Dancing Shadows

Chapter Twenty-One

Ellowyn's POV-
   The first thing I notice as we arrive at the dance is all the people. There are countless members of the press, pro-heroes, and students in the large ballroom decorated with chandeliers and beautiful decorations. As we enter, Aizawa walks up to us and says, "Right on time. Good job. Now, even though this is a great opportunity for you guys to begin gaining connections with pro-heroes, I want to remind you to have fun. Also, watch out for the press and don't do anything you wouldn't want to be reported in the papers. They'll jump at any chance you give them to make your life their content."

   I jump when someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn to see a man only a few inches shorter than Bakugou with brown, wiry hair and a notepad in his hand. Todo mutters, "Well, speak of the devil."

   He way too eagerly says, "Hello, I'm with Heroes Weekly and I'm writing an article about this event. You three are the big three, right?" Bakugou and Todoroki begrudgingly nod while Midoriya nods much more excitedly. "Great! Can I get your pictures?"

   Midoriya says, "Sure."

   Bakugou is about to say something I already know is rude so I lean closer to him and quietly remind him, "Don't do anything you don't want to be reported in the papers."

   He says, "But-"

   "But nothing. Play nice. Yelling at the press only fuels them."

   He thinks it over for a moment before reluctantly saying, "Fine."

    I smile at him reassuringly and say, "Find me when you're done, okay?"

   "Don't tell me what to do." He grumbles in frustration.

   I roll my eyes at his childishness. "See you later, Bakugou."

   Just as I am walking away, the reporter says, "Wait! You are dating one of these three, right?"

   Hesitantly I respond, "Well, I guess I am Bakugo's date."

   "Is it alright if I get your pictures with your dates as well?"

   I already feel uncomfortable; not even fifteen minutes into the night and not only do I already have to take a picture but I've also only been referred to as Bakugou's date. This is going to be a long night.

   I remember what Aizawa said about playing nice with the press and I give in with a reluctant sigh. A few minutes later Bakugou and I are semi-awkwardly standing next to each other in front of a darker wall not far from the entrance. The reporter looks at us a bit confused and says, "Umm, maybe stand closer to each other?" We glance at each other before just barely closing the gap between us. He sighs before adding, "Now actually embrace each other like you're in a relationship and not like one of you has caught something contagious."

   "Hey, asshole, we aren't in a relationship so you can go fuck-"

   I just place his arm around my middle and then mine around his. I can feel Bakugou's tension and feel a bit bad but at least he isn't yelling anymore. "Good enough?"

   He nods, probably too shocked by Bakugou's outburst to actually speak. He lifts his camera again after just a second and says, "Smile on three! One. Two. Three!" He snaps the photo and the flash goes off.

   I immediately flinch backward as his words echo through my head. "That's right. Just relax. It's so much easier when you listen."

   I don't even realize how heavily I'm breathing, how tightly my eyes are shut, or how I've practically tucked myself into Bakugou until he places his fingertips under my chin and forces me to look up at him. I actually open my eyes when he says, "Ellowyn? Look at me." He waits a moment for me to calm myself before asking, "What happened?"