Emote: Bakugo x OC Reader

Chapter 54

I searched through my jewelry box to find a necklace and earring set that would work with my outfit. Studying myself in the mirror again, I wondered for what felt like the hundredth time if my appearance would be good enough by my father's standards. After finding a simple gold necklace with a matching set of studs, I reassessed myself once more. The black dress I wore hugged the curves of my body and although it wasn't too short, I wore tights underneath, worried that I would get some sort of passive aggressive comment about not being modest enough. I had spent some time curling my hair and the long, black strands looked acceptable as I did a spin in front of the mirror. 

I guess I look decent enough. I am looking kind of pale though. I thought, frowning at myself in the mirror. Leaning in closer and really looking at myself, my reflection showed a young girl crippled by an internal storm, a sea of anger, pain and fatigue obvious in the shining emerald eyes that looked back at me.

Sighing, I wiped some blush across my cheeks. Then, to further strengthen the illusion, I swiped some mascara on my eyelashes and chose a subtle pink lipstick to wear. Pulling back from the mirror, I smiled like the good girl I was supposed to be tonight and the magic trick was complete.

Walking out of my room and treading lightly down the hall, I braced myself for the reaction my father would have. Before I got to the front door, I saw my mom, her hair pulled up in a neat bun and her makeup perfectly applied. It appeared that we were both achieving the perfect illusion.

"Oh, honey! You look great!" She said with a warm smile.

As I was returning the compliment, I heard the rhythmic click of crutches against our wood flooring. I cringed before I turned around to see my father approach. He was moving quicker than he used to when he first started using the crutches although he made it apparent at any opportunity he had how much he despised them. He only had a few more days of having to use them though. He was getting close to finishing his physical therapy although I wasn't sure when he would be able to start working again. I just hoped it was soon so that I could stop feeling like I was constantly holding my breath when I was at home, just waiting to screw something up and have him snap at me about it.

His eyes scrutinized me in such an obvious manner that I felt my lips set in a hard line. "Everything okay, father?"

"You could have worn something with a bit more color. We're not going to a funeral." He said, shaking his head in disappointment. "But no time to change, we've got to get going."

Gritting my teeth, I resisted the urge to clench my fists and show him any sign of my agitation. In this silent war against my father, I could not give him any ammunition to use against me. So, I did as was expected. I smiled. I nodded. And I said nothing.

That about sums up how the beginning of my evening ended up going once we got to the mixer at Endeavor's agency. After the first hour I was completely exhausted. Physically and emotionally, I was wrecked. Apparently Recovery Girl's treatment had only done so much in healing me from the final exam, as I still felt aches and shooting pains throughout my body any time that I moved.

I found a moment to sneak away and as I searched for a quiet place to sit, I heard his voice, clear and booming, 'Fuck you then, like I give a shit if we're friends or not!' I couldn't stop replaying our conversation in my head and I felt like an idiot as I checked my phone once again to see if he had texted.

Of course he hasn't. I thought, shoving the phone back in my clutch. I know that he couldn't have meant that. If he didn't have so much goddamn pride he would be able to admit it. He just says stupid shit when he's angry. But then again, he's angry all the time...

 "Gah!" I blurted in frustration, clutching at my hair and kicking at a nearby wall.

"Y/n?" I heard a familiar voice say and I whipped around.

Todoroki stood a few feet away looking much more casual than me in black jeans and a gray shirt. He swiped his crimson and white hair away from his eyes as he looked at me in surprise.

"I almost didn't recognize you. You look," He seemed to be at a loss for how to finish this sentence. I didn't miss his eyes do a quick once over of me before he looked away shyly. "You look nice."

I don't know what possessed me to do it. It may have been because I was exhausted. Or because he had complimented me and I felt it was actually sincere. Or perhaps because I was relieved to see that familiar face. Maybe it was because I hadn't seen him or talked to him since we completed our final exam. Or because I got swept up in the emotions that had been surging through me all day and this was the only way for me to cope. Maybe all of the above.

Stepping towards him, I lifted my arms and wrapped them around him tightly as I felt tears prick my eyes.

"I'm so glad to see you," And as I said the words I realized maybe this in itself was reason enough.