Dabi's p.o.v

My chest feels a little less tense as the last week of school continues. Even if I hurt my pride doing what I did, I definitely don't regret it. It was good that these wretched finals were taking my mind off things.

People had mentioned how there was going to be a party celebrating our graduation. I should go, I've had a hard couple of weeks, and getting wasted could just be what I needed. There was no point in moping over someone who has shown that they don't want me back, right? this is high school after all.

After the final exam of the day, I stretch in an attempt to relieve myself. I had finished the school year, or should I say survived it. There were lots of twists and turns. I never thought I'd have such a fun time, especially because my father had initially forced me to come here. And although my goal of not wanting to become a hero still stood, my skills did improve, I was grateful for this.

You could say things at home could be going better, Shoto started getting hit more frequently, leading to more fights between Enji and his kids. My mother didn't seem to be getting better either, the nurses told me she isn't taking her pills and defying her therapy. Even if everything was falling apart around me, I still had my beam of hope, Hawks. I couldn't lie to myself, he was the best thing that had ever happened to me, and even if we don't get back together, I will cherish our memories. What a fucking sap.. I'll shut up now.

A chunk of time skips and I'm now putting on an outfit for tonight's party. After getting dressed, I wash my face and decide to leave my hair as it is. Oh yeah, that was something else I hadn't mentioned. Keigo had talked me so much into leaving my hair into its natural color that I regained confidence in myself, oh boy don't start crying now. As soon as I finishing coloring the bottom of my eyes with a tint of black ink, I head out to the first floor and greet everyone. It was the same feeling as the first house-warming party, but this time I wasn't that shy boy, I had grown.

I met up with a group of classmates who served my first drink and began to socialize. I know the status of my relationship was unknown at the moment, but I wanted to make myself open regardless. I got to know some seniors and played drinking games, which brought me back to the pool party that took place last semester. Ouch. That one really fucking hurt, good job you dumbass.

Too many things about this party reminded me of him. Everywhere I looked, every sip I took, would teleport me back to a flashback. Like when I was sitting with some peers on the couch, I remember how Hawks carried me there that night I fell asleep, we were still complete strangers. It could also be something more recent like while I was pouring myself another drink in the kitchen, it took back to when Rumi caught us making out on the countertop. But alas, those times were over, and I had to eventually heal from the wound.

I suddenly feel a hand pull me out of my current location and I gasp in surprise. "Beer pong?" Jin grins at me as I'm now in front of a long table filled with red cups. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Don't cry don't cry. I bite my lip hard enough to make me bleed and proceed to answer "Y-yeah, but I don't have a partner so". He laughs and says "Go with me then, just please one game pretty please?". I really didn't want to do this. I couldn't. Not here. Not now.

"I'll be his partner"

Just before I'm about to burst into tears I hear his voice. His sweet and deep voice that I had longed for. Was this real? No, I'm just going crazy. I suddenly feel two hands grip my waist and a pressure landed on my shoulder whispering to my ear: "remember you have to stand up straight if you wanna land that shot, blue boy". I shivered at his actions, I was still processing what to say at his return. I wasn't mad at him at this point, I was so relieved he was okay, and he was here now. Does that mean he heard me? Was he there the day I came?

I swallow hard at his words and finally look at him, and that's when we both smile at each other. Everything was going to be okay. He returned at just the right moment.