EᑕᕼOᒪᗩᒪIᗩ

𝚁𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚎

𝓔𝓲𝓳𝓲𝓻𝓸𝓾 𝓚𝓲𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓶𝓪

"Eijirou!" I heard my name being called from down the hall as I made my way to lunch. Katsuki had been thoroughly enjoying the fact that he had access to my phone number. He copious amounts of texts I received from the kid was borderline abuse of the privilege. I couldn't bring myself to be anything other than amused with him. 

"Hey, Denki," I leaned back against the wall as my friend stopped in front of me. It had been a while since Denki and I spent any time together. Normally, the two of us only spoke in class or at lunch. But over the past few weeks, my time has been taken up by someone else. 

"Where have you been, dude?" Denki crossed his arms and pouted, blocking me from leaving -- not that I was going to. 

"I've been around," The truth was that I've been having lunch almost every day in the teacher's lounge with Katsuki. The kid had grown attached to me and I had enjoyed getting to know him as well. 

"You've ditched me at lunch for almost two weeks now!" He complained. I felt a bit bad about that and sheepishly scratched the back of my neck.

"Yeah —" I chuckled and Denki just gave me a pointed look. "Sorry, man. I haven't meant to be so distant. I've just been —"

"Haning out with the new kid," he finished for me and I sighed. "Yeah, I know. The whole school knows. You've had a shadow for weeks now. The guy doesn't leave you alone," Denki breathed and leaned up against the wall beside me. 

I knew that people were talking. I wasn't nearly as aloof as I made myself out to be. Katsuki was great and was turning into an amazing friend. He had his quirks of course, but I didn't mind. Especially after I found out about his condition. I've been learning a lot about Autism and Aspergers over the weeks.

"It's just been for lunch," I shrugged and Denki scoffed. I cocked a brow in his direction waiting for him to clarify. "Ugh -- Eijirou, you never spend time with any of your other friends."

"Well, Katsuki doesn't like eating in the cafeteria. I keep him company," I shrugged while feeling a bit of irritation rising at Denki's tone towards Katsuki. 

"Yeah, well maybe you should take some time for your other friends as well," he shot and I pushed off the wall.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I will have lunch with you guys today." Denki was right, in-a-way. I needed to balance Katsuki with the rest of my life. I didn't know why I was suddenly clinging to the one person. It wasn't like me to become attached so quickly.

"Thank God, dude! I was going crazy being left alone with Izuku and Shoto!" Denki whined while dragging me off towards the cafeteria. I smiled and hooked my arm through his so he would stop pulling me by my wrist. 

"How has the power couple been lately?" I smirked and Denki barked a laugh while pushing open the doors to the cafeteria.

"Izuku has been chomping at the bit. He's hanging off Shoto's every breath just waiting for him to grow some balls and ask him out already," Izuku and Shoto weren't really dating — yet. Izuku was infatuated with the guy and Shoto was enamored with Izuku. For some reason, Izuku was waiting for the other to ask the question instead of just asking himself. It was quite a funny process to watch develop. 

The cafeteria was buzzing with noise and I flinched. I had become accustomed to the quite of the teacher's lounge. Denki pulled me to the lunch line where I got my usual sandwich and chips before following the other towards our group of friends.

"Eijirou! Hey!" Izuku jumped up and ran directly to my chest. I caught him and stumbled slightly. "I missed you!" He whined and hugged me tighter while I winced.