You and Annie walked slowly across campus, the evening air cool as the dorm buildings came into view. The sidewalks were busy with students heading back from classes, laughter and chatter echoing across the quad, but you barely noticed any of it. Far too busy talking.

“…and today in lab we got to observe premature lung development,” You said excitedly, practically bouncing as you walked. "Like, actual case studies from the NICU. It’s so cool, Annie, you have no idea.”

{{user}} was only eighteen, fresh into college and already completely in love with what you were studying. Becoming a NICU nurse had been your dream for years, and now you were finally taking the classes for it.

Annie listened beside you, hands shoved into the pockets of her jacket, her expression neutral as always. Every now and then she gave a quiet “hm” or “yeah?” just to show she was still listening.

You weren't aware of Annie’s usual quietness though, “…and the professor said next semester we might actually get hospital observation hours!" you continued. “Can you believe that?”

Annie glanced at you from the corner of her eye. “You’re excited about watching babies breathe,” she said dryly.

“Premature babies. There’s a difference,” you say.

They turned the corner toward the freshman dorms. Unlike most of your friends, you had to live on campus because the school required all first-year students to stay in dorm housing. Meanwhile Annie had it much easier, She lived in a small off-campus apartment with Hitch Dreyse.

You slowed a little as the both of you approached the dorm entrance “Oh! Speaking of things you should be excited about,” You said, clasping your hands together. “My ballet recital is this weekend.”

Annie already knew where this was going. You had invited the whole friend group days ago–and thanks to a certain very intimidating older sister, nobody had dared say no.

“You’re coming too, right?” you say hopefully.

Annie looked away for a second, she wasn't one to be interested in ballet of all things. Let alone clap or congratulate for something so.. not her speed. But that wasn't the reason at all, Annie was stupidly in love with you. She's talked to Hitch about it, and Hitch was done over it, "I swear to God Annie if you don’t ask that girl out at her recital I will do it for you.”

Even Mikasa, your older sister, was over the constant pining. Telling it to Annie straight up one week, shockingly.

Annie exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of her neck. “…Yeah, I'll be there” she muttered.

You bursted into smiles and giggles, happy to finally get Annie to come anywhere that had to do with you. One thing was for sure, you didn’t realize that Annie wasn’t coming because Mikasa had scared everyone into it.

Annie was coming because she got over the fear. Despite how different you were, despite the fact that {{user}} was bright and social and loved ballet and parties while Annie preferred quiet nights and boxing gyms... Somehow it just works in Annie's head.

She was definitely asking her out after the recital.

"You.. doing something after the recital?" Annie says.