Izuocha's Love Stories

39 - WHEN DOVES CRY

By dragon writer

Ochako hated this feeling. She knew it was wrong and selfish, and she wanted nothing more than to dispel it from her system, refresh herself, and ignore the sight in front of her. She knew it was jealousy that raked at her heart as her eyes settled on Izuku and Melissa chatting away happily a few tables away from them, but she refused to acknowledge it, forcing herself to look back at her plate and shovel food into her mouth. She wanted to be happy for them, wanted to be able to be around them without wanting to vomit, but her heart forced her to feel this way. She grunted and shoved more food down her throat, trying to distract herself. The food was delicious but she could barely taste it as her eyes disobeyed her brain and looked towards the pair again, her heart clenching when she saw Izuku tilt his head back and laugh heartily at something Melissa said. It sickened her how much she wanted to be in Melissa's place, wanting to hold Izuku, make him laugh, cuddle him, kiss him. Her cheeks flushed and she turned back to her dinner, fighting back the tears that threatened to appear.

"How pathetic," Ochako muttered to herself, angry at the tears that pushed against her eyelids, angry at the coiling feeling in her stomach, angry at the beast that roared in fury at the sight of Melissa and Izuku together, angry at everything. A hand on her shoulder jolted her from her swirling thoughts, making her jump.

"Hey, are you alright? You've been spacing out for a while."

Ochako looked up to see her best friend, Tsu, standing beside her, holding her own tray of food in her free hand.

"Oh! Yeah, sorry!" Ochako said, injecting false cheerfulness into her voice and forcing a smile to her face. It was obvious that her friend saw through the excuse and the smile, but the frog girl said nothing as she settled into the seat beside Ochako.

The pair ate in silence for a while, Tsu's presence finally starting to calm the turmoil in Ochako's gut. Something about the gentle, cool-headed frog girl was just so calming, and it helped distract Ochako for the first time all evening.

"Is it because of Midoriya?" Tsu asked suddenly, causing Ochako to choke slightly on her bite of food. Coughing and pounding her chest, Ochako swallowed her food painfully and turned to look at her friend incredulously.

"What are you talking about?" Ochako asked, trying to act as if she had no idea what Tsu was talking about.

"Don't play dumb, Ochako, you've been looking so depressed lately and I want to know what's wrong. Hence why I asked. So, is it Midoriya?"

Ochako sighed. She knew she wouldn't be able to dodge her way out of this one, Tsu was way too observant and patient to let any excuse get by her. Glancing at her friend, Ochako nodded, her face flushed. Tsu sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Ochako."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, it's nobody's fault but mine. If I wanted him, I should've said something. Instead, I hid my feelings away and refused to say anything like the coward I am. Now, he has someone who was able to take that step. I should be happy for them, I want to be happy for them, and I know I will eventually come to terms with it. For now, though, I just feel sad. That's all. I'll be back to normal in a few days," Ochako said, flashing Tsu a sad smile.

An airy giggle made both girls turn to see Melissa, with a bright blush on her face, leaning over to whisper something into Izuku's ear. The green-haired boy leaned away from her, his face also rivaling that of a tomato, his hand coming up to lightly slap her arm. Melissa giggled again as Izuku averted his gaze, a sheepish smile plastered on his face. The sight made Ochako's heart squeeze almost painfully.