Chapter VII

     Midoryia called us in sick and we stayed in the dorm all day. I was still in utter disbelief that this boy had accepted me so easily. He didn't ask any questions (which were odd for him) and seemingly pretended it wasn't there. I was kinda relieved at this unexpected outcome.

We played board games and card games and some computer games as well. We both agreed that we'd buy a TV so we could watch movies and play video games. I ordered it off of Amazon in secret because he would've argued with me.

     It was late in the afternoon and we were sitting on his bed, playing would you rather, though we agreed it would be more fun with more people. He suggested we'd call some of our friends over later and I agreed.

     "Wanna go get something to eat? I'm starving," Izuku whined, falling onto his back and holding his stomach. I shrugged.

     "Sure. Let's get changed first," I answered, standing up and stretching my arms. He went into his room and came out rather quickly. He threw a light pink hoodie and blue jeans in my direction and I thankfully caught them. I stared down at them in confusion, these aren't my-

     "Your clothes are so dreary and plain and most of it is dark colored! So the other day I bought you those. I was gonna give them to you for your up coming birthday but decided you should wear them today." He sheepishly scratched the back of his neck and gave me his signature closed eyes smile.

     "Ah, why? My birthday is 4 months from now. But thanks for reminding me because I forgot," I admit. My birthday wasn't special to me since I didn't celebrate it after my mom was submitted to a mental asylum. I kept track of my age but that was the only reason I even remembered my birthday existed.

     "How could you forget your own birthday?!" Midoryia suddenly shouted.

     "It's not a big deal."

     "Yes it is! It's the only day of the year where you can be a little selfish and not get scolded!" I was surprised to hear that come out of his mouth.

     "It's not that special. Thousands of people have the same birthday as me so-"

     "Tell me about what other person you have met that I know has the same birthday as you?"

     "Why are you getting so worked up about this?" I asked him and he became quiet. He thought about it for a moment.

     "It's because I'm your best friend and... I care about these things," he said, looking me straight in the eyes. "I'm going to make sure you'll have the best birthday ever! That's a promise!"

     "Knock yourself out," I reply, feeling a smile tug at the corners of my lips. "Now, let's get ready and leave before my stomach eats itself," I said, pulling an adorable chuckle out of Midoryia.

     "Yeah, I agree!" He smiled and we got ready and left the dormitory.

•-•-•-•-•

We sat in the cafeteria at a table located on the west corner. It was off to the side so it was kind of secluded, though I was grateful for that. On the way here, Izuku had messed up my hair, exposing my scar. I knew he meant it in a playful manner, but I think he must've forgotten already about how self conscious I was about it. Right now I was currently trying to cover my scar with my hair. Midoryia had lent me his gray cap he was wearing earlier after he noticed my sudden panic.

We silently stuffed Mac n cheese and bread rolls into our mouths after deciding to skip school for the rest of the day. I wasn't really in the mood to learn anything, academically anyway.

     "Midoryia, may I ask you a question?" I said, taking a sip of my tea. He smiled at me.

     "You just did," he replied with a chuckle. I rolled my eyes at that.

     "May I ask you two questions?" I say, trying to get around his humor.

     "You already asked me two questions," he suppressed a laugh. I rolled my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. I guess I'll ask him another time since I don't want to ruin his mood.

     "May I ask you four questions?"

     "You already- Oh no you did not!" He brought his hand to his mouth, "You sneaky son of a peppermint," and let out a snort. I laughed at that.

     "Why are you like this, Midoryia?" I chuckled. He shrugged, still laughing like an idiot.

     "I dunno, but that's four questions." He chuckled into his hand. His eyes were closed as a big bright smile filled his face along with a dust of pink on his freckles...

     Oh god, those freckles.

     I had forgotten what I was gonna ask.

     We finished eating and decided to walk around campus. It was around midday so the sun was till shining along with a few white fluffy clouds here and there. The campus consists of multiple paths and there were a few sorority houses here and there too.

     Izuku lead me to the campus garden, or greenhouse. It was at the edge of the school grounds and it's as big as a school gym, except it's made entirely of thick, bullet proof glass. White flowery vines decorated each metal beam and the rails on the second floor. Potted plants and flower beds were lined up against the walls and trees were held at the back of the greenhouse. An extravagant stone water fountain with clear, blue water running down the sculpted middle and vines hugged against it as well as lily pads floated on the water, sat in the very center of the place. The second floor looked like a wrap around balcony inside a building, except the floor was made with green tinted glass. Very few plants were held there and pots hanging from the beams hovered over it.

     It was absolutely stunning.

     "I come here a lot after school. No one is ever here and it's quiet and peaceful, not to mention mesmerizing.  It's easier to focus when there's not a lot of noise. That's why it's one of my favorite places," he said. I looked ahead of me, towards the front door. Even that looked beautiful. And I felt warm. Not because of the maintenance humidity of the green house, but because Midoryia brought me here, to one of his favorite places. I felt the icy shield of my heart melt itself and I became hopelessly vulnerable. One wrong move could happen and it could break me.

     "I can see why you like it so much," I inquired, trying not to let the new, unknown emotion show on my face. All of a sudden, the hat I was given was ripped off of my head and I whipped around to see the green haired boy wave it playfully. "Give it back!" I reach out my hand but he dodges.

     "No one's around! And if you wan-it, come and get it!" he exclaimed and ran up the stairs to the second floor. Is this why he brought me here? To play? I guess I should comply, it'll be nice to relax once in a while.

     I chased him all around the balcony and I chased him down stairs. He ran through the maze of plants, it was hard to keep track of him and I eventually lost him. I kept calling his name playfully.

     "Midoryia~!" I turned the corner and got hit in the face with water. I stumbled backwards and I tripped over a pot and fell on my ass.

     "Hahaha~!" I rubbed my eyes to see Midoryia walking towards me with a hose and a mischievous yet playful grin plastered on his face.  The water was warm. Warm water...?

     Why am I shaking?!

     "Imma soak you!" the joyful teen declared as he turned the hose back on and started to spray me with it. He was laughing harmlessly.

     Warm water sprinkled from my hair down my scar. Warm water. At first it was warm water, and I know it doesn't have an automatic heater, so why did it feel so boiling hot?

     I held my face in my hands and I curled up into a ball. I was shaking so badly that my teeth chattered even though I was burning.

[{<•>}]

     "I can't take care of him anymore, mom! His left side... it looks just like his father! It's unbearable... I can't raise him anymore, I... as much as I don't want to, I need to get out. Get away from him!"

     "Mamma...?" I peak more through the door as I see her start to shake. She slowly turns, the tea pot started to wheeze and she snapped.

[{<•>}]

     "S-STOP IT!" I cry. The memories flood back into my brain unwanted. I feel like I'm sinking, deeper and deeper. The water stopped a second ago. Before I screamed. I wasn't yelling at Midoryia, I was yelling at the unwanted memoirs my consciousness had burdened me with.

     "I..." I heard. I was violently shaking and I was silently sobbing, clutching my face.

     "I hate it I hate it I hate it I hate it..." I whispered. "I FUCKING HATE IT GOD DAMNIT!" I scream, voice cracking and all.

     I was clenched my teeth and dug my nails into my face. Right then, I was yanked up and pulled into an embrace. It felt safe and warm against my shivering body. The rubbing on my back and the rocking caused by Midoryia felt safe. I squeezed him, unable to contain the overwhelming emotion.

     "I-I'm s-sorry. I-I-I'm so s-s-oh sor-ry, Midor-yia. I-I ruin-ned ever-ything..." My voice shook so much into his shoulder I would be surprised if anyone understood me.

     "Idiot, I'm the one that should be sorry." A soft harshness was present in his tone. I nuzzled deeper into his shoulder and wrapped my legs around his waist. I hugged him tighter, despite me being soak n' wet.

     "Can we... can we go back to the dorm now?" I ask after I'd calm down.

     "Sure." Was all he said before standing up, pulling the warmth away as well. He held out a hand and I grabbed it.

     As soon as I was standing straight, he faced his back towards me and caught me off guard by him forcing my arms over his shoulders.

     "What are you-" I was cut off by him bending down and picking me up by my knees. He was giving me a piggy back ride.

     "Midoryia?!" I shrieked.

     "What's wrong?" he asked calmly, usually he'd be stuttering by now.

     "Aren't I heavy?!"

     "No actually. You're really light despite you being much taller than me. Like hold a back pack," he says. It's like we switched roles. He being the calm one while I'm a flustered mess. "You must be exhausted so let me carry you. It's the least I can do. And it won't be a problem for me so don't worry about that."

     "Aren't you worried you'll get stared at?" I ask, firmly fastening my hands together so I won't fall off.

     "I am... but it doesn't matter since the dorms are not far from here." He's so calm about this.

     "Okay. Let's go because I'm getting really cold," I say, even though his body heat is the only thing keeping me away from hypothermia.

     "Wear this," he let's go of my thigh and bends down. I instinctively tightened my grip. He didn't seemed fazed at all and puts the hat I was desperately trying to retrieve on my head. As soon as he returns his stable grip on me, I pulled the hat down to cover the part of my horrid face that wasn't buried in his shoulder.

     "Thank you, Midoryia."

     "Call me Izuku. Or if you want, Deku," he suggested while opening the door and closing it behind him. We were now outside.

Deku. That sounded familiar.

     "How about broccoli boy?"

     "P-Please don't," he stutters. Classic Mido- I mean, Izuku is back.

     "How about Izu?"

     "That works."

     "And call me Shoto."

     "Okay, Mr. Peppermint," he chuckled.

     "No."

     "Hehe~"

     We received stares from a few people, but none confronted us about it. We soon arrived at our dorm room and I took a shower, which didn't affect me at all. I put on some clothes and towel dried my hair. I walked out and flopped on the couch.

     "Wanna take a nap before we go hang out with our friends?" Izuku asked. I tiredly nodded. He was set an alarm and started to sit at the counter.

     "No," I say, patting the empty space I subconsciously created, "Here."

     His face went red, but he cautiously made his way over and lied down beside me. I must've been out of it because the next thing I know, I have my arms wrapped around him and my head is resting on his very muscular chest. I felt him put his palm on my forehead.

     "Sho, are you okay?" Izuku asked. I hummed, thinking very gay thoughts at the nickname.

     "You're just... very warm." And that's all that I remember before I doze off into slumber.

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Published June 29 2019Edited December 12 2022