Good or Bad?

Chapter 17: Provisional License

okay okay readers, I know, I know. I've been gone for a while, in fact, the last time we talked was august of 2021. I sincerely apologize for my absence, I'm sure you hear it a lot, but a lot has been going on. If it does me any justice, I've been wanting to pick up writing again, I see the notifications all the time, I just haven't had the time to. alright, I'll stop with the excuses. please take this extra-long chapter as a token of my apology and I hope you enjoy! 

We've all been training and mastering our quirks, some more than others, and it's almost time for the Provisional License Exam. 

As usual, a handful of my classmates have been ignoring me but some are starting to warm up to me again, though everyone's guards are still up. 

"This is so sad." I said to myself as I stare at Mina's message that told me the girls were having boy talk in the common room while I was sitting by myself binge-watching Netflix. 

Yes, my classmates have been so awkward and cautious around me that I've resorted to staying in my room to lessen the tension. 

My phone beeps once more and I see that it's Mina trying to get me to get out of my room and join them. I try telling her that it'll be too risky and that they don't want me out there, but she persists that now is the perfect time to confront the suspicious girls. 

I sigh and dust off my clothes, secretly trying to dust off my nerves and anxiety with it. My hand grabs the cold doorknob and I open the door, allowing it to shut behind me. 

The hallway is empty and I'm uncomfortably aware of how my feet push against the hard floor as I walk. I could tell from the cool breeze, that made me shiver slightly, that the windows of the buildings were open and faint laughter distracted my body from the cold. 

I hug myself for comfort and protection, protection from everything bothering me. Protection from the cold. Protection from my nerves. Protection from all the bad thoughts running around like children on a sugar high in my head. And protection from the fear that they won't accept me, that they won't...like me like I thought they did. 

As I turned the corner, I could see the light casting upon the couches that the girls sat on and I could match the laughter i heard earlier with faces. They all sat in their pajamas and most giggled while some held smiles. For some reason, Uraraka was floating in the air with a blush scattered across her cheeks and she was in some sort of fetal position as if she were hugging herself. 

"Hey, guys." I said gently with a careful smile, almost as if I were a monster trying to show them that I meant no harm. Everyone's head turned toward me and Mina was the first to address me. 

"Hey, Y/n! Come join us! We were just talking about Uraraka's undying love for-" Mina was cut off by Momo who had cleared her throat and stood up. 

"I'm afraid we all have a big day tomorrow and it would be good for us to get some rest." She spoke politely, the same tone you'd speak to an adult with. And although she had been talking to the whole group, everyone knew it was directed toward me. 

The rest of the girls agreed and they all slowly got up. 

"No!" I yelled desperately, not wanting to mess this up or miss my chance. 

They all turned to look at me, shocked that I had raised my voice, and stopped in their tracks. 

I sighed before continuing. "Please, don't leave. Can I just talk to you all, just for a little?" 

Mina smiled, almost, no, definitely proud of me and she sat down firmly in her seat with an attitude that said: I'm not going anywhere. 

Momo stared at me, surprised, for a little before looking at Mina and sighing as she took her seat. The rest of the girls followed in her steps.