I could whip out an ice-pack to help numb it, I suppose.
I sighed and packed up the med kit, unlocking the bathroom door afterwards.
I strolled over to the mini fridge we had, thankful that there was indeed an ice-pack sitting in the freezer.
I took the cold thing and wrapped a paper towel around it, gently pressing it to my painful bruise.
"(Y/N)? What happened?"
Aw shit.
Petra's soft voice caught me off guard, and I had no idea how to explain why one of my hands was covered in bandages and that I was putting an ice-pack on it.
Petra took off her shoes and set a plastic bag on the table. "I-I got you chicken wings. But never mind that, what happened to your hand?"
I looked away, avoiding her gaze. Petra noticed my reluctance to answer, and she immediately said softly, "It's okay... you don't have to tell me if you're not comfortable."
Her hazel eyes trailed to my injured hand. "But, at least, let me help you."
Petra walked towards me, and gently held up my hand. "I can help fix the bandages so it'll stay on longer. You put it on pretty loose, and that's not going to last very long. Then you can put the ice-pack on."
I remained silent, staring straight into her eyes, that showed nothing but a slight amount of curiosity and pure sincerity.
I gave in. "Alright."
Petra smiled and began to work with my injury. "Thank you."
The strawberry-blonde paused for a while when she took off the bandages I bashfully put on, stopping to gaze at it for a moment. I though she would've pestered me with more questions, but surprisingly, she just continued as if nothing happened.
I watched as she re-wrapped the bandages, making it neater and a lot more secure. She did it so smoothly, as if she's done it over and over a million times.
"And... done. There you go! It should be alright now. Oh and, don't overdo with the ice-pack. It's okay to leave a little pain. We don't want to numb it completely."
I nodded slowly. "Okay."
"Great! Now let's leave all the sappy stuff behind! C'mon, I got you chicken wings!"
***
Our schedules took quite a dramatic change in senior year. To prepare for the two month expedition, our academic studies have decreased by 50%.
50. Percent.
It was replaced with basic survival skills classes, such as how to treat a broken bone with limited resources, basic herbal remedies, basic survival contraptions, basic self-defense, how to track yourself out in the wild, learning the position of stars and the wind direction, avoiding predators and even morse code.
Trust me, there were still more than that.
I let out a sigh of frustration as our martial arts teacher made everyone redo a move, step by step.
Everyone else seems pretty set on perfecting this move, but I was getting insanely bored. This was one of the most basic moves I was taught years ago.
Comparing this to the extremely, complicated combination of moves I had to present at that competition years back, this was nothing.
It was like complicated algebra versus 1 plus 1.
"Alrighty! I think we'll wrap it up now! Everyone's dismissed. Remember to have a healthy meal and get a good night's rest. Don't forget to drink enough water!"
"Yes sir! Thank you sir!"
I walked beside Petra, hearing her complaining all the way back to the locker room. "Ugh my god! That was so tiring, I can't even begin to-... just, ugh!!"
I snorted. "We're gonna be hiking a mountain Petra. You're going to need a lot more stamina than that."
"But how? We only have a few months to get ready, and I can't just magically upgrade my stamina all of a sudden."
"Well," I trailed off, scratching my head. She does have a point. "There's no harm in training within the months we have left. You could at least get yourself used to being this tired."
Petra stared at me. "Then I'll just be worn out by the time the expedition comes!"
"Not if you overdo it."
Petra grumbled to herself, making me give a small chuckle. This girl...
My attention was suddenly ripped away as I saw a certain someone walking in my direction.
"Hey, Levi! It's been a whi--"
Nothing but silence and cold wind hit me as he walked past without a single glance.
"H-hey..."
I doubt he even noticed me standing there. I watched the raven stop in front of a freshman girl, exchanging words.
His expression... it's so relaxed and at ease... just like when he used to talk with...
Petra followed my gaze, immediately sensing the tension. "(Y/N), are you okay?"
...when he used to talk with me.
I felt my heart throb at the sight, leaving me breathless and overwhelmed with emotions.
Petra didn't need to look twice. She grabbed my hand and dragged me inside the locket room before I could even process what's going on.
She grabbed both our bags and swung them over her shoulder. "We'll change and shower later in our dorm. Let's get out of here."
"B-but Levi.." I stammered, pointing to him as Petra dragged me away.
"LEAVE HIM BE (Y/N)!" I froze, shocked. This was honestly the first time Petra rose her voice in such a serious tone.
"You don't need to stay around that.... piece of trash! He doesn't deserve you!" Petra spat, purposely throwing her glare at Levi.
"Ever since the meeting, that asshole has been nothing but a fucking jerk to you! He cut all contacts with you and blocked your number. He doesn't even speak to you in school, or even glances at you!"
She kept on running while dragging me along with her. "It's been a month since that meeting (Y/N). You've been... really off since that day."
"Off?" I chuckled nervously. "What do you mean by that..?"
At last, Petra let go of my hand. "You're always checking your phone."
"I'm always checking my social media."
"You look at him with sadness and longing every single time."
"I do not."
"You look more depressed than normal on a daily basis."
"I what now?"
"You go in the toilet, turn on the shower and bawl your eyes out."
"Wha-- No I don't!"
"You keep on eating my chocolate from the fridge."
"I was hungry!"
"You're always watching sad depressing animes every second you got!"
"I like anime!"
Petra stopped me with a finger. "Plus, you're in denial."
I flicked her finger away, getting annoyed. "Enough Petra. He probably just needs some time to himself."
Petra didn't say anything. Instead she just stared at me silently, her eyes unreadable. "Whatever suits you (Y/N)."
----------------------------------------------------
Heads up guys.
End of semester exams are once again here to curs-- bless us.
So yeah, I'll be on hiatus for about 2 and a half weeks or so.
Cuz this time, the exams lasts for 10 days *fuck me
Not only that, but projects that were supposed to have taken a whole semester, has to completed within a week.
Why? Because the teacher forgot to give it out.
Plus, I'm going to take the time to perfect the remaining chapters I have planned.
Yes ppl. This book is gonna be finished soon.
The next update is on the 10th of December.
Btw just asking, do u guys want a christmas special chapter? Comment ur answer.
*it won't affect the normal chapter's update schedule