Never

17. Solace

Izuku's POV

           Startled, I jumped backward, ending up sited on the roof, around two meters away from the pair of eyes. Which belonged to a girl my age. A girl ?!

What the...

How did I...

What to do ?

Why ?!

So close...

On me...

Who...

What...

How...

          I've never really been close to a girl my age, and I never had a reason to talk to them. They weren't really interested. And this one was laying on me not a minute ago ! She ran into me from...

          I blinked, the realization of what happened bringing me back on earth. I tried to commit suicide — Oh my God — and she pushed me back from the void. But she was a Grey, and her eyes were shining a red light, so she couldn't have a strength or levitation or anything else quirk. So she did... what ? Jumped on the walls to reach me and push me back ? And she wanted me to talk about my problems to convince me to not do it again ?

The girl : Yes, exactly. Nice analysis Broccoli.

Me : Huh ?

The girl : Sorry, you were mumbling at full speed, and I couldn't help hearing you.

          I felt my cheeks burning, realizing that I had yet again exposed my thoughts to the whole world. Then I realized what it truly meant, and I started hyperventilating.

          I did it again. I played "nerd" again, mumbled senseless words, bothering everyone. They were going to punish me. I had to apologize ! But it annoyed them even more when I apologized. I was sorry, sorry, sorry, sorrysorrysorrysorryso

          No hit came. No yell either. I had curled up in a ball, arms over my head to protect myself, eyes completely closed, but no-one punished me. On the contrary, the only speaking voice was soft, full of kindness. I risked opening en eye.

The girl : Everything's alright, breath slowly and relax. I'm staying away, I only want to help you. Focus on your breathing, and everything will be alright.

          I shyly looked up, and she smiled at me kindly. She seemed sad. Oh no, I didn't want to make her sad, I was really sorry, I wanted to confort her, but I couldn't approach her, entering her space when we just met, it would only make her uncomfortable, but it was my fault, if I wasn't here...

The girl : It's not your fault.

It is, it's always my fault, because I'm not good enough, not strong or smart enough, because I'm only a useless quirkless nerd.

The girl : I, too, used to think that everything would be better for everyone if I disappeared, but it isn't true. If someone attacks you without a reason, it's because they're an asshole and a bully. And even if you make mistakes from time to time it's normal, and it isn't a reason to yell at you, and even less to hit you.

          The little voice deep inside agreed. Actually, I knew it too already, but I couldn't help thinking that if I hadn't been here, all these people beating me would have had a perfectly normal live.

The girl : No, they would find someone else to martyr. Those doing such things do them to feel powerful, be it because they actually are and know that no-one will stop them, or because they're weak and can forget it for a little while by bullying people weaker then them.