(Annie's POV)

"So, congratulations on your modeling gig." Mikasa said.

We decided to meet after school and discuss what's on Mikasa's mind. I was surprised by how friendly she was. Quite the contrary to what I expected her to be. She was somewhat cold for the first few minutes but she warmed up to me a little while after we started talking. 

"Yea, thanks. I really did it only in exchange for a favor." I explained.

"Oh, yea? Well, I thought you were gonna do it sooner or later. You really have it in you." She stated.

"Aww, come on! I'm not that good. In fact, you can probably do great as well! Hopefully better than I did!" I said, trying to allude to her beauty. It baffles me that guys rarely approach her. I am only aware of one guy.

"I'll leave that to you."

We decided to just stroll around and talk since we really didn't have anywhere in mind where we could go. Mikasa was very comfortable with the idea and did not appear to mind, so we continued.

"So, uh... I was curious about this thing." I revealed.

"What?"

"Why... Why don't you have a boyfriend? O-or a girlfriend! I don't judge!" I asked.

"It's because I don't find a lot of these people appealing." She replied. She isn't wrong. I nodded in approval.

"True, true. I concur."

"Oh, and to satisfy your curiosity," She said before pausing and leaning to my ear. "I like both."

My cheeks instantly turned read at the sound of that. My thoughts instantly went to a deep, perverted part of my mind. Incidentally, I was the one to tell Eren, and her indirectly that we should have a threesome. But she doesn't know it's me. 

"What are you thinking?" She asked me, snapping me out of my dirty thoughts and making my cheeks even redder now that she is aware that I am thinking of something.

"What? Who? Me? Oh, nothing!" I replied, stuttering. 

That's when I heard her chuckle. I looked at her and just listened to her sweet laughter. Indeed this girl is amazing. I wonder why Eren did not think about her that way. Her looks alone are enough to make any man drool over her. And her body isn't something to scoff at, either. Oh boy, Eren would be the luckiest man alive if we did a threesome. He'll never forget it... Ever.

"So hey, Mikasa? What's Eren to you?" I asked. I already know the answer, but it's best to hear what she has to say.

"Uuh... Eren and I are... Very close friends." She said. True, but knowing her, she wants to be more than just friends. And I can't blame her at all. Eren is an attractive guy.

"I see. And did you guys know each other for..." 

"Since our early childhood." She replied. 

Oof. Now I can guess pretty much why Eren doesn't want to date her. She's pretty much like his sister at this point. But I'm pretty sure this isn't an issue, judging by that one time... 

"Wow."

"And you?"

"Huh?"

"When did you meet Eren?" She asked.

"Oh, at kindergarten. We fought over a ball, and it all started from that day, hahaha!" I stated.

"I think Eren told me something like that. Honestly, I was trying to get you two to stop this feud, but I just couldn't get you to do it. Whenever I tried, Eren did something and got you two even more hating towards one another." She stated.

That got me pretty surprised. I'd expect Mikasa to be the last person to try and get us to become friends. Maybe it's because she hates to know that Eren has enemies or people that do not like him. 

"Why?" I asked.

"Well... I just don't want Eren to be starting fights with people. But what's surprising is how you two kept this feud going for so long. It's truly unbelievable." She remarked.

"Trust me when I say I tried to end it too. It's just like you said. Eren comes up with another scheme and ends up getting us two away from one another." I stated.

"Until the funeral. My condolences, by the way."

"Yea, thanks." 

"So... How did he approach you?" She asked.

"Huh?"

"I mean... How did he go to you and make a truce or whatever?"

"He... He just decided that it's about time he and I stop fighting and he approached me without any frivolity and just apologized and shook my hand." I lied. 

Eren and I had to make up a consistent lie to tell everyone about how we became on good terms. We revised over and over again, trying to see what works and what doesn't. Then we played our roles, each having something to do and words to say. But honestly, I tried so hard not to throw myself into his arms and cry my eyes out. 

As I was walking with Mikasa, I was trying not to tell her about Eren and I. It irked me, but it was the best for all of us. I just know she wouldn't take it lightly. Why? Oh, I'll tell you why.

Imagine the boy you have a crush on and had been crushing on for years, getting ignored and rejected over and over again. And then it turns out that he was actually dating the girl he hated. That's right. The girl he hated and fought against for years. He chose her over you, despite the fact that you were there beside him in all the good and bad times. You provided him a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to and laugh with, but then you get tossed aside. For who? His arch nemesis. ARCH NEMESIS!

I kept feeling a deep sense of remorse that kept stabbing at my heart over and over again whenever I look at her eyes, seeing the deep sorrow and pain that she acknowledges the fact that Eren is not going to love her the same way he does me. Especially since she tried so hard and for so long. 

Sometimes I think that she deserves Eren more than I do. But I cannot bring myself to leave him. It's not like Eren is a possession one can give or lend to someone else. And it's not like he feels the same towards her. I'm just stuck feeling remorseful.

We finally decided to enter a pizza restaurant and ordered. I looked at Mikasa and saw that she was actually having fun, despite being so depressed Eren is not hers. We engaged in conversation about any random topic involving the school and stuff that happens around, like drama and whatever. We also discussed interests. To my surprise, she's not that different from me. We share some common interests, like staying way too late at night, watching movies and playing the occasional videogame. And turns out, she's way friendlier than I took her for. She wants to be friends with anyone who is friends with Eren, and that's not a bad thing to do. 

Suddenly, I got a text from Eren.

Eren: Sasha told me you're with Mikasa! IS everything okay?

Me: Calm down. Everything is fine. She's way friendlier than I anticipated and we are not so different. We're getting along pretty well. 

Eren: Want me to come?

Me: No. You'll make it awkward.

Eren: ToO LaTe!

Suddenly I heard the door open, making my blood freeze. 

"Hey, ladies!" Eren said before taking a seat.

'Oh Boy...' I thought to myself.

"So! You two are together! Unexpected, if you ask me. Annie, this is Mikasa. Mikasa, this is-"

"We've already met!" Mikasa and I said at the same time.

"One menu, please!" Eren shouted to the waitress. He ordered a pizza rather quickly.

"So, how did you two meet?" Eren asked.

Before I could get a word in edgewise, Mikasa spoke: "Long story." She said exactly what I wanted to say.

"I'm free!" Eren said while crossing his arms behind his head and leaning backward. Mikasa and I sighed at his incessant behavior.

"I was with Sasha at the roof, Mikasa came and said she wanted to talk to me." I told Eren.

"See? That wasn't long! But that's not good enough. I wanna know why Mikasa sought you out! What's so important that brought you two-"

"I wanted to meet her. That's all." Mikasa stated, cutting Eren off. 

"Why are you here, Eren?" I asked

"I'm here to make sure you two don't start a fight and end up destroying the whole neighborhood. Oh, and because seeing you two together is something ethereal!" He replied.

I believe Eren was acting intolerable just so he can maintain his cover. His acting is really good, but I can't tell for sure since he's acting similar to when he and I were in this long feud. The nostalgia, though... is scant. It brought back all the memories of all the annoying times Eren used to prank me. It was a simpler time, sure, but I prefer today over yesterday. 

I could tell that Eren was enjoying himself. But I could not tell why. Is it because of us? Or is it because he had a chance to act like his younger, more immature self? Both is a safe bet. Whatever it is, I'm glad he's happy.  

Finally, all three pizzas arrived and Eren immediately started munching on a piece of his, despite them being very hot and would burn his tongue. Luckily, he immediately drank the coke he ordered alongside the pizza. 

"Where are my manners, am I right?" He joked. 

I could tell Mikasa was enjoying his company despite the way he was behaving. Fortunately, the food kept him occupied. He forgot we were there and just focused on his food, taking in as much as possible. I took this opportunity to engage in conversation with my new friend, Mikasa. 

While Eren was munching on pizza, and Mikasa and I were talking, time passed quickly.  I didn't realize how much time we spent sitting down, eating and talking. Eren didn't take long to remember he was with two girls and immediately jumped into the conversation. Overall, we three had a fun time together. I got to meet Mikasa, spend some time with her and Eren and make a new friend. 

But our time as cut short when Eren received a text message and had to leave. But before he did, we all took a selfie and posted it on Eren's social media. That's also very important, considering the fact that we want people to gradually learn that we are becoming friends. I am not planning on dropping a bombshell. The photoshoot was enough as it is. I also have to deal with a large amount of following on social media due to the number of followers I've accumulated after the photoshoot.

If it were Eren, he could easily deal with them, due to him knowing a lot about 'fame'. But me, I'm just a high-school girl who can barely get out of her house. I'm somewhat antisocial, just not around people who I know and trust, or want to know and trust, like Mikasa.

Forty minutes passed after Eren left. It was starting to get late, so we called it quits before exchanging numbers. Eren paid for the entire table after arguing that he wanted to make this special day his treat. 

As I was returning to my place, I received a call from Sasha.

"Hello?" No response. Confused, I called again: "Hello?"'

That's when I started to hear heavy breathing coming from the other side. And then I heard Sasha's faint voice call to me.

"A... Annie..." 

I instantly became in panic mode. I called for her again and again, but no response.

"Sasha?! Sasha, answer me!"

"He... He was here..." She said.

I was instantly overwhelmed with rage upon realizing who she was referring to.

"Hang in there! I'm calling 911!" I said before hanging up and dialing the emergency services.

"Hello? I need an ambulance at the Brauss Residence!"

I was close to Sasha's house and so I started sprinting towards her home. I took as many shortcuts as I could, passing between buildings, alleyways and such. I raced towards her, my heart pounding even faster than I was running. I was overwhelmed with fear, running between people and pushing any object out of my way. Sasha's image haunted my mind as I hauled ass.

When I finally made it to her place, I spotted the door already open. I dashed inside with arms crystallized, not having the care in the world as to who sees me. When I made it inside, my heart sank as I saw Sasha on the ground, bleeding and nearly unconscious. I ran towards her and slid on the ground, picking her up in my arms that de-crystallized on their own once a person close to my heart was held within their grasp. 

"Stay with me!" I cried. My tears fell on her face. She looked at me with panic in her eyes. However, I understood instantly that her fear was for my life and not her own. 

"This... Is a m-message..." She said. 

"I don't care! I'm not gonna lose you!" 

"I've found...  A location... It's an old port... I've sent the location before you arrived."

That's when the sound of sirens became within earshot. I got outside and shouted for them. They parked their ambulance and immediately jumped out, taking their ear with them. Two police cars arrived at the scene as well. I informed the police that this might have been an attempted break-in. 

My heart skipped a beat when I saw Sasha getting taken away to the ambulance. 

"Keep it together, miss." One officer said.

"As if I can!" I barked at him. "I'm going with the ambulance."

I jumped in the back of the ambulance and went with Sasha to the hospital. When we arrived they took her into the emergency room and immediately began operating on her. I texted Eren and told him to try and get in contact with Sasha's parents.

A while later, Eren arrived alongside Mikasa and Armin. 

"What happened to her, Annie?" He asked.

"I-I-I-I don't know!" I replied. "She called me and I immediately dialed 911 and then the ambulance and-"

"Annie! Keep it together!" Eren exclaimed.

"How can I, Eren?! Huh?! My friend is in there! Wounded and bleeding to death! And you expect me to keep it together?!" 

"I called her parents. They'll be here shortly. You know them well enough?" Eren asked.

"Of course!"

"You'll need to talk to them and tell them everything." He said.

"Obviously!" 

Eren placed his arms on my shoulder and made me look into his eyes. It didn't matter to him that Mikasa was there. In fact, I believe it didn't even matter to Mikasa, seeing as this is an emergency situation. I couldn't help but cry. However, Mikasa approached me and held my face in her hands. 

"Annie." She said. "Be strong. For her."

"I-I'm trying."

"She's my friend as well. I am trying as hard as I can to keep myself together. You need to do so too." She said.

"Guys!" Armin spoke. "Sasha's Parents!"

I immediately ran up to them. Since Sasha and I are very close, Her parents are very close to me as well. I explained to them that Sasha might have been a victim of a burglary, and not a targeted attack by a dude who wants to kill me. 

It's my fault. It is absolutely my fault. There is no denying it. This is all on me. I roped her into this. I got her involved in this. She was fearing for my life, but I was too selfish to fear for hers. All of this pain and misery that befell her and her family... And for what? For me and my goddamned relationship?!

She doesn't deserve this. She does not deserve someone like me. I am a shit friend, and I should've never have gotten her involved in this in the first place. She wanted me to stay safe but she was punished instead...

"Look at you, Annie. You have made peace with the fact that you might die. Plus, seeing what this Adrian and his group of hooligans can do, I don't know if you will survive! All of that accompanied by the fact that I am helping you see this suicide mission to completion... I... I can't!"

I stared at my phone and saw the location Sasha sent. Turns out she did indeed do some digging even though she hated it. She didn't expect Adrian to be this much of a lunatic, and when she saw how determined I am to see this through, she wanted me to stop. But I cannot stop. Too much is at stake here. The fate of the world rests on this. 

"Sasha... I'm so sorry..." 

I realized I had only one thing I must do. I went back to my place and headed into the bedroom. I grabbed the box containing the serum and called a taxi to the location. I then called Krista and told her to tell Adrian where to meet me. I knew that Adrian was bringing his band of bastards with him and that is what I indeed wanted. 

If Adrian wants the serum, then the serum is coming to him. Along with a titan-sized fist of pure crystal and righteous vengeance.

The plan is: Kill them all or die trying. 

It is time to finish this, once and for all.