Control Your Reality: Katsuki Bakugo

Chapter 18

They had one day off before classes were scheduled to start again. The summer had flown by, and so much had happened. It was a rollercoaster of ups and downs. And after multiple weeks of spending time together and talking about almost everything, Bakugo had stopped talking to Hitori again.

It was six thirty in the morning, and Bakugo still had not come downstairs to go running. Hitori didn't get it. And now he wasn't answering her texts either.

H: Hey, you awake?

H: Do you still wanna go running?

H: I'm still gonna go, I'll wait for a bit but I'm leaving at 6:30.

Hitori sighed and put her earbuds in. She pulled on her shoes, then left the dorm. After stretching in the front yard, she started jogging down the street. Music blared in her ears, but it wasn't enough to drown out the torrent of thoughts that were racing through her mind.

She didn't know how to feel about everything that had happened recently. Things were going good but bad at the same time. Hitori had started to enjoy being in the dorms because there was always someone positive around. Even when she was in her room, she knew that there were people around that would notice if she disappeared. Her friends actually cared about her and wanted to see her be happy.

But it felt like the closer she got to the rest of her classmates, the further she got from Bakugo. Ever since they had moved into the dorms, he had slowly started pulling away more and more, and she had no idea why. She was scared that Bakugo would snap and do something stupid. That was why she was trying so hard to get him to talk. He was like a time bomb, and she was pretty sure the exam had been the last straw. And she had been doing her best not to push too much, but she was still losing him.

Hitori turned around at the normal spot and started back. She pushed herself faster, ignoring the burn in her legs. Her strides got longer, and her arms pumped harder.

I gotta get him to talk to me before he loses it on someone else. At least I can handle his anger. I just don't know how I'm going to do that.

At her quicker pace, she got back to the dorm in a record time. No one else was up yet, not even Ida. Hitori went to her room to grab what she needed for a shower. She checked her phone on the way back down, but Bakugo still hadn't answered.

Hitori sighed and opened her conversation with Chikara.

The first time she had texted him had been the day she'd got his number. Ever since then, he had been giving her updates on the boys every few days. He had also stayed true to his word and had started sharing intel on Sora. The last thing he had sent her was a few days ago, when Sora scored a new buyer. Chikara had sent the guy's name, address, and phone number. This was the fourth in the last three weeks.

Growing his client base meant that Sora was getting more comfortable making bolder moves. He had kept his operations as far underground as possible for as long as Hitori had been building his arsenal. But now that All Might was gone, organized crime was on the rise.

Hitori had to admit now that his presence was felt even in the ghetto. And his absence had left a dark hole that was only growing bigger.

+++

It wasn't until midafternoon that Hitori was finally able to catch Bakugo alone. He had been avoiding her all day, but she finally saw her chance to talk to him when he walked out of the building after eating a late lunch. She snuck away from her friends, and went after him.

Hitori had to run to catch up to him. He was walking down the street toward the other side of the campus.

"Katsuki!" She called as she approached.

Bakugo turned and glared daggers at her. She stopped in front of him.

"What the hell do you want?" He snapped.

"To talk," Hitori said. "Please."

"About what?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, now go away."

Bakugo spun on his heel and started walking away from her. Hitori hurried after him.

"Why won't you talk to me?" Hitori asked.

"Cause I don't want to," he snapped.

"Why? Don't you trust me?"

Bakugo sighed angrily. "I trust you."

"Then why won't you tell me what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, I'm fine."

"I don't think you are. Something's been bugging you since we moved in, and it's getting worse. Now you're avoiding me like the plague, and I don't get why. What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying."

"Deal with it."

"We agreed we wouldn't lie—"

"I don't care!" Bakugo spun to face her. "I don't wanna talk about it! Just leave me the hell alone!"

"No," Hitori said quietly. "I wanna help you."

"I don't need your damn help! I don't need anyone's help! I'm fine on my own!"

"Katsuki—"

"Just leave me alone! Go train with Deku or something! You guys are all buddy-buddy now, aren't you?!"

Hitori's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"

"Yes! Leave me the fuck alone, already!"

"That's what you're mad at me about? Me teaching Midoriya how to kick?!"

Bakugo only glared at her.

Hitori threw her hands up in the air. "You're ridiculous. Are you seriously so insecure that I can't even talk to him without pissing you off?!"

"Shut up!" Bakugo yelled.

"No! You don't control who I talk to, and you don't get to be mad about it either!"

"FUCK OFF!!"

Bakugo swung his arm at her, but she blocked it before he could make contact with her head. She grit her teeth and stayed face to face with him, despite wanting to punch him. He glared venomously at her, breathing heavily.

Hitori was furious that he had just attacked her, but she managed to keep her cool.

"I know you're hurting, so I'm going to let it go. But don't you dare swing at me like that again," Hitori snarled. "I'm not your punching bag, so don't treat me like one!"

Something shifted in Bakugo's glare. He glanced at their arms, then hurriedly backed away. Hitori lowered her fist but couldn't stop it from shaking.

"Leave me alone, Scrappy," Bakugo said in a low voice.

She narrowed her eyes at him, fighting the burning tears in the back of her throat. "I feel like I'm losing you, Katsuki. But fine. I'll leave you alone."

Hitori turned around and started walking away. She didn't hear anything behind her and she didn't look back. Even though she could feel Bakugo's eyes on her.