The Music in Us

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Todoroki's POV

Everyone soon left Shin's house not long after Izu had gone. Mr. Aizawa has told us he went. I was disappointed that Izuku didn't at least text me, but he must be dead tired, so I'm not really worried.

After everyone had gone, Shin and I were the only ones left. We were just sitting in the basement watching some Spongebob. Nothing much.

"Not that I mind you being here, Todo, but when are you going home?"

I look over at him from where I'm sitting (a bean bag chair) and sigh. "I... I don't want to go, Shin. I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a hassle, but a lot has been going on recently, and you and our friends are the only things that are stable at the moment. Even if everyone's personal lives are falling apart as well.

"I just... I don't want to go back 'home'. It just isn't right. I'm not feeling much comfort there, and I can barely sleep at night since I keep getting this gut wrenching feeling of guilt and anxiety. I keep thinking and thinking and thinking. My brain never takes a break..."

I had looked away in the middle of my little speech, so I look back at him, and his face holds sympathy. "Todo, I'm so sorry. I hate that you're going through this. You clearly are holding it all in for some reason, but just know that you can come to me or anyone else in our group to talk to. Especially Izuku."

I shake my head. "I can't talk to him... or anyone. I shouldn't have even said what I did already. It's not that I don't trust you guys... I just... don't want to risk anything."

He furrows his brows. "What is there to risk." I give him a look and he nods his head a bit. "Right. Can't tell." He laughs for a second. "Well, you're welcome to stay the night. Pa won't mind. Dad's not here currently, so we're all good. Pa's probably asleep by now, so we shouldn't wake him. We should probably be going to bed ourselves."

He starts to get up, but I grab his arm and pull him back down to his own seat (a bean bag chair as well), and he gives me a surprised look.

"Not yet. I need your help with something." I pull out my phone and go to my notes, opening a little folder and giving it to him.

He takes it and reads the little bit I have down. He looks at me and cocks an eyebrow. "You started a song?"

I nod. "Yup."

"....And why did you show it to me?"

I sigh. "I need help with it. I have an idea for the song, but I just don't know how to go about it."

I looks at me with slit, curious eyes. "You only have one paragraph down, Todo..."

I sigh and nod. "I know. And it's not half bad either, huh?"

He laughs. "No. They have potential." He clears his throat and reads it. "You have to understand that the one I killed is me. Changing what I was for what you wanted me to be. I followed your direction; did everything you asked. I hope that makes you happy, cause there's just no turning back."

I nod my head slowly with pursed lips. "So what do you think?"

"Well, I don't really know what you're going for here, but I can kinda see. Is it about an abusive relationship?" I nod my head again, and he smirks. "Where did you get your inspiration from?"