If Only For A Little While

Head Trauma

Eren

"Yes sir," I nodded dumbly and got to work immediately, shoving chairs and desks aside to reveal the floor below. Mr. Ackerman said nothing, he just simply sat and watched me. A thoughtful expression crossed his tired face. I watched him for a moment before he caught me staring.

"Oi got something to say brat?" He snapped.

"Ah no sir," I hesitated, "I just noticed you seemed a bit tired that's all. Are you okay?"

He seemed surprised by sudden question. Maybe no one else ever card enough to ask him questions like that. The thought saddened me.

"I'm fine Jaeger, just didn't sleep to well last night," Mr. Ackerman sighed as he scribbled red marks on quizzes and other assignments.

"Any particular reason?" I asked, cocking my head to the side as I picked up a broom.

"You're nosy today," he growled. I jumped back at his sharp tone and my mind flashed back to the dream I'd had the night before. I shuddered as I recalled the way he'd held me under his crushing weight. That feeling of resolve I'd felt, that I was unarguably his. I shook my head, trying to get the thought out of my mind.

"Y-you don't have to answer if you d-don't want to sir." I stuttered as I swept the thin layer of dust off the floor.

Mr. Ackerman sat silently for a moment, his pen froze in his hand as he contemplated what I'd said. He looked up from his work and watched me with an intent that made me blush. Finally he sighed and put his pen down and folded his hands in his lap.

"Well Jaeger if you really need to know what was keeping me up I'll tell you," his voice was low, barely above a whisper, "The truth of the matter is I've had..." he hesitated, "Someone on my mind."

"Someone?" I asked tentatively, pausing my sweeping.

"Yes," Mr. Ackerman squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his temple, "I can't get them out of my head."

"So," I said softly, "Are you in love with this person?" My heart dropped in my chest. I don't know why the thought of him being in love with someone made me feel so disappointed, but it did.

Mr. Ackerman stared at me, his gaze cut through me like a knife. "I'm not really sure, maybe," he whispered. His voice was so quiet I could scarcely make out what he'd said. He rose to his feet and walked over to where I stood. He reached out and took the broom from my hands, his fingertips grazed my own. "Here, I'll finish the sweeping. you go prepare the mop."

"I- yes sir," I stumbled back a bit and then quickly shuffled over to the supply closet. I grabbed the bucket and filled it with warm soapy water. It sloshed around and splashed droplets onto the tile floor.

"Watch it," Mr. Ackerman snapped at me as he poured the contents of the dustpan into a trash can, "Bring it here and then get the mop."

I nodded, complying to his order. I heaved the bucket forward but it was heavier than I thought. It slipped from my fingers and crashed to the ground. water gushed out of the bucket and blanketed the floor. "Oh god!" I cried, "I'm so sorry- I'll clean this up right away."

Mr. Ackerman didn't respond. He stood there and watched me scramble to clean up the disaster. His eyes showed no emotion. Water pooled around the soles of his feet and splashed the toe of his shoes at every movement I made.

"Eren." he finally said, I jumped at his voice causing the water to ripple and splash.

"Yes sir?" My voice shook, he was such a clean freak that there was no doubt in my mind that he was seething.