Armin quickly made his way out of the classroom with his head down. It was always his goal to get out of class as quick as possible and try and find Eren or Mikasa...that way he knew he could be safe from running into anyone.

He slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way outside and walked towards the front of the school. Unfortunately, neither Eren nor Mikasa were there waiting for him. He frowned and leaned against the rock wall on the side. If he looked like he was minding his own business, maybe everyone would leave him alone.

Freshman year wasn't going exactly as he had planned. He hoped that people would mature and possibly all the bullying he had received in middle school would go away. However, this was not the case and the bullying was still very prevalent, if not worse than it had been before.

He saw some of the seniors walking over towards him and he knew exactly what was coming. "Hey Arlert, what do you think you're doing? Waiting for your stupid friends?" the tallest boy said and pushed him, making him fall backwards into the bush behind the wall. He winced as the branches stuck into his back. He started to push himself back up, but the boy grabbed his shirt and yanked him back. "Why do you feel the need to beat me up to feel better about yourself?" Armin snapped. The boy's answer was delivering Armin a punch in the cheek. He coughed, tasting blood in his mouth.

-  ✧ - Sleepy letter/text

He had went home if only for a moment to pick up clothes for tomorrow.  No one was home, not even his mother, and it had made packing a little bit easier now that there was no one home to interupt him or even ask where he was going.  Though to be fair, he spent many more nights before at Reiner's place, but it was an increasing event after Berik's death.  Sometimes the only time he felt comfortable was at Reiner's tiny, yet cozy apartment.

While packing, he paused as his eye caught the sight of the leatherbound journal he had pulled from underneath Berik's bed.  Locked tight, secrets still safe.  Biting on his cheek, he picked up the book with a delicate hand and placed it in his bag alongside his clothes and work for tomorrow's school. 

With that, he started off towards Reiner's apartment, not bothering to dig his bike out of the garage.  Walking was fine, even this late at night.  He'd just stick his headphones on and keep his thoughts to himself.

After about a half hour walk, he trudged up the stairs of the apartment building and found Reiner's door, rapping his knuckles on it carefully - not too loudly in fear he might catch the attention of Reiner's neighbors.