REINER BRAUN'S
POV,

I straightened my posture, watching Y/N Smith through my mirrors reflection as she carefully smoothed a crease in my shirt. She ran her palms against my crisp, white shirt - talking to me slowly to ease my anxiety for my dinner with Christa Lenz.

"Do you have your wallet?" The girl reminded me whilst brushing her fingertips over my head to smooth out the blonde strands of hair.

I nodded in response to her question.

"And, you remembered your jacket?"

I tilted my head towards a casual jacket that had been propped against my bunk, letting out a slow sigh: "Christa said that she would meet me here in," I anxiously glanced towards the clock above the door, "Five minutes. Fuck, I'm so nervous."

"It's unlike you to get nervous." Y/N's eyes met with mine suddenly as her pretty gaze softened, "Are you still planning to tell her how you feel?"

"I'm definitely going to tell her how I feel," I shortly replied, lifting my jacket and pulling it over my shoulders: "I can't keep putting it off, I need to just get it over with."

"I see."

I wasn't planning on dressing my best for Christa Lenz, but Y/N had adamantly insisted that I needed to 'dress to impress' - whatever that's supposed to mean. She had even chosen my outfit after waking me up by ripping my blankets off of me in my sleep.

I swallowed as the door knocked, signalling that Christa had arrived.

The girl in front of me gave me a queasy, nervous expression as the dorm-door knocked. I assumed that she was nervous for me, and assured Y/N that I was not worried about the date - if anything, I was excited to tell Christa how I felt about her after keeping it inside for so long.

I placed my hand against her head, ruffling her hair to try and earn that smile I had grown so enamoured by. It worked and Y/N beamed brightly: easing any anxiety I had previously felt without even having to try.

I opened my arms for Y/N to hug me, hoping that her hug would bring me good luck. She nestled her head into my chest, enfolding her arms around my waist to pull me in: her touch was gentle and sweet. I rested my chin against her head whilst wrapping my arms around her shoulders. I squeezed her body instinctively, wanting to feel her closer against me.

"Good luck today, Braun." She looked up at me through her lashes with a faint smile: "You'll need it. Christa is out of your league by miles."

"Dick." I rolled my eyes back whilst holding back my smile, "And, just for a second, I thought you were trying to be nice."

Y/N chuckled whilst beginning to walk me towards the door, "Don't get your hopes up next time."

I reluctantly began to twist the knob whilst Y/N sheepishly hid behind the door.

I smiled warmly at the blonde girl outside. "Good morning, Christa." I stepped outside of the room as Christa bowed her head sheepishly.

"Good morning, Reiner," She took my arm, beginning to lead me away from my dormitory, "Are you ready to head into the Main Town? I was hoping that maybe we could go to the canal and we could have a talk."

"If that's what you would like to do, then that's fine with me." I replied whilst glancing behind me, disappointed that Y/N was no where in sight.

                             ༺♰༻

I leant against an oak-wood fence whilst Christa ogled over some geese in the canal.

We had made polite small talk throughout our day together - nothing exciting. She hadn't told me why she wanted to speak with me alone, but I didn't pry: I assumed that when she was ready, she would explain.

I had my hands stuffed inside of my pockets as the blonde girl nervously fiddled with the buttons of her shirt. Christa lowered her head as blonde locks fell in front of her face. Christa coyly tucked her hair behind her ears with a bashful smile, refusing to make eye contact with me.

I returned my gaze onto the canal, clicking my tongue.

"Reiner?"

I perked my head, my interest peaked.

"I'm sorry," She softly giggled to herself, "It must be driving you insane trying to figure out why I wanted to speak with you today."

"A little."

Christa's sky-blue eyes flickered onto mine as she hopped off from the fence. She took a step towards me, her floral perfume intoxicating my nose. The short-statured blonde placed her hand against my shoulder: having to stand on her tip-toes to reach.

"Reiner," A pale shade of pink stained her cheeks as she leaned an inch closer towards me, "Reiner Braun."

"Yes, Christa?"

Christa's blue orbs fluttered shut whilst she slowly inhaled and exhaled: "I have a confession to make," She hesitated, unable to catch her breath as she wrinkled her nose, "I have feelings for you-"

"Wait." I stepped back, cutting the pretty blonde off whilst raising my palms in defeat, "I need to tell you something, too. I want to make my own feelings towards you clear, especially before you say anything else."

A deep shade of crimson infiltrated her rosy cheeks as Christa's eyes widened with surprise, "Oh?"

I lowered my head with shame, feeling my pride decrease with each second. I couldn't believe what I was about to admit to the beautiful girl that stood a foot in front of me. Scoffing to myself, I realised that I was cringing.

"I really don't want to give you the wrong idea," I massaged the bridge of my nose with my index finger and thumb, "I'm not interested in you romantically, Christa. I don't feel that way towards you. Or at least, not anymore."

The blonde girls eyes widened.

Surprise contorted her face as I rubbed the nape of my neck, "I'm sorry, Christa. I hope that I haven't offended you."

"I-!" Her lips were agape, before they softened into an awkward smirk: "That's why I brought you here today, Reiner. I wanted to tell you that I have feelings for-" The pretty blonde cringed to herself once more, discomfort staining her face: "Your girlfriend."

My face dropped.

Christa shamefully glanced off to the side, tucking more strands of hair behind her ear: "I'm so sorry, Reiner."

Feeling a mix of horror and surprise, I struggled to contain my shock; "What?"

"I'm so sorry!" Christa exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her stomach, "I thought that once you began dating Y/N, I could push my feelings for her away and just feel happy for you both! You're both my friends, why couldn't I just feel happy for you?"

"There's no need to apologise, Christa." I smiled, "I don't blame you for having feelings for her - how could I? She's perfect."

I reluctantly opened my arms for a platonic hug, watching her face light up with relief.

"You'll always be one of my friends, Christa."

"You, too, Reiner." She squeezed my torso with her usual cheery smile, "I'm so pleased that you're not upset."

"Shocked? Yep." My eyes widened for a moment, "But, upset? No."