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𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

When you go to school after the party, you can't help but notice all the eyes on you. You thought you had gotten used to all the attention after transferring here, but this is different. Everyone's staring at you and whispering and you know it's because of that scene you made at the party.

People probably recorded it, and are talking about it...and you can't even imagine what Shinsou's saying. Doing what you can, you try to ignore it. You try to tell yourself that you don't care what other people think, that you only care what you and your friends/family think..but you still feel bad.

When you walk into the classroom, you spot Kaminari sitting there, who, thankfully, isn't dead. But he looks like he's having a worse day than you considering the bruises on his face and the cast on his arm and fingers.

"Kaminari? Holy shit, what happened?" You can't help but ask, making a beeline for him. He lifts his head, glancing at you for a moment, taking a deep breath.

"I got jumped by some random guys. They messed me up pretty bad. Broke my arm, my fingers, and my phone and they took my wallet and ran. My parents have been talking to the cops, but they haven't been able to figure anything out. They finally decided that I'd be safe to go to school today."

"I'm so sorry. That's horrible. Is there anything I can do? Can I get you anything?" You offer, and he shakes his head. "My parents are freaking out about this. I just want things to go back to normal."

"Okay." And so, you take a seat next to him, trying to act like everything is normal and okay when you know it isn't.

--

"Hey, how're you holding up?" Jirou asks, meeting in the hallway with you. You told her about what happened after the party, which isn't surprising. You tell her everything.

"Horrible. I'm dying inside." You groan. "It can't be that bad."

The moment she says that two girls walk past, eyeing you judgmentally and whispering to each other. "Okay, maybe it's kind of bad. But just ignore them. They're idiots."

"I know, but it's hard. I have to go to that stupid soccer interest meeting with all those bitchy girls. They're definitely going to talk about me there." You groan. "I miss the days when everyone was trying to be my friend because they thought I was the cool, foreign girl."

"Their opinions don't matter. All that matters is that you have friends who love and believe you, and accept you for who you really are. If it'll make you feel better, I'll go with you to the interest meeting." She tells you.

"You'd do that! Oh my god, thank you. I love you so much." You hug her, and she hugs you back. "Love you too."

"Also, did you hear about Kaminari?" You ask her. Her confused face tells you otherwise.

"No. What happened to Kaminari? He's finally back?" She questions curiously.

"I just saw him in class, and he looked pretty messed up. His face was all bruised, and his arm and fingers were broken. He got mugged. They took his wallet and broke his phone too." You tell her.

"Holy shit. I had no idea that happened. Poor Kaminari." She murmurs.

"Yeah, and his parents are freaking out and are being super protective of him. Today was the first day they let him go back to school. I mean, I get why they're worried but it's not like it was targeted. He should just get a ride home, rather than walk."

"Maybe, but this area in Japan is very safe. Muggings and stuff like that don't happen too often. So I understand their concern." She replies.

"That's true, I guess. But this area is also very wealthy, so, if I wanted to rob people, I wouldn't go for the poor ones. I'm sure they saw Kaminari and thought 'fresh meat.'" You admit.

She gives you a suspicious look. "What? It wasn't me. I grew up in a poor area in America, so I just know."

"Mhm." She murmurs teasingly, and you roll your eyes at her. "Trust me, I wouldn't have to steal to get what I want from Kaminari."

That makes her laugh. "See? I like seeing you confident. This is the confident (y/n) you should be all the time, especially in front of those other girls."

"Yeah, you're right."

--

The day drags on as slowly as possible, leaving you feeling anxious about the meeting, and horrible about the constant judgment you feel. Finally, it's time for the meeting. Kirishima, Bakugo, and Jirou all walk you over to the room.

"I'll see you later." You say to Kirishima and Bakugou, standing at the door. "What? We can't come in with you?"

Bakugo asks grumpily. "I mean you could, but it would be weird. Why would you guys go to a meeting that gives information for a team you'll never be able to try out for?"

"Fine, but just text us after and let us know how it goes, idiot." He tells you. "Yeah, you got this!"

And with that, he and Kirishima walk off, leaving you and Jirou alone.

"You ready?" She asks you. "I guess so."

And so, the two of you walk into the room. Girls are chatting, some enough gracious enough to ignore you, but others staring and stopping their conversation once they see you.

You don't look back at them, and keep your eyes straight forward, giving Jirou's hand a little squeeze as the two of you walk over to the empty desks. They're talking about you. You know they are. And you know you're probably being paranoid, but everyone's been talking about you.

The coach then walks in, silencing the girls. Unfortunately, varsity high school soccer girls are some of the worst people to deal with. You thought going it would be different in Japan, but, unfortunately, it's not. If it weren't for your love of the sport, you'd probably quit.

You're really going to owe Jirou one for this. Thank god you have her. She's an angel. Sometimes, you don't know what you'd do without her.