Chapter Text
"So... Let me get this straight." Armin began as he eyed the teacher before him, "Your super star jock is failing his classes and you expect me to help him out?" Normally he was never this cheeky with the teachers, but today was just... weird.
"Yes, Arlert." Instructor Shadis stated in a cold manner as he stared down at the short teenager. "Unless you'd rather partake to the final physical exam. You know, the one where you can't complete even if you're life depended on it. You do remember what happened last week... right?"
Urgh... Last week. Armin couldn't get past the tenth push up and ended up ripping the loudest of farts known to man kind because of that. The embarrassment hindered his performance – which sucked to begin with.
This guy is nothing but a fucken jackass. Whoa, did Armin thought of that? Well, yeahhhh. How can he not? This guy is threatening to fail him in his worse subject of all time. Lets just ignore the fact that he never passed PE anyway.
Instead, lets concentrate on the fact that Shardis looked like he never slept. Most likely holed himself up in some panic room filled with an arsenal that Deadpool would be drooling over. That, or Deadpool would use the wares to his advantage as he plans his next attack on Wolverine. Maybe he can take out Shardis in the middle of his chaotic psychotic path of destruction?
Clacking his tongue, Armin thought on it carefully. If he played his cards right, he wouldn't have to deal with PE ever again. I know, its a giant gamble, however... he was determined to not deal with PE. Plus, if he at least gets some passing colors in PE, his GPA would bounce up to a solid 4.0. But how on earth would he pull that one off... Well, guess he could do a bit of acting while he still can, right?
"Jean Kirstein... he's very difficult to deal with." Armin began as clasped his hands together in a nervous manner. Shuffling his feet, "And god knows how many subjects he's falling behind on... Wasn't there word about him going for athletic scholarships too?"
"What you on about Arlert?" Shadis narrowed his eyes as he eyed the boy. He was suspicious!
Shrugging his tiny shoulders, "I'm just saying... The top colleges for football would love to see high grades. However, we're looking about... say, another two years before they really consider something like that." Licking his lips, he then spared his PE teacher a glance. "Would look great on his records."
Gears were working as Shadis thought over the words. Or in this case, the subtle suggestion. Athletic scholarships were hard to snag, especially those that covered several semesters worth of payments. He also had to consider the fact that Jean was not only just the star player of Trost High, but he had potential to hit up the pros. Its a very promising future.
Imagine the fame Shadis would get as the high school coach that actually started the path for the boy? Eh? Pretty good stuff. Really good stuff.
"What exactly do you want?" He took a bite at the snare. Now, all that's left is to reel the old man in.
"Next two years, I'll be passing with flying colors. Course I'll be here, s'long as the star player passes and gets that lovely scholarship or two." The innocence that laced Armin's voice was what made the young teen so scary. Seriously, you'd think he was harmless and didn't know the basics of manipulation. However, it was obvious that the teenager had a few tricks up his sleeve.
"That's a tough bargain kid... A really tough bargain."
"Would be a shame to see Stohess get the trophy this year..." was the smooth reply.
That hit a nerve.
Gritting his teeth, Shardis forced an eerie grin out. "I must say Arlert, you can be a sassy little fuck." shoving his hand forward, "If Jean doesn't pass and/or get those scholarships, your lovely GPA is going to take a shit dive."
Smirking some, Armin clasped the larger hand. "Mr. Shardis, you shouldn't use such language in front of a student." winking, "Especially when they're ensuring the star player's victory."
And that's how the deal went.
Though the aftermath wasn't as smooth. Armin was actually freaking out about it all day. It wasn't a big deal or anything. He just... just didn't know what possessed him to even take advantage of that situation. Now, if he doesn't get Jean to cooperate, he knew for a fact that he was going to be in some serious shit.
"Eren, Mikasa! Please heelllllppppp meeeee" Armin whined at lunch.
They were in a typical lunchroom. You got groups here and there, gathered about. Nerds off to the side, jocks crowding up in the front, the popular chicks taking the throne near the more vast open areas. In between everything there was other kids that just mingled about and try to get into a certain group. Though, for the trio of friends they liked to be in the far corner of the room, away from everyone so that they can get a chance to talk and take it easy.
Of course they had visitors and such, depending on the day and what was happening. Especially considering Eren was becoming very popular with the crowds. The aggressive football rookie was climbing the ranks and eventually would outshine Jean. Honestly, Armin would support his friend any day – if he didn't hate PE so much. He felt guilty over the fact that he had to help out Jean with his studies. He'd rather it be Eren, at least then it would be fun.
Then we have Mikasa. She wasn't bad or anything. She was just considered awesome and often had several fans following along after her. It was mind boggling. She was a goth that strut about with an infamous red scarf around her neck. She had style, class and the apathetic behavior that could rival against Armin's current guardian any day. Oh, and she had talent. She was good at everything. You know it, you name it, she is the mastah. Though, all she wanted to do was concentrate on her artwork and MMA training. Oh, and Eren. She's obsessive about him. Armin wouldn't be surprised if she had a shine dedicated to him.
Not that Armin would admit such things. He knew better than that to be honest.
Still, you could see why folks would drop by and chat with the trio – coughbullshitcough. Okay, it should be duo. No one really chatted with Armin. He was the nerdiest of nerds in this school. Like, even the other nerds shun him because he's just so damn... nerdy! And girly looking... and... he looked like He-Man's daughter. God, Armin hated that one. However it is high school and eventually it would stop.
Plus he was starting to grow facial hair! Guess who wouldn't look like a girl anymore!? This awesome blond, hellz to the yessssssss!
Thankfully today was the day where no one wanted to pester them... yet. Give it toward the end of lunch and a few teenagers will wander on over. Possibly. Who knew.
"What happened Armin?" Eren began as he tore into his cheeseburger. Yucky school cheeseburgers. Armin couldn't handle those.
"Hn?" Mikasa raised a brow as she stared at the blond.
Stealing a fry off of Eren's tray, "I get to tutor someone, three times a week. Please tell me you got mustard. These fries are ultra dry."
"Okay... You're tutoring someone. What does that have to do with anything?" Eren raised a brow at his friend and then glanced at Mikasa. The girl just shrug and tossed a mustard packet at Armin's head.
"Hey." he pouted and then picked up the package of amazing yellow sauce. What? Mustard and fries awesome. At least to Armin.
"I don't see what the problem is either." Mikasa began as she bit into her apple.
"The problem is that I have to tutor Jean." Armin began as he poked at his(Eren's) mustard cover fries. "The solution to it all is that Shardis will pass me with flyi-"
"Wait! Wait!" Eren began. "Let me get this right. You have to help out that horse-face jackass? Seriously?! The fuck!?"
"Eren, a Donkey is a domesticated member of equidae family."
"A domesticated what?"
"Equidae."
"What the fuck is that?"
"A horse, Eren." Mikasa pipe up as she stared at the jock.
"...Oh..."
Armin couldn't help but laugh at that one. Seriously, his friend could be so dense at times.
"Don't laugh, you sassy bastard!" Eren then playfully shoved his friend to the side. That only got Armin laughing some more. Puffing out his cheeks, the teen then snag his soda. "Now, what were you sayin about Mr. Shardis?"
Getting a handle on his laughter, Armin reached for Mikasa's juice. Taking a sip out of it, "We made a deal. If I help out Jean, then I get to pass PE with flying colors. Guess who's getting a bonus on their GPA this semester?"
Taking her juice back, "Stop it with the freeloading." Ah yes, Armin had a habit of snacking on his friend's plates. He couldn't help it really. Its not like he ate much, unless it was oreos. He lovedddddd oreos. That and hot wings. Though, the school didn't serve hot wings. Which sucked.
Eren laughed at that one. Pushing his fries over to Armin, "Still, I don't get what's the problem. If you're helping out horseshit to get that sort of deal, then why the fuck not?" after a pause, "Unless he does something. Tell me if he does anything. I will fuck his day up so fucken bad. No, fuck that, I will kill him if he does anything to you. Understand? You tell me if he doesn't anything. Fucken piece of shitty ass horse-faced fuck. Imma rip him a new fucken hole for his fucken horseshit face. FUCK!"
Armin was use to his friend's bipolar behavior by now. Actually, everyone that knew Eren well was use to it. Its not like it was something uncommon. It just happened to be a very normal part of their life. So, he didn't give much mind to the threats as he continued to freeload off of Eren's tray.
"He likes Jean." Armin's cheeks flared at the bluntness his friend announced.
"What are you talking about Mikasa?! Armin couldn't like that guy. He has a shitty personality! Everything about that horseshit is right down shitty."
"Apparently not to Armin." and then she proceeded to stare at Armin with her infamous dead stare.
"I don't like him. Actually, I hardly interact with him... I just..." Armin trailed off, painfully aware of Eren's heated stare. His cheeks grew hotter. "He just... has a really, really nice ass... and face... man, he must have some soft lips too." and just like that, Armin was off in a daze, thinking about one of his many crushes he had in school.
"You're fucking me, right?"
Armin's friends and family knew of his sexuality. Its not that Armin actually came out of the closet and made a big deal. He was just struggling with some personal issues two years back and had consulted his friend's about it. That day was nothing but a mess of tears, snot and loads of crying. Though the bond he held with his friends strengthened even more all because he had their support. Then his guardian walked in on him on a very... sticky situation that isn't very appropriate to think about at this current time. Maybe the story would be said another day.
"Hrm? I think Mikasa would castrate me before I had the chance to do that." Armin just couldn't hold back on the cheekiness. How could he when Eren left himself out in the open like that?!
"Its not like you plan on reproducing anytime soon." Mikasa can be so cold. Oh so cold.
"Waaa?! Mikasa, that was totally uncalled for. Plus it was Eren that wanted it, not me!"
"What?! I didn't want anything! You're the one with the smart ass remarks!"
"No I'm not! You're the one asking for the D."
"I have to agree with Armin on that one."
"Wait. What?! THE HELL WITH YOU TWO!"
Just then the bell rang. Laughing loudly at his friends, Armin snagged Eren's coke can. "I'll see you guys at History."
"Oi, try to be there. I can seriously use your help, since Mikasa won't let me copy her notes." Eren huffed as he picked up his tray.
Mikasa scoffed at Eren as she followed suit. "That's not helping Eren. That's being lazy."
"She has a point there Eren." smirks some at that one.
"Oh come on, don't be like that you guys. Try to make it, please Armin."
"I'm so far ahead of Tanner's class though. She's literally kicking me out each time I come in." Takes a sip of the bubbily concoction known as the Coke.
"And then you sneak off to the rooftop for a smoke." Mikasa mumbled.
"Only because the trekkies kicked me out of the library." Armin grumbled as he moved along with the crowd. Eren and Mikasa shared a look. The look that obviously read, 'let go fuck those trekkies up.' Sighing, Armin shook his head and pushed forward. "See you guys at Tanner's!"
"Bye!" the duo stated as they wandered off to their own classes.