Normal Girl

Hermit Crabs Need Cheerleaders, Too

"*cssshhhhh* (Y/N)? (Y/N), are you there? I know you're there, please answer back. *click*" The Walkie Talkie suddenly sounds and I hear my mom's voice summoning me. I didn't even tell her I was here, but I guess she knows me too well. I take a swig of water to wash away the remaining snot from the back of my throat from crying earlier before answering back.

"Hey, mom. What's up?"

"Hi, (Y/N). I saw the letter!"

"Wait, what? How?"

"The academy sent two copies: one to your school for you, and one to me."

"Oh... well, um, so I'm guessing there was more you wanted to say than just those six words...?"

"Yeah. I wanted to discuss the contents of the letter," I settled on the mattress in the bedroom as she spoke, "So, it says you were scouted by Hope's Peak Academy. Obviously, I don't have to explain to you how big of a deal that is. I'm really proud of you, bubs."

"Oh, geez, Mom, you know how cheesy you sound right now?" I say with a laugh.

"Haha yeah sorry, I'm just thinking of how proud I am of you... and how proud your dad would be."

I didn't say anything. I know she's right. If he's watching over me right now, I'm sure he's telling all his ghost friends how awesome he thinks his little "Beep-Beep" is. Even so, I can't help feeling the same weight in my chest as before. I don't deserve that letter.

"They said you were admitted for being among the best and brightest in your field. You'll be admitted under the title, 'Ultimate Hope,' for all four years of high school, free of charge. Isn't that cool? What a neat sounding title, bubs!"

I'd reached my limit. I know she didn't do anything to deserve it, but I just couldn't hold it in anymore when I shouted into the radio, "NO, MOM. IT'S NOT. THAT'S THE LAMEST TITLE I'VE EVER HEARD. IT'S PATHETIC. THEY PROBABLY JUST MADE IT UP TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER," at this point, I began sobbing again. I choked through my tears to continue, "it's so stupid... *hic*... I don't deserve any of this... I'm so pathetic..."

I kept the talk button pressed so that my mom couldn't interrupt and calm me down or anything, but through all my yelling and tears, I didn't hear the hatch to the cabin unlock and creak open. I didn't even hear the padding footsteps approaching the curtained opening to the bedroom. The giant curtain covering the doorway was thrown open, and I was violently torn from my depressed state by a sudden booming voice.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SAYING?!" they said.

"AAHH!! GIDEON?!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" I yelled in surprise. Gideon, my cousin and best friend, just ignored me and kept yelling.

"THAT'S NO WAY TO TALK TO YOUR MOTHER OR ABOUT YOURSELF! YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN THE MOST RARE AND AMAZING OPPORTUNITY A PERSON COULD EVER EVEN HOPE FOR, AND YOU'RE JUST SULKING IN A TREEHOUSE CRYING TO YOUR MOMMY ABOUT IT?! SHE'S PROUD OF YOU! I'M PROUD OF YOU! YOUR DAD WOULD BE *SO* PROUD OF YOU! YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE YOU'RE AWESOME, AND YOU'RE FINALLY SEEING THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR!! NOW CHEER UP, WIPE THOSE TEARS, DRINK THAT WATER ON THE NIGHTSTAND, AND APPRECIATE YOURSELF!!" Gideon finished with a power pose of determination. Seeing how stunned I was at his speech, his face changed into a prideful, satisfied toothy grin.

"G-Gideon, what are you doing here?!"

"*csshhh* It sounds like Gideon's got this one handled. I'll let the two of you talk. *click*" my mom finally said over the Walkie Talkie. The receiver then filled with static, signaling that my mom had left the channel. I turned the radio's volume down and shifted my attention to Gideon who thrust his hand out, signaling me to get up from the bed. I took his hand to stabilize myself getting up from the bed. We walked into the main cabin, and he rummaged around the counter space and bookshelf for some kind of snack. I sat in one of the comfy chairs by the table and waited until he settled into the chair across from me with a bag of chips.

"So, (Y/N), I heard from some classmates that you were running out of school crying. Something about some letter from Hope's Peak Academy? You know that's like HUGE right?" he said in a much gentler tone and volume than before.

"Y-yeah, I know. I got accepted with a full ride for all four years. They said I was scouted as the 'Ultimate Hope' or whatever stupid title they gave me out of pity."

"(Y/N)..... are you stupid," Gideon said with a disappointed sigh.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you were stupid."

"Well... well, no, but-"

"THEN WHY ARE YOU ACTING LIKE IT?"

"What??"

"Do you really think the most prestigious school in the world gives out pity acceptances?"

"...no"

"Do you think the most prestigious school in the entire world isn't smart enough to give their attendees titles befitting of their talents?"

"N-no! They have tons of resources. They know basically everything!"

"Exactly, so do you really think that Hope's Peak Academy accepts people with dumb or made-up talents?"

"No... no, I guess not."

"Then where are all these baseless assumptions about your acceptance coming from? They're not in the letter itself, and they're not from anywhere else. So, where?"

"I... nowhere."

"What was that?"

"Nowhere! They didn't come from anywhere. I made them up..."

"Well, now, why'd you do that?"

"Because I'm not good enough for a school like that. My talent isn't good enough."

"Says who?"

"What?"

"Who says you're not good enough? Because it's not me, it's not your mom or dad, and, based on that letter, it's not the school, so who said that you're undeserving?"

"I guess... I did."

"Ding ding ding! You did, and clearly, in the state you're in right now, I can't take anything you say seriously," Gideon said matter-of-factly, crossing his arms and turning away dramatically.

"H-hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Oh, now your overthinking little brain can't come up with reasons for everything?"

"Hmph," I said, looking away with exasperation.

"Let me see that letter," Gideon said, outstretching his hand expectantly, "I know you didn't get rid of it. Hand it over."

Begrudgingly, I handed him the tri-folded paper with the HPA seal on the front. He began reading intently.

"What? What's that expression for?!"

"..."

"Gideon! Hey! What's going on in that head of yours?" I accentuated the question by leaning forward and flicking his head to shake him out of his focus.

"Ow! Hey! I'm supposed to be the one doing the focus-breaking head flicks here."

"Oopsies!" I said playfully, "so what's that weird face for, Giddy?"

{}{}Author's Note{}{}
Apologies for the length of these chapters (this one was 1,151 words)! I'm still trying to figure out where to cut them off and stuff (feedback appreciated!). I know this part of the exposition is long, but please be patient, it'll get good soon enough!
By the way, in terms of Gideon (an original character specifically created for this story) and his looks and personality, he's pretty similar to Nekomaru Nidai, just a little less imposing and without the constant bowel movements lol. He's 6'0, black hair, and decently muscular, but not mega ripped or anything, he's just (Y/N)'s cousin. If you want me to say more about Gideon's character, I'll gladly do so, just leave a comment and let me know!
I'm gonna try to update this as consistently as I can (shooting for 3-5+ times a week, but I have severe ADD and school so I will probably forget or lack motivation sometimes, maybe I need a Gideon of my own).

Edit: I did some editing on the writing I had done so far, so hopefully it reads a bit nicer with the fixed grammar and revisions! Thanks for reading. Keep cheering for me <3