62: 𝙵𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙
All good things come to an end.
And so did Nova's brief break after the sports festival.
At very least she didn't look completely ridiculous. With the haircut Karon got her, the layers were even and didn't look so choppy. It was obvious Kain had just gone at it with scissors or a knife even. Just trying to cut as much length as possible. Now it looked more purposeful, she had the most length on the top, especially in her bangs.
She ran her fingers through it. It wasn't long enough to have actual ringlets. But there were small curls and waves. The one positive thing about it was the fact that it felt much lighter. In a way that would almost be freeing if it hadn't been cut under such dire circumstances.
The one thing she hated, more than anything. Was the fact that it was so obvious, no one could look at her after the festival and not be reminded of what happened. It had been so obvious that she hadn't cut it herself, that someone had beaten her and chopped it off. It was an obvious reminder of her weakest moment. Anyone who saw her knew that she had been beaten.
Even though she won the festival, they couldn't just forget that. It was on the news and everything. Along with the arrest of Kain, Katherine Iaa, and a boy known as Troy Bole. A large third year who was often seen with the others.
It was everywhere, along with her winning. No one seemed to be happy about it. Neither was Nova honestly. She just wished they would leave her alone, that the media would just stop making stories about her. But she guessed it was her fault for going to UA in the first place.
She had dropped Zoey off as usual. Making her way to the UA entrance, which thankfully didn't have any reporters as Nova had expected. Maybe they had finally gotten in trouble for blocking the entrance to a high schowent
But that didn't mean no one was watching Nova. Almost as soon as she stepped on campus there were eyes on her. Nova felt a nervous tingle run up her spine.
She was the winner of this year's freshman sports festival after all.
She gripped the straps on her backpack, trying to keep her head down. She longed for the red curtain her hair had once been. Capable of making all of that go away. Hiding her from the world. It wasn't much, but it had felt safe.
She made it to her classroom, despite the fact that the entire student body sent stares, whispers and even glares her way. Though no one tried to approach her. When she entered it was almost full and she suddenly realized that she had only spoken to Midoriya and Shoji since her first fight during the tournament. Other than them, she avoided everyone. Preferring to stay in recovery girl's office instead.
When she entered shyly everyone turned. All eyes on her. She felt two distinct glares, one icy and the other hot with anger.
Bakugou and Todoroki. Though it was a more chilling rage on both parts. Neither saying a word. Bakugou almost immediately looked away with a huff, while Todoroki's stare lingered. They both must be disappointed, either boy could have won easily. They were both extremely strong in their own rights, it was just a matter of who got lucky that day. If Endeavor hadn't distracted Todoroki, maybe he could have won that fight. If Iida had shown up and beaten Nova, maybe Bakugou would have beat him.
But Nova didn't feel so lucky.
She practically ran over and sat down, face red from embarrassment.
"Hey! Nova!" Uraraka said in a loud whisper as the class slowly began to chatter again. "You did so good during the festival!"
Nova turned back slightly with a small, forced smile. "Thanks..."
"She's right, Ribbit. I didn't get a chance to congratulate you on winning." Tsu turned in her own seat. Looking over at Nova with her usual almost blank stare.
"And... I think your hair looks nice." Uraraka whispered again, this time it was lower. Hoping to make her feel better, without bringing too much attention to it.
Nova just nodded and looked away, setting her chin on her arm. Covering her head with her other one. She wanted to hide, to go home. To cry. But she couldn't do any of these things.
She glanced over to her side.
Iida was there. She was honestly surprised, with his brother being injured and all. But Iida was the perfect student, of course he wouldn't skip... She wanted to ask if he was okay, but she knew Iida didn't like her much. So maybe her showing concern would just make him uncomfortable.
She looked forward again, at the exact same moment Tenya glanced over at her.
He had been distracted. In fact he didn't even know she won the festival until he came into school today and Midoriya told him. He had spent every day at the hospital, then his mom would make him go home at night to finally get some rest.
But he never did. Pacing the halls of their home or going on runs in the dark to try and get his mind off his brother. Tensei had already gone through two surgeries, one was immediate and an emergency. The other was planned to follow swiftly.
He wouldn't walk again, that was for certain. The doctors were doing everything possible to limit the damage to his back and spine. But he'd never be a hero...
He'd never run again.
He'd never fight alongside his sidekicks and partners.
He'd never save anyone again.
It was his father... All over again.
The hospital had been almost the same as the one his father had been in all those years ago, and Tenya felt like a little kid. He felt weak.
He wasn't a doctor. He couldn't fix his brother, just like he couldn't help his father. He could just watch and sit there during his recovery.
He had been six at the time of his father's injury.
Now he was sixteen, and he didn't feel much difference. He felt small, weak and helpless. Going to UA after leaving during the festival didn't make him feel much better. But he tried to put on a brave face for his friends.
He looked over at Nova. He hadn't expected her to win. But he was grateful it wasn't Bakugou at least. It made him wonder what would have happened if he had stayed in, if he had faced her again.
Could he have won?
Unlikely.
He knew that obviously, but it didn't make him stop wondering.
Kurayami didn't seem too happy about her win. He assumed it was because of that attack that took place. With the third years. Iida usually had tremendous respect for upperclassmen, but that was downright evil. Cornering and attacking a first year student like that. Iida found himself pitying Kurayami, which was something he never really thought he'd do until now.
She was laying her head on her desk, covering her hair with one arm while using the other as a pillow.
She looked just as exhausted as Iida felt.
Conversation around the room didn't stop, and Nova was glad for it.
"I can't believe how many people recognized me from the festival."
"I know right! On the way here everyone wanted to talk to me!"
"It's like we're celebrities."
"Yeah... Guess what a group of elementary students said to me?"
"Nice try?"
"Oh man."
Nova kept her head down and her eyes closed. Resting as much as she could. She hadn't been getting good sleep recently, it was always fitful, and she stayed up later trying to fall asleep.
But apparently it wasn't so hard to do in class.
"Iida?" Uraraka whispered, tapping his shoulder from her spot behind him.
"Yes Uraraka?" He turned, Uraraka briefly noticed his own dark circles around his eyes . But didn't say anything about them.
"I think Nova fell asleep." She pointed out. Being too far to actually tell. "You should wake her up before Aizawa gets in here, I don't want her to get in trouble."
Iida glanced over at the girl beside him. Normally he'd find it offensive for her to fall asleep during school, but the rules were the least of his problems right now...
He definitely wasn't himself.
He looked at Nova, eyes closed and buried in her arms. She seemed to be using them instead of her hair, which was now missing. It saddened Iida to an extent, he had gotten used to the red cloud he always sat beside.
He was briefly reminded of the ride back from the USJ attack. When Kurayami fell asleep on his shoulder. He hadn't disturbed her then, and felt odd about doing it now. But Uraraka was right.
She was breaking the rules.
Even though she looked quite peaceful doing it. Her face slack without expression, having no frowns as it usually did. Her eye lashes almost brushed her cheeks. He hadn't noticed how long they were before, since they weren't dark. They were a brown color that got lighter towards the tips.
He looked away, then back at her. Summoning the nerve to rapidly tap her shoulder. She stirred immediately. Eyes open and looking straight at him.
She sat up quickly and he saw a red tint fill her cheeks.
"Sorry." She whispered. Prepared for a lecture from the ever strict class representative.
Iida didn't say anything, turning away from her as the door to the classroom opened.
A/N: ignore any spelling errors... I just got acrylics and have to relearn how to type with them-
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