Hanji's POV

Dad excused me from attending school for about 2 days. But the school kept calling and pressuring my parents to bring me back to school. I know the school wouldn't be aware of the connection between Erwin and me. But I wanted to take so many days off so I can grieve in peace. Going to school and meeting Erwin was all I looked forward to as I spent my days in this cage with my wings clipped. Now, that hope has disappeared. I couldn't keep that flame of his burning brightly. I wish... I wish he didn't die... I wish he were still here with me. Is that wrong?

Slowly but surely, I crawled out of my hole and outside. Mom had already left for work, and Dad was still home, packing his briefcase. Surprisingly, Levi was still here.

Dad heard me walking down the creaking stairs, and he turned to me. With a weak smile, he greeted me. "Good morning, Hanji."

"Morning, Dad..."

"Listen... I know you-."

"I don't want to hear it, Dad. I just... don't want to go to school..."

Dad nods his head, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me tightly. His firm grip was enough to reassure me that I was alright and I was safe here. But the second he pulled away from me, I'm already begging for my dad's protective hugs. It's like I'm a little girl again, clinging to my dad for protection. But I'm older now... I shouldn't be a clingy child. 

"Hanji, my dearest daughter, I know you don't want to go."

"But the school will go nuts." I finished his sentence, plastering a fake smile. "I know, Dad. A-Anyways... are you taking me to school? I was hoping you can stop by a coffee shop so I can-."

Dad shook his head, gesturing his hand to Levi. My eyes widened as his words blended with the background. All I heard was a silent ringing. Levi was sitting on the living couch, almost dressed to go out. This... this was planned. Levi is either at work or locked in his room. He hardly walks around. 

"You hear me?"

Snapping back to reality, I shook my head and confessed. "No, I didn't... sorry, Dad... what did you say?"

Dad points to Levi again, reiterating himself. "Levi will be taking you to school from now on."

"Dad, are you serious?" 

By the time I opened my mouth to continue my protest, Dad was already trying to silence me. I don't care if that boy listens and gets his feelings hurt. I don't want him to drive me to school every morning. Oh... can't I crawl into a ditch and die?

"Hanji, listen to me, this is for your good."

"You told him specifically to stay away from me. And I didn't want to be near him anyways. Why the change? Dad, what's going on?"

Dad stared at me, giving me a gentle smile. This wave of calmness washed over me as he continued to speak. "I know... I know I said those things. But this is to protect you. Levi is the only one capable of protecting you. I do not want you to end up like Erwin, do you hear me?"

"Does-."

"Enough of this talk, Hanji, okay? Just trust me. You aren't obligated to talk to Levi every morning. He'll just... he'll be your escort from now on, okay? Hanji, my beautiful, smart daughter, trust me..."

*   *   *

Levi did manage to drive me to the coffee shop and I got my morning drink. As I slowly sipped my morning coffee, my eyes slowly wandered to Levi. It's been a long time since I've been alone with Levi... and there was this pounding in my chest and screaming in my head that something was wrong with this boy. But no matter how many times I think of scenarios, I could never know why. 

I cleared my throat, and he doesn't twitch to my attention. "So, you're my escort?" I asked, breaking the ice. "Don't you have a job? Like your part-time job."

"I've fixed my schedule. It's fine now."

"Is it?"

Levi doesn't answer me as he continued to drive. Sinking back into my chair, I turned my attention back to gazing at the passing scenery. My mind was sucked back as the thought of Erwin began to haunt me. Closing my eyes, I felt a tear stinging under my eyelids, and I felt them slipping down my cheeks. My throat began to close up as I struggled to breathe. When I fall into this type of pit, I usually crawl to Erwin, and he comforts me with his presence. Now, when this feeling comes, I don't know where to go for comfort.

The scenery soon turns to houses, and I finally found myself in front of the school. A tap came on my shoulder, and I turned to see Levi's hand on my shoulder. 

"Are you going now?"

"A few more minutes," I replied, staying in place. I know that the second I get through those school doors, everyone would give me their condolences. A lot of people knew that Erwin and I were an item. But those words were nothing but haunting. "I... I don't want to go yet."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Levi pulling his phone out of his pocket. "It's almost 9 am, Hanji."

"Just... a few more minutes. I don't care if I'm late... not anymore."

"Fine."

He didn't bother me for a long time. It got to the point I heard the bell ring when I finally perked up. I was late to class. Turning back to face Levi, I see his nose buried in his phone, not bothered that I didn't leave yet. 

"You didn't bother me..."

Levi's gray eyes glanced up from his phone and stared at me. In the most gentle tone, he spoke softly. "Why would I bother you? You asked for a few more minutes."

"But my dad-."

"Your dad said I need to protect and escort you. As long as you're with me, you'll be safe."

That last sentence sent shivers up my spine. I don't believe it... it sounds weird... sounds too creepy... it sounds like a couple of things. But I know nothing about him. Levi's presence still raises the hairs on my back, like I need to be cautious about him. But there's something else of this nature that says otherwise... 

Who are you, Levi?

"I..." The words struggled to leave my mouth as my mind began to split. I want to stay in this car and go back home to crawl into my pit. But I want to go to school so my parents won't get in trouble. "I... I'll leave now." I finally managed to spit those words out and turned to Levi. "Thanks for the ride, Levi. You'll be here to pick me up, I assume?"

Levi nods his head, "Of course."

"You'll be here at 4:45?"

"I will."

I took a few more seconds dragging myself out of the car and toward the front door. Every few steps forward, I turned my head to see if Levi was still there. He never moved. I could see his gray eyes staring at me as I walked, like a predator hunting its prey. Levi didn't move... especially when I walked through the front doors. If I had to predict how long he stayed, I would've said he never moved.