All throughout the night, I thought about what Armin had said. The thought was persistent, just not going away. Did he really want to know about me? He just wanted to talk to me? Was the conversation only going about me? I kept thinking about how it was going to be awkward. I had no clue how the conversation was going to start. I figured that I would end up messing the whole moment up because of my not-so-subtle feelings for him. I've always had a problem when it comes to acting on my emotions. The second morning-bell rang at 7:30 am, as it always did. I had stayed up all throughout the night which meant that I got absolutely no sleep. I got up and drew open the curtains. Blinding, blistering sunlight pierced my eyes. I shielded my eyes with my arm and turned away sharply.

I dreadfully walked towards my bag and unzipped it, pulling out a black sweatshirt. I easily slipped it on over top of my cleavage-revealing white tank top. I had forgotten to change out of my sweatpants from the day before. I decided to keep them on regardless of the looks I would get from people. When it was time, the 8:00 am bell rang loudly. It chanted, letting the whole world know that it was time for breakfast. Well, more like the whole camp. I had to go for breakfast, even though every part of my body was screaming at me, telling me not to do so. I trudged sluggishly through the forest and down the rocky hill. It was a lot cooler outside today. I noticed Armin and his friends enter the mess hall. I immediately straightened my posture and hid behind a tree to put my hair up in a messy bun. Things were different now. I felt like I needed to look presentable for him, Armin, but I also did not think that he was the type of person who would judge another person by their outer appearance. But, then again, that was just what I thought. I felt self-conscious so regardless of how he really perceived me, I was going to try to at least look decent for him.

I walked up the stairs and opened the squeaky door to the mess-hall. As always, it was very chaotic. That's something I wish could have changed. It was too hectic for my personal liking. I would have sat outside but it was unfortunately too cold for that. I walked down the interior steps, onto the old wooden floorboards. Walking slowly, trying to avoid any contact with Armin, I made my way over to the tray counter. I grabbed a tray and was pleased that I had reached my first destination without any human contact. I worked my way through the crowd and grabbed a cup of water and then a bowl of concrete-like oatmeal. I swiftly guided myself to my lonely corner-table and sat down. I wondered where Armin had gone. I looked around the room and could not find him. He probably already had a table, right? I then snapped myself out of my Armin-related haze and made a promise to myself that I would not think about him again until free period. At this task, I failed myself.

***

When lunch was over, I did not know what to do. I sat awkwardly at my table as the other tables emptied. I was so stressed out about having to converse with Armin. My body seemed to be frozen in place, making me unable to move. I really wanted to avoid the dreaded conversation but I knew that it would be rude to avoid Armin. So, I got up and off of my bench and it squeaked back at me, something I had come accustomed to.

It had already been ten minutes into free period and so I assumed that he was either waiting for me or that he had given up. I felt terrible for making him wait for me. I skipped quickly across the mess hall and then up the stairs. I then swung the door open and it slammed into someone outside.

"Ow!" I heard them yell in pain. With my eyes still closed, I exited the mess hall. I didn't want to face whoever I had hit because I expected that they would be mad at me. "I am so sorry," I yelled out as a quick apology before I could get a good look at who I had hit. I squinted in order to get a better picture of who I had just hurt. At that moment, life had just become a whole lot more awkward. I had smashed into the little blond boy that I had planned to meet at my cabin. "Armin!" I yelled out in surprise. He did not respond. Instead, he just sat on the ground rubbing his head. "I am so sorry I really didn't mean to hit you. I was just running out to meet you," I explained. I gestured my hand down to him but he did not notice because his eyes were firmly shut.

I crouched down beside him, to his aid, and put my hands on his knees. His pants were soft and obviously worn out. I rubbed my fingers on them. All of a sudden, he coughed, startling me. I looked up at him and he had covered his face. "Armin, I'm so sorry", I reminded him as I began to touch his face. My right hand made its way underneath his hands and it touched his warm cheek, something I had secretly longed to do. My left hand ran its fingers through his silky blond hair. Finally, he removed his hands from his face and looked at me with his slightly reddened eyes. "It's alright. I've dealt with worse," he joked. I smiled at him and then stood up. I helped him up. "Thanks", he said, rewarding me for the comfort I had just provided him with.

"Are you okay?" I asked, feeling concerned. I prayed I didn't just give him a concussion. "Yes, thank you," he replied.

"Why were you coming out of the mess hall?"

I felt guilty for leaving him waiting and so did not answer him. He gave me a sweet smile. "Never mind. Can we head to your cabin now?" he asked me. I nodded shyly and we began to walk. It was very awkward and quiet from thereon. We were walking silently side-by-side. His hair was gently blowing in the wind. I loved watching as a leaf would fall on his shoulder and he would glance over at it, then brush it off so gracefully. Today, he was wearing my favorite outfit of his. That cute one, you know, the one with the beige vest over his white blouse, and the blackish-grey trousers. That one.

Once we arrived at the cabin, we walked up the stairs towards the door which I then opened. Both of us walked inside and the door swung shut by itself. Armin and I took off our shoes and sat down on the green couch that was in the back of the room. I pulled down the soft pink blanket from the side of the couch and lay it upon mine and Armin's legs. Then, alas, more tension was finally upon us.

"So", we both muttered several times. "What did you want to talk about?" I finally asked. " I don't know? I just wanted to get to know you," he answered. "Well then, ask away," I instructed him, and so he began.

"Uh, okay. How old are you?", and I answered: "18. What about you?"

"I'm also 18."

"Alright."

"What district are you from?"

"I'm not from here. I know you really won't believe me at first but I think that I can prove it to you."

"Prove what? I'm sorry but I don't quite understand..."

"I'm actually from the year Y/Y and I live in what is now called C/N."

He looked shocked as if I had told him a far-out lie. It was hard to read him.

"Y/N, I'd appreciate it if you did not make fun of me. I get enough of this in my cabin-"

"I'm telling the truth, and I can show you," I exclaimed excitingly. I quickly stood up and drew out a portal. Armin looked horrified. "Y-Y/N!? What is that?" he yelled in fear. I did not answer him. I figured that it would be too much explaining so I just grabbed his hand and yanked him off of the couch. I pulled him through the portal that led him somewhere he had never been before. I took Armin into the future.