Hanji's POV

I felt like everything would crumble away when I saw him lie straight to my face. Lying about what he told me when I saw him with that girl. I thought I knew him... and yet, there he was, lying straight in my face. He said that there was no other girl, but they were talking to each other. My heart wanted to break into tiny pieces. He... lied to me. Tears began to form at my eyes as I tried to not think of it...

"L-Levi..."

*   *   *

When I went to Levi with tears brimming my eyes, his once smile to me, and only me, disappeared. He greeted me with warm arms of affection. "Shh... what's wrong, Hanji? Tell me what's wrong..."

I breathed in his heavy scent, gasping for air as I cried. "L-Lies... a-all lies... everything's a lie..." My voice continued to repeat the same sentences, over and over. I kept trying to think it all through... trying to find some sort of sense in it... but nothing made sense. I had to talk about it with him.

"Hanji..."

"W-Why...?" I cried out loud, just holding Levi close to me. "Why was Erwin with that other girl...?"

*   *   *

Levi's POV

Partially carrying her, partially aiding her to walk, I took her home and basically took care of her. Her mother didn't see us when we entered, so I didn't have to explain what was wrong with Hanji's condition. But when it came to ordering a small pizza and buying her some rocky road ice cream... her mother got curious. I didn't want Hanji to get... embarrassed by her mother, so I covered it up and said that she was going through a phase. Surprisingly, she accepted it.

Once I got her pizza and her ice cream, Hanji was already clean and curled up on her bed. Faint sniffles came from her as she slowly rocked back and forth. I popped open her ice cream box, put a slice of pizza on a plate, and gave her spoon for her ice cream. 

I nudged her a bit, trying to get her to uncurl from her little cocoon. "Hey, Hanji. I got your food. Even got some strawberry soda if you want."

"Are you acting like this because this is your chance with me? If that's the case-"

"Hanji, you know me." I say, sitting next to her and putting her food on her little bedside table. I even poured some soda into a cup with ice. "I wouldn't take advantage of you- not like this. Think of this as your long-life friend... which I am. I promise, alright?"

She nods, crawling out of that blanket cocoon. Her glasses and her hair were disarranged when she got out. Immediately, I reached for her hairbrush and ready to untangle her hair. That's one thing that never changed with her. Always messy and disorganized. "Levi..."

"Start eating. The pizza would turn cold and the ice cream would melt. When you go and eat, face your back towards me."

Hanji nods and does what I asked. Carefully, I began to brush the tangles out of her hair as she ate. Everything felt calm and just... right. Since I was a rival to Erwin, I should've been happy that he was out of the relationship with Hanji and I would step in. But as Hanji's best friend -again- it didn't feel right. I didn't like seeing her in this meltdown... and I felt my relationship feelings disappeared and my friendship feelings stepped in. Yes, I may have upset her because of my cold nature when I grew jealous of those two... but seeing her sad would change everything about me. I could never stand those tears...

"Levi..."

I sighed, finishing brushing her hair. "Yes?"

"I shouldn't be putting you in this position-"

"I'm fine by it." I say, a smile tugging at my mouth. I scooted next to her, trying to comfort her as much as I could. Never would I want to have her crying... "Actually... this whole situation is affecting me too. Not in the way that it would make me take an advantage of you... but seeing you like this... I'm glad we're friends."

She chuckles, leaning her nicely-brushed hair on my shoulders as her head laid on the top of my shoulder. How long has it been since we've been alone in this room together? Months. It's been months since we did had some alone time here. "At least you're not that one friend that takes advantages on the weak."

"People who take advantages on the weak are cowards. Unlike me, I take challenges from people who think that way. As much as I don't show it, I care for the weak... because they're the same as us. Everyone has a weak side. They just show it differently."

"Hm... wanna stay for the night? I can get that air-bed out and you can quickly stop at your house to get a few things. I think I can even convince my mom to make breakfast for you. Calculating it.... it shouldn't be impossible." 

"Alright, fine..." I chuckled. "I wouldn't mind sleeping over- like the old times. Oh, and I think I know something that might make you forget Erwin."

"Which is what?"

"There's a science festival next weekend... want to go to it? I know you still like science... so... want to go?"

Hanji chuckles a bit. "Let me think... I might be busy..."

"Busy? For what?" My eyebrows rose quizzically. "What's on that weekend that's important than this?" All I got for my reply is a loud chuckle... oh, she does not have a poker face- not at all. I knew she was hiding something... I just don't know what she was hiding. That's a true fact... she may not be trying to be sly, but she did hide secrets ever so closely to her heart. "Hanji-"

"I have a science festival to go to on that weekend."

She got me. I laughed softly, falling for that old trick of hers. "We'll talk more about it when it comes closer?"

"Of course, Levi. But for now- your time to go and get your stuff for tonight. It's gonna be a party tonight. We got ice cream, soda, and pizza- all we're missing is each other."