My Ice Heart is Yours [Levi Ackerman]

Chapter 10: Memories of the Past (4)

"Underground scum don't need to be eating from tables, do they?" 

You ignored the snide comment of the trainees who had addressed you, focusing on picking at the food in front of you, which was becoming increasingly unappetizing by the second. 

You were used to being picked on by those at the top of the training corps, since you were by far the worst of the entire group. No matter how hard you had tried to be proficient, you were the only one who struggled to use maneuver gear, as you still weren't accustomed to the mechanisms of the surface.

"You're not really from that underground prison, are you?" one of the girls asked with a tone of mockery, "I've heard rumors before and I can't think of anyone else who would fail so badly at using simple technology."

"Who knows? She might be from below our feet and we wouldn't know it," one of the boys sneered, stamping his foot against the ground.

"No one from that dump could even have made it into these training corps," another chortled, "they'd more likely be eaten by titans."

You clenched your fists at the statement. You had tried so hard for so long ever since you had come here to hold back your anger, to ignore their taunting and insults. But this was as far as you could take it.

"...shut up."

The group turned to stare at you in surprise. Then one of the girls snickered, picking up her cup from the table and pouring the contents over your head. "You really should learn your place. You're the most incompetent one here. When we go out to face the titans, don't you know who the first to go will be?"

"Hey. What's going on?"

You all turned to look at the speaker, who stood in front of them, her arms crossed.

"Cr*p. It's Sylvia."

"Tch. Let's go."

Watching the group of trainees walk away, the girl flicked her silver hair over her hair and stared at you with piercing blue eyes.

"You're (Name), right?"

"...Sylvia Marleigh." 

She gave you a nod of affirmation before sliding into the seat beside you. You flinched at the unexpected movement. Sylvia was the best in everything in these training corps. Not only was she the most skilled and courageous, but she was also the smartest and most beautiful cadet. Of all people, why was she associating with the likes of you?

"Before you get the wrong idea," Sylvia said, "I'm not hanging out with you to protect you or anything. And I'm not planning on becoming acquaintances with you, either."

"Of course." Well, it was to be expected. There was no reason for her to want to become close to you. 

"I want to be your friend."

You looked up at her in shock.

"You what?"

"Friends. Let's be friends," Sylvia smiled at you, "frankly, I like you, (Name). You've got spirit and you've plenty potential. Also, it seems like you have a lot going on and I know for one that when you're down, you need a friend by your side. So let's stick together, okay?"

Her smile was as genuine and childlike as the children you had once known from your past. You couldn't help but chuckle quietly at the similarity between them. 

Sylvia grinned at you, "you know, you're a lot cuter when you're smiling. You should smile more often!"

You covered your mouth, realizing that it had been a long time since you had laughed. But having missed the joy of a conversation, you couldn't help but want to continue it.