Equilibrium | Nerd! Armin x Popular! OC

Days passed.

They saw each other. In hallways. Across tables. Through passing glances in shared classes.
But neither of them said a word.

Reina, head held high, walked past him like he was made of glass—clear, fragile, and completely ignorable.

Armin, lips parted ever so slightly, always looked like he was about to say something... but the words never made it out. Not after that night.

Not after what he said.

"Out of my league."

What a cowardly thing to say. Reina replayed it over and over. Not because she didn't understand, but because it was infuriatingly... him.

He avoided eye contact in class. She didn't bother waiting for him at the cafe. The texts—if any—were short, dry, and purely academic.

They weren't mad. Not outwardly. Just... tired. Of overthinking. Of trying.

So when Connie invited them both to his birthday house party—casual, loud, chaotic—neither of them said no.

They both needed the distraction.

Connie's place was cramped, the music too loud, the air thick with perfume, sweat, and cheap beer. It was the kind of party where people lost their voices and their judgment. Exactly what Reina needed. Or at least what she told herself she needed.

"Reina! You made it." Connie grinned, cheeks already flushed. "Come on, I need your opinion on this disaster of a playlist."

She smiled politely, letting herself be pulled in.
Not even ten minutes in, Jean found her by the drinks table. "Didn't think you were the party type," he said, handing her a red cup.

"I'm not," she said coolly, sipping anyway.

Jean leaned in, voice low over the music. "Then you must be here for someone."

Reina raised a brow. "Or maybe I'm just here to enjoy myself."

He chuckled. "Touché."

She didn't notice Armin until later. He was standing near the wall, nursing a drink, laughing quietly at something Eren said. He looked good—clean, comfortable, slightly out of place like he always did. His gaze drifted once, then locked. On her.

But she turned away before he could see her flinch.

Instead, she talked to Jean. Too close. Too flirtatious. She laughed louder than necessary. Her hand brushed his arm a little too long. It wasn't planned. It wasn't even really intentional. But when she caught Armin watching, her jaw tightened.

Armin stood frozen. It wasn't jealousy—not entirely. It was more like regret. Slow, aching regret that settled into his ribs like winter air.

He looked away first.

Later that night, she found herself alone on the back patio, finally breathing. Jean had gone to grab another drink. The music inside pulsed through the walls. Reina tilted her head up, letting the wind cool her cheeks.

Then came the quiet crunch of footsteps behind her.

She didn't turn around. She didn't have to.

"Didn't know you were the type to like football players," Armin said simply with a slight tease, his voice just above the wind.

"Didn't know you were the type to shut people out." She didn't look at him.

"I'm sorry."

She sighed, crossing her arms.

"What do you want, Armin?"

He hesitated, taking a step closer, but still keeping his distance. "To talk."

She finally turned, the porch light catching the sharp line of her jaw. "Now you want to talk?"

"I never wanted to stop," he said quietly.

She scoffed. "Funny way of showing it."

"I meant what I said, Reina," he said, voice calm but steady. "You felt out of reach. You still do."

"You think that's a compliment?"

"No. I think it's the truth."

She met his eyes then, and for a second—just a second—it almost looked like she'd say something.

But then Jean called from inside.

"Reina! You good?"

She didn't respond. Her gaze stayed on Armin.

"Go," he said softly. "I won't stop you."

She blinked, jaw clenching. Then she walked past him, brushing his shoulder ever so slightly.

🤓🖊️

YEARNER ARMIN UNLOCKED!!