✯𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 ✯ ᵏᵃᵗˢᵘᵏⁱ ᵇᵃᵏᵘᵍᵒ

7 ✰

                                 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 7

I've never been a morning person. Most days, I wait until the very last minute to drag myself out of bed — but not today. Today is my first day at U.A. High.

I got accepted on Friday, which only gave me two days to pull everything together: supplies, textbooks, my uniform, even a design for my hero costume. It was stressful enough without my mom refusing to help pay for any of it. So, of course, I had to cover it all myself. But none of that matters now. I got in. And there's nothing she can do to stop me from going.

After getting dressed, I head downstairs to grab something quick to eat. But my mom's already in the kitchen, waiting like a vulture.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asks as I reach for a piece of bread to make some toast.

"Making toast?" I reply, confused.

"No, you're not. You need to take out that trash," she snaps, pointing toward the garbage can.

"But I need to eat something," I tell her.

"That's too bad. You should've done it yesterday if you wanted breakfast. And cut that attitude." She glares at me, daring me to talk back.

I don't. I'm smarter than that. Arguing with her only makes things worse.

"Fine," I mutter, grabbing the trash and slinging my bag over my shoulder. As I step outside, I run into my dad, just about to leave for work.

"Take this," he says, handing me a granola bar and a piece of fruit. "I heard her. You can't go to school hungry—especially not on your first day."

"Thanks, Dad," I say, quietly grateful.

"Okay, okay, now go. You'll be late," he urges.

I glance at the time. If I hurry, I can still catch the train. I toss the trash on the curb and take off running.

Just in time I arrive at the stop, squeezing in as the doors slide shut, one of the last to board—no seats left, of course. Perfect. Today's off to a great start.

The train's packed—crying toddlers, half-asleep office workers, camera-happy tourists. I've always liked watching people on the train. Everyone wrapped up in their own world. It's distracting enough to keep me from thinking too much about mine.

I catch myself staring at a girl across from me, wondering what her life's like, if it's anything like mine —then the train jolts to a stop and I snap out of it. God, I probably looked like a creep.

UA High's building stands tall at the end of the street. I check my phone. Ten minutes until class starts?!

I jog down the sidewalk, weaving through the crowd. I reach the front doors and find my locker quickly switching into indoor shoes. Then I start a light sprint toward my classroom...Which one is it again? I Glance at the paper Principal Nezu gave me: Class 1-A. Why does that sound familiar?

As I'm scanning the hallway, I bump into someone.

"Oh! I'm so sorry—I wasn't paying attention," I say quickly.

"Oh no, it's fine, don't worry!" a pink haired girl replies, cheerful and kind.

"I don't think I've seen you around before... are you new?"

"Yeah, actually. I'm kinda lost, looking for my class," I admit.

"I can help you if you want!" she offers, giddily.

"Seriously? That'd be great," I say.

"What class are you in?"

"Class 1-A."

She stops and stares at me. "No way! That's my class too! I heard rumors of a new student in the hero course, but I didn't think they'd be in my class."

She grabs my hand and pulls me down the hall. "Come on, it's this way!"

"oh and my names Mina! what's yours?" she introduces herself.

"Y/n Nakamura" I reply back as we come to a stop.

We reach the classroom, and as soon as she opens the door and drags me inside, I lock eyes with someone I never expected to see.

"Y/N?" a familiar voice calls.

"Izuku?" I answer, surprised. Just then another figure stands up, one i know all too well.

Katsuki Bakugo.

Our eyes meet, and the rest of the room fades away. He looks..different? Older, maybe even a little taller, and I swear his hair got a shade lighter. But his eyes, his eyes are the exact same. I feel as if I could look at him for hours and still not make up for all the time we've lost, all the time we've been apart.

With everything happening, I somehow forgot he went here too, and the exact same class—how did I miss that?

The whole class is staring, but neither of us notices—or cares. Until the bell rings and a tired-looking man strolls in breaking us from our prolonged stare.

"Morning, class," he says, barely awake. Bandages cover his whole face. Some students gasp.

"Mr. Aizawa?! What are you doing here?"

"You're supposed to be in the hospital!"

He waves off their questions. "Doesn't matter. We've got work to do. But first..." He eyes me. "Who are you?"

I straighten up. "Uh I'm, Y/N Nakamura. I'm your new student. Today's my first day." I answer awkwardly, feeling very put on the spot.

"Right... Nezu mentioned that. Find a seat behind Yaoyorozu." He points to who I can only assume is Yaoyorozu.

I walk past Katsuki's desk. He watches me the whole time, and when our eyes meet again, the silence between us says everything.

I've missed you.

I take my seat as the teacher begins.

"Like I was saying... your fight isn't over."

His words hang in the air. The whole class freezes, glancing around in confusion. What is he talking about?

"The U.A. Sports Festival is coming up."

A wave of relief rushes through the room, followed by excited chatter. A sports festival? I just got here. I'm not even close to ready for that.

"Is it really safe to hold a festival after villains broke into the school?" a girl with purple hair asks from the front.

"What if they attack again?" another student chimes in.

Aizawa doesn't hesitate. "The school administration thinks it's a good way to show that the threat has been handled and our school is safe. Plus they're upping security compared to past years."

He pauses before adding, "This festival is a huge opportunity for all students. It's not something we cancel over a few villains."

That shuts down the villain talk fast. But I've already tuned out. A huge opportunity? I just got here. These students have already fought actual villains—I'm barely figuring out where my locker is. How am I supposed to compete?

Aizawa wraps up and lets the class talk. That's when I feel it—everyone's staring at me.

I glance to my right. Katsuki is standing next to me.

"We need to talk," he says sharply.

I nod, get up, and follow him out. The room falls silent behind us, all eyes tracking us. I catch Izuku watching, his expression full of concern—or maybe pity.

Great.

I'm so screwed.