Addictive ~Levi x Reader AU~

Chapter 6: Armored Cafe

I did my best to push the phone call out of my mind and shoveled through the rest of the first week. I kept myself busy with my assignments, getting to know Marco, Connie, and Jean better, and even began to talk a little more in my classes. Well, except for when I was in Professor Ackerman's lit class that is. I typically avoided conversing in there as did everyone else. Our instructor was not fond of chit-chat, needless to say. As soon as he'd come into the room, it was silence and lecture time. We didn't dare to defy him at that. And every night was the same; read thirty pages and answer the single question he gave you with a two paragraph response. It goes without saying that the boys and I kept to our original plan. Everyday after our second classes we met at the SU building and did our homework together. By the end of the first week, we practically had a routine down. It was...nice.

So, I woke up that Saturday morning with the birds chirping and the sun flooding in through my curtains. I stretched, cracking away any stiffness in my spine and joints before grabbing my glasses and placing them where they belonged on my face. I glanced around, absorbing the cheerful morning painting in the sky. As usual, the fluffy clouds were dyed their rich golds and bronzes by the sun as it ascended into the welkin, the gleam sprawling a smile across my face.

I stretched one more time and threw my comforter back, climbing out of bed. I had no classes that day, so I wanted to do something fun. I trotted to the bathroom, thinking of things I could do. I wonder if Marco or the others would wanna go to the park with me? I thought as I pulled my shirt off and flung it to the floor, placing my glasses on the counter. Though, that might be too forward too soon. I turned the showerhead on, the water squealing through the pipes and climbed in. The water strummed against me as if I was a drum as droplets slid down my skin. I followed the same old routine of lathering my hair up with shampoo, scrubbed my flesh clean with my body wash, and rinsed it all off. I stood under the current for a moment, watching as the suds swirled down the drain. What the hell should I do today?

I shut the water off and dried myself with a clean towel before snatching up my glasses and placing them on my face, the steam fogging my lens. I jogged to my room and shrugged into my undergarments, still pondering about the day. I really didn't feel like staying home. I would only keep looking at the phone and constantly remind myself of the stupid call from Monday and I did not desire that. I was through with moping around the apartment. I wanted to get out and keep my mind distracted from everything. I couldn't relive through the memories. Not again.

I pushed any negativity out of my mind and rubbed some deodorant on before slipping on my comfortable gray t-shirt dress. The material was soft to the touch and fell to just above my knees with two little slits on each side. It really did look like an oversized t-shirt, but I promise it was a dress. I ran the brush through my hair, detangling any knots and then jumped into a pair of black Vans with white detail. At that, I grabbed my bag and began for the living room.

"I'll be back a little later, Ryuk," I waved. "I'll make sure to stop off at a pet store and get you your favorite waxworms."

I smiled as he blinked up at my from the coziness of his basking area. I moseyed to the door and made my leave, exiting my apartment. I locked the door and began to walk. I still had no destination in mind, so I just made my way aimlessly out onto the sidewalk. I looked in both directions until my eyes stumbled upon a sign with elegant green font. Armored Cafe it read in big bold cursive writing. I had seen it few times whenever I left the apartment, but I had never ventured to it. I tightened my grip on my bag's strap and took a deep breath.

I took off towards the cafe, running across the street to get to it when I finally reached its entrance. I pushed open the door as a bell chimed, signaling to the workers that a customer had entered. It was quaint, even modest and charming. Old lanterns from back in the mining days hung from the wooden ceiling, the beams exposed to add a rustic charm to it. The floors were a crickedy, yet stern hardwood stained a deep cherry tone. The counter where customers placed their orders was almost taller than me and stained a honey shade. An old fashioned cash register made of hefty metal sat snug to the side with a display case filled with baked goods beneath it. A chalkboard menu hung on the wall behind the register, displaying the names of various coffee and tea blends, all sounding delicious. To my delight, it was all charming.

"Hi, can I take your order?" a tall boy with dark hair and gentle brown eyes asked from behind the counter, flashing me a smile.

"Oh, yeah," I took a peek at the menu, tapping my chin with my index finger before ordering. "I'll take a black tea for here."

"Okay," the boy smiled. "Small, medium, or large?"

"Medium, please," I answered quickly as I dug into my bag for my wallet.

"That'll be $3.24," he informed me.

I handed him the exact amount due and watched as he placed the money into the register with fluent movements. He grabbed a cup from a nearby stack and rummaged through a drawer until he found a pen. He took the cap off with his teeth and prepared himself to write the name of the order.

"Name, please," he instructed.

"Y/N," I replied, pushing my glasses back up onto the bridge of my nose.

"Y/N," he repeated as his eyes wandered up to me. "I'm Bertolt by the way. Bertlot Hoover."

"Nice to meet you," I gushed. "Y/N L/N." I quickly covered my mouth, feeling my face flush red from embarrassment, adding, "You already knew my first name. Sorry."

"You're fine," Bertolt waved his hands dismissively. "I actually think I've seen you around MRU. Do you have Hanji Zoë for biology by any chance?"

I nodded, "Yeah. In the afternoon?"

"That's the one," he pointed his finger at me. "I'm in that class too. You usually sit by Marco, right?"

"Yeah," I replied with a chipper smile. I'm meeting all sorts of people!

"I thought so," Bertolt grinned, turning his attention to my order. "My girlfriend, Annie and I sit on the other side of the room. When it's time for exams we should all study together."

"That sounds great," I beamed.

I was meeting new people who were all interested in working with me, even if it was just for studying. I was finally socializing and making connections. It was all surreal and just amazing. Sure, I was still awkward as hell and not the best at starting conversations, but I was making progress. I was proud of myself.

"Great," Bertolt smiled. "We'll talk about it Monday. In the mean time, feel free to sit anywhere you like. I'll bring your drink when it's done."

"Thanks," I nodded and began for the seating area.

Beyond the ordering station was a room that almost reminded me of a library. Bookshelves lined the walls, each holding an unworldly amount of books on them. Tables and cushioned chairs of vast sizes and styles sat in their respectable nooks. Some sporting room for a group of four to six customers and others big enough for one or two at a time. Me being me, I snagged a table in the back corner next to a window. I could see the street and my apartment from there, which was comforting.

I pulled out a book I had been reading and opened it up, the scent of paper and ink flooding my nose. Bertolt brought me my order and I thanked him, making sure I flashed a pleasant smile. He mirrored one back at me and returned to the counter. I returned my focus back to my book and took a sip of my tea. It was tasty and brewed just the way I liked it; plus, it smelled just as good. With the mixed scent of the old shop, the ink on the paper, and the tea, I was set. I cozied up as an overcast cloaked over the sun, shielding any light away. I only lived across the street, so I wasn't pressed.

Slowly, raindrops began to tap at the windows, the fat droplets running down the glass like boats in a river. It was calming and only comforted me even more. The rain continued to patter against the shop when I heard the door open, the bell chiming.

"Wel-," Bertolt chirped. "Oh, hello, professor. Your usual?"

**Wow, my longest chapter yet! Hello lovelies. Sorry if this chapter was long and/or boring. I honestly just let the characters tell me what to write (that sounded creepier than intended). It just means I just type whatever pops in my head first (or most frequently). Next chapter (coming to ya Wednesday) we'll see a little more interaction between you know who and you, so stay tuned! Thank you so much for reading! Feel free to leave a comment and/or vote! :)**

-Noel Ross

P.S. I ship Annie and Bertolt. You might not, but I do! Hehe:)

P.S.S. I haven't forgotten about the caller. All in good time my lovelies.