It Started with a Smile

Chapter 4

"Wh-what?"

"I like you," I repeated, self-conscious but determined.

"But I..."

"Like Ochaco who likes Midoriya. I know," I finished for him. "That doesn't change the fact that I like you."

"I'm s-" I used my other hand to cover his mouth, cutting off the rejection he was no doubt preparing.

The lollipop clattered to the floor. Sero exhaled through his nose, his breath warm against my hand and I felt a trail of goosebumps rise along my arm.

"Please don't," I whispered. "I didn't tell you because I wanted an answer."

'Then why?' his wide eyes asked me and I smiled sadly.

"I want you to notice me. Because of your crush on Ochaco, you don't even realize that I exist but I do. I want you to know that I'm here and that I like you. That I see you the way she doesn't."

I leaned forward and pressed my lips to the back of my hand, trying to imagine what it would be like to kiss him without a barrier. I felt his face grow impossibly warmer beneath my palm when I pulled back.

"Notice me," I repeated, releasing him.

Sero was watching me with wide eyes, his mouth open in shock and I had to force myself to stand before I could give in to my own desires and kiss him for real. I fled the common area and didn't stop running until I was inside my room. Locking the door behind me, I jumped onto my bed and buried my face into the pillow.

I did it! I confessed! And I kind of kissed him too. Squealing into the pillow, I grabbed the stuffed rhino sitting at the top of my bed and clutched it to my chest. I kept replaying his stunned expression to my confession. Tomorrow would be really awkward. Would he avoid me?

As I came off my high and that day's events really settled down in my mind, I blanched. I confessed to Sero and I kind of kissed him too. Oh, boy.

* * * * *

I didn't see Sero at dinner nor at breakfast the next morning. He wasn't in the classroom when we got there. I bit the inside of my cheek, worried. Surely my confession hadn't upset him to the point that he felt the need to skip an entire day of classes?

Sero entered the class the second the bell rang and I sighed in relief. I wasn't surprised to note that he was avoiding looking at me. I kind of figured that would happen and I'd made my peace with it.

The ball was in his court now and it was up to him to make up his mind - is what I wanted to tell myself but I couldn't help my fingers nervously drumming against my desk. When I confessed, it was with the thought that if he was aware of me, he would have to consider me. But what if he didn't like what he saw?

I was friendly and energetic, sure, but not cute and bubbly like Ochaco. I had a sense of humor but not her air-headed charm. Where she was petite and curvy, I was tall and lean. Rough around the edges and brash enough to run around in my underwear during a training exercise or confess in a public space while practically stealing a kiss.

What if my actions turned him away from me instead of getting him interested? I buried my face in my hands with a groan. I really hadn't thought any of this through.

The classroom door slipped open and Present Mic stormed inside, loudly announcing that it was time to learn some English. I peeked at Sero between my fingers, noticing the way he'd drawn his shoulders up, as if he was bracing himself against something. He was without writing tools again. So he really was just that distracted and it had nothing to do with finding an excuse to talk to Ochaco.