WHY ME?

I just needed some cash

I scan the crowd of people. Looking for the right openings. The perfect places to trip and stumble. Make small unnoticeable diversions. With my plan formulated, I dive in. Slipping my hands into pockets and bags at all the right times. I mostly come up empty, but I get some dollar bills every now and then.  As I'm sliding my hand into yet another pocket, the owner of said pocket. Grabs my hand. I stare at it in shock. "Now what exactly do you think you're doing?" he asks. I look up. Spiky, dirty blonde hair. Trademark sneer. Cocky and overconfident. "Kacchan?" I ask in near disbelief.  "Wha-Deku?" He's confused now. "What are you doing?" he asks me now. "Stealing your wallet," I say with a smile. Holding up the trophy that I snagged while we were talking. "Why though?" he asks still confused. "The last time I saw you, you were about to head off to some fancy college. Gonna be a doctor or lawyer or some fancy shit. What the hell are you doing picking pockets?" "Hard times." I shrug. "Hmph," he huffs. Then he tightens his hold on my wrist and pulls me out of the thick crowd, gathered in the middle of the mall. He sits me down on a bench. Now I'm confused. "Deku. I don't understand this. Why are you doing this?" Kacchan asks me. "I look away from him. "My mom got sick," I say my smile dropping. "She had to quit working. I wasn't making much money as a college student and I could barely support myself. I had to quit university. I took the highest paying job I could find. Then my mom died." I say looking down now. "I got fired for something that wasn't my fault. Got evicted. Found another, lower-paying job. Found a cheap apartment. Lost that job and now I'm stealing to survive." I finish, still not looking at my old friend. "But can't you get another job?" Kacchan asks me. "I've tried," I say. "No one will hire me." Kacchan now turns on the bench to face me. "Look," he lowers his voice considerably and I lean in to hear him better. "I can get you a job. Well, an interview. See my cousin owns this bar. I don't know much about it, but I know the pay's good. He was gonna hire me but then the old hag wouldn't let me. Wouldn't even tell me why. Do you want it?" Yes, yes I do. A well paying job? Hell yes! I nod my head eagerly. "Great. Do you still have the same number?" he asks. "yeah." "great, I'll text you when I find out." Kacchan's phone buzzes. "One sec, I gotta take this." He presses accept and puts the phone up to his ear. "Yeah baby? Yes of course. Yeah I'll be home soon. Why cause I'm in a public place. Yeah, I'm talking to someone. Oh please like there was one. Listen Kiri, baby, I'll be home soon. Then we can do whatever you want. Okay? Great see you soon. Love you bitch." Wait Kiri? Kirishima? I always knew Kacchan liked him. It looks like they're together. That's great. I'm happy for my friends. Kacchan ends his phone call and looks at me. "Listen, Deku, I got ago now, but I'll text you when I know. Okay?" I nod again. Kacchan stands up and waves goodbye, then he disappears into the crowd. I sit there for a little longer, before getting up and heading home. I slip my hands into some more pockets on the way and come up with enough for dinner. If I score a little more at wherever I eat and on the way home. I should have enough for rent. I walk through the near-empty streets kicking a rock around with my torn up sneakers. I catch my reflection in the glass. Now I understand why Kacchan was so shocked to see me. I have changed a lot. My hair seems to be a duller green than when I last saw him over 5 years ago. My eyes have lost their sparkle and they look cold, shifty. Even my style has changed. I now wear a black hoodie with large pockets, good for shoving cash. My jeans are worn and faded. I look so different compared to that bright-eyed highschooler that Kacchan knew. Enough. That kid didn't know anything. I was stupid, ignorant, and naive. I pull up my hood and go on my way. A bright neon sign on an old rundown, cheap restaurant catches my eye. It looks inexpensive and I head in. 

As I'm eating, I get a text from Kacchan. That was fast. It says four pm. 639, N Edgar. I text back thanks and finish my meal. I leave a small tip for my waitress and head home. I have just enough to cover my bills now. Hopefully, soon I'll have more than enough to simply cover my expenses. I undress and head to bed. 

Hi and thank you for reading that. I'll be making it a lot more interesting really soon. And hopefully bringing back Bakugo and Kiri. Anyways hope y'all like that and have a good day/night.