𝙰𝚗𝚝𝚒 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚘

Phone Calls

I started working hard for my quirk. I wasn't one to put effort into things normally but I knew that if I wanted to get better I needed to practice. Every part of my body seemed to be protesting against my brain. For a while, every movement hurt. It felt like I was ripping my body in half. In the moment it felt like I would never recover. That I had pushed my body over the limit and would never move again. However, I did. Some of the pain went away over time, but I still hurt at all times. This is what I got for being lazy for several years. I also had significantly less alcohol than I was used to. It wasn't like I had been addicted but it definitely helped on long days. Now I just had to deal with it. It wasn't like there was anyone to talk to about my problems. Mr. Compress was the only other sane person in the house but he was busy dealing with other people's shit. Toga did help me with my quirk a lot but I wasn't ready to open up to her emotionally. Partially because I liked her too much and I was embarrassed to seem vulnerable around her. And also because I had never seen her express genuine emotion. How was she supposed to understand? Sometimes I wondered if there was a real vulnerable person behind the blood-thirsty psychopath. There had to be right. Normally insanity was caused by some kind of trauma. I knew that some of it was caused by her quirk and thirst for blood but that didn't explain everything. It had to hurt being outcasted for her quirk. No matter how crazy someone is they still have feelings. Some peoples feeling might be buried deeper than other and people react to their feelings differently but they're always there. I wish they weren't. Life would be so much easier.

I wasn't a particularly sensitive person but lately, I had actually been crying. I always waited to take a shower and then have a full-out meltdown. I couldn't seem to figure out why. I knew part of it was my parents. I had been thinking about them lately. I was terrified of running into them when we attacked the meet-up. What was I supposed to say? Every time I would begin to think about it, I would begin to shake. My breath would come in sharp rapid strikes. I didn't understand why I cared. I shouldn't. I kept telling myself that. Was I still worried about letting them down? I was angry at them and angry at myself. I couldn't continue on like this. I had to do something. But I had enough to worry about. I didn't need to be planning revenge. I just decided to pretend everything was fine. If I lied to everyone else it was so much easier to lie to myself. My parents weren't the only reason I was upset. I wasn't exactly sure about the other reason. My confusing relationship with Toga wasn't helping but that wasn't it. I would have to figure it out later.

One night I decided to do something about my emotional roller coaster. I called Ace. I felt kind of bad because I hadn't reached out the entire time. I hadn't even thought about how he would feel about me suddenly leaving. He had his own life so he should have been fine. He was my best friend but I was sure I wasn't his. Still, it was very rude for me to just ghost him. I called him up in the middle of the night, praying he was awake. Thankfully he answered.

"Hey bitch what's up," he said. His voice was so peaceful. There wasn't a hint of resentment. How could he not even be a little bit mad? How was he a literal angel? 

"Hey. So many things have happened it would take me years to tell you them all," I sighed.

"Then start."

"No. You first."

"Cmon your life is more interesting than mine."

"I insist. You are always there to listen to me, let me listen to you."

"Fine," Ace gave in. He started rambling on about his life. I was desperate to talk to someone but I put my needs aside. Ace deserved this more than anyone. I gave him my full attention and tried to be as supportive as possible. You could hear how excited he was in his voice. Everything he talked about, that seemed so boring to me, meant so much to him. If I had started talking he would just have sat there. He would have never have suggested talking about himself. He was too selfless. I envied him for that. I struggled to even think of other people. My first instinct was always myself. Sometimes it was good but straight up being selfish didn't pay off. There was a fine line between being confident and being a bitch and I tended to get lost in it. 

"Ok, that's everything. Now spill," he finished. I wanted to let out a sigh of relief but I stopped myself. I didn't want to make it seem like Ace was being a burden. 

"So you know I joined the League and all that but I think I might have found someone."

"Bitch! I knew that."

"What! How?"

"I saw the way your eyes lit up when you saw that girl. I have never seen you look at anyone like that."

"I wasn't being that obvious was I?"

"Not really. I could just tell. You normally just have this look of pure annoyance. But in that one moment, the clouds seemed to part for you."

"You're making it sound like I'm in love."

"You not?"

"No! I've only known her for a few months."

"Since when has that mattered. I can tell she lights up your world. After you've been through you deserve someone like that."

"Thank you. I really do love her."

"Well have you told her?"

"No!"

"Cmon this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. You have to make a move."

"I'm trying. You know I'm not good at this."

"What are you talking about? Whenever you flirt for fun your game is insane."

"It's so much easier when you don't care!"

"Well just know you're amazing. So just be yourself and it will be impossible for her not to fall in love."

"You're too much. If I didn't know you I would say you're in love with me."

"Don't think my boyfriend would appreciate that."

"Lmao, so do you have any actual advice for me."

"I just gave you some!  You're the badest bitch I know. You could pull anyone so I'm sure this is no different. Just do something sweet or fuck everything else and kiss her."

"It's like you're trying to give me a god complex."

"Maybe I am. Now tell me anything else," Ace said. I did exactly that. I talked about everything I had done. I loved talking to Ace because he always knew what to say. He always listened intently too. Eventually, I had talked about everything except my parents. That was what I was most reluctant about. But I needed to talk to someone. 

"I've also been thinking about my parents lately."

"Why! They don't deserve your thoughts."

"I know. It's not like I'm trying. I just am so worried about running into them."

"I understand what you mean and that sucks. But I'm sure if you see them again you'll be fine. You can do it, stand up to those unsupportive assholes. You do you all that fun villain shit. And if they seem disappointed in you take that as a compliment. The wrong thing in their eyes is probably the right thing. And if you ever worry about them just know I can talk."

"Thanks this was really nice. Sorry for not calling before."

"It's totally fine. I'm sure you were very busy."

"God, you're too perfect."

"I would disagree."

"Shut up."

"I have to go. Talk to you later?"

"Bye," I said. We hung up after that. It was crazy how much better I felt. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders and a surge of confidence rushed over me. I was suddenly excited for the next day. I had been dreading it. It was the day we were going to invade the old Class 1A meet-up. I had been so worried but now I didn't care what happened. I was going to rock everyone's shit and relish in their reactions. Who cared if my parents come? They could just be shocked at how much I had improved. It had felt like I had disappeared from society for so long. It was like I had been forgotten but now I was coming back. And I was going to make sure I have never forgotten again. 

So yea there will actually be action in the next chapter. And maybe some development with Toga and y/n😏. I might not be able to update for a while. I am going on vacation. Ace was the guy back at the beginning so you might not remember him but yea I had to bring him back. He is gay so if it seems like he likes y/n he doesn't. They just have a really good relationship.