Rivetra Week, Fall 2015.
Day 8: Apologies
Modern AU
TW: none.
A/N: This is sorta based off a real-life event. People kept vaping indoors at my college and setting off alarms and it was a big problem
Petra considered herself to be a nice girl. She gave out scantrons to anyone who needed them, lent out pencils, gave away paper, was a member of the honor society, did community service in her spare time. She liked to think she was a good person and very kind to others. But as she stood outside in the cold rain, her heart was screaming for blood and vengeance.
It had started last week on Wednesday. She’d been in the cafeteria when Hange came straight up to her, yelling and raging about an idiot who had decided vaping in the science building was acceptable. Long story short, they set the smoke detector off and ruined the lab work Hange had diligently been completing.
The next day, another smoke detector had been set off by people vaping yet again, but this time in the art building. She’d actually been outside chatting with her friend Eren about his history homework when it happened. It scared her quite a bit, making her jump and nearly drop her phone as the peals of loud ringing cut through the air like a jagged, dull knife. She had already been irritated in camaraderie with Hange, but now it’d personally gotten on her nerves as well.
And now, as she stood in the rain, she was pissed off and ready to punch a wall. Other kids seemed disgruntled as well, looking around suspiciously as if they could catch the culprit. Her professor sighed and folded his arms.
“I’ll put the rest of the lecture up on our class site. No one should be out here so I’m just going to end class early. See you on Thursday,” he announced. What? But I had so many questions about the lecture! she thought as the class dispersed. How am I supposed to make flashcards for the midterm if I don’t understand the material! But there was nothing left to do except go back to her house and try and study from there.
This is great, just great. I’m going to be in horrible shape for the midterm. I’m going to have to go in during office hours and try and beat everyone else there. I’m going to be behind in my study schedule. I can’t believe this! Why would someone vape indoors? There’s an umbrella near the smoking area! It’s not like it’s terrible to do this outside!
“Levi, I told you it was a terrible idea. Did you see how many people they had to evacuate from the math building?” Her honey eyes glanced over at two guys. The taller, blond one was glaring at his short, black-haired friend who seemed to be dismissing his words.
“It’s not a big deal. They’ll be back in class in like five minutes,” the shorter one, Levi, was saying. Petra’s body moved of it’s own accord, approaching the men.
“Wait, did you cause the smoke alarms to go off?!” she demanded.
“So? It’s not a big deal. Some of us need our nicotine,” he blew her off, poking a very aggressive nerve on her.
“There’s literally a protected smoking area. Can’t you do it there and not vape inside like an asshole?” she inquired sharply.
“Why don’t you get off my case? Don’t get your panties in a knot.” It happened all too fast. Petra’s fist flew towards his face and made contact. Levi stepped back, clutching his face. The blond quickly stepped between them, putting a hand on their shoulders. Adrenaline was burning through her veins and Petra felt like she was invincible.
“I’m sorry, he’s just a dumbass sometimes,” the blond laughed. Petra just gave him a dark look. “He’ll never do it again. I promise.”
“He better not or I’m breaking his sternum,” she threatened darkly before walking away. . . . Oh my God, what did I just do?! I just punched a guy! And I felt good when I did it oh no that was horrible that was a horrible thing to do. Petra, what were you thinking?! You have to go back and apologize. But as she looked back at him, the blond was clearly trying to calm down Levi, who was giving her a look that could kill a baby. Okay, maybe now’s not the best time.
The vaping indoors slowly stopped and on Thursday Petra walked out of her math class with a box of cookies from the supermarket in her hands, trying to find Levi and his friend. Okay, if he tries to hit back just drop the cookies and run. You shouldn’t get into another fight, she told herself as she circled the math building. Levi and his friend were sitting near the coffee cart at a table. You can do this. Just go up and apologize. Mustering up her courage, Petra walked towards the boys. She tried not to cringe at the dark blue bruise surrounding Levi’s eye.
“Are you here to, what did you say? Break my sternum?” he asked bitterly. She placed the cheap plastic box in front of him.
“I’m sorry I punched you and gave you a black eye,” she said.
“I guess I can let it go,” he said, slowly taking the cookies and putting them into his backpack. “It was a dumb thing to do.”
“No shit,” his friend murmured.
“I didn’t ask for your opinion, Farlan,” Levi told him sharply. His blue eyes shifted back towards Petra. “That was a pretty nice punch you threw anyway, I can’t stay mad at something done that well.”
“I, uh, thank you?” she said uncertainly.
“You don’t have to act so scared. I meant it in a good way,” he replied as he took a sip of his coffee.
“Well, this is getting awkward for me,” Farlan said, standing up and grabbing his backpack. “I’ll let you guys flirt in peace.”
“What?! We’re not flirting!” Petra shouted after him. Although, she thought, glancing at Levi. I wouldn’t mind it. He’s abrasive, but he’s nice to look at.
