At What Cost? - IzuOcha

ℂℍ𝔸ℙ𝕋𝔼ℝ 𝕋𝕎𝔼ℕ𝕋𝕐-𝕆ℕ𝔼

I woke up to an early Sunday morning, which sucked as I had stayed up late visiting Deku in the hospital last night. And it also didn't help I had trouble sleeping. The reason? Seeing that villain again. It was weird, seeing her walking in plain sight when she's wanted. Terrifying too...

Shaking last night's encounter from my mind, I grabbed myself some clothes and went to get an early-morning shower, as it was too late last night for one. Once I got undressed and the water to the right temperature for me, I stepped in. Showers were always a great way to wake up anyways, and usually, it would make the person taking one feel refreshed. And although I felt a little more awake and refreshed, it didn't make me feel any better inside as my eyes stared at something in particular.

The scars on my wrist. A permanent reminded that I was weak. That I couldn't handle my own emotions. Did I regret doing that to myself? No. It reminded me that I needed to get stronger. But was I getting stronger...? After last night I didn't think so.  I guess I zoned out, because I was brought back to reality by my mom pounding on the bathroom door.

"Ocha, you in there? Hello?" she asked me.

"Yeah, what do you need?" I shouted to her.

"Oh, I called for you three times now. You're phone's been ringing, you expecting a call?" she asked back.

"No, I'll be out in a bit just ignore it," I shouted back. Who would be calling me?

I finished up my shower, dried off and quickly got changed into the clothes I had chosen, a pink shirt and light blue shorts. I then spent a few minutes brushing my hair. I grabbed a scrunchie and tied my hair back in a ponytail, with the front hanging down as always. I took a look in the mirror. Besides the bags under my eyes from lack of sleep, and my many doubts about my looks and insecurities, I thought I looked pretty cute today.

I greeted my mom as I left the bathroom, as she was doing her laundry. My first order of business was checking who had called me. It could've been Bakugo or Kirishima, as they were the only ones to message. But then again they never call. The only other person who would message me that wasn't my parents was Inko. But it completely caught me off guard when I checked my phone.

[Tsuyu Asui 7:38am]: *You missed a call from Tsuyu Asui*

[Tsuyu Asui 7:41am]: Meet at the Municipal Park at 9 if you're up. We need to talk.

[Ochako Uraraka 7:56am]: K.

That's all I sent to her. It was weird to me. Although she was... used to be my best friend, she hadn't wanted to talk or even look my way since the incident. It gave me goosebumps now that she wants to talk all of a sudden. Did she want to confront me? Or was she genuinely ready to talk?

It was about nearing 9:50, and I got ready to leave. The park wasn't too far from my home, after all. I decided to bring my purse, which had my pepper spray in it that my mom now made me carry. I debated on wearing Deku's hoodie that had just been washed. I finally gave in, slipping it on over my shirt. Once I was confident I had everything, I left my room. My mother had looked my way as I entered the living room.

"You look nice, going somewhere honey?" she asked me.

"Yeah, I'm going to meet one of my friends at the park. And before you spaz, I have my pepper spray on me in case something happens," I said, digging into my purse and showing her the small bottle.

"Okay, Ocha. Remember, if someone attacks-" she began.

"-I run as fast as I can back here and use my pepper spray only if it's needed. I know, mom. Don't worry so much about me," I said to her, smiling.