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"Careful with the boxes, will you," I mutter under my breath. Farlan is making an attempt at carrying one of the big boxes with the heavy stuff from the trunk of the pickup truck. "I'd rather prefer Erika's father returning home in one piece with no broken bones. Please and thank you."

Farlan shoots me a wry grin, wiping off the sweat from his brow. Eren and Armin come over and help each other carry the box Farlan attempted to carry by himself. "Your friends are nice. You better treat 'em well." Farlan tells me.

"You hear that, Levi. You better start treating us nicely since we're your good friends," Eren replies playfully grinning at me while his blond companion just shakes his head at his antics.

"Well, here's your Nobel Peace Prize for doing the bare fucking minimum, Jaeger. What else do you want? A Grammy?" I remark dryly flipping him off.

The idiot pouts like a wounded puppy before him and Armin disappeared into the complex with the box.

Moving into a new place is always a hassle, but I'm lucky to have Farlan and my friends around to help me settle in. I had been thinking about moving out and having my own space and having some independence for quite some time, but I was reluctant to take that leap. I felt like my presence at home was still needed and it would have been selfish to make that decision. But, with Ma and Farlan's encouragement and support, I took the chance and started hunting for apartments and you wouldn't believe the luck I struck when Eren told me that the apartment complex he and the guys have been staying at had a vacant space available.

It'sa decently sized studio apartment with a decently sized living room. Thekitchen already has a fridge, dishwasher and washing machine plus a kitchencounter. The bathroom is fitted with a tub and a shower. The bedroom also has atwin-sized bed and a balcony with a lovely view of the city and its buildings.It even has a small office too. Hopefully, my next paycheck will be enough forme to buy furniture. But overall, I like the place. Nice and quiet neighbour inthe city. Close to the University. Plus, the rent is reasonable.

"So, you're getting into modelling, huh?" Farlan asks curiously.

Right.

It's been a week since my meeting with Thea. She emailed me the contract and I was up all night going through the terms and conditions. The terms are good. The pay is promising-six hundred dollars is more than what I negotiated but I guess Thea decided to be generous. Besides, who am I to refuse?

I sigh glancing at Farlan. "It's only temporary. Erwin's sister has this project she's preparing for the Trost Gallery in about four months, and I happen to fit the bill."

Farlan arches an eyebrow. We grab one of the smaller boxes and make our way inside the complex. "Did she give any specifics of this big project of hers?" he asks.

I tilt my head from side to side, unsure of what to say and unsure of how much I should reveal. Thea was pretty vague and tight-lipped about it. Even with the questions she asked me in our first meeting, she didn't explain anything. "No. Not really. I didn't ask, but I'm assuming it's something artistic I guess?" I shrug.

Farlan chuckles. "Well, as long as it pays well."

I open the door to my new apartment only to be greeted by Eren and Jean bickering for fuck all that they're bickering about. Armin and Connie are both watching these idiots with disappointment and amusement respectively.

"Oi! Oi! Either you help me unpack all this or get the fuck out," I snap. "There are still some boxes that need to be unloaded from the truck. Chop! Chop!"

Allfour of them pass by me and Farlan - Jean and Eren sulking, Connie sniggeringand Armin quietly bowing on their way out. I shake my head before Farlan and I placethe boxes on the kitchen counter.

"So, now that you have this modelling gig, are you quitting your night job?" Farlan asks casually but with a tone of understanding.

I'm silent for a brief moment as I poke my tongue against my cheek. I've been a pole dancer at The Underground for almost a decade now. It's been a secret and a side of me I've kept hidden from everyone in my life including my own family and friend. A side of me I hadn't revealed to anyone other than Farlan, a side that I don't want intersecting with every aspect of my personal life.

"I'm... I'm not planning on quitting just yet. Like I said, it's only temporary and I'd rather not risk losing my only source of stable income."

"Does Erwin's sister know about your night job?"

I shake my head. "Didn't think I needed to disclose that to her. I'd rather have very little people knowing about it."

Farlan sighs and folds his arms to his chest. "I get it. You need the money and you've your reasons for doing what you do and keeping it a secret. But you're walking a dangerous path here. Juggling a double life, being a uni student in your thirties, a model and a pole dancer-it's not a sustainable balance, man. And if you ain't careful, people are going to find out."

I feel a pang of guilt as his works strike a chord. "I know, Farlan," I sigh. "Believe me, I know the risks. But right now, it's what I need to do. I can handle it."

We both share a long look-both of us silently communicating what we're feeling. He sighs for the umpteenth time and shakes his head. "Just... promise me that you'll be careful, okay?"

I roll my eyes and click my tongue. "I've got skin of steel. Nothing can hurt me."

"I know and that's the problem. You take a lot of damage and that's what concerns me."

"I'll be careful, okay? I always have. Now wipe that frown off your face. You look fucking weird."

Farlan bursts into laughter. "Alrighty then, my emotionally challenged brother."

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