Chapter Twenty- Six

Rebound

Well, I was disappointed. I was all dressed up and no A.L.  He wasn't here. 

Bummer. 

As if these days couldn't get any worse. I was stood up and I suddenly felt all those feelings burn to a crisp. I still walked in the ball though, I had to find a way to have a good time and I sure as hell wouldn't let a guy ruin my night.

"Athena." I froze at the snack table and I turned to see Hange staring at me. 

I couldn't read her face but she didn't look upset. 

"What?" I took a step back. 

"We need to talk-" She started but Commander Erwin walked in between us and turned to me.

"Oh good! Athena you're here! I was wondering if you wanted to go out and dance since I haven't danced with you yet, I heard you're nice to dance with," He chirped.

"Commander!" I nodded. "Who would I be to reject such offer?" 

I was being dragged onto the dance floor soon enough and I saw Hange stare at us downing a shot, I didn't feel like ruining my night by talking with her. 

"How have things been? I heard you had a setback but got back to great condition after the mission." He held me at a distance and I felt comfortable in his touch.

"Well sir-"

"It's a ball! Enjoy it, let's not use honorifics." He smiled. 

"Oh?" I snorted. "Okay, Erwin."

"Weird," He shuddered. "Feels weird but go on."

I chuckled before continuing. "It was hard I'm sure Hange told you all about it, I felt better after getting more training in with my comrades. I feel a lot better now, I was convinced into coming to the ball."

"Hange actually hasn't told me about it, I don't even want to pry by how her reaction to it- That's good though I know you're one of my strongest soldiers so I don't doubt you would've gotten in better shape faster. There is one thing I did want to ask you though it's a quite important matter but I want you to think about it regardless." 

"Think about what?" I furrowed my eyebrows. 

"The position of a captain." He replied look at me serious.

Huh, is he? Wait. Woah. This can't be happening.

"Are you offering me a position as captain to have my own squad?" I blurted out.

"Why do you sound so surprised? You're one of my best soldiers." Erwin chuckled as his hold on my waist tightened. "Seriously, I think you're ready." 

I'm not ready, I don't think I'll ever be ready. It's too soon. Way too soon. 

"But it takes people years no? I can't accept." I rejected with a snort.

"Because they're not aces, you are." He replied with a smirk. "You know it too."

"Just because I can be aggressive doesn't mean I can lead a squad." I furrowed my eyebrows. "Maybe in 5 years, ask me again." 

"Well, at least think about the training for it." He frowned. "I can assign you to Hange and she can teach you a lot." 

"No, that won't be necessary." I took a step back away from his hold. "Really, thank you for everything but I just know I'm not ready." 

He looked at me with a small sigh before someone interrupted. 

"Have you asked her yet? Why does she look like you just pissed on her dress," I turned to the left and I saw Captain Levi. 

I didn't expect to see him... here.. 

What. 

"Huh?" I questioned stepping back from Erwin and letting go. "What do you mean?"

"Levi here surprised me when he recommended you becoming a captain." Erwin chuckled and looked at Levi. "We had a talk about recruiting a new captain for a new squad, he put in a word for you." 

My eyes widened at the news and I turned to Levi and then to Erwin, I didn't know what to sya and I felt myself freeze at Erwin excusing himself to the bathroom. I was left alone with Captain Levi. What the fuck was up with him? Fucking prick putting in a good word for me? More like sabotage I bet this fucker wanted to set me up for failure to prove I wasn't worthy of being a soldier here. 

I thought I could trust him.

"I can't believe you would humiliate me like this," I clenched my jaw as I glared at him.

He shot me a confused look but he too my hand and held me tight, now I was confused. 

What the hell was he thinking?

"Why would I want to humiliate you?" He scoffed as we began to dance awkwardly. 

This fucker. 

"You! How could you possibly recommend me to be a fucking captain! I'm not that well trained and I have no idea what I'm doing half the fucking time!" I spat.

"Hey! I thought I was doing you a favor!" He spat back at me with a glare on his face now. "You want to be the best of the best? This is how you do it, you have to climb the ladder and focus on your work." 

"I'm not ready." I grumbled as I turned my attention to the ground. "I can't do this, I wanted to settle down."

"Settle down? For what?" He scoffed and twirled me around making me look back up at him. 

"It's none of your business, leave me alone." I argued. 

"Why are you being such a fucking brat?" He cursed.

"Because you're being a dick!" I confessed and he tilted his head in confusion, for once I saw emotion in his face other than a glare. "You're suddenly being... Bearable. I don't know what you're plotting against me since you don't like me very much I know! I don't trust you." 

He winced at my words but turned away and clenched his jaw as if he was holding himself back from tearing me to shreds. 

"Why are you even at this ball?" I felt a huge wave of emotions hit my throat and I felt my voice crack, what the hell was wrong with me? "You didn't even go at the last ball, why are you here now? Doing your job right? I don't want to be your friend, I don't want to be your comrade. I don't trust you and I just-" 

"Shut up brat." I felt a hand push the back of my head and I felt my face on his chest. 

He was caressing the back of my head. Levi was holding me. 

And for once, it felt okay. I felt a tear slip from my eyes, I felt everything I bottled up for all these weeks. I haven't had anyone to talk to really, other than the kids I just felt empty and I couldn't even talk to my best friend. 

I wanted to talk to Hange more than ever and laugh about life and do stupid shit.

Everyday is like a stab in my heart seeing her laugh with the others and smiling, I still feel like shit and I have no one here. 

Just me and my brother. 

Thanks to my parents I still have Armin to talk with.

I let myself rest on his chest and I tried to hold back my tears, I was just so tired of everything at this point. Everything went to shit when we lost Eren.

We need to get Eren back.