You and I had been stuck together since we were kids—same class, same friend group, same everything. Six years of it. And now, it was our last year of middle school.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew I treated you differently.

I didn’t call you extra, didn’t snap at you like I did with everyone else. You were the only one I called by name.

I don’t know why. Maybe it was because you never looked at me like the others did—like I was some kind of bomb waiting to go off. You were just… you. And somehow, that made it harder to throw insults your way.

But there was one thing that pissed me off —Midoriya.

You were always too damn nice to him. Too soft. It drove me insane. I hated the way you laughed at his jokes or the way you’d defend him when I called him out. It felt wrong. Like he was getting something from you that he didn’t deserve.

I couldn’t stand it.

PRESENT.

We were walking home after school, just like always. You were quiet, and I didn’t mind. Silence with you felt different—comfortable.

I caught myself glancing at you more than once. Stupid. But I couldn’t help it. The sun hit your face a certain way, and I had to look away before I made it obvious.

My hands were shoved deep in my pockets, fingers curling into fists. I could feel my heart beating louder than it should’ve been, and I hated it.

I didn’t need to say anything. Just being here, walking next to you, felt like enough.