My Alpha ~ Levi x Reader

Chapter 45: Changes

I brought my knees to my chest, closing my eyes. The ringing of my phone disturbed my peaceful moment, making me groan in annoyance.

I answered the call, bringing the phone to my ear with my eyes still closed.

"Hello?"

"Hi dear! How've you been doing?"

In an instant, my eyes flickered open. "Ms. Falida! I'm doing great. How's everything over there?"

Ms. Falida's chuckle filled my ears. "Oh honey, everything's pretty much the same around here, although it's a lot quieter. But believe it or not, Jeff's new parents let him come over to the orphanage to play with everyone here."

"Oh really. That's nice."

"But enough about me honey, how are you doing. Finals started today, didn't it?"

I sighed. Yes, this morning I had gone through the first day of a one week packed with exams. "It was alright. I studied and everything, so I guess I should be okay."

"Good to know! Oh, when's History cupcake?"

I raised a brow. "Okay... first, let's refrain from the nickname 'cupcake'. You know how much I despise it. And second, History is on Wednesday, so I still have some time left."

"Well cup-- I mean, honey, remember to study, but also remember to take it easy, okay? Eren's told me a few times you've been pulling several all-nighters in a row. Stop that. You know you'll get sick if you keep in doing it."

"Yes, I know. I'll try not to, okay?"

"Thank you honey. Don't stress out, just... do what you can do. You don't have to push yourself to reach some goal."

I smiled. "I won't."

"You promise?"

"I promise to try."

"Hah.. good enough. Hm, can you make another promise?"

I blinked in surprise. "Depends. What about?"

"That you'll stay as the happy kid you are now, even when things are falling apart."

"Ms. Falida... I don--"

"Please cupcake. It would break my heart if you refused to come out of your room for months, barely eating or drinking. I don't want that to ever happen again."

"I-.. I can't promise it."

"But please, try. Can you promise me to try?"

"I... can."

"That's all I needed to hear. I have to get back to the kids honey. Stay safe and healthy. Bye."

"...bye."

The call ended, and my arm slumped to the ground. Though she was always telling me to stay happy, it was rather unusual for Ms. Falida to make me promise about it.

I sighed. This isn't the time to ponder too much about those things.

A hand touched my shoulder, making me jerk in surprise. I looked up, slightly relieved to see Erwin standing over me, a gentle smile on his face.

"Oh.. it's you."

Erwin chuckled, sitting down next to me. "It's me? Who did you expect?"

"No one."

The handsome blonde glanced at me, his ocean eyes warm, but serious. "You look troubled. What's wrong?"

I shuffled, leaning on his shoulder for comfort. "Well, things have been a bit weird lately. Well, by lately, I mean the past two hours or so."