I've been walking since I left.

That was around five hours ago. I know that sounds like the dumbest thing ever, and I still think I'm hallucinating because there is no way in hell I've been walking that long. I've been doing this for years, I should know. Right?

The wind blows a little harder than usual and I shiver. I should've taken something warmer than what I'm wearing, but it'll have to do for the rest of the week. It's my fault that I got kicked out anyway, I never should've went to the hospital. I knew what was gonna happen, but I haven't seen my best friend in weeks. 

I'm always disappointing someone

I pass a cafe and my stomach grumbles. This wasn't here the last time I was in town. Curiosity gets the best of me that I stop in front of the large window to take a peek. Except for the fact that the place is open this early, it seems like a cozy cafe. The place has brick walls and a black carpet, which is a nice touch. The orders are listed on chalk boards with vibrant colors. There's a large couch, tall tables, and 3 booths. The ceiling is black and has stars drawn in white. I know I've been staring for a while since the lady at the register waves at me. I take another look at the chalk board before swiftly walking away. I can't afford any of it and if the lady was to notice that then she'd kick me out. I'd rather save her the trouble by leaving myself. 

I zone out and just carry on. I don't know how I remember the way especially since I haven't been here in a while, but somehow someway I make it back to my favorite alley. Not exactly favorite, but at least no one I know will find me here. I see people in sleeping bags and big coats laying on the ground. The walls are still decorated with the same little kid drawings, which I've asked them to take down because it's always embarrassing to see. I can see a little boy, who must be new, gasp and run to the end of the alleyway. I stand confused until he comes back with someone else.

"Mr. Sho?" I grin.

"Is that really you, Kid?" The man has on the same hat and gloves I left him with.

"Yup." I take a running start and give him a hug that has him stumbling back. He rustles my hair before breaking the hug.

"Let me guess, you're not visiting." He's not really asking a question, more like making a statement, so I don't answer it.

"Is he new here?" I nod my head in the direction of the younger boy. He's behind Mr. Sho's legs and I can't help, but smile.

"Yup. This little rascal came about a month ago. He was originally planning on stealing from us, but I told him he can't steal from people who don't have." His laugh fills me up with warmth. He's like a grandpa to me, but I could never mention that to Mr. Eto. He gets jealous easily, ya know? Grandpa wars or something. "Ya should've seen the look on his face!" He takes the boy's hand. "After that he kept coming until he finally stayed with us."

The boy's brown hair covers his face that I could barely see his eyes. He needs a haircut, but it's kind of cute this way. 

"Hi there, I'm Denki, but everyone calls me Kid." I kneel to the ground so were at the same eye level. This kid is short and that's coming from me.

"Kid?" He tilts his head to the side that some of his hair falls with the motion. Now I could see his grayish green eyes. 

"I don't know if they rearranged the letters or just forgot my name, but I'm okay with either." I shrug because I honestly don't know.

"Ethan." He points to his chest.

"Nice to meet you Ethan." I take my hand out for him to shake which he does after a while of staring at it. 

"How old is he?" I look up at Mr. Sho.

"Seven." He frowns. "I hate it when they're this young."

"You're lucky Ethan. You have a group of people who will love you very much." I lean into his ear to whisper. "You're also the first kid since I came along, so they'll spoil you lots." This makes him giggle.

"What lies are you telling him?" Mr. Sho asks jokingly.

"Nothing that isn't true." I grin.

"Oh I'm gonna get ya!" He huffs.

"C'mon Ethan! Before he catches us!"  I pick him up and I start sprinting farther into the alley. Ethan is in a fit of giggles and the other people are quietly chuckling as well.

Good. He's smiling.

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Ethan is taking a nap and it's probably around 3 o'clock. Last time I checked it was 1, but my phone has been dead ever since. 

I hit my head on the wall and continue to slide down it. Once I've reached the ground I tuck my head into my arms which are wrapped around my legs.

"Kicked out again, Kid?" I look up to see Mr. Sho sitting across from me. I first question why Ethan isn't with him since the boy only seemed to stick with him, but I soon see him sleeping peacefully on someone's lap.

"Yeah" I softly laugh, but soon it dies down.

"What was he bitching about this time?" Mr. Sho's language never ceases to surprise me and I'm in a class with Bakugou. 

"I didn't come home right after school. I went to visit my friends at the hospital and he lost his shit." I recall what happened, but leave out the part about my mother and him calling me a whore. I really don't want to think about it anymore.

"I can see some of your cut. Lin, go find the first aid." I forgot about the cut on my arm. If he never mentioned it, I would've forgot and it would've gotten infected.

"No no. It's fine, you shouldn't use up your first aid supplies every time I get a little scratch." They only have limited supplies here and now since they have Ethan I especially don't want them to use it on me. I remember how many times I got hurt as a kid, Ethan doesn't seem like the type to go running around, but you never know. I know for a fact not a lot of people actually give to the homeless and I don't want to take from them when I have a school that has a free nurse in it.

"That doesn't look like a little scratch." It really wasn't, but I'm not going to agree with him. I know he sees the bruise on my neck, but him not saying anything about it makes me feel a whole lot better.

"I've had much worse." Which is true. What happened yesterday is Mr. Akagi going easy on me even though I did almost die.

"And that's the problem. These heroes swear to protect kids, but you're still getting hurt." Lin hands him the box of supplies and he starts to disinfect my cut.

"They're not all that bad." I wince from his treatment.

"Right, sorry. You still wanna be a hero, yeah?" He looks up at me after wrapping the arm which seems unnecessary, but I'm not going to complain.

"Of course. It hasn't been that long since we've seen each other that I'd change my mind."

"3 months can do wonders, Kid."

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I've been here for two full days and I'm already missing the kids. I'm glad Ethan's here because I'm too young to be wanting kids, but they're adorable!

"Go shower and wash your clothes. You reek." Mr. Sho says while looking down at me. I can see Ethan standing right to him.

"Wow thank you, I loved the compliment." I bite back. I love the small banter we would have together.

"You know I'm just messing with ya!" He snickers which causes Ethan to jump. I'm guessing he doesn't like loud noises, which is surprising he stills sticks with Mr. Sho.

"Of course." I stand up from the ground. "Ms. Yua still works at the gym?" We start walking to the entrance of the alleyway.

"Yup. Ever since she left here and started working there she allowed us in." Ms. Yua used to be in the alley with us a long time ago, but her sister found her one day and helped her back on her feet. After that she got a stable job at the gym and has been sneaking us inside for showers. The others never take her offer, but they always force me to. They say they can't have a hero walking around smelling like a dumpster.

"She's so sweet."

"And probably gonna get fired from her job, so take the opportunity and go shower." We always joke that she'll get fired because she's a very clumsy woman, but we've yet to see the day. "Oh, and take Ethan with you. He hasn't showered since he got here."

"And what about you?"

"You know we don't have to. They wouldn't even let us in if we wanted to. We're homeless. You have a home, though it may not be a good one, but in this world no one ever cares about that. As long as you have money they'll accept you, but you're different. You have potential. You'll make everyone smile because before you didn't and you don't want anyone else to experience that. You've changed so much from the kid who was afraid to speak out of turn. I believe you'll change the world, no matter what anybody says, Denki. Plus I believe I smell like roses thank you very much."

"You don't understand how much that means to me Mr. Sho, Thank you." I pick up Ethan and head out.

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We reached the gym faster than I thought we would. I greeted Ms. Yua at the door before going to the faculty male showers. I quickly undress Ethan, throw his clothes in the wash, then bring him to one of the showers. I wash his hair first which goes from a dark brown back to light. He giggles the whole time which causes me to believe his scalp is ticklish. By the time I'm done with him Ms. Yua dries him off and keeps him distracted until I'm done with my shower. I start to strip out of my clothes letting some bruises and faded cuts show.

I've always been told to try harder. Nothing I ever did was enough and I could never handle it well. When I did go to school, for the short period of time before the incident, my teacher would always say I never tried hard enough. That I never cared or I just didn't want to pay attention, not that I couldn't. Everywhere I went I always heard the same thing, that I'm worthless and didn't deserve living, but Mr. Eto and Mr. Sho believed in me. They were the only ones that thought I could make it, that's why Mr. Eto never gave up on teaching me even though I couldn't pay attention, or why Mr. Sho helped me with my episodes and even gave me a doctor who would accept me. If they never gave up on me then I wont either.

I step into the shower.

Ah. The water's cold.