I made my way to the front of the school, away from Mio, grabbing my phone.

It rang, "My sweet pea, it's the middle of the day, why are you calling?"

I held back the tears, "Dad, I don't feel good, I want to come home."

"Of course, my sweet girl," I heard him worry in his voice, "I'll be there soon."

I hung up and sat on the steps.

Am I being selfish?

Mio can be friends with anyone she wants to, I'm not holding her back… at least I don't think I am.

I feel bad about the whole thing.

It really isn't her fault. I could've said no to each hangout, to the band, and I didn't have to poke at Bakugo the way I did.

This is all so complicated.

I should apologize before dad picks me up.

I stood and walked toward the locker hall, I stopped when I thought I heard my name.

"Speaking of Maki, have you seen that she and Denki aren't talking anymore."

It's Momo.

"Yeah, I'm worried about her." Ochako.

"She quit the band." Jiro.

"And Denki is so sad." Tsu.

"I think he misses her. He won't talk to me about her though." Jiro.

"I heard Aizawa talking to him about his grades, he failed the last few tests." Momo, she's such a gossip.

"Maki was tutoring him, he was doing well with her." Jiro.

I felt bad.

"I bet he only misses her because his grades are going down." Momo.

I felt my heart sink, what if that's true?

"Why would you say that?" Jiro sounded annoyed.

"I heard him talking to Kirishima, he said he'll never graduate without her."

I walked away. I can't hear anymore.

I felt anger, Momo is the class gossip who doesn't know what she's talking about half the time so it could be she's wrong but it hurts to think she could be right.

She hangs out with the boys often so, it's possible she overheard him.

He was friends with me so I can help him study?

I thought we at least had a real friendship.

My heartfelt like it was in a million pieces.

I wish I could go back to before I got close to him, before I was addicted to the smell of sunshine after rain, before I got excited to receive a text from him, before he was more than just a small crush.

When I got back to the front, my dad pulled up. He immediately got out and ran to me, "My sunshine, are you okay?"

I nodded, "I just want to go home."

He hugged me and walked me to the car, "Okay, you can go get some rest."

Dad tucked me in before returning to work. I laid under my comforter, I tried to clear my mind. I shouldn't let this get to me.

I won't be here much longer. After graduation, I'll go to college and never see them again.

As I laid there, I felt my eyes get heavy and it wasn't long before I was asleep.

I was hoping for good dreams but unfortunately, I didn't dream.

I was pulled from my sleep with the sound of Mio's voice, "Sissy, wake up. Come on, sister, time to get up."

I groaned, pulling my pillow over my head, "No."

She took the pillow from me, tossing it, "Hey, dad just called, he wants us to clean the studio."

I raised my brow, "He didn't say anything when he dropped me off earlier."

She shrugged, "He said he went in to check the lock and saw it was a mess and he wanted us to clean it after you got some rest."

I rolled my eyes, "No one's been in it for a few weeks."

She nodded, "I know but dad said he wanted it done in that stern, 'If you don't get it done, no new books for a month,' voice."

I sighed, "Fine."

I got up, changing out of my uniform, "How long have you been home?"

She shrugged, "An hour or two."

I shoved on my tennis shoes and made my way down out to the studio, "Hey, I wanted to say I'm sorry for earlier and I'm sorry if I'm being selfish."

She stopped, shocked, "Really?"

I nodded, "Yeah, you're my sister and I know you'd never set me up to get hurt. I love you and I could never stay mad at you."

She smiled, holding open the studio door, "Remember you said that later."

I raised my brow as I walked in, "Why?"

Before she answered she shut the door behind me and me heard the lock click.

I hit the door and shook the handle, "Mio! What the hell?! Let me out!"

I saw her in the window, arms crossed over the chest, "Mio! Why did you lock me out?!"

"Because I wanted to talk to you."

I froze. I've been avoiding him for days, weeks.

"Please, Maki, talk to me."

I turned and looked at him. He didn't look like the normal, goofy Denki I cared so deeply for. He looked so sad and desperate.

I felt tears well up in my eyes. I can't. I can't hear what he's going to say.

He took a step toward me, "Maki…"

I shook my head, "Not here."

He raised his brow.

I pointed to the sound booth, "I don't want Mio eavesdropping."

He nodded and walked in the booth.

I took a page from Mio's book and I shut the door, leaning against it.

"Maki? Please talk to me."

The mic is on.

I walked to the soundboard, my hand hovering over the sound switch, "I don't want to hear what you have to say."

"Please, hear me out, I'll stay in here if it makes you more comfortable, I just want to talk."

I couldn't look up at him.

"Maki… Please, what I have to say isn't bad… at least, I don't think it is. Please Maki I…"

He paused.

It was silent for a second then I heard something hit the glass.

I looked up, he slammed his palm against the glass, the star I made him in his hand, "I'm going to use your courage one last time and if you listen to me, I promise I will give it back. Please, I just need to tell you this…"

I flipped the switch and turned away.

I could only imagine what he was going to say. 'I want to be friends… just friends.' 'I appreciate the affection but you're not my type.' 'I only see you as a study buddy.'

I heard him tap on the window.

I shook my head, "No," He can still hear me, "I know you told Kirishima you'll never graduate without me. You only miss me because you're failing."

The tapping stopped for a second then I heard him knock louder.

I took a deep breath and gathered the courage to turn to him.

He looked frustrated as he mouthed something.

I shook my head, "No. I'm not turning the mic on."

I watched him sigh and run his fingers through his hair. He stood there, thinking for a second before breathing on the glass, creating fog.

I raised my brow as he wrote with his free hand.

My jaw dropped.

"I love you."

I felt tears in my eyes, does he mean it?

The tears started to fall, does he really love me?

I turned my back to him again so he wouldn't see the tears.

I heard the door open and I felt his strong, warm arms wrap around me as he pulled me into a tight hug, the smell of sunshine, something I missed over the weeks, "Maki, I don't miss you because I'm failing. I miss you for everything else. I miss the way you make me feel when we're together. I miss the way you laugh, the cute blush you get when I'm too close, your smile. I miss my best friend."

I couldn't hold the tears back anymore. I felt myself crumble. The only thing holding me up is him.

He pulled away, not too far, just enough to lift my face to look at him.

I looked away, trying to hide my splotchy, tear-stained face.

His finger gently made me look at him again, his eyes were soft, gentle as he wiped the tears away, "Maki, you are my everything, I'll do anything to see you smile again, even if that means walking out that door and leaving you alone. I won't like it but I'll do anything to make you happy."

I shook my head, I don't want him to leave, "So, I'm not just a good grade to you?"

He shook his head.

I chewed on my lip, "So, we're still friends?"

He shrugged, "I was kind of hoping for more than friends."

I raised my brow, "But Mio is already my best friend."

He let out a laugh, one I missed greatly, "Okay, well, is the boyfriend role still vacant? I'd love to apply."

I felt my cheeks heat up.

He put a hand on my cheek, "May I?"

I nodded, not being able to say anything.

I felt his lips press against my forehead, a gentle and a sweet kiss before he pulled away, pressing his forehead to mine, "Does that work?"

I nodded again, not sure what to do.

I felt him wrap his arms around me again, "Maki, I've missed you so much."

I hugged him back, "I'm sorry… I…"

He nodded, "I know, it's okay."

He pulled away, holding out my star, "Here, like I promised."

I shook my head and closed his hand, "No, you can keep it."

He smiled, shoving the star in his pocket, "I kinda didn't want to give it back, it's been my good luck charm."

I looked into his amber eyes, they glowed again, as they did before. It made the butterflies in my stomach rage.

I heard the door unlock and I pulled away from him, embarrassed.

Mio smiled, "So, are we friends again?"

Denki nodded, a grin plastered on his face, "And some!"

She raised her brow and looked at me, "Maki?"

I felt my cheeks on fire and I avoided her gaze, "Yeah?"

I heard her laugh, "You okay?"

I nodded and walked past her, "Oh yeah, I just need some water."

I could hear them follow me as I made my way into the kitchen and started to chug a bottle of water.

Mio leaned on the counter, "What happened in there?"

Denki shrugged, "We worked everything out."

She opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing, she sighed, "I'll grill you later."

I watched her walk out as I sat my almost empty water bottle down, "So, um, now we're…"

He closed the distance between us, standing close but not touching me, "We're together, I'm yours."

I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.

He let out a soft chuckle, "I've gotta head home, can I hug you?"

I nodded, letting him wrap his arms around me, I felt safe, "Let me know when you get home?" I asked as I squeezed him.

He nodded, "Of course. The second I'm parked."

I couldn't hold back the smile that formed.

I felt a bit of sadness as he pulled away and walked out.

I sighed and sat at the table, thinking over everything that just happened.

"Okay," I heard Mio as she walked in, "I don't know what exactly went on between you and Bakugo but I told him to apologize. He didn't want to but he compromised and agreed to send an apology text."

I shrugged, "It doesn't matter, I poked the bear, he snapped. I should've known better."

She sighed, "Well, still, so, where'd Denki go?"

I sipped my water, knowing what she's going to ask me, "Home."

She slid her chair closer, "So? What happened in that studio?"

I shrugged, "I… I'm not even sure."

She raised her brow, "What do you mean you're not sure? You're clearly friends again."

I nodded, "Yeah… and more than that."

Her jaw dropped, "Did he ask to court you?"

I rolled my eyes, "Are you borrowing Bakugo's romance novels?"

She shrugged, "He's got good taste. Don't change the subject."

I sighed, "He kissed my forehead and asked if that was a good boyfriend application."

Mio smiled, "Awe, electro dork is a romantic!"

I stood, "Makes my heart flutter."

I made my way to my room and checked my phone. I already had a message from Denki:

Denki: I'm home

Denki: I already miss you ❤

I smiled, my heart racing:

Me: Get home safely?

Denki: Yeah ?

Me: I'm glad ?

Denki: Maki, I'm so glad you're talking to me again ?

I missed this feeling. Excited with every message and every little heart.

I never thought I'd be here in a million years.

I laid in bed, I know the person I want to tell more than anyone else.

I dialed my mom's number, "Hey! You reached Kameko! Sorry, I didn't get your call, leave a message and maybe I'll get back to you! And if you're one of my precious girls, mommy's sorry she didn't answer. I miss you both so much and remember, you're the best little miracles I could ever ask for! I love you!"

I smiled, my heart racing, "Hey mom, it's Maki. I have something big to tell you… I have a boyfriend. That boy I told you about before, the one I liked. He likes me. Mom, I'm shocked… I'm speechless. I wish you were home to meet him, I think you'd like him. I'm a little afraid to tell dad. I don't want him to go all 'I'm a cop,' on him. If you were here, I think it would be easier for him to take it.

I miss you mom, more than anything. I love you."

I hung up, rolling on my side, hugging my pillow. I told my mom, it's real. I'm in a relationship with Denki Kaminari… what is life?