Ochaco Uraraka gently lowered the couch into place and released her quirk.
"Thanks honey,"
"No problem, Mom."
She felt her mom wrap her arms around her. "Look I know no one is happy with the move, and I am sorry that you had to leave your friends."
"I understand mom. It kind of sucks but I was going to have to leave them when I go to U.A anyway. After the judgment it's not like we had a choice anymore."
Her mom squeezed her tightly. "Still honey it doesn't mean that we don't appreciate you being strong. And helping get the stuff upstairs."
"Now if you would just let me help we could get the business…"
"Ochaco," her father's voice filled the room. "I understand you want to help, but it is not your place to give up on your dream to save us. It is our job to take care of you."
"But Dad?"
He walked over and wrapped his arms around both of his girls. "Ochaco, look your mom and I love you. I know that you want to help. If you really want to help study hard, and become a great pro. Then you can send us to Hawaii." He laughed and held them tight. "I have the best girls, why don't you see to your room honey while I help you mom with the kitchen."
Ochaco gave a small smile and made her way to her room.
It is not much bigger than home… well this is home now. God, I miss our house. It wasn't big but at least were not crammed into this apartment. And I had a yard. Why didn't they just let me help? We could have just rebuilt after that damn judgement. I could offset so much cost. She fought back some tears.
When Ochaco was 5 years old she saw a video on the news of 13 rescuing people from a building collapse. It was then and there she wanted to be hero. Her gravity quirk was perfect for it. She would run around the yard lifting branches and rocks saving imaginary people. Her mother and father would just watch and smile, though her mother did draw the line when Ochaco decided to use the tablecloth as cape. A strict NO CAPE policy was instituted. Her family was not the best off financially, she didn't know that till she was in elementary school and some kids would point out her off brand shoes or old book bag. It bothered her some as it would any kid but soon she just ignored it and the other kids did as well. When she was 10, there had been an accident at a job site. The family business "survived" but it was in a slow free fall, her dad's business partner; his friend from high school, embezzled funds and ran off with his secretary. The free fall was became apparent. Ochaco noticed the bills were marked past due; meals were smaller, they would have campouts in the living room as there seemed to be regular power outages at their house. Her mom didn't have much jewelry anymore. Then came a hail mary project, tight deadline but if her dad could pull it off it would mean a chance at recovery. 16 hour days for over a month took a toll on her dad. He pushed himself to far and made a mistake. This accident was the nail, the man was crippled. They lost everything, the house, the land, the remaining equipment and most of all her father lost his reputation. Her mother had reached out to an old friend, Ochaco could hear her crying in her room. At 15, They had to move. Her father would be a repairman for the complex and her mother would serve as landlady. It would keep a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, and the other necessities.
She had been crying into her pillow as quietly as she could. She found her composure and set about getting her stuff unpacked. It wasn't much but it was hers. She hung up her poster of U.A on the back of her door, 13 over her desk. And placed the hula girl on her nightstand. Hawaii, I will send them to Hawaii, buy the house back and take care of them. No more struggles, no more tears, no more skipping meals. She had just finished putting her clothes away when a knock at her door caught her attention. She walked over and opened it; her father was standing there. "Hey honey, come eat. I got a pizza."
"Pizza?"
"Yea a little celebratory dinner for our new start."
She walked into the kitchen and took a seat as the family of 3 ate and talked of what tomorrow could bring.
-Monday-
Ochaco stood outside her new homeroom, she fidgeted in her new school uniform. She had protested that her mom had bought her a new uniform, stockings, shoes and book bag, she had instead that they could get a used uniform, and her other things were just fine. Like many of her protests it feel on deaf ears. The door opened and she was told to enter. She took a deep breath and entered taking position in front of the class.
"Introduce yourself, any hobbies and of course your quirk."
"Hello my name is Ochaco Uraraka, my favorite food I Mochi, I like to read, and my quirk is Gravity Control. I can touch something and remove the effect of gravity from it and reinstate it later. I look forward to learning with all of you." She bowed.
"Very good now do we have a volunteer to show Ms. Uraraka around school?"
"ME, OH PICK ME, ME MR. CAZI." A very energetic voice called out.
Ochaco looked up and there was a pink skinned girl with yellow irises, black sclerae eyes and pink skin very, very enthusiastically waving her arm in the air.
"OH, I CAN DO IT SIR," said a boy in the next seat he had red hair that looked like he styled it by putting his finger in an electrical socket. "IT WOULD BE SUPER MANLY SO SHOW A NEW STUDENT AROUND."
"Now Ms. Ashido and Mr. Kirishima if you didn't have the worst grades in class, I would consider it."
"Teach….how could you just call us out like that." Ashido hand flopped down and she put her head on her desk defeated.
"Dude so un manly to say it out loud like that." Kirishima folded his arms across his chest and looked off to the side.
"Hmm, Mr. Midoriya. You have the top grades would you please show Ms. Uraraka around please."
"Of course, sir."
Wow, she is a cute one.
Yes… I mean Mr. Tracy.
Remember don't just dive into her quirk. Introduce yourself, speak clearly, and smile. She is in a new school and probably doesn't know anyone.
Yes Sir, Izuku responded sarcastically.
-Izuku and Ochaco-
Her set her bag down at an empty desk that was right in front of Midoriya. She turned to him, and he smiled at her. He has a nice smile. Hopefully this will be ok.
They stepped out of the classroom.
"So did you just move here?"
"Yea we go here Friday. We moved for my parents' work."
"Oh well I guess that's good for them, must have been rough for you though having to leave your friends and come to new school."
"It wasn't ideal but what are you going to do."
He smiled. "Yea change is rough but it can turn out to be a good thing sometimes."
"So are you really the top ranked student?"
"Yea, I study hard. I need to have top grades for when I apply to U.A."
She perked up immediately. "Oh, you want to go to U.A too. I want to go there as well. What is your quirk if you don't mind me asking?"
She seems nice, I hope that this goes well.
None of that Mina and Eijiro accepted you and are your best friends. Yea some of the other kids laugh about it but what did Dr. Dayspring say.
My self-worth is not measured by anyone else but me. As long as I know what I am worth no one can take that from me.
Exactly now talk to the girl, she is excited to talk to someone that has the same dream as her.
"Actually I do not have a quirk, I'm quirk less."
"Really, that must have made life difficult. You must be training really hard to go to U.A then."
"It sure has made things more difficult. So does it bother you?"
"What… that your quirk less? Why would that bother me? Does it bother you that I am a girl?"
"No." If it wasn't for Mina and Dr. Dayspring, I would be a stuttering mess.
"Seems pretty messed up for me have a problem with something you had no control over."
He smiled at her. "That's nice to hear Uraraka, some people tend to get quiet and then forget I exist."
"Not me. You are going to be my best friend. If you have the top grades, I am going to need someone to help with my Math homework. I mean what's up with numbers, there is like so many of them."
He chuckled "Some would say an infinite number of them."
"Oh, little did I know that the top student was also the greatest comedic mind of our generation."
They both looked at each other and laughed. The walked around the school with Izuku showing her were everything was. As the talked her personality started to shine through, she was a very bubbly person and positive. She enjoyed talking with him. He was cute and smart. He seemed to have a good attitude despite probably having a difficult upbringing and he was witty. He enjoyed music and reading. It was just him and his mom. She had just started dating again. They finally found themselves outside the classroom again.
"Hey Uraraka, lunch is about to start, do you want to come and sit with Mina and Eijiro and me. You don't have to if you don't want to."
"Sure that sounds cool, I am assuming they are friends of yours."
"Yea they were the ones who wanted to give you the tour. They are great. They want to be heroes too."
"If they are ok with it, that sounds nice. It would be nice to make some more friends on the first day."
"Wait, am I the first one?"
Oh, for fucks sake.
"I would like to think so. I thought we got along good." She gasped and jumped back and brought both her hands to her mouth. "Wait is it because I am girl?"
"Whaaat. "
She started laughing, "Got you." She smiled and gave him double finger guns.
Oh, yea I like her.
I think I do too.
Ohhhhhh, I would so nark you out if I could talk to anyone else.
Not like that. I just meet her. But she is cute.
"That was mean Ochaco. Funny but mean."
"Oh, its Ochaco now, so we friends then Izuku" She put her fist out.
He gave her a fist bump, and bright smile. "Yea I think so."
The lunch was fun as he introduced her to Mina and Eijiro. She liked them immediately Mina was a ball of energy, Eijiro was the straight man to Mina's comedy act who for some reason referred to everything as manly. Ochaco wanted to go to U.A? Manly. She was cool with Izuku being quirk less. Manly. She was having fun. It was when she went to through her trash away a girl with long fuchsia hair and matching eyes.
"Hey new girl, I know you don't know better but you shouldn't hang with the freaks at table 9."
"Freaks at table 9?"
"Yea like if you want you can come sit with me and my crew, besides Iro was saying that you looked kind of cute."
The girl didn't notice Ochaco's eye twitch. "Oh really" she replied in a voice dripping with false honey. "Who is Iro?"
The girl pointed to boy with short black spikes where his hair was, he had black eyes with more spikes poking out around his face and his arms.
"And you are?"
"Oh, my bad, my name is Sira. Like me and my crew are the best just ask around."
"Sira, ok I will remember that, but I am going to give it hard pass. I think I will stick with Table 9. Ok bbbyyyyeeeee" she gave and exaggerated wave as she left the lunchroom. Mina was waiting for her. Mina noticed the scowl on Ochaco's face.
"Yo, girl you ok. Throwing away trash should not be that anger inducing."
"I meet some bitch named Sira."
"Oh her."
"You know her?"
"Yea she fancies herself the queen bee around here." Mina looked down. "I used to hang with her and her crew back in elementary."
"Why?"
"I just wanted to fit in somewhere, you know some people give mutants a hard time especially when they look weird. I was young and stupid. And I realized I was being fake. And I don't want to be fake. But then I found Eijiro and then Izuku. The like me for me. I'm just glad I bailed when I did, she can such a bitch."
"Yea I noticed."
The girls headed back to class and got into their afternoon lessons. When the afternoon bell rang as she was gathering her things. "So Ochaco, how was day one?" Izuku asked.
"Not too bad, I made some friends, but I am going to have to ask you for help with Math, apparently we were a little behind where you guys are."
He smiled. "I would be happy to help."
She pulled out her cell phone. "Do you want to exchange numbers?"
"Yea," as he fished his out as well Mina and Eijiro came over and insisted on giving her their numbers as well. When they left the school, the boys went one way well the girls walked the other before they had split up down the road. Ochaco was in a good mood as she made her way home. She settled down at the coffee table and got to work on her homework. She was texting a group chat when her mom came in. She noticed her daughter seemed to be in a good mood.
"Good first day honey?"
"Yea I actually made some friends, meet the queen bee and realized that even more so that Math was indeed developed by demons to torture me."
"That bad huh?"
"No and yes, they are farther ahead than where we were in my old school. But thankfully one of my new friends is like tops in the class and has agreed to tutor me. We were setting something up for Thursday is that ok?"
"I don't see why not. I am glad that you made some friends."
"So am I they are pretty cool, and they want to go to U.A also."
"That's awesome. You guys could train together sometimes."
"You know what mom you may a genius mom."
"You have to get your smarts from somewhere. And lord knows that wasn't your father." She laughed.
"Yea Dad stopped helping me with my math homework in the 6th grade."
-The Fabulous Foursome-
Alien Queen: So, my mom says Thursday is fine.
Rocky: I good to go.
Gravity Girl: Me to.
Nightwing: Good on my end? Where do we want to study?
Gravity Girl: Nightwing?
Nightwing: It's from an old comic book that I read. He doesn't have any superpowers and he still become a hero.
Gravity Girl: Cool, so where do we want to meet at?
Alien Queen: Oh I know this cool café!
Nightwing: NO!
Alien Queen: Why not Izuku?
Nightwing: You won't study, you want to just hang out and goof off.
Rocky: LOL he knows you.
Alien Queen: But I will study this time.
Nightwing & Rocky: No, you won't
Alien Queen: WAIT I HAVE AN ALLI NOW. I'M NOT THE ONLY GIRL. OCHACO HELP MEEEEEEE.
Gravity Girl: Normally I would take your side on a matter of principal but I need the help in math to bad.
Alien Queen: *Crying Emoji* *Pouting Emoji*
Alien Queen: I can't go to the library, yet I am still banned.
Gravity Girl: Why are you banned from the library?
Alien Queen: Being a nuisance and causing a disruption.
Gravity Girl: Oh, you are telling me about that later.
Nightwing: How about my house?
Alien Queen and Rocky: Is Momma Inko going to be there?
Nightwing: I don't think so. She has the late shift at the hospital. But I'm sure she will let me order pizza and how about I offer up a bribe?
Alien Queen, Rocky, and Gravity Girl: We are listening.
Nightwing: If all of you score at least a B on the quiz we can go the café that Mina is talking about Saturday my treat.
Alien Queen and Rocky: How about a "C"?
Nightwing: Nope B or better.
Gravity Girl: I don't want to impose on you Izuku?
Nightwing: It's all good trust me. Later I must finish my homework see you guys tomorrow.
Nightwing has left the chat.
Rocky: Yea I got to go; Mom just got home.
Rocky has left the chat.
Alien Queen: You ditching me too?
Gravity Girl: Hey Mina, can I ask you a question. You don't have to answer if you don't want.
Alien Queen: *raised eyebrow emoji* Sure what is up?
Gravity Girl: Is Izuku like rich or something.
Alien Queen: No.
Gravity Girl: Then how can he offer… you know the café?
Alien Queen: Its not my place to really say but you can ask him? Is there a problem if he is?
Gravity Girl: No just….my family is not rich or anything we get by. I just don't want to be someone's charity case.
Alien Queen: I get girl, I feel you. I am in the same boat. WE are alright but we aren't flush or anything. And trust me Izuku is not that kind of dude. He is good. Look its not my place to tell you stuff but I will just say. IN IZUKU I TRUST. He had never steered me wrong in all the years I have known him.
Gravity Girl: Ok thanks Mina. Can you keep this between us?
Alien Queen: Of Course. SOOO…. Any cute boys you know?
Gravity Girl has left the chat.
Alien Queen: AWW COME ON. ALL OF YOU SUCK.
Alien Queen has been sucked out an airlock.
-Wednesday Afternoon-
Ochaco found herself in the locker room getting changed for P.E.
"Damn Girl, curves for days."
Ochaco turned and laughed as she was pulling on her P.E top. "Your one to talk."
"Us Curve girls must stick together. But hang back for a bit I need to talk to you really quick."
"Um, ok?"
"Look your going to see something that is going to be amazing. You're also going to see something that is going to cause a whole bunch of questions. I am going to ask you to not ask those questions. Please this is very important ok."
"Can't you just tell me?"
"This is something that you need to see. I can explain some of it, but it would just be better if you saw it."
The girls made their way out to the field, the rest of the class were out there already doing their stretching. Mina and Ochaco joined in.
-Izuku-
Maybe today will be different. Fuck Iro and Sira are looking over here and talking.
She was going to see anyway. I know you would not it be right after just meeting her.
I know, but…
I understand kid. She is your friend right. If she can't handle this, then she doesn't deserve to be. But I am pretty sure she will appreciate all the muscle. Mina does.
Yea even the ones that don't talk to me like that part. Mr. Tracy?
Yes, Izuku.
I know I have said this a lot but thank you for showing up that day. I mean life has just been so much better.
Not a problem kid. It has been a pleasure.
Izuku was talking with Eijiro as the girls were sent running around the track the boys were separated into teams and sure enough him and Eijiro were on the skins team. Izuku sighed at least the girls were running and not right there. He the skins team slipped off their shirts and began their game of soccer.
The girls had finished their run, Mina and Ochaco were able to maintain a good pace for the whole run. As they came to a stop, she saw a group of girls watching the boys.
Mina leaned over and whispered. "This is it."
Ochaco turned and looked. The boys were playing soccer, shirts vs skins. Some of the boys were in decent shape, some not so much, then she saw Eijiro and Izuku. Holy hell. She felt the blush start to form. They were in amazing shape. Like you could grate cheese on those abs. The as she admired Izuku she saw them. Scars. Lots of scars and burn marks on his chest and back. No blush anymore. Immediately she looked to Mina. Mina just nodded. Amazing and a whole lot of questions.
Mina led her over to the water fountain. "Told you."
"They are in amazing shape. But?"
"The scars?"
"Yea."
"Iro and his asshole friends do that to him all the time. They did that today so they could hope to scare you off. Most of us are used to it, so now we just get to enjoy the view."
"How did that happen?"
"I'm sorry Ochaco, that is not my story to tell. I am sure he will tell you about but that's for him to tell."
"Anyway, how did you like the view?"
"It was nice, so what is up with Eijiro, are you and him?"
"No, I was interested but he plays for the other team."
"Oh, him and Izuku" her mind raced to some interesting stories she had read or was reading at night.
"No just best buddies. Eijiro doesn't look at him like that. He admits he is hot, but Izuku is not his type."
"You and Izuku?"
"If I'm honest I am not sure. We have more of a sister-brother thing. Oh, the boys are heading this way."
Izuku and Eijiro walked by slipping on their shirts they gave the girls a wave as they passed Mina ran up and slapped them both on the ass "Good game fellas hit the showers."
The boys knew this was going to happen they both turned and flexed their impressive arms. "Yes coach."
-End of Class-
As class ended. Izuku walked up to Ochaco. "We still cool."
Ochaco looked up at his emerald green eyes she could see that he was genially worried that she would say no. "Honestly?"
"Always."
"I was shocked, you don't have to say anything now and I am not trying to put any pressure on you. If you want to tell me or talk. I'm here for you."
"Thanks, Ochaco," let loose a breath he wasn't sure he had been holding. "Most people either freak about the scars, or about me being quirk less; you didn't flinch at either that means a lot to me."
Eijiro and Mina walked over. "Good?" Mina asked. Izuku and Ochaco both turned.
"Good, jinx, no you jinx, no you owe me a coke." They said in unison, and both started laughing before heading out and home.
-Izuku-
See I told you.
Yea thanks, I'm glad. It's nice to have a new friend. After Beniro.
Yea but I told you some people can handle it some can't. Now you better hurry or you Sensei is going to be mad.
He glanced down at his watch and took off running. He was late by 2 minutes. Training was extended by an hour.
-Thursday-
The group headed out of class and headed towards Izuku's house. Ochaco was nervous she wasn't sure what to expect. When they arrived, she was pleased to see a nice house, nothing crazy or outlandish. As they entered it was nicely decorated and maintained. She saw a picture of what she assumed to be Izuku and his mom, with Mina and Eijiro standing in front of the school at was she assumed the entrance ceremony. She noticed that they even had their own slippers for the house. Izuku opened the closet and set out a clean pair for her to use. The house was nice on the inside. There was a very large TV in the living room but everything else looked nice but not crazy like she was expecting.
They sat down around the coffee table all pulling out their notebooks and got to work studying for the test. He ordered the pizza along with a salad, and breadsticks, she noticed he pulled out his own wallet to pay and that there was a decent amount of money. She wondered how he would react if he knew she was poor. Mina had told her that I wouldn't matter but she felt self-conscious. When Mina and Eijiro went for seconds she just looked at him "So Izuku are you like rich or something?"
Izuku smiled and shook his head. "Nah, for a long time it was tight for me and my mom but then we won a settlement and moved here. She give me an allowance I just don't really spend it all that often. I put a third away in savings account. I use a third for my lunch and stuff. Then I keep a third for stuff."
"Oh, ok."
"Is something wrong?"
"No its actually pretty stupid now that I am thinking about. My parents and I are ok, we get by, and I was afraid for some reason if you found out then you wouldn't like me or something or treat me like a charity case. Now that I am thinking about it there is no way you would."
"Well, that makes me happy, feel free to grab seconds if you don't those two will not hesitate to eat it all."
Ochaco and him stood up and went to get seconds.
-Friday-
They all got B's on the math quiz, Izuku got an A of course. They all couldn't hang out after school, Izuku said he had a meeting and his other two friends just nodded. Ochaco said "meeting?"
"Yea I will tell you about it some other time." He said as he jogged off.
-Saturday-
They all meet up and went to this space themed café that Mina had suggested. She had fussed about her outfit all day, settling on a pink sundress. Her friends all gave her compliments it made her feel good. She had a great time. She felt bad when Izuku paid but he seemed to be having such a good time that it quickly vanished. The spent the afternoon walking around a mall window shopping before cramming into a photo booth to take pictures. They each took one before calling it a day. Ochaco walked home sending a thanks to whomever had brought Mina, Eijiro and Izuku into her life. She hoped that this would be the start of something good. She was daydreaming of all of them in U.A and running around as heroes. She worried a little about Izuku. She knew his path would be hard and she wanted to support him with everything she could.