If Only For A Little While

Subconscious Thoughts

Eren

I ran as far away from him as I could, my heart was racing and my breathing heavy. What the hell was that? I thought to myself, sagging against a wall to catch my breath. I dug the heels of my hands into my eyes replaying the scene in my head.

"Don't forget you still have detention with me after school."

I groaned, gripping my messy hair in my fists and slumping further against the wall. I shook with an emotion somewhere between anger and... something else I couldn't decipher.

I'd heard stories about Mr. Ackerman from the upperclassmen who'd had him before me. He was often described as being cold and uncaring towards everyone, his students being no exception.

He'd cared about me. I shook the thought out of my head as quickly as I'd thought of it. Thinking like that wouldn't do me any good.

"Eren?" I heard the familiar voice of my best friend. I looked up through my bangs into a pair of concerned blue eyes jogging towards me.

"Armin," I gasped pulling away from the wall and standing up straight in an effort to compose myself.

"I've been looking all over for you," he stopped in front of me taking one of my hands. "Where were you? Mikasa and I were worried."

I averted my eyes, choosing instead to focus my gaze on the little line of ants marching across the cement sidewalk. "Nowhere, I just bumped into Mr. Ackerman and-" I was abruptly cut off.

"Mr. Ackerman!" Armin interrupted, his eyes widening, "What did he want? You're not in more trouble are you?"

I remembered the way Mr. Ackerman had scolded me, he'd been angry to find me in that abandoned auditorium but he hadn't gotten me in trouble. I was surprised he hadn't considering how much he didn't like me. He'd seemed more concerned for my well being than he was concerned with punishing me. "No," I said answering Armin, "I'm not in anymore trouble, though I do still need to serve detention with him after school."

"Is Mikasa staying with you?" the blonde inquired, "I doubt she'd let you stay here alone."

I shook my head, "No, and don't tell her either. I don't need a babysitter, just tell her I went home with a friend."

"She'll kill me if she found out I'd lied to her!" He panicked, "Hell she'll kill you-"

"Relax Armin," I laughed, "It'll be fine. Come on let's hurry or we'll be late to-"

As if on cue the bell rang. Shit, late again.

"Eren!" Armin cried, pulling me by the hand he'd been holding, "Hurry come on we're late!"

"I could have told you that," I grumbled allowing him to pull me forward.

He dragged me along, practically sprinting. This was probably the first time the little geek had been late for class. I snickered to myself imagining how panicked he must be.

We jolted to a stop in front of a classroom door. Before I could stop to catch my breath Armin opened the door causing us both to tumble in.

"Armin!" I growled trying to compose myself. 25 pairs of eyes fixated on the two boys. A bubbly laugh bursted from a woman at the front of the room wearing glasses.

"That was quite an entrance," she laughed again, "May I ask your names?"

"I'm Armin Arlert," he said gesturing to himself and then to me, "And this is Eren Jaeger. Are you Mrs. Zoe?"

"Guilty as charged!" She grinned, "Take your seat and maybe we can forget how very late you both are. It's only the first day of school after all I'm sure you won't be late anymore after this!"

"Yes ma'am," Armin nodded pulling me towards the two empty seats in the front. I groaned internally, of course he'd want to sit up front by the teacher. Fucking nerd.

I spent the remainder of the class period drawing in my notebook and doing my best to tune out Mrs. Zoe.

My pencil seemed to move on it's own, gliding along the page forming soft arcs and rigged edges. I could see the outline of a face being formed. I drew the gentle slope of his neck and sharp collarbones. I drew his eyes, thin and condescending. His raven hair tickled the nape of his neck, one strand stuck to his cheek. With one movement I formed his perfect, thin lips-

"Is that Mr. Ackerman?" Armin whispered over my shoulder. I was shocked out of my trance, my pencil snapped, blemishing Mr. Ackerman's cheek. I quickly shut my notebook and glared at Armin, "No mind your own business," I hissed. His eyes widened and he nodded quickly turning his attention back to the teacher.

I rested my head into my hands in an attempt to hide the heat that had filled my cheeks. I hadn't been thinking straight, I didn't even realize who I'd been drawing or why I was so embarrassed by it. I don't know why I was even thinking of him in the first place. But I couldn't really deny it, Mr. Ackerman had somehow figured out a way to worm himself into my subconscious and I hadn't the slightest idea how to get rid of him.

Or if I even wanted to.

▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼

I'm so sorry that took so long to update, I was suffering a tad bit of writer's block. I'll try to update a bit more regularly!

Don't be afraid to give me constructive criticism and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. (Lord knows I make mistakes!)

Thanks for reading as always!

-KarinParker