Butterfly [ ON HIATUS/MIDORIYA ]

014. the run in.

✿
♬ — fine by kacey musgraves

EVERYTHING was becoming easier. Seeing my students really spurred on my efforts in physical therapy. Speaking to my therapist during my psychological evaluations became easier. He even told me I wouldn't need my sleeping medication anymore.

Wada was in and out, but each time, something would change. A kiss there, a touch there. He started holding me in bed again. Which didn't seem significant, but to me, it was everything.

Deku became closer and closer of a friend. I would call him and talk about my day if he didn't drive me to appointments. I didn't see him as often as I wished. But, his daily texts reminded me that I was safe.

"Hey! How are your interns?" I said into the cellphone, gathering my purse and coat to take a light walk to the market.

"They're amazing! I've never heard of some of their quirks before," Deku's voice was bright and excited within the receiver. "You should see them, Nishimara. They're— they're so much better than I ever was at their age!"

"You are not giving yourself enough credit!" I argued with a smile. "Do you have any free time?"

There was a heavy sigh on the other end. "My hands are tied right now, but I have some friends I'd like you to meet! Maybe Friday?"

"Yeah! Akinari has an appointment set up for me on Friday, how about after?"

"An appointment?" Deku didn't sound as excited as he had before. "(y/n), I thought you talked to him about that."

"I tried, but— it's for the best," I said and then skated off into the next topic. "Oh! Friends you say? I'll be sure to mark it on my calendar."

"The one with the cats in costumes or the one with cartoon plants?" He was teasing and without realizing, I was twisting hair around my finger like a fifth grader.

"Which one would you prefer?" I asked.

"Plants. Because I know that one is your favorite."

I felt a blush on my features. He knew me so well. I don't know why, but that was the moment I realized it. I broke into a smile and a laugh.

"You're just saying that because it's all green," I said, putting a hand on the handle.

There was a sigh on the other end, a happy one. "The color green and flowers go well together, don't you think?"

"I'll be sure to write it down in that one. With my green pen, just to make you happy," I said, rocking back and forth on my heels. Why was I enjoying this so much?

"You make me happy anyways," he said, his deep voice catching me off guard. Before I could say anything, he cleared his throat. "I— I've got to go! I'll talk to you later!"

He hung up and I sat there for a second, bringing my phone down from my ear and staring down at it. I make him happy? I looked back at the apartment, empty and minimalist save for the few colorful decorations I added.

Wada never said that to me. He said I love you, but did he mean it? I made his bed, I cooked for him, I sat there and waited day after day for him to come home. I exhaled, biting back the strange feeling in my stomach.

>> (1) NEW MESSAGE

My Love
' hey, honey. I'll be late tonight. I love you, hope you understand. '

>>

I sighed. I felt defeated, he promised me that he would make it home for dinner. I closed the door to the apartment, heading out to the market. I was wearing a long sleeve shirt as I always did, but it was starting to reflect my personal style more.

It was white with lace caps on the sleeves. My typical jeans as well. I didn't look out of place or that most of my body was burned. I looked like a normal woman walking amongst the crowd. I wore my hair down to cover the burn on the back of my neck. That was the only insecurity I had.

I sat alone and painted my nails a new color every day. This day I had chosen a navy blue. I was feeling like a navy blue. Staring into the nail polish bottle, it looked like a void. I made my way to the market, doing as I did before.

Everyone was normal but I had to remind myself, as my therapist told me, everyone had a story. Everyone had a trauma. I had seen it within my students. But, he said to me with a hand on mine, some never have to wear their trauma.

When my sleeve would slide up while I exchanged money, I would catch a glance at the purple patch of skin. I knew it was just curiosity and I had been only asked once what happened. I smiled through the flash of memories that plagued at the question.

I had a bag over my shoulder and I was walking alone down the side walk. It was the middle of the afternoon, not many people walking the roads as usual. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around.

"Hello, Miss. I think you dropped something," a man in a casual jacket held up a piece of paper that I had never seen before.

"That's not mine, I'm sorry," I said, shaking my hand at him.

Before I knew it, my wrist was yanked down by this man and he stared at me. The burn on my arm set on fire. I yelped, trying to ignore how badly it hurt. The man slid up my sleeve, examining my scars. He shoveled the piece of paper into my hand, a grin lighting up his features.

"So it's true."

"Hey, let go of her!" A shop keeper ran out of his store and toward the man. The man let go of me and bolted away.

I doubled over, holding my arm.

"Miss, are you okay?" The man rested a hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him nodding.

"Thank you so much," I said, straightening out my back. He took a look at my arm and looked back into my eyes.

"I can call the police? Miss, please come into my store and let me help you," he said and I shook my head.

"I'll be okay, but thank you," I started walking away quickly after reassuring the store owner. The piece of paper was gripped tightly in my hand. I kept looking behind me, waiting for the same man to leap out of nowhere.

I slammed the door shut to my apartment when I got there, triple checking the locks. I rested my back against the door, opening the slip of paper.

◤ So, you survived.
This'll be great fun.
regards,
A.
ps. — Let's keep
this between us. ◢