Scars

Chapter 1 - Behind the Buildings

"Take off your jumper." Eren looked up to see Levi, a guy that was in most of her classes, crouching beside her. Levi was quite popular among the students, so it surprised Eren that Levi was talking to a nobody, such as herself.

After a moment of staring, Eren finally spoke. "Why?" her voice cracked a little. She never took off her jumper, for two reasons.

She always felt cold, even during a summer day, such as today. Eren felt little warmth when she was alone, which was most of the time.

She had ugly scars on her skin. That was something she would keep to herself nobody what. Or at least, she told herself that when she added another cut on her arms or legs.

"Well, it's the middle of summer and most people wouldn't be wearing thick jumpers. Plus, I'm curious." Levi's voice was gentle, surprisingly. Eren had thought he would use some kind of mocking tone, mainly out of experience. His eyes were full of concern. He finally sat next to Eren, leaning against the cool, brick wall.

Levi had decided to take a break from all his fans and he was taking a walk behind the buildings to escape the glare of the sun when he found Eren, eyes closed with an expression on her face that surprised Levi. She looked like she was miserable and in pain. He was surprised since she never showed any emotion at school. Little did he know, it was so Eren didn't attract much unwanted attention, or people asking if she was okay. Sadly, that didn't help the daily afterschool occurrences.

"What's there to be curious about?" Eren questioned, unable to turn her emerald green eyes away from the cool, gray ones. Levi found that he liked her sweet, sing-song voice.

"First of all, why are you so quiet at school?" Before letting Eren reply, he continued. "Second, why aren't you in the cafeteria eating with your friends?" Levi noticed Eren quickly look away at the word 'friends'. "Third, why do you look so... Miserable?" Eren made a strangled sort of noise, like a suppressed cry. Noticing Eren had turned her head away, Levi moved to face Eren again. He was shocked to see small streams of tears coming out of the strange girl's beautiful eyes.

"Hey, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to," soothed Levi, awkwardly patting her back. "You probably think I'm just another popular jerk... Please, believe me when I say this, I'm there for you no matter what." At this, Eren looked up, surprised. She only watched Levi silently from a distance, and not once had she thought Levi was a jerk. To tell the truth, Eren secretly admired him, but knew she would have no chance against the other girls.

"I don't... I don't think that at all." Eren mumbled, drying her eyes with the backs of her hands. Levi smiled at her response and pulled Eren closer to him. Eren rested her head against Levi for a while, hoping her out of control chocolate curls wouldn't suffocate him. Levi remained still, hoping that he was comfortable for Eren.

They ignored the bell for class and many bells after that. Except for the final one. Eren jumped up as she heard it ringing, remembering what would happen to her. "Why are you in a hurry?" Levi questioned, standing up behind her.

"I- ..." Eren's pause and frightened expression didn't escape Levi's notice. "I have to go home." Hoping Levi heard her muttered response, she took off running, not looking back at Levi's confused face.