p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The basement was dark, humid, and smelled of burning flesh. Only a single light hung from the center of the room, casting hard shadows over Dabi as he waited with his arms crossed. When my eyes finally opened, he smiled. I started crying./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Please." I whimpered. "Please, I want to go home."/p
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div style="font-size: medium; border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom: 1.5pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: none; padding: 0in;"His smile grew and tugged at his staples. The smell of burning flesh intensified./p
/div
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"I woke with the taste of death in my mouth, like salt and ash. I didn't leave my bed until Aizawa lectured me through the door about the necessity of breakfast. Hizashi was right, Aizawa did not provide me with sugar, instead he served plain oatmeal and black coffee. I ate a few spoonfuls of the bland goop and sniffed the coffee. The steam from the coffee reminded me of my dream, of the smoke produced from Dabi's quirk. The blue flame flashed before my eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Class 1-A will be moving in today." I stared blankly a him. "We will go over dorm rules when they arrive." I nodded in response. "You should shower after breakfast." Another nod. Aizawa failed to hold back his sigh./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"I stood under the cold water of the shower for a while. Time was tricky now. Sometimes slow, and sometimes passing without my notice. The steam from the coffee reminded me of smoke. I didn't want to think about smoke. I didn't want to think at all. I let the cold water consume me until I couldn't feel anything. I crouched under the stream of water and watched as the water flowed around my feet and down the drain./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"After showering, I selected a bulky black shirt and loose sweatpants. I was going to see Class 1-A, which meant the boy would be there. I decided to brush my hair and teeth for good measure. I tried smiling in the mirror but it didn't look quite right. The hollowness of my cheeks and bags under my eyes remained./p
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/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Before long, Aizawa and Meri were standing infront of the dorm building, with the eager heros in training before them. Aizawa was talking and Meri was ignoring him. Her focus stayed on the blond boy who occasionally caught her stare. The red-haired boy next to him elbowed his side when he noticed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""And now I would like to introduce your new dorm-mate. This is Meri Alvarez. She will be staying with you in the dorms, but is not a student of UA. As I am sure some of you have heard, Meri was rescued by Bakugo from the League of Villains." All of their eyes were focused on Meri, she continued to stare at the blond boy. "She is staying at the UA dorms for her own protection. To ensure her protection, Meri is only allowed to leave campus with a teacher. Under no circumstances should she leave campus with only a student protection detail. Am I clear?" Meri's gaze snapped to Aizawa./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""What do you mean?" She almost whispered./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""For your own protection, you will need a trained escort to leave campus. That could be myself, Hizashi, Nemuri, or another teacher. You are still considered an active target of the League." Meri stared at the ground, then straight at Bakugo./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""He saved me before. Can I leave with him?" Her voice hardly carried to their audience./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Bakugo is not licensed, so no." Aizawa turned back to the class, Meri's gaze returned to the ground. "I will let everyone settle in, please try to get along. Classes begin tomorrow." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"As the class filed into the dorm's communal area, Meri stayed outside. She looked in the direction of the entrance gate./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hey, Meri! Why don't you join us? We are going to look at everyone's rooms!" The red-haired boy called to her. She continued to stare off towards the gate. "Bakugo, say something, she likes you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Don't tell me what to do." Bakugo snapped back immediately, only to consider the girl. "Meri!" Her attention returned to him. "Come inside." She glanced back at the gate, but then turned to follow the two boys inside./p
div style="font-size: medium; border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom: 1.5pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
/div
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"As soon as I walked inside the students began giving introductions. The kids that had saved Bakugo and I were Midoriya, Iida, and Kirishima. They were all so energetic, full of life. I felt out of place./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Thank you for your shirt. I don't know where it went." I told Midoriya. The hospital must have taken it. I only remember waking up in an itchy scrub gown./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""N-n-n-No worries! I'm glad to have helped!" He stammered and put a hand behind his head while blushing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Don't talk to that nerd." Bakugo sneered, but the others students seemed to ignore him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Meri, when did you arrive at the dorms?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Did Aizawa have to talk to your parents?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Why did you need Midoriya's shirt?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""What happened that night?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"I stared blankly at the other students. Why did they need to know about that night? About anything? They didn't want to know about how I watched the blood leave my body and faded into death on a cold basement floor./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""None of your business." I responded sourly, crossing my arms. The pink girl, sparky, and purple haired boy seemed to deflate with that answer. Good. They didn't need to know./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Midoriya, why did she need your shirt?" The purple haired boy whispered loudly, unable to contain his curiosity./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""W-well…" Midoriya stammered, blushing again, frantically looking between the purple boy and me./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Mind your own business, shithead." Bakugo growled, planting his foot on the back of the purple boy's head. "And Deku, keep your mouth shut."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Y-yes!" Midoriya responded quickly, looking up the ceiling./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""The only thing you side characters need to know is that I saved her from the League and now she lives here. Got a problem with that?" Bakugo's hands began to spark as he glared at his classmates./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I want to know something about Meri~ Can we look at your room?" The pink girl whined. I shrugged in response. There wasn't much to look at. The class seemed disappointed when they saw an empty desk, empty nightstand, and a bed with a dark comforter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Where is your stuff?" Sparky asked. A blue fire. My things were lost to a blue fire. That blue fire had taken more than my things. Sudden, angry tears built up in my eyes and before the class could respond I pushed through the crowd and slammed the door on them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
div style="font-size: medium; border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom: 1.5pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: none; padding: 0in;""How stupid are you Kaminari?" I heard someone mutter followed by a shift thump and groan./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Meri, we are making dinner, do you want to join us?" Someone called through my door a few hours later. I was busy staring at the ceiling and decided it best to ignore them. I heard muttering on the other side of the door./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Bakugo said he needs help in the kitchen." Another voice tried. I wanted to see the boy. I opened the door to see the pink girl, the red headed boy, and the boy with weird elbows, all looking annoyingly hopeful./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I told you she was in there!" The pink girl said, trying to take my arm. I stepped to the side and walked past them toward the kitchen. The boys chuckled at the girl's disappointment./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""So Meri, what type of food do you like?" The red hair boy asked, catching up to my side. I shrugged. It was different before. Before I would have said I liked spicy foods. But this was after./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The kitchen seemed lively, and again I was reminded I did not belong here. The red haired boy seemed to notice my hesitation and pointed to Bakugo, chopping vegetables with precision. I joined the boy's side, ignoring the others. Bakugo glanced to the side, seemed to stiffen, and then looked behind me. His expression immediately turned to annoyance. I followed his gaze to see the red-haired boy and the weird elbow boy stop some exaggerated gestures./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Chop the vegetables, I need to deal with those idiots." I caught his sleeve before he could walk away, he looked at my hand, and then my face. His expression softened. "I'll be right back." I let go and turned to the vegetables. I hear the boys shouting in the background, followed by laughter, but my focus remained on the cutting board. The knife was long and sharp. Himiko flashed before my mind's eye. She had used a knife like this to remove my fingers. I tried grabbing the knife, but my hands began to shake and my breath caught in my throat. Himiko used the knife to slit my throat, and played in my blood while I died before her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Meri-chan~" It was her. I knew that voice. That sign-song way of saying my name before the pain. I grabbed the knife and whirled around to land the first strike. The knife made contact and a girl cried out. It wasn't Himiko. There was a brown haired girl grasping her bloodied hand to her chest. The kitchen was quiet. All eyes were trained on us./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Meri, drop the knife." The boy said in a calm levelled tone. My breath caught in my throat, Himiko had been here. I heard her. I knew that fucking voice. I stared at the knife. I couldn't tell if even this was real. When was I going to wake up in that room? When would I wake up to find this all to be a dream?/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"I stabbed myself. I stabbed my stomach and the sharp pain of my ruptured organs disrupted my thoughts. I heard a gasp and a scream as I crumpled infront of the girl I injured. She stared at me in disbelief./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Fuck! Sero bind the wound. Iida, go get Aizawa." The boy ordered. My vision started to darken. I could feel effects of the blood loss and the pain intensified as I slumped forward, unable to hold myself up. The boy caught me. "This is going to hurt." He pulled the knife out and I cried. "Sero, get over here." The boy ordered. Something wrapped around my torso, binding the wound and stemming the blood flow. My vision swam and I spat out blood. I could feel myself slipping out of consciousness./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""What the hell happened?" Aizawa's voice was distant./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""She just freaked out-!" the student's voices were muffled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Okay, new rule, no knives for Meri."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Please." I whimpered. "Please, I want to go home."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
div style="font-size: medium; border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom: 1.5pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: none; padding: 0in;"His smile grew and tugged at his staples. The smell of burning flesh intensified./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"I woke with the taste of death in my mouth, like salt and ash. I didn't leave my bed until Aizawa lectured me through the door about the necessity of breakfast. Hizashi was right, Aizawa did not provide me with sugar, instead he served plain oatmeal and black coffee. I ate a few spoonfuls of the bland goop and sniffed the coffee. The steam from the coffee reminded me of my dream, of the smoke produced from Dabi's quirk. The blue flame flashed before my eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Class 1-A will be moving in today." I stared blankly a him. "We will go over dorm rules when they arrive." I nodded in response. "You should shower after breakfast." Another nod. Aizawa failed to hold back his sigh./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"I stood under the cold water of the shower for a while. Time was tricky now. Sometimes slow, and sometimes passing without my notice. The steam from the coffee reminded me of smoke. I didn't want to think about smoke. I didn't want to think at all. I let the cold water consume me until I couldn't feel anything. I crouched under the stream of water and watched as the water flowed around my feet and down the drain./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"After showering, I selected a bulky black shirt and loose sweatpants. I was going to see Class 1-A, which meant the boy would be there. I decided to brush my hair and teeth for good measure. I tried smiling in the mirror but it didn't look quite right. The hollowness of my cheeks and bags under my eyes remained./p
div style="font-size: medium; border-top: none; border-right: none; border-left: none; border-image: initial; border-bottom: 1.5pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
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/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Before long, Aizawa and Meri were standing infront of the dorm building, with the eager heros in training before them. Aizawa was talking and Meri was ignoring him. Her focus stayed on the blond boy who occasionally caught her stare. The red-haired boy next to him elbowed his side when he noticed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""And now I would like to introduce your new dorm-mate. This is Meri Alvarez. She will be staying with you in the dorms, but is not a student of UA. As I am sure some of you have heard, Meri was rescued by Bakugo from the League of Villains." All of their eyes were focused on Meri, she continued to stare at the blond boy. "She is staying at the UA dorms for her own protection. To ensure her protection, Meri is only allowed to leave campus with a teacher. Under no circumstances should she leave campus with only a student protection detail. Am I clear?" Meri's gaze snapped to Aizawa./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""What do you mean?" She almost whispered./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""For your own protection, you will need a trained escort to leave campus. That could be myself, Hizashi, Nemuri, or another teacher. You are still considered an active target of the League." Meri stared at the ground, then straight at Bakugo./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""He saved me before. Can I leave with him?" Her voice hardly carried to their audience./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Bakugo is not licensed, so no." Aizawa turned back to the class, Meri's gaze returned to the ground. "I will let everyone settle in, please try to get along. Classes begin tomorrow." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"As the class filed into the dorm's communal area, Meri stayed outside. She looked in the direction of the entrance gate./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hey, Meri! Why don't you join us? We are going to look at everyone's rooms!" The red-haired boy called to her. She continued to stare off towards the gate. "Bakugo, say something, she likes you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Don't tell me what to do." Bakugo snapped back immediately, only to consider the girl. "Meri!" Her attention returned to him. "Come inside." She glanced back at the gate, but then turned to follow the two boys inside./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"As soon as I walked inside the students began giving introductions. The kids that had saved Bakugo and I were Midoriya, Iida, and Kirishima. They were all so energetic, full of life. I felt out of place./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Thank you for your shirt. I don't know where it went." I told Midoriya. The hospital must have taken it. I only remember waking up in an itchy scrub gown./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""N-n-n-No worries! I'm glad to have helped!" He stammered and put a hand behind his head while blushing./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Don't talk to that nerd." Bakugo sneered, but the others students seemed to ignore him./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Meri, when did you arrive at the dorms?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Did Aizawa have to talk to your parents?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Why did you need Midoriya's shirt?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""What happened that night?"/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"I stared blankly at the other students. Why did they need to know about that night? About anything? They didn't want to know about how I watched the blood leave my body and faded into death on a cold basement floor./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""None of your business." I responded sourly, crossing my arms. The pink girl, sparky, and purple haired boy seemed to deflate with that answer. Good. They didn't need to know./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Midoriya, why did she need your shirt?" The purple haired boy whispered loudly, unable to contain his curiosity./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""W-well…" Midoriya stammered, blushing again, frantically looking between the purple boy and me./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Mind your own business, shithead." Bakugo growled, planting his foot on the back of the purple boy's head. "And Deku, keep your mouth shut."/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Y-yes!" Midoriya responded quickly, looking up the ceiling./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""The only thing you side characters need to know is that I saved her from the League and now she lives here. Got a problem with that?" Bakugo's hands began to spark as he glared at his classmates./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I want to know something about Meri~ Can we look at your room?" The pink girl whined. I shrugged in response. There wasn't much to look at. The class seemed disappointed when they saw an empty desk, empty nightstand, and a bed with a dark comforter./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Where is your stuff?" Sparky asked. A blue fire. My things were lost to a blue fire. That blue fire had taken more than my things. Sudden, angry tears built up in my eyes and before the class could respond I pushed through the crowd and slammed the door on them./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border: none; padding: 0in;""How stupid are you Kaminari?" I heard someone mutter followed by a shift thump and groan./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Meri, we are making dinner, do you want to join us?" Someone called through my door a few hours later. I was busy staring at the ceiling and decided it best to ignore them. I heard muttering on the other side of the door./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Bakugo said he needs help in the kitchen." Another voice tried. I wanted to see the boy. I opened the door to see the pink girl, the red headed boy, and the boy with weird elbows, all looking annoyingly hopeful./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I told you she was in there!" The pink girl said, trying to take my arm. I stepped to the side and walked past them toward the kitchen. The boys chuckled at the girl's disappointment./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""So Meri, what type of food do you like?" The red hair boy asked, catching up to my side. I shrugged. It was different before. Before I would have said I liked spicy foods. But this was after./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The kitchen seemed lively, and again I was reminded I did not belong here. The red haired boy seemed to notice my hesitation and pointed to Bakugo, chopping vegetables with precision. I joined the boy's side, ignoring the others. Bakugo glanced to the side, seemed to stiffen, and then looked behind me. His expression immediately turned to annoyance. I followed his gaze to see the red-haired boy and the weird elbow boy stop some exaggerated gestures./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Chop the vegetables, I need to deal with those idiots." I caught his sleeve before he could walk away, he looked at my hand, and then my face. His expression softened. "I'll be right back." I let go and turned to the vegetables. I hear the boys shouting in the background, followed by laughter, but my focus remained on the cutting board. The knife was long and sharp. Himiko flashed before my mind's eye. She had used a knife like this to remove my fingers. I tried grabbing the knife, but my hands began to shake and my breath caught in my throat. Himiko used the knife to slit my throat, and played in my blood while I died before her./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Meri-chan~" It was her. I knew that voice. That sign-song way of saying my name before the pain. I grabbed the knife and whirled around to land the first strike. The knife made contact and a girl cried out. It wasn't Himiko. There was a brown haired girl grasping her bloodied hand to her chest. The kitchen was quiet. All eyes were trained on us./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Meri, drop the knife." The boy said in a calm levelled tone. My breath caught in my throat, Himiko had been here. I heard her. I knew that fucking voice. I stared at the knife. I couldn't tell if even this was real. When was I going to wake up in that room? When would I wake up to find this all to be a dream?/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"I stabbed myself. I stabbed my stomach and the sharp pain of my ruptured organs disrupted my thoughts. I heard a gasp and a scream as I crumpled infront of the girl I injured. She stared at me in disbelief./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Fuck! Sero bind the wound. Iida, go get Aizawa." The boy ordered. My vision started to darken. I could feel effects of the blood loss and the pain intensified as I slumped forward, unable to hold myself up. The boy caught me. "This is going to hurt." He pulled the knife out and I cried. "Sero, get over here." The boy ordered. Something wrapped around my torso, binding the wound and stemming the blood flow. My vision swam and I spat out blood. I could feel myself slipping out of consciousness./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""What the hell happened?" Aizawa's voice was distant./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""She just freaked out-!" the student's voices were muffled./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Okay, new rule, no knives for Meri."/p