STRINGS // KATSUKI BAKUGO [2]

Chapter 46 // Interrupted Time

This chapter was supposed to be posted Sunday, but I had a packed schedule, so I forgot. Instead of two updates this weekend, there will be three to make up for my forgetfulness, two today and one tomorrow. Happy reading!
————————————————————-

Aizawa watched the clock as he prepared your late lunch, waiting for the time that school ended, so he could call Bakugo.

Every now and then, he'd glance over his shoulder and out the kitchen door where he could barely see your head laying on the right armrest of the couch.

He slowly stirred the cooking noodles atop the stove as the time passed, and, when the proper moment finally arrived, he dialed Bakugo's phone number and put the call on speaker before setting his phone on the counter.

The call rang a mere two times before the boy picked up, and, upon answering, Bakugo remained silent, waiting for his teacher to speak.

"Bakugo," Aizawa began, unsure of how he should start the conversation he was setting into motion, "do you have any after school plans?"

"Well," Bakugo began, "I was planning on looking for your star student since the dumbass left, which there's no way you don't know about by now."

"I'm aware of the situation," the man sighed. "He snuck into my house to leave [L/N] a letter."

"Speaking of," Bakugo replied. "Why wasn't she at school today? Why weren't you at school today?"

"That's why I'm calling," Aizawa responded. "There's something you need to know, but it's not my place to tell you. Are you able to come over as soon as possible?"

"You say that like someone's dying," Bakugo joked with a scoff, but the hero remained silent, finding no amusement in his student's ironic reply.

"Your assumptions may prove to be correct," Aizawa stated. "Please come by my place as soon as you can. [L/N] needs you."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" the boy questioned, growing panicked. "What's up with her? Is she okay? Is she hurt?"

"Just come by," the man tried once more. "I'll—she'll explain everything once you're here."

"Explain what?" Bakugo gritted out. "You're freakin' me out."

"I'm warning you to come prepared," Aizawa explained. "You're not going to like what you hear, but it's something you're going to have to be level headed about."

"Do you know who you're talking to?" the blond replied.

"Bakugo," Aizawa began sternly, "I am asking you to arrive calm and collected. Throwing a fit is not going to help [L/N]'s situation. What you're going to hear is by no means light information, but you have to stay strong for her."

"How am I supposed to stay calm when you won't tell me what the fuck's going on with my girlfriend?" Bakugo hissed, and Aizawa sighed.

"It's not something I have the right to tell anyone," the hero informed. "It needs to come from her, especially if you're on the receiving end."

"Sensei," Bakugo started, voice quiet and surprisingly shaky, "is she dying?"

Aizawa remained quiet, staring down at the pot of boiling noodles in front of him, and the boy took the silence as an indirect answer.

"I'll be there in ten," Bakugo said.

Aizawa opened his mouth to reply, but the abrupt sound of a dead line kept him quiet, and he shut off his phone, continuing to cook in tormenting silence.

[EDITED]