Behind the Mask

Problems Rising

Tenya POV:

"Brother help me!" I heard Tensei scream in the distance.

"Tensei!? Tensei! I'm coming to save you don't worry!" I called out as I ran through the dark woods that surrounded me. But just as I seemed to get a little closer I heard a scream of pain in the opposite direction.

"I-IIDA! P-PLEASE! HELP ME!" Uraraka cried out in the other direction, voice laced with pain. I froze in place for a moment before running in her direction.

"Hold on! I'll help you Uraraka, then I'll save you Tensei I promise!" I pleaded as I swerved around twisted oaks, feet kicked at roots and loose rocks. I felt my shoes sock from the mud and moss of the forest floor and I made my way toward a large boulder. 'She's just a ways past here I can hear her!' I slid around the rock-

"IIDA! OH GOD! ANYONE HELP!" My heart wrenched at the sound of Momo pleading for help just to the west of me.

"TENYA PLEASE SAVE ME!" Cried out my brother in the distance. I began pivoting in circled as I tried to decide which way to go.

"PLEASE!" Cried Midoriya!

"I DON'T WANT TO DIE! PLEASE IIDA!" Cried out Sero. I tried to turn again but my feet were stuck. I felt a sudden weight appear on my shoulders pushing me into the ground.

"W-wait... what's happening?! Someone help!" I cried but my pleas were drowned out but the screams of those who I cared for. Those who were counting on my. My nose seemed to fill with water. My eyes screwed up as my head was swallowed by the moss. I tried to scream but the pressure all around prevented any movement or noise. It was all black. The cries died away and I was stuck... paralyzed in this prison of water and earth. I felt blood trickle down my arms though it couldn't be seen. The smell of smoke filled my nose but it came from no-where. Just as I thought I would die. Just as I felt a release... I moment were my breath escaped and my body began to relax I awoke. My body covered in a cold sweat. I turned my head to peer at my alarm clock. Two o'clock am...

~Ring Ring~

Class had just begun but I was already struggling to focus. My dream had me terrified. I had been having terrible nightmare for about two weeks now. They started roughly two days after my face time with my parents. They've texted for updates on my brother but very little has changed. He seems sickly and weak though he has been conscious for much longer now. I blinked my eyes a few times trying to get out of my head and began to focus on the teacher.

"Can anyone tell me what x is?" Ectoplasm asked. I quickly did the math in my head and checked the room. After a moment to double check I raised my hand.

"Yes?"

"Is it 13.662 sir?"

"That is correct Iida, good. Now for the next one how about someone else answers. I've seen that Iida can do this how about... Ojiro. What's...." I looked down tuning out the teacher for a moment before I began to write down random practice questions. I could feel sleep threatening to consume me but if I could just keep my brain working, I could push through the day. And I did. After 3 more hours and lunch we were back at the doors. I had no work to do and found myself in my bed trying to get some sleep. After thirty minutes of staring at the wall I gave up. I walked toward my bathroom and opened small cabinet over the mirror. I used it to store simple medications and extra hygiene products. I dug through the cabinet before finding an unopened bottle of sleeping pills. My brother bought me a rather large first aid kit for when I moved into the dorms claiming it was always best to be prepared and he wasn't wrong. And while I never needed them before I defiantly needed them now. I hated how I needed to resort to medication to fix some simple issue. Iida's were meant to be strong. But right now I felt helpless. I read the side effects and but the inside of my cheek. I didn't want to take the chance. I shoved the bottle back into the cupboard and slammed it, hands gripping the side of the counter. I looked up at myself. My hair was now a mess. Dark circles were become very prominent and my eyes were weirdly puffy. I stared at my reflection for a second before taking a deep breath. I walked back to my bed, flopping down and I shoved my face into the pillow. I pulled the covers over my head and shut my eyes. I took a very deep breathes before I finally managed to sink into sleep.

~The Next Day~

Tenya POV:

I awoke at 4 am for the tenth time. Roughly every 45 minutes I'd wake up from some terrible dream. And each time it would take at learn 20 minhtes tp coax myself back to bed. Honestly this is mentally exhausting. I feel worse than before. I don't know what has been troubling my mind so much. I'm caught up on work, my brother is getting better and my classmates are well (not behaving well but aren't injured or sick). I don't want to admit to a problem since I have none. Heros can't be fragile like I'm being. My rising issues are going to get better. Its just a tad bit of stress. I took a warm shower trying to clear my mind and continued with my usual routine. 'Maybe I just need to be with people, I have been distancing myself a tad since my brother's injury.' I thought to myself. I checked myself in my standing mirror, straightening my uniform, hair, glasses and posture a few times before walking out of my room. I plastered a small smile on my face and walked toward our common area.
"Morning Iida-kun! How are you already all set to go? Me and Deku only got up ten minutes ago!" Uraraka greeted as I approached her by the dining table.
"Well UA students must be to class early. I think its very important to look put together. We are considered the best of the best you know. It's what's expected of a prestigious school!" I exclaimed adding a hand chip out of habit. Uraraka giggled at my enthusiasm as she finished her food.
"Well, I'll catch up with you later Iida, I need tp finish getting ready." As she left I saw Bakugou and his friends leave their rooms. I watched as my classmates continued their schedules and I left them be. I wanted to talk, to socialize normally like the other would. But I don't want to be a bother. They are busy getting ready. I can't be telling them to always be early and then prevent them from getting ready. It would be as if I like ot berate them. And I don't, I may like order and be a 'stickler for the rules' but I'm not like Monoma. That was rude... no... I mean  I'm not heartless.. or.. nevermind. 'My mind is so conflicted..' I thought to myself as I squeezed my eyes shut and open a few times. I pushed my glasses up into my face and walked out of the dorms. I knew I would be earlier then usual but a teacher may need help. And I need a distraction. I walked through the halls of UA sighing in relief at the quiet in the building and my mind. Quiet places are the best places now a days. It's the easiest to focus there. No yelling, no stomping, to beeping... I turned toward the class 1-A door slowly opening it. I peered left to right before spotting a sleeping Aizawa. He seemed like he fell asleep in the middle of writing today's agenda. He had it on paper but always wrote it on the board so that students that didn't pay attention first thing wouldn't be completely lost. It may not seem lie it but I know he cares. I looked over his paper version and erased the board starting new. I wrote down what we had and at what time. After I finished I walked to the corner writing down the assignments due this week. Aizawa-sensei may not do this but I want my classmates to succeed. Once I finished I walked out of the classroom closed the door and knocked. I could hear Mr. Aizawa jolt awake and he opened the door only a minute later.
"Oh... Iida.. come in, you didn't need to knock. I really don't care if your early or not." I bit inside of my cheek and walked over to my seat. Once I sat down I took out a book to read. Well... in reality.. I couldn't.. I was too busy  worrying over nothing.. absolutely nothing.