The Other Side - Katsuki Bakugou x OC

Chapter 21

When we went back to the room, Father seemed happy to have regained his class. Zap had gone to chat with another class. I was glad too...

"Honey. Do you have something you need to talk about?" Father asked, coming into my bedroom. I looked up from my English vocabulary in confusion. Dad was standing nervously in the doorway.

"What do you mean?"

"You had a panic attack in the middle of class. It's been quite a while since you had one..." Dad trailed off.

"Just..." I took a deep breath. Whatever I do, I have to do with 100% certainty. "The fire thing reminded me of that nightmare. But the guys spoke to me at lunch and now I feel so much better about everything."

"Are you sure? I know I was... Irrational before. But if you need to talk to either of us about something that's bothering you and making you anxious..." I looked into his pleading eyes, trying to keep my expression as straight as possible.

"Honestly, I'm fine now."

"Do you promise?" I held his gaze for a few seconds, unable to reply. I simply nodded quickly a few times. Father looked at Dad over his shoulder before sighing and standing up straight.

"Dinner will be ready in an hour." Dad said warmly, ushering Father out before gently closing the door. I heard their voices getting quieter as they walked away. Lying to them felt so bad, but I had to be strong. I can't doubt my decisions. There's no room for that now.

A day passed and I didn't see any sign of Zap, other than the other students discussing him in the hallways and cafeteria. They all thought so highly of him. Somehow, my friends had managed to spot him every time they left the class. Why could I never see him then? It gave me an uneasy feeling. The two groups - the Bakusquad and the Dekusquad - had coordinated a meetup that evening. We were going to a cafe to get coffee and cakes.

"Hey guys. Sorry I'm a few minutes late." I said sitting down next to Katsuki and Mido, out of breath.

"You're still earlier than the fucking Pikachu knock off." The blonde rolled his eyes. Tenya shook his head disapprovingly. It was always a riot when Kat and Tenya spent time together.

"I'm here, I'm here!" Kami yelled, running over to the table and throwing himself in a chair between Sero and Ochaco. Some of us laughed and some of us shook our heads at his antics. A bored looking waitress came over to take out orders. When she got to Katsuki, her demeanor changed. It was subtle, but I noticed her pushing out her chest and batting her eyes at him. Was she flirting with Katsuki Bakugo? I bit my lip to stop myself from saying something, but couldn't keep the sour expression off of my face. Mina raised her eyebrows from across the table when I caught her gaze. I raised mine back. She nodded.

"Girls have their own secret language and it scares me." Sero shuddered dramatically. The waitress left and I felt myself ease up.

"What should we say?" Ochaco asked, also having picked up on her behaviour.

"Ask about his boyfriend." Mina chuckled. The boys looked at each other in confusion.

"Maybe we should all practice a nonverbal communication that relies on no bodily movements. Unlike signs, we could just make different faces to..." And Midoriya was off on another muttering spree. The waitress came back with Katsuki's order first (unsurprisingly). Before Mina had the chance to say anything, Kat casually put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him as he thanked her halfheartedly. She looked more than disappointed. I looked like a tomato, probably. He kept his arm there until everyone had their order. I got mine last.

"Thank God. I didn't think she'd ever stop flirting with me. How unbearable." Kat remarked, removing his arm as nonchalantly as he had placed it there. So he had noticed. I opened my mouth to reply but decided against it.