Between Teeth

A Friend's Concern

The loathing to lift and my legs with sweat dripping from every crevasse in my body. Exhaustion seeps through eyebags that grow darker and darker with each day-walking, practically dragging, into the fenced entrance. The entrance that I've seen 1020 times every 510 days for the last 3 years. I'm beyond ready to graduate. Walking into the cool crisp air of the school is nice and refreshing. Sitting in the same seat for the last 510 times. Located in the furthest back corner of the classroom. My rear is practically engraved onto the chair. I sit there in a lull as the rest of the school prisoners walk in without a care in the world. All ready and fresh like lettuce, on the last 3 weeks of our 3-year sentences.

Then, I see him! The one and only.

"Good morning deku!" I call from my desk

"Good morning ochako!" He smiled warmly, as he wandered towards my desk.

He stops in front of my desk, facing me. He noticed something; worry is evident beneath his gaze.

"Are you alright?" He asked bluntly

Confused I tilt my head and raise my eyebrow

"Oh, um, you see. I noticed you seem, a little more tired than usual" He scratched his hair, and turned his gaze. He exhibits a nervous reaction immediately after speaking bluntly.

Wait, is it obvious how tired I am? how obvious is my exhaustion?

"You think?" I place my hand on my cheek

"I tried putting on extra concealer today."

"It's not that obvious" He emphasized his tone.

The makeup covers your eyebags pretty well. Not uh- saying you have big eye bags. Nothing wrong with having eye bags. You uh- just seem more tired. Well, it's morning, so everyone is tired. Uh- but you seem more tired. Well not-"

He flails his arms around in a small panic, trying not to insult or offend me. I wonder if maybe I should cut back on the extra shifts. I mean, Deku is observant, but he's also a boy. Boys don't usually see through makeup. So if he can see it, everyone else can too. That would be bad, especially if Mom notices. She will worry and insist on sending more money. Ugh, Dad would lecture the hell out of me.

-You do look and, I'm just worried if you are sleeping alright is all!" He finally finished his rant.

"Deku, we've been friends for like years. You can point out things, I won't mind. Thank you for worrying but I'm fine!" I lifted my right arm and placed my hand on my bicep.

I yawn mid-simile

"All fine" I try to play off

"Ochako, you shouldn't be pushing yourself too much. Lay off a little if you ca-"

The first bell rings

"Look, well talk more during lunch, but please rest" He walked towards his seat behind a scowling blond hair.

Iida and Momo get up to the teacher's stand and begin morning recall.

....

30 min before lunch and my eyes won't seem to separate. My eyes feel heavier than rocks, and my face keeps falling. Each second feels like hours. Each sound begins to fade, and before I realize I have fallen asleep.

...

Golden light gently tickles in as the sun begins to set, casting warm, flickering rays throughout the quiet and mostly barren classroom, save for the two students located at the left corner."

Droll drips down my cheek as slowly raise my head in a pit of haze. With the palm of my hand, I swipe off the droll. I yawn and stretch as I lean back at my desk chair. I lazily try to recall when I fell asleep and how long I've been sleeping.