05 BABY STEPS

THE NEXT morning was absolute hell for Mina. You loved sleep, everyone you were even somewhat aquatinted with knew that blatant fact. They also knew that you weren't a morning person. Mina would definitely know from poor experience and contact with your morning self.

You could recall her waking you up one time at a sleep over, complaining she was bored and that you slept in till too late. Unfortunately, she had shook you awake two hours before your usual wake up call. And god, god you were cranky.

Mina knew to never wake you up before atleast 10am in the morning after that day, opting to never risk her life ever again.

Wise choice, Mina.

But that also led to the pinks girls dread as she stood outside your dorm room, planning to wake you up for the school day. She hesitated as she brought her hand up to the entrance, reluctant to knock on your door. She knew she needed to keep her limbs intact to be a hero, so was it really worth it?

"Heyy!.. Y/N, it's time for school!" She called out nervously, despite knowing you probably wouldn't answer. How could you if you were probably sound asleep? You were probably basked in a warm blanket, entirely ready to sleep in and miss half the school day.

Latching her sweaty palms around the door knob, a bead of sweat ran down her forehead as she chewed down on her pink lip nervously. Alright, Mina. You can do this. She slowly turned the handle until it let out a satisfying click, her mind rapidly reassuring herself that everything would be okay. She wouldn't die. She'd just be hurt, really bad. However, there was no turning back now. She continued to encourage herself as she slowly pushed the door open, squeezing her eyes shut as she slowly stepped in.

"Y/N, it's time to wake u-" she paused when she finally opened her dark eyes, which widened at the unbelievable sight before her.

There you were, sitting in front of your mirror whilst brushing your hair. You were already dressed in your uniform, looking extra clean compared to your first day. You hummed happily as you nodded in satisfaction at your appearance, before you turned to your best friend who stood at the entrance, her jaw practically mopping the floor. "What do you think?"

Mina scratched her head, not used to the sight before her. Usually you were a bit more... unproductive. "You clean up well."

Had having a crush on a boy changed you this much?

"I got up extra early this morning seeing as I couldn't sleep well last night." You said, sighing as you tucked your chair in. "I kept waking up and sneezing. I think someone was talking about me..."

Mina chuckled nervously at your words, walking out of your room and towards the school itself along side you. "Haha... is that right?"

"Yeah... oh well." You sighed, stretching your arms. "I guess it's time for school."

"Annnnndddd time to see your hubby!" Your best friend teased, pink finger poking at your cheek as she flashed you a playful smile.

"Shut up." You rolled your eyes, huffing and smacking her hand away.

"You know you love me." She grinned, pulling away. She grabbed your wrist, dragging you over to class in a suspiciously excited manner. "Come onnnn! I can't wait till lunch."

"Why? Whats happening at lunch?" You pursed your lips, in deep thought as she pushed open the door and held it open for you. Your eyes narrowed as you stared at her from her side, her ebullient attitude a little more than usual. She was up to something.

"Nothing. Who doesn't love lunch?" Mina flashed you a cheeky smile, skipping into the classroom. She pranced over to her table, sitting on the desk and resting her foot on the one next to it. The pink girl gestured you to come over, but you were stopped by a shrub of green hair.

"Hey!... I'm Izuku Midoriya." Midoriya smiled nervously, stretching his sweaty hand out to shake yours.

"Hi! I'm Y/N L/N, it's nice to meet you, Midoriya!" You smiled sweetly, shaking his sweaty palm and ignoring the gross way it stuck to your skin.

"I just wanted to ask you what your quirk was. You see, I have this notebook that contains all of our classmates quirks and what they're good at, and... well.. I'd like to add you to it!" Midoriya explained, seeming more comfortable around you after the brief introduction. "If that's okay with you!"

"That's great! It's okay, I'm actually kind of honoured to be added." You beamed, watching as he perked up in response.

"So I've done some thinking, is your quirk advanced abilities?" He asked, causing you to freeze on the spot in confusion. "Wait—no, that doesn't make sense. The hardening wouldn't fit into that category. Or would it?" He mumbled to himself, obviously in deep thought.

"Woah, wait, wait. What hardening?" You interrupted his hushed mumbles, raising your hands as your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "My quirk is—"

You were cut off completely when the class door was slammed open, a familiar slender body stood at the entrance in a flashy pose.

"It's midnight!" Mina gushed, the hero prancing in fashionably. "She's our teacher? No way!"

Midnight told you to take your seats so she could get on with the lesson, and you sent Midoriya a quick apology before making your way to your desk at the very back.

You walked past the rows of seats, passing by one in particular. Your eyes met with his yellow hues, a bolt of electricity zapping through your heart as you both stared at eachother for a short moment as you passed. You bit your lip and turned your head to face forwards again once Kaminari looked back to the front, teeth gnawing anxiously at your lip.

You sat down at your seat, quickly trying to regain your composure for the lesson. He had already messed up your sleep schedule, you couldn't let him mess up your report cards too.

After a few more lessons—ones you had spent with your eyes practically puncturing the back of Kaminari's head—it was finally time for lunch.

You were already suspicious from Mina's demeanour in the morning, but you were even more suspicious as she immediately pranced over to your desk and dragged you over to the canteen with an overly excited look.

What was she planning?

After collecting your food, the two of you made your way over to your usual table. Your heart thumped in your chest as you caught sight of Kaminari already there, conversing with the rest of your friends.

Mina pushed you into your seat, forcing you to be squeezed between her and Kirishima. The conversations continued but you couldn't help but poke at your food shyly, not exactly including your self as all of your friends laughed and talked. You were too scared that you'd end up embarrassing yourself by being awkward.

You perked up as you heard an annoyed grunt from Bakugo, his glare harsh and directed towards Mina. He then stood up with his hands stuffed in his pockets, his scowl apparent. "I'm gonna go train. I'm not gonna waste my entire lunch with you lot." He huffed, marching away angrily as you all waved him goodbye.

Then coincidentally Kirishima spoke up right after, gesturing to his empty bowl. "Oh no, my bowls empty! I have to get more food." He said unconvincingly, standing up with his plate and walking away. Your eyes lingered on the floor, where half his food had been hidden—a dumbfounded look on your face.

He threw all of the food on the floor.

"Damn, I gotta go take a wiz. I'll be right back." Sero interrupted your thoughts, and you grew more suspicious as each and every one of your friends had made up excuses to leave, leaving you, Mina and Kaminari at the table. Fuck, so that was her plan?

You glanced over at Mina with an awkward smile, bundles of malice hidden behind it. Your look told her 'what happened to taking it slow?', and she merely shrugged in reply, before standing up from the table.

Kaminari hadn't really been paying attention, he didn't suspect anything as his friends left one by one, but it wasn't like he had anything to hide. Unlike you. He also didn't have a big fat, bubbling crush on someone. Well, hopefully.

"Mr Aizawa wanted to see me, so I'm gonna leave lunch early." Mina spoke up, beginning to walk away from the table.

"Haha! I'll go with you!" You immediately offered, laughing awkwardly. You were about to stand up and chase after her, but you were hit with the realisation you couldn't budge.

Your eyes traveled down to the floor, widening slightly as you found the sight of one of your shoe laces tied to the leg of the table. When the hell did they do this?!

"It's fine, you stay there. I gotta go!" Mina waved at you, before leaving with a giggle. "It's all up to you now!"

FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK

You couldn't just bend down and craw under the table in hopes of undoing the death trap, that would look way too awkward in front of him. And god, you couldn't just... make conversation?! She had just doomed you for no good reason. How the hell were you gonna get out of this one without looking like mad man?!

"Hey, do you understand what we're doing in maths? Because I don't." A voice spoke up, and you looked up to realise he was speaking to you. "Shit, I didn't think it would be this hard. I was always bad at maths, but I somewhat understood it in middle school, now it's just like...whattt?"

He was so casual and talkative, and you admired how no sense of awkwardness was hidden in his words. Even after you had made a fool out of yourself everytime you spoke to him, he was so casual about it, as if he didn't even remember, or cared one bit.

Thinking back to the times you would be infront of the people you had rejected, this is was you'd do. You wouldn't shun them or make it awkward, you'd actually talk to them to clear the air.

You were so pathetic. How did you switch up so quickly?

"It's all up to you now!"

Mina's words rang through your head, her encouragement breaking through your built up walls and straight to the very bottom of your heart. She was right. It was all up to you. You couldn't depend on her forever.

You sucked in your breath, letting all the nerves flow away. You weren't going to let them ruin this moment, and you sure as hell won't let this prick kill away your bravery for good.

"Yeah, I get it. A bit at least, I think." You replied, meeting his eyes with a new found sense of confidence. "But I totally get what you mean, it's changed a whole lot after middle school. The jump was too big."

"I thought it was just me that thought that!" He gasped, slightly relieved that the air wasn't awkward. "I don't get the homework one bit too, I'm so done for." He sulked, sighing sadly as he buried his face in his hands.

"I could send you the homework." You offered, taking out your phone and entering the password. "Just put your number in my contacts, I don't have you added yet." You said, holding your phone out to him.

You are... a god.

He seemed a little shocked for a moment, before his perfectly sculpted lips curved into a smile. He took the phone from your hands, fingers grazing your skin, before he typed in his number. His touch met the screen and you swore that you'd never clean it. Never.

"Thanks, I really appreciate it." He replied gratefully as he passed the device back to you.

"No problem, I'm glad I could help." You smiled, taking the phone and making sure you didn't touch the screen. You want to savour his touch, after all. "Hey, if you ever need help with anything else, don't be afraid to ask me. I'd love to help, really!"

"That's great! I wanted to ask Kirishima to study with me, but he's busy this weekend. Maybe if you're free, would you like to study with me?" He asked politely, as if the request was completely casual. Well, it probably was. He meant it as friends, but your heart couldn't help but thump in harder in your chest at the thought.

"Sure, I'd love to!" You replied with a bright smile. A study date... NO! Don't get ahead of yourself, Y/N, he meant it as friends. "Just text me, kay?"

"Looking forward to it." He returned your smile, and your heart fluttered. You could feel your body almost fall limp at the sight, his pearly white teeth flashing you.

The two of you conversed till the end of lunch, the conversation friendly and not at all awkward (for once). You made sure to thank fate this time. By the end of lunch, you made sure he left the area first, by telling him you had something to do before class so you couldn't walk with him. As soon as he left the cafeteria doors, you crawled under the table and untied your laces from its leg, not wanting to be late to class for the second time only on your second day.

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