Blue Flames

Chapter 3

The walk home back to the dorms was longer than I thought. "i should have called a cab or something", i thought to myself. My feet were starting to hurt hence i had the practical exam that morning and i've also been walking around the mall for hours. But, for some reason, i wanted to walk to clear my head. That guy I saw in the food court looked exactly what Touya would look like. It threw me so off guard, my head was scrambled with thoughts. I couldn't help but shed a tear at the thought of Touya never returning. I continued walking with my head down so if i passed anyone, they wouldn't notice me crying. "Should i just give up on hope of him ever coming back?", i thought to myself. It made sense. Im saving myself for someone i might never see again. It seemed a little stupid, but i just don't know why i had the gut feeling he was ever going to come back for me. Gosh, im such an idiot.

My thoughts were shaken away as i bumped into someone, "oh, sorry", i apologized. I continued to walk with my head hung low, but froze when i heard a familiar voice.

 "So i see you bought the skirt." My body froze as i slowly turned around. "Ya know... your quite clumsy. This is the second time today you've bumped into me. Maybe you should start to actually look where you're going.", he half laughed. I looked up to him and unknowingly revealed my tears. It was the guy from the mall that i bumped into in the store. His bright blue eyes starred into mine as i hesitantly spoke back, "im sorry."

"You apologize too mu- wait. why are you crying?" he spoke soft to me, noticing my tears. 

I quickly looked away, "oh- uh- I just have mascara in my eye." I tried to hide my face, but he took ahold of my arm. His words were low, "Bullshit. What's the real reason."

I avoided eye contact by looking down towards the pavement, "i-i just have a lot going on right now." i paused, "you wouldn't understand.", i continued. 

He let go of my arm and stuffed his hands into his pockets. He smirked, "try me." I looked at him with a shocked look, "what?". He stepped closer to where i could get a waft of his scent. He smelt almost like a bonfire. "How about i walk you to wherever you're going, and you tell me all about it.", he smirked once more. This stranger wanted to walk me home? Should i even trust him? I mean, i don't even know this guy. I don't even know his name, nor does he know mine. 

"uh.. are you sure? I don't want you to go out of your way", I spoke. He licked his charred lips and spoke, "don't worry, i don't have anything planned tonight. So, looks like im all yours."

I eventually looked up at him, "um okay, if you want."

"So, whats your name?" i asked him. He looked down at me, "uh- well, you can call me Dabi. What's yours?"

"Oh, my name is Hatsue", i replied.

On the walk back to UA,  i explained my whole situation with Touya. All the way from growing up as kids, to what happened today. He seemed to be really into the story hence, he didn't look away the entire time I was talking. 

"So... just trying to make sure i got this story right. You waited for this guy to come back for how long?" he asked.

i looked down as my heart sunk at his question. Then i softy spoke, "over 4 years."

"Wow. He must be a really good dude. And a lucky one too" he smirked.

i smiled at his remark, "Yeah... He is a good guy." i looked down and thought of how successful Touya would have been right now. Images of us going to UA together flew through my head, but, they were only dreams and imaginations.

"So.. tell me about this guy. What is he like?", He looked at me with true concern in his eyes. He really cared about my story and wanted to know more.

"Well, uh-" i paused, "He's the type of guy to put others before himself. He's also carefree and funny. And even though he had a rough childhood, he still always had a smile on his face.", I smiled then continued, "I felt myself around him. Like it was only us in the world. He also never failed to make me happy... And i would give anything to feel that again." I looked down.

"I see. Well, if he truly cares about you like you say, then he'll defiantly come back for you", he smiled. "Just give him time, im sure he's just nervous to face you again after all those years." he gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't sweat it."

The rest of the walk was filled with small talk. We got to know one another. Chatted about our lives and goals. It was almost as if time flew when I started to see the AU building start to grow closer in the distance. "Well, this is my stop.", I pulled up my right arm to scratch the back of my neck. "Thanks for walking me home, Dabi. It was nice chatting with you."

He let a slight smirk touch the brim of his lips, "Ditto, maybe i'll run into you again... literally." He let out a soft laugh at his own remark. 

I giggled, "aha, yeah. Sorry about that, by the way. I'll make sure to look where im going from now on." I gave him a slight salute and I let out a soft chuckle before walking towards the dorms. A smile sat on my lips as I thought about my encounter with Dabi. He honestly distracted me from worrying about Touya. Hopefully I do run into him again some time.