Why Do You Have To Be So Pretty?

2

TW: mention of self-unaliving

“Sort of,” She spoke so low I could barely even hear her. Her eyes welled up as she prepared to continue, “When I was younger, I wasn't the most popular kid. You can probably tell. Everyone would always make fun of me for wearing the wrong clothes and never eating lunch. I only had one friend back then.” She blinked away her tears, trying too hard not to break down completely. I pulled her into a gentle embrace in an attempt at comfort. I haven't done comfort in a while.

“It's okay, you don't have to tell me,” I whispered, still holding her like she's a valuable treasure or something. She truly is.

“No, no, I want to,” She mumbled, wiping her tears away. “So, uhm, my friend. He was the best guy ever. I love-no, sorry, I loved him. He was kind and funny and made me cupcakes when I was sad. Which was a lot.” She chuckled softly, her face darkening. “He, well, he had problems at home. Occasionally, he came to school with sloppily hidden bruises all over him. He moved wrong and anyone could see, but no one seemed to care. We were all each other had, until he left me. In his note, he said that I was the only one whoever truly cared about him and that he was sorry. That he loved me and that I can't follow him. No matter how badly I wanted to end it as well, those words echoed in my head.”

“I-, I'm so sorry,” I mumbled, at a total loss for words. What do you say to that? She just shrugged, failing to hide her silent sobs. I don't know what to do, but I just stayed and tried my best to comfort her in silence.

“I should have been there, I should have answered when my parents told me he was on the line,” She sputtered into my shoulder.

All I could do was say, “It's not your fault, really. It never was and it never will be.” But I doubt that comforted her much because she just kept sobbing. Of course, I let her use me as her rock. She needs someone, and here I am. Even if that's how it is for the rest of our days, I'm fine with that. As long as she doesn't go, I'll be okay. Now that I have her, I don't think I can let go.

“That's bullshit,” She whimpered. “It was murder…” I gently brought her face to mine, rubbing her cheeks softly.

“It's not murder if you didn't pull the trigger, okay?” I pulled her close to me, promising myself to never let her go. No matter what. “I promise.”

“O...okay,” She mumbled. I wiped her face clean from tears, and she smiled. Not like her usual one, but a genuine smile this time. She's fucking beautiful when she smiles. She's so pretty all the time. “Thanks, uh, will you just stay with me until I fall asleep? You don't have to or anything, I just don't want to be alone right now…” She trailed off. My heart soared, just at the thought of staying with her a little longer. I nodded enthusiastically, and we adjusted, so she was warm and under the covers. “Do you want to get under too?” I shook my head.

“I don't want you to get in trouble if I fall asleep here,” I told her. She nodded and pulled my arms around her. Obviously, I didn't stop her, I'll take anything I can get.

“You never told me your story,” She mumbled sleepily. Oh right, I forgot about that. “I told you, now it's your turn.” I sighed and she closed her eyes. I'm really going to do it. Well, here goes.

“So, back when I was younger,” I started, my heart beating a mile a minute, but not because of how close we are. “I learned I wasn't normal when my parents forced me into their idea of a perfect daughter. Okay, sure, I killed a bird and thought it was pretty. So what? Doesn't mean you turn your back on your child. Okay, I attacked someone back in middle school, but that was so long ago. That's when they decided they were done with me. But, it wasn't my fault, I swear. He just looked so pretty all beat up, but it's not like I can help it. Um, I'm going to go now.” Oh God, I actually spilled my guts. What if she hates me now? She probably does. Everyone else does anyway, but it will hurt so much more if she does.

Quickly, I jumped out of her bed and as I was opening the window to leave, she grabbed my sleeve. I looked back to see not hatred or disgust, but understanding? Why would a good girl like her understanding something like that?

“Don't leave,” She whispered. “Please don't go.” Her eyes welled up with tears and I pulled her into a tight embrace. “Don't leave me too.” My eyes widened. Who left her? What kind of dumbass would do such a thing?

“Who left...?” I asked carefully, caressing her hair. I swear, I'll kill the bastard who dared to break her poor heart.

“Why do you think I came to UA?” She asked quietly. I stayed quiet, awaiting her answer. “You see, I thought that if I got accepted into UA, then people would actually like me. But of course, that's not true. Who would like me? Not even my parents like me. They decided that I'm not worth it, so now this school is all I have.” She trailed off, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces for her. How could they?

“I like you,” I muttered, not expecting her to hear me. She wiped her face, forcing a big fake smile onto it. “Hey, I know you don't know me that well, but you don't have to fake it in front of me.” I never want to let her go. She pulled away, clasping my hand in hers, and sat down on the bed once again, patting the covers next to her. I took the opportunity and sat down, noticing that she didn't take her hand away. Of course, I didn't. Why would I? “I really fucking like you.”

“Bullshit,” She scoffed. My face fell, of course she'd say that. Why would she believe me when so many others have told her otherwise? “Why the hell do you like me? I'm just so,” She gestures to herself, making an ick expression. I giggled softly. “What? You think this is funny?”

“No, not at all,” I forced myself to look away from her beautiful face. “I just don't understand how anyone wouldn't like you. You're just so awesome. Even cooler than Dabi, and that's saying something.” A pink tint dusting my cheeks as I finished. A bone-shattering coughing fit erupted from me, ruining the moment. I smiled weakly when it was over, silently begging her to act like it didn't happen. Lucky for me, she did.

“Wait, really?”

“Of course.”