When I woke up in the morning a sense of dread filled me as I started getting ready for work. Not only do I have to see Mikasa in my class, but, I also had to see Hanji at lunch. I know she'll probably be giving me sass for the whole situation, but at least she has my back.

I got ready for work when I got a text from Eren. I picked up my phone and checked it. "Morning babe, have a good day at work. PS if my sister gives you shit let me know. Love you."

I just smiled and texted him back before heading on my way to work. His text made me feel a little better about the whole ordeal, however, there was still a pit in my stomach. I skipped breakfast knowing that it would make me feel even sicker.

I got in my car and started driving. Please let there be traffic today. Well, that's something I never thought I'd wish for. Something anything to delay me so that I don't have to go to work. But of course, all the streets were unnaturally clear. The one time I wish for traffic is the day where everyone decides to actually drive.

It's like the universe hates me. I find a good guy and he's my student's brother. I wish for traffic and the roads are clear for the first time ever. I can't eat because I feel too queasy and of course one of my favorite places to pick up lunch at is having a great deal. I rolled my eyes as I drove by. This sucks.

Maybe I shouldn't have told off that random preacher dude. Maybe he cursed me. Yeah, let's go with that. It's better than just admitting my life is a piece of shit. Get it together Levi. All you have to do is get there and make it through the day. Just act normal, breeze through the day, and go home. It can't be that hard.

I really need to stop thinking these things because of course I got to the school and it was chaos before the day even started. Erwin sent out an email that we all needed to print up the schedules for next week's parent-teacher meetings. Apparently, the meetings were moved up two weeks since mid-terms were coming up along with Christmas break. That opens up a whole new set of problems, but I'll deal with those when the time comes.

Oh, boy do I really need that break. These last 3 months have been especially stressful, and now with everything happening it's hard to focus. I finished printing up the schedules and copying them before heading back to my class where... oh no. Hanji was sitting at my desk glaring at me.

"What," I rolled my eyes as I walked up and set the copies on my desk.

"I knew it." She groaned.

"You knew what?"

"Let me guess you didn't bring a lunch either." She rolled her eyes.

"Hanji what are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about how you get stressed and you stop taking care of yourself. There are clear bags under your eyes, your shirt's not neatly tucked in like you normally wear it, your hair looks half brushed, you probably skipped breakfast, and you also don't have a lunch." She raised an eyebrow, "that's what I'm talking about."

Damn, she knows me too well. "So what."

"So, you want Erwin to notice something's wrong too?" She asked and I froze. Damn, she had a point.

She stood up from my chair and pointed at it, "sit," she said harshly.

I didn't even bother to argue. I sat down and let her do whatever she was planning on doing. She pulled off the backpack she usually brought to school and set it on my desk. She pulled out a hairbrush and I couldn't help roll my eyes. She really did know this was going to happen. I don't give Hanji enough credit she really knows me and all of my self-destructive behaviorisms.

She quickly brushed through my hair before turning the chair around to face her. "Now you're going to hate this, but it's better than having Erwin find out." She shrugged before pulling out some concealer.

"You're not putting makeup on me." Normally I wouldn't mind, however, at work, let's just say high schoolers are brutal.

"Yes I am," she said in a tone I knew not to argue with. I just let out a huff as she did her thing making the bags under my eyes disappear without using too much that it would be noticeable. I couldn't help but notice that the concealer actually matched my skin tone, and looked brand new. Did she really go out of her way to buy this to help me? When she finished up she also pulled out an extra lunch from her bag.

"Now tuck your shirt in and pretend nothing's wrong. You're usually good at that," she mumbled the last part but made sure I could hear it.

"Thanks, Hanji," I said back and I think I surprised her.

"Of course, what are friends for," she said giving me a little smile but not before switching back to a mild glare, "however, I still don't like lying to Erwin."

"I know, sorry," I sighed.

"Alright, I have to get back to my office, and the kids should be coming soon. Just try and make it through today. Oh, and if you get stressed out, come to me in your free period."

"I always do," I nodded.

"Fake it till ya make it Levi," she smiled before walking back to her office.

"Yup, fake it till I make it," I mumbled back before letting out a sigh. That's how it normally goes.

It didn't take long for the kids to start coming in after that. My first class was rowdier than usual and I couldn't help but feel like today was just meant to punish me. With everything that's been happening, I have a feeling the rest of my classes will be just as tiring. I knew lunch would be. At least Hanji was being more helpful than annoying. However, at lunch, I would have to sit with Hanji and Erwin and the thought of that just made me sick to my stomach. Let alone I would have to eat and pretend nothing is wrong.

I swear my friends are my only weakness. If this were any other person I would easily be able to lie to them to their face without issue, but my friends were different. They can tell when I'm lying or when something's wrong. I sighed and mumbled, "fake it till you make it."

When lunch rolled around I had to stop myself from dry heaving from the stress. I was pretty sure the makeup Hanji had put on me had worn off by now with how much I was sweating.

I made my way to Hanji's office and closed the door behind me before I sat across from her. "I feel like shit."

"You look like it," she said less as an insult and more as a worried thought.

"Help." I didn't know what else to do what else to say. I was panicking and I knew Erwin would be able to see right through me.

"Plan B," she said pulling a makeup wipe out of her backpack. "I've got to make this quick." She muttered to herself.

She wiped off the concealer and had me rub at my eyes a little until they were a little red before having me do the same to my nose. "Now lay your head on my desk, don't move, close your eyes, and just keep looking like shit." She said and right as I laid my head on the desk I heard the door open.

"Hey guys," oh god it was Erwin. "Levi, what's wrong?" He immediately asked.

"He's sick," Hanji said quickly. "He came in a few minutes ago looking like utter shit. He had told me over the weekend he wasn't feeling well, but I didn't realize it was this bad," she said in more of a hushed voice. "I told him he should lay down, but you know how stubborn he is. I think he passed out, I'd just leave him be he needs the rest."

"Ah, I see," Erwin said, "feel better soon," he whispered despite thinking I couldn't hear him.

"Why don't we eat over there," I heard Hanji say. She was talking about moving to the counter across the room so they wouldn't 'disturb me.' I should really have Hanji help me lie about more things she was awfully good at it.

When lunch ended Hanji had 'woke me up.' Erwin had apparently offered to take my last few classes if I needed to go home, but Hanji had told him that my lessons weren't too hard for me to do even in my current state. He agreed and headed back to his office but not before telling her to let him know if I still wanted to take him up on the offer.

I sat up after Erwin had left and thanked Hanji for covering for me. "No problem, just promise me you'll eat something." She said and I nodded picking up the lunch she had made me.

"I will, thank you." She nodded and I went back to my room.

I felt a little better knowing that I was in the clear for now. It also felt nice to rest even if I didn't get any sleep it felt good to rest my eyes and my muscles. Pretty soon I was onto the last class of the day and my nerves were getting to me again. Mikasa was in my class and I didn't know what to expect. Not only that but now I also visibly looked like shit since Hanji took the makeup off. I'm not going to lie I wish she put it back on because then I wouldn't have students giving me weird looks.

"Already take your seats," I said once class was starting. Mikasa stayed quiet her eyes never leaving her desk as I spoke. I thought it was just a little thing at first. However, throughout the lesson, I would look around and I could tell she was listening but, her eyes never looked up from her desk. Her eyes used to follow along on the whiteboard during lessons, but not today. I couldn't blame her for it either. When class ended I asked to speak to her and she stayed seated.

I waited until all the students left before talking to her. "Hey, I know with what's happening everything is awkward, but I don't want to be the reason that your learning is hindered," I said with a sigh.

"No it's fine, it's not that," she mumbled, "okay I mean it is that, but I'm not going to let it hinder my learning. I just need a little time to get used to everything. Everything's been happening so fast and I just need to wrap my head around it." She sighed.

"I get that."

For the first time today she looked up at me. "Are you going to my brother's tonight?" She asked and I froze for a second. That's not at all what I thought she was going to ask.

"I don't think so." I finally said.

"You should, I think we all have some stuff to talk about and it will help us all wrap our heads around it," she said before smiling. "It looks like you've had a hard time wrapping your head around it too," she teased.

"Ouch, I mean I know I look bad you don't have to rub it in," I joked and she laughed.

"Well, if Eren says it's okay than sure, I think that would be best."

"I'll ask him when he gets off work. He should be off in the next hour." She told me before grabbing her bag.

"Okay let me know." She nodded and left.

Well, that happened. So much for fake it till you make it. Oh god, what am I going to do tomorrow? Well, let's hope this dinner tonight makes things less awkward for everyone. Maybe then tomorrow I'll be able to actually stand a chance at lunchtime. Yeah hopefully.