Dancing Shadows

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ellowyn's POV-
   "It's been days since the ball and no one has been contacted by any pro heroes." I say to Todo and Midoriya. It's late at night and I haven't been able to sleep, so I came to Todoroki's room to try to finally address it.

   "That doesn't mean anything-"

   "It means everything! My actions are having consequences for everyone and I don't even know how to begin to how to fix it. Even Bakugou has been angry with me. He doesn't eat lunch with us anymore, he blows me off when I ask to study or train with him, he refuses to make eye contact even when I catch him staring at me, he only speaks to me when he has to, and on and on and on. I don't know what to do."

  Midoriya says, "Some kids in class B haven't been contacted yet."

   "But most have. No one in our class has. And honestly I'm not surprised since the press on the event has been overwhelmingly negative in regards to me." I respond.

   "That doesn't mean it's your fault. Bakugou has been giving our class a bad reputation for years." Todo adds.

   "He's never made something like this happen."

   "Ellie-"

   I sigh in exasperation. "Come on guys! Don't act like you aren't seeing what the press is saying about me right now. Every other article is talking about how crazy and violent I am. I don't need you to try and help me feel better by telling me I'm not those things because even if I am, it doesn't matter. What I need is help figuring out how to fix it."

   After a moment, Midoriya says, "We need to change how the media is telling the story. Everyone is being told what you did but not why you did it."

   Todo's eyes light up. "Exactly. Monoma has been taken in for multiple interviews but no one has asked you for one. You just need an opportunity to tell your side of the story."

   "Okay...so how do I get that opportunity?"

   "Leave that to me." Todo says. "I'll get you an interview."

   "What if no one wants to interview me?"

   "Trust me, they will. An interview with you would be an exclusive story since no one has gotten one yet."

   "Okay and why are they supposed to believe my story over Monoma's?"

   "Because I'll let them interview me too." Midoriya says.

   Todo looks at him with concern. "Are you sure?" He nods. "Okay. Tomorrow after school. We'll do it at the cafe down the street."

  I realize I've been biting my nails and put my hands in my lap. "Thank you...and I'm sorry for coming here so late...and for asking so much of you two. Thank you."

   "It's okay. We are all here for each other and we are very grateful for what you did. Honestly, I wish I had gotten to Monoma first." Todo says.

   Midoriya adds, "Yes, I really am thankful. We both are. Just remember that next time you feel bad about stepping in."

   I smile and reply, "Thank you  I'm just glad to know that you are okay. Anyways, I'm going to head to sleep. Thanks again."

   We say our good night's and I head back to my room to try and get what little sleep I can before the interview tomorrow.

...

Bakugou's POV-
   I hesitate before I knock on Kirishima's door, but really I know I don't have many other choices. It's a few minutes later when he finally opens the door just enough to show his very red face. "Hey Bakubro, what's up?"

   "We need to talk now. Am I interrupting something?"

   I hear a sigh from the other side of the room. "Just let him in. The dude has been weird since the ball. He obviously needs help."

   "I don't need fucking help." I mutter. Then I ask, "Is that Sparky?"

   Shitty Hair nods and let's me in. He takes a seat next to Kaminari on his bed and says, "So? What's up bro?"

   I can't help but pace a bit in front of his door. "I don't know what the fuck to do about Cherry."

   "Explain." Kirishima prompts.

   "We had this moment after the incident at the ball. I cleaned her wounds and asked her about what happened and she started crying. I stepped closer to her so I could wipe away her tears and push her hair out of her face and then suddenly she was hugging me and I could smell her and feel her warmth and when I looked at her it was like electricity and I was so close to her and..." I stop myself realizing exactly what I've just said.

   "And?" Sparky asks.

   "And I wanted to kiss her." I add quietly.

   "I knew it!" Shitty Hair exclaims. "You like her!"

   "Be fucking quiet." I retort.

   "Why didn't you?" Kaminari asks. "Why didn't you kiss her?"

   I hesitate to answer. "I don't know"

   "You're lying." Kirishima responds.

   "No I'm not!"

   "That was the most defensive response ever. Why can't you just stop lying to yourself about her? You want her and you work for the things you want. What's different about her?"

   "Kirishima, shut the fuck up!"

   "No! I won't stop until you tell me the truth."

   "Fucking fine!" I reply. "I was fucking terrified, okay?" The silence settles over the room as I add, "Ellowyn is fucking perfect. She's smart and cheesy and kind and stubborn and clumsy and so understanding. But she's also broken. She flinches at every touch and she hesitates in everything she does and she's crying in your arms after a nightmare and she's littered in scars that she doesn't want to explain." I sigh and say, "I don't fucking know. I guess I just didn't want to kiss her because if I scare her, I could lose her and that scares me. And now I'm angry because of how much losing her scares me."

   After a moment, Kirishima says, "That's the sweetest thing you've ever said."

   I roll my eyes as I feel my ears go red. "Shut the fuck up. Just tell me how to stop feeling like this."

   Kaminari says, "You have to talk to her about how you feel because it probably isn't going to go away. However you choose to do it is up to you."

   "Of course, as you've said, you don't want to freak her out. If you want to kiss her and are worried about how she'll feel about it, just ask." Shitty Hair adds.

   "Like, how?" I ask. "Wouldn't that be weird for her?"

   "Not really. You just move closer to her but do it slowly enough that she can push you away if she feels uncomfortable. Then just place your hand under her chin and ask her if you can kiss her. At that point, if she doesn't feel what you feel, she'll know and tell you."

   "Yeah just don't make it a big deal or you'll freak yourself out. Maybe invite her over to study or watch a movie or something normal."

   I nod. "Okay. I can definitely do that."

   "Don't make a big deal out of it and that will hopefully help you remain calm." Sparky says. "Also, do me a favor and don't tell anyone that you saw me in here."

   "Of course. But you should know that you don't have to worry about telling people in our class about you two. Especially not the ones who are gay and especially not Cherry."

   "Why especially Ellowyn?"

   Shitty Hair's says, "Oh wait! I never told you! Ellowyn told Bakugou that she threw that punch on Monoma because he was a homophobic dick to Deku"

   "Really?" Sparky asks.

   I nod. "Just know that you have friends who will beat the fuck out of anyone who dares to talk shit about you. Anyway, good night."

   "Good night, Bakubro." Kirishima says as I head back to my own room to try and finally get some sleep.