Katsuki Bakugou 

"Good afternoon and thank you for joining us this afternoon at West Central University. You are all here because of a shared interest in attending this University starting in the upcoming Fall semester." The chair of the education department stood on the stage. His suit was navy blue paired with a pink bowtie. His hair was styled back and his appearance assumed professionalism although he grinned and almost bounced with every step he took.

"What a fruit loop," Mom sat next to me in the sea of other potential college students. She didn't want to be sitting smushed between me and some other poor kids' parents. She was supportive of my decisions though and wanted to tag along as I visited some universities.

"Hag," I quipped and grunted as the back of her hand made contact with my stomach. "Fuck, woman," I hissed and she shot me a glare. My dad sat on my other side and chuckled at our antics. 

"Today I want to talk to you all about potential!" My attention was drawn back to the man on stage while I tuned out my parents on either side of me. "Potential and opportunity, specifically. Each and every one of you sitting out there today has noticed an opportunity, and by being here today you have shown part of your potential." I zoned out after that. Although it was lovely to hear him so passionate about recruiting new students, I was here for actual information. 

West Central University had an amazing engineering program and I wanted to get the information, find out how much debt I would be going into over this degree, and then go home. The thought was nice, but the whole motivational speech thing wasn't my style. However, the man on stage caught my attention when his tone turned more serious.

"Understand that life is full of challenges and decisions. You may leave here and decide that this university is not for you. Or, you may leave with your mind already set on attending in the Fall. It is one of the many decisions you will have to make in your young lives. However, Don't be afraid to mess up. Make your mistakes. Learn. Change. That is the beauty of life. A mistake is a lesson, it is not something to regret or lament. Mistakes don't define who you are, it only adds character and helps to build up a better version of yourself! Leave here today and make your mistakes, build yourself up, and see your potential. Nevertheless, I hope that your decisions lead you to WCU!" He chuckled and the crowd cheered.

I clapped absentmindedly and looked down at the pamphlet in my hands. I had circled some information on their degree program. My mom was already packing up her stuff, looking ready to high-tail it out of the crowd while my father sat there watching me gently. I could feel his eyes on me and I quickly stood up when the crowd was dismissed.

"Let get out of here," I muttered and made my way through the crowd with my parents following behind. Potential. Opportunity. Challenges. Mistakes. I had potential, I knew that. It only took me a while to get my head out of my ass and take some of the many opportunities that were thrown my way. I was a good student, smart, and I liked to learn. I always wanted to go back to school but soon after my high school graduation everything kind of fell to shit.

That was a challenge, for sure. It took me a while to get back up on my feet and thankfully my parents helped as much as I let them. I didn't want them codling me anymore. the sheltered me long enough and I think my mom realized their mistakes with raising me. After our chat the other day, she had opened up more and stopped hiding things from me. When I had questions, she answered me honestly. 

My father, on the other hand, had been a quiet presence in my life. He never spoke up and sort of sat in the background. We had never been super close, but we used to be able to joke around and have fun together. After everything happened, he sort of just caved in on himself. I knew that it was partially my fault. I balmed him a lot for how shit things turned out to be. He probably already felt bad about how things turned out. I knew he didn't wish any harm to me, but it had happened. 

Izuku was constantly on my mind. After he had evidently slept with someone else, I had a reality check. I needed to take hold of my own life and not let others control me anymore. I made my fair share of mistakes in my young life but was ready to make a change. That man's speech had me thinking. It had been two months since Izuku left and I felt his absence in my life daily. 

Despite the few times I had to suffer the pain in our mate bond from more sessions of Izuku's coupling, I reminded myself that I couldn't blame him. We never defined our relationship and I was never kind to my mate. He left and had every right to leave with how I treated him. I just wished he would have let me explain myself. In the grand scheme of things, I was glad we had been separated. It hurt. But I was okay. We both needed time and the separation helped. 

I was mature enough to understand that now. I was educating myself on Omegas and mateships. I knew that I didn't need to worry about Izuku breaking our bond while he was away because the bond wouldn't sever completely. I knew that I had time and that Izuku was struggling too. I couldn't say I knew what he was going through because I didn't. But I did know what he had to be enduing was a rough process. I just hoped his friends were helping him while I couldn't.

***

"Have you decided where you want to go to school?" Mom asked while setting the table for dinner. It had been a few days since we visited the campus and I did my research. The school had a great program but classes would not begin for another 5 months. I needed to apply now and get up my financial aid before the end of the month in order to be registered for the Fall semester.

"I think I am going to send in my application tonight," I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and moved to my chair at the table. I liked what the school offered, so why not? I needed a job sooner or later and this program was only a year long. I could graduate and get a job and then move out. Finally. I smirked and dad came down the stairs while mom took a seat.

"That's great. About time you got out of my hair, kid." She smirked and I glowered at her.

"It's not like I won't still be living at home the whole time. I will just commute to campus for class. Save money that way and shit." I muttered and she shrugged her reply.

"Damn, so close," She huffed and I rolled my eyes, ignoring her. I knew she would miss me if I lived on campus or whatnot. It made sense for me to stay living at home for another year until I graduated and found a job.

"You decided?" My dad spoke up and I glanced up at him.

"Yeah," I clipped and chugged the rest of my water before standing up and taking it to the trash bin. Dinner was served as usual and we ate in silence. Family time was tense and although mom and I had spoken more on my feelings regarding them both, my father had never made an effort to mend anything. I didn't feel it was my place to reach out to him if he wasn't meeting me halfway. 

After dinner, I went to my room and finished my college application, read it over, then sent it in. I would get a notification within the next week or two regarding my results and then I had to fill out financial aid information. The school was expensive but I was sure to qualify for scholarships. I had amazing scores from high school.

A yawn snapped me out of my planning and I pushed myself away from my desk. I didn't do much nowadays other than chores around the house and hanging out with Kirishima. Jiro started to come around some more with Kirishima. I didn't see Denki -- he chose to stay away. He didn't contact me either and I felt a bit bad. 

I had been cruel to him as well. But at the time I felt that I had the right to be angry. I trusted him and he broke that by trying to hurt my mate. Although I wasn't any better than him. I hurt Izuku too. Maybe I should call him?

I tug at my belt buckle and pull it from the loops before unsnapping the uncomfortable jeans I had been wearing all day. My jeans are discarded somewhere around my room followed by my shirt that I toss across the dark space. With the temperature just now beginning to rise after winter, the night air was still cold and my bed was inviting.

I flopped down and brought the covers up under my chin. I grabbed my phone from my nightstand and tapped the screen to wake it up. The first thing I notice is a text from Kirishima.

Shitty Hair: Hey man, I saw Denki today. He didn't look all that hot...

Shitty Hair: I know you don't really talk to him anymore, but it's been two months and he was your friend for a long time. I just don't want to see him get hurt. 

Shitty Hair: Well, I didn't get a chance to talk to him. He looked to be in a rush somewhere.

Shitty Hair: Goodnight, bro! 

I read through his texts and narrowed my eyes. Denki didn't look well? Was he sick? I knew he was an Omega for some reason all I could do was think about Izuku and how sick he looked when I first saw him. I knew Denki found his mate but had that Shinso guy rejected him?

I hesitated over the icon but swallowed my nerves and pressed down. The phone rang instantly and I turned on my side, keeping the phone clutched to my ear. It rang only three times before I heard the small click that told me Denki had answered my call.

"Denki," I spoke carefully and tensed when I heard a small noise come from the other end of the call.

"K - Katsuki," His voice was scratchy and I sat up with furrowed brows.

"Hi," I sighed and swallowed thickly. "Are you okay?" I asked, skipping the pleasantries. I knew damn well that wasn't okay. Kirishima was rarely wrong and didn't exaggerate when he saw shit. If Shitty Hair was worried then it was serious.

"Ah -- I guess," He replied and I frowned.

"What the hell do you mean by I guess?" I pressed but kept my voice even. Denki was quiet for some time but his breathing was ragged. I knew he was crying but I didn't know what to say. He was my friend for a long time and like it or not, he was part of my pack. Family.

"Hey now, talk to me. I can't help if you don't talk to me," I mumbled and turned my lamp on. 

"Uh -- I -- He hates me!" Denki suddenly sobbed and my breath hitched in my throat. The Omega's cries were heartbreaking and I suddenly hated myself for leaving him alone. I knew he pretty much lived alone and his parents were never around. He was lonely and now his mate was angry with him.

"Stay on the phone, Denks. I'll be there in ten minutes," I spoke softly while his cries got louder and more pitiful. I winced at the sound and quickly redressed, grabbed my keys, and head out the door with Denki still sobbing on the phone with me.