The rest of the day was a blur. Jaxon rushed straight to the hospital after school, signed in at the front desk, and took the stairs two at a time to get to Alph's room.

This time, the wheelchair-bound tween wasn't tying bungee cords to his windowsill. Instead, he was seated at a table, writing something on a sheet of paper. He didn't notice Jaxon until the older boy put his hands over Alph's eyes.

"Three guesses, first two don't count," Jaxon snarked.

"Hey! Let me turn around first!" exclaimed Alph. Jaxon stepped back, and Alph rolled out from the table and turned around to face him. "Dude! You're here, like, three days early!"

"Yeah. I actually need your help with something."

"Mom remodel the house again?"

"No, although we did just get done repainting it two days ago."

"Alright, then what's the problem? Is it that Bakugou guy?"

"No, he actually hasn't been that bad lately."

"Then is Monoma-"

"Let me finish!" Jaxon cried. He lowered his voice a bit. "I may or may not have scored a date with Mina Ashido."

"The pink girl? The chick who could shoot acid from her hands?"

"That's the one. Although I should clarify that she asked me."

Alph smiled and folded his arms. "Looks to me like the hard part's over," he taunted. "What could you need my help with right now?"

"Alph, I've never even been on a date before, and we're going to a movie! I'm really nervous- how am I supposed to act?!"

"You didn't even go out with Tania?"

"She kidnapped me once. That doesn't count."

"Well..." Alph sighed. "I don't know how to help you."

"Come on, don't give me that!" exclaimed Jaxon. "You've been on thirty times more dates than me, and you're four years younger than me! That has to count for something!"

"Thirty times zero is still zero," Alph muttered sadly.

Jaxon hesitated. "Wait- you've never gone on a date? You?! The Romeo of Hosu City?"

"Yeah, I've pretty much given up on the nurses. They're all way outta my age group." Alph sighed and shook his head, then brightened a bit. "But there is this hemophiliac chick in room 405 who's caught my eye."

"Stay on topic, buddy," Jaxon snapped.

"Right. ADD. Sorry." Alph thought for a minute. "The only real advice I can give you is to be yourself. Don't try to convince her you're something you're not."

"That's the most cliche thing I've ever heard."

"Not just occupationally, though. Like, don't try to convince her that you're an extrovert, or that you've done this before. You're not and you haven't."

"Got it. Anything else I should know?"

"One other thing. Girls don't like flattery if they know you don't mean it. If you're not sure what to say, don't say something you don't mean. Only compliment her on something if you actually like it."

Jaxon smiled. "That's really good advice coming from a newbie."

"Shut up." Alph looked away, embarrassed.

"So, who's this girl in 405? Are you sure she could handle you?" Jaxon asked. "She seems like someone with pretty thin skin."

"Jaxon, I haven't even told you anything about her except that she lives in room 405 and she's..." Alph caught the joke a little late. He slowly covered his face with his hands. "That was not okay," he muttered, trying his best not to laugh.

"That's how I roll," Jaxon replied.

0

Meanwhile, Ashido sat in her room, texting Momo Yaoyorozu about the date. What should I wear? she asked.

I can't answer that, Yao texted back.

Why?

I don't know what you have and it's not my date.

I just need input! I've never done this before!

The reply took a few seconds. Want me to come over and see what you've got to wear? I'm sure we can pick something out.

Ashido grinned. Yeah, that'd be nice. Thanks.

I can bring one or two of the other girls, too. Having multiple sets of eyes is always a good idea.

Ohmigosh, it'll be like a sleepover!

Another few seconds passed before Yao replied. You know, you're really lucky. I've been working on Shoto for weeks now, and he still hasn't said yes to me once.

No, Yaomomo, don't do that to yourself! Ashido texted indignantly. You're gonna find someone just as amazing and talented as you are. And whether that's Todoroki or not, I'm behind you every step of the way. Just like you're behind me right now!

Thanks. I needed that. I'll call the others now, okay? With that, the messages stopped coming. When Momo Yaoyorozu said "now", she meant now.

"That was really abrupt," Ashido thought aloud, staring at that last message. She smiled, putting her phone away.