AMATEURS [Tenya Iida x OC]

Chapter 23 - The One at the Masquerade

Tenya didn't see Peri all day.

She flitted from the dorms to the gym and back so many times, he never really knew where she was. More than once, he took a break from studying to text her, offering to bring her food or caffeine, which she either declined or responded to hours later. In the end, they decided just to meet at the dance.

Not knowing what to expect, Tenya dressed himself in a navy blue suit his mom sent from home and selected a silvery bow tie that matched his mask. Peri had neglected to tell him what color her dress was, but he didn't mind. He knew she was busy. And silver and navy matched everything. Well, almost everything.

A knock at his door distracted Tenya, and he tore himself from some last-minute studying to answer it, slipping into his caramel-colored oxford shoes. Midoriya and Ochaco stood at his door with twin grins, both dressed to the nines. The only reason Tenya knew it was them was because of Midoriya's signature green curls sprouting from behind his black mask and Ochaco's tendency to wear battle gear with her dress clothes. He had to admire her preparedness and color-matching; her silver gauntlets matched the sparkles on her dress, her ornate Venetian mask, and combat boots perfectly.

"You look so dapper, Tenya!" Ochaco grinned, bouncing in her flats.

"Thank you, Ochaco, as do you," Tenya nodded.

Midoriya gestured down the hall with a tilt of his head. "Want to walk over with us? We saw Peri head out half an hour ago, but we know you like to be early."

He appreciated their thoughtfulness, and agreed. With one last sweep of his room, Tenya grabbed his keys and phone, only stopping once to fix Midoriya's tie, and the three of them took off toward the dance.

The walk was painless but chilly, mostly just small talk and catching up as they bumped into classmates on the way over to the gym. They realized pretty quickly that none of them had any idea of what to expect walking in, beyond the fact that the dance was a masquerade. Momo and Peri had managed to keep it all secret by micromanaging everything between the two of them.

So when they rolled up to Gym Gamma, they were awestruck by the gold-and-white balloon towers flanking the open doors, Aizawa and Vlad King standing just out front checking student identification in suits. Music blared from inside, lights and lasers flashing just beyond the open doors. The smell of pizza wafted out on the breeze.

"Good evening, Mr. Aizawa!" Midoriya chirped, greeting their teacher first and thrusting his student ID toward him.

Aizawa grunted and glanced at their pictures, waving them in nonchalantly. "Yeah. Have fun or whatever."

The three of them sped inside, and promptly froze at the threshold.

Heaters warmed them from above, melting away the winter in their bones. A line of tables stretched along one wall, covered in pizza and snacks. At the far end, a sign denoted the beverage bar, manned by Kaminari and Sero. Present Mic bobbed his head from a raised DJ booth in the far corner, bright lights and a shimmering disco ball throwing neon in every direction as a small crowd of people danced. A photo booth flashed in the nearest corner, smartly-dressed students filtering in and out in waves.

"Hey guys!" Momo jogged up to them, black block heels clicking on the concrete. Momo's signature ponytail had been swapped for a high bun, but her side-swept bangs still gave her identity away. "You're right on time! And you all look wonderful!"

"You too!" Ochaco squealed, admiring Momo's sleek, black dress: long-sleeved, mini-skirted, with a wide boat neck. It seemed simple at first glance, but it perfectly accented Momo's delicate mask, comprised entirely of black lace.