I couldn't stand the silence.

I just hated it when it was quiet. There always had to be some kind of noise in the background for me to feel relaxed. Whether it be music, the sound of chatter and laughter, the television, it was much better than listening to my thoughts.

"And so I'll read a book, or maybe two or three."

I still wasn't quite used to living alone.

It wasn't that I was lonely, or anything, it's just that without other people around, everything felt so big and powerful, and I just felt so small. It was a strange feeling, knowing that nobody was watching me, and I could quite literally do whatever I want. It kind of felt like a huge scam.

Humming along to the Tangled soundtrack, I started brushing my teeth trying to furiously dry my hair while I was at it.

"I'll add a few more paintings to my gallery."

I was still tired. I couldn't really sleep the night before because I was kind of nervous about today, and I thought singing might help me get my energy up. Besides, nobody was around to tell me to stop, so why would I?

Making sure my hair was fully dry, I tied as much of it as I could back into a ponytail and started to triple check my suitcase for what felt like the fifth time. I couldn't explain it, but I just felt like I forgot something, yet there everything was.

"I'll play guitar and knit and cook and basically."

As if on cue, my phone began to ring, and I glanced at the caller ID and cleared my throat before picking up.

"Just wonder when will my life begin?"

"Your voice is mid, do better!" She yelled. There was some shuffle before she spoke again, "Where are you? I thought we decided to meet up early to talk before we left!"

All my internal organs collapsed.

"What? But- But there's loads of time, I didn't forget!"

It's as if I heard her facepalm, "Check the time."

In a panic, I dropped my phone and yelled as I dove after it with Mina laughing at me in the background. I frantically checked the time, questioning myself and thinking maybe I overslept, or I spent a little too long in the shower or something.

"Mina, it's ten to."

"Yeah!"

"I thought we agreed to meet at ten past?"

"Yeah, we agreed to meet at ten past eight, not nine!"

With that, I flew off into a cry of curses and tried to frantically rip all the clothes off my body. The more I tried to hurry, the more I got tangled in my clothes. Completely blinded, I tripped over something and fell to the floor with a yelp. I managed to wriggle out of my clothes and into something a little more presentable.

I grabbed my phone, which I only realised after was still on call and shoved it into my purse. I ran out of the door with my suitcase, and then ran back when I realised, I forgot to lock the door. I even took a picture of the doorknob just to reassure myself I didn't forget when I got to school.

The day started off great.

¬¬¬

"Mina! Jiro! Sorry for being late!"

I was doubled over, panting because I had sprinted my way over from the bus stop. I had to stop a few times because my suitcase was being really difficult, and it would catch itself on uneven surfaces. I told my pavement I was sorry without thinking.

"I was too busy... staring at myself in the... mirror because I'm just so- I'm so-"

"Attractive?"

"Hot?"

Jiro made a face, "Sexy?"

"That! Yup, exactly that! But now that I'm here..." I laughed and regained my breath, leaning all my weight on Jiro. "I'm falling for you."

She shoved me off her and pretended to look disgusted and wiped her sleeves. "Ewww, I'm turning into Taiga! Ahh! I-I! I'm so in love with myself!!"

Mina laughed and I charged at Jiro, intending on picking her up just to prove a point. I have no idea what that point is, but oh well. She easily jumped out of the way and just stuck her tongue out at me. "You're a slippery one, aren't ya?"

Now that I thought about it, there were barely any people around. Sure, it was still early, but I still expected a few others to show up early out of worry of being late.

As if noticing what I was thinking, Mina spoke up. "Teehee, I lied!"

"...What?"

"Hehe, I got here early, like, super-duper early. I got bored so I thought why not call all the girls and see who shows up! Here you two are!"

Jiro shook her head and looked at me with sympathy, "Don't worry, I was fooled too."

The class of 1-A was set to leave on a beach getaway for a few days. The coach was booked to leave at 10 am sharp and it had already arrived. It was parked at the front of campus and Aizawa-sensei was already on board waiting for arrivals. You see, we had already agreed to meet up a little earlier to calm each other's nerves and just have a nice chat, but this was just a little too early. This was just evil.

I groaned, "Well since we're here, we might as well just sit down on the bus already."

Mina grinned, "Hell yeah!"

"Hell yeah, she says like she didn't just give me a goddamn heart attack and five more bruises a few minutes ago."

"Five more?"

"Last night, I was trying to teach myself how to do uhh, a heel touch I think it's what it's called? You know, when you kind of do the splits in the air kind of thing and touch your hand? But I kept on falling or kicking myself or just falling..."

"When?" Jiro asked, boring the bus.

"Huh? Oh, like last night."

"When did I ask?"

Mina started howling and I just started fake pouting, "That's not what you were saying this morning when you refused to leave my bed."

"WHAT?"

"Come on, why are you being so shy!" I started twirling a piece of hair around my finger, "You see, Mina, Jiro doesn't really seem like the clingy type, but I've learnt that her love languages are physical touch and words of affirmation-"

"Take your conversation elsewhere." A groggy voice popped up from the front seat, causing all three of us to pause. Mina actually screamed and latched onto my arm like I was the only thing keeping her from falling. Aizawa lifted his head up from the seat. "Go and find a seat on the bus. Remember to clean up after yourselves if you decide to eat."

After a chorus of awkward yes sensei's, we did the hobble of shame towards the backseats where a few people were already sat.

I grinned, "Sero, oh my god! Why are you here so early?!"

"Shut uuupppp," He moaned, his voice all croaky and crackly like he just woke up. "I need some good news; please tell me you remembered the good shit? Sick of hearing Kaminari whine like a thirteen-year-old 'cuz Uraraka rejected him."

"His confession was so manly..."

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" He screeched, "I don't see any of you guys all coupled up so suck your mum!"

Digging around in my purse, I finally managed to find the nail polish he bribed me to bring in. His once dead, soulless eyes finally seemed to gain the sparkle we call, 'the will to live'. I slid into the seat next to him and held out my hand, "M'lady."

"You flatter me, sir!"

I tucked my hair behind my ear and proceed to give his surprisingly well-kept nails my full attention. I was getting really nervous because you can quite obviously tell with black nail polish if they're applied badly, so the added pressure made me go extra slow.

Plus, I don't know what he would do to me if I messed up.

I was vaguely aware of more people showing up, but I didn't pay them any attention. The better his nails started to look, the more I tunnel-visioned.

"Fuck me, Sero, I would do anything to be the lucky laddie by your side."

Silence for a bit before Kaminari wailed, "How is that FAIR HE DOESN'T EVEN TRY!"

Sero grinned his iconic Sero grin, "Well damn, that was a proposal if I've ever heard one. Might accept for the endless nail polish possibilities."

I made sure to gently put it away before carefully inspecting my handiwork, "You have really soft hands."

"I moisturise."

"You're the perfect man."

"Careful your real boyfriend doesn't hear you."

"My what?"

Turning around, I saw exactly what he meant.

It felt like my head was in the clouds and my heart was like a beating drum, loud and steady. It was as if in an instant I just wanted to smile, and I felt like an idiot. How amazingly terrifying is it that one look at a person, just a single glance was enough to make you burst into laughter out of pure joy.

"Kisaragi Shoto!"

At the sound of his name, he turned to see me furiously waving at him. Instead of, you know, coming down and sitting next to me, he pretended like he didn't hear me and completely turned his body in the other direction.

Ah, if only it was that easy.

"How could you treat your one and only childhood lover like that!!"

At the gasps and giggles, I smirked, basking in the attention. Todoroki, on the other hand, glared at me in such utter disgust that I felt like I would just laugh. If it was anyone else, I'd be offended, but I know he loves me really. Most of the time; sometimes; maybe.

"I told you to stop introducing me like that," he groaned, finally walking down the aisle. Before he could escape, I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the seat next to me.

I glanced at Sero, "Sorry, about that. This is my ex-boyfriend."

"Taiga!"

"Fiancé then?"

He closed his eyes, "I've had enough of you."

Kaminari started complaining again, very loudly, like he wasn't embarrassed that he was basically announcing that he doesn't get bitches. "Todoroki isn't even trying! HE'S NOT EVEN TRYING!"

"Dunce face, I swear to fucking god," Bakugou began to talk, it was scarier because he wasn't yelling like he usually does. "Shut the fuck up. Actually, shut the fuck up. No one cares. NO ONE CARES."

"I couldn't have said it better myself." Aizawa began to talk, which really shut everyone up. I grinned at Todoroki, now he really was stuck with me.

"As you know, 1-A is one of many programs designed to teach you how to use each other's names, talents and professions to succeed in this line of business."

The class started cheering, which only made him more annoyed.

"Shut up now, you little brats, there's nothing to be excited about yet. We have people from most of the second the academy provides such as actors, composers, musicians, singers etc. Before you can handle each other, you need to learn how to handle yourself around the general public on a professional level. Remember, people all over Japan know your faces and anyone could recognise you anywhere. We will be staying at a resort by the beach for two days and two nights."

My hand shot up, "Can we choose who we share a room with?"

"You've already been paired up. Most of you will be happy with the choice." He gave us a big yawn before sitting back down, "In your rooms after 11 and there will be no mingling of boys and girls."

At that Todoroki turned to stare at me, as his mouth slowly turned up to form the cockiest smirk I'd seen on him in a very long time.

I seethed, "You bastard."

When the coach began to rattle and move, he pulled out his phone and headphones, offering me an earbud, "Here, let's watch something together."

"Oh my god, you wanna share ear juices with me?!"

He groaned and snatched his earbud back.

"No. no, wait! I was joking, I was joking, hehe I'll stop now please still love me."

"Idiot."

"Also," I grinned. "I can't believe you responded when I called you Kisaragi Shoto."

In spite of it all, he smiled.

What a delicious smile.

~~~

Taiga being a creep for Todoroki is one of my fav things ever. 😩😩😩