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Momo Yaoyorozu was a model student. She had straight A's, did her work without skipping anything, was always on time, and was head of the student council. Her straight black hair was always pulled back in a pristine ponytail, her clothes were always school appropriate, ironed, and spotless. She was kind to everyone and never said a foul word unless she was extremely inspired by the topic.
Even though she was hated by practically no one besides those people who hated others who were 'just too nice', she didn't have many close friends. Her best friend was an unlikely match named Kyoka Jiro.
Jiro wasn't a bad influence, but she just wasn't the model student Yaoyorozu was. She wore ripped jeans, shirts that were baggy and had holes in them, a shit ton of eyeliner, and occasionally skipped classes with other friends. She was fiercely loyal to Yaoyorozu, though, and whenever people would approach her, specifically guys who wanted one thing and one thing only, Jiro was there to kick their asses and leave them to waddle back home.
Then, there were parties.
Yaoyorozu never blacked out at parties, not because she never drank, but because she never drank enough. Jiro drank more than Yaoyorozu did, but she wasn't as much of a light weight, so she could triple what Yaoyorozu drunk and still be practically sober.
One thing they both loved, however, was music. While Jiro's favorites were certain musicals and emo bands, Yaoyorozu chose to listen to Paul McCartney. They normally could be found sharing earbuds to listen to a new song they found outside on the benches after school.
---
Momo Yaoyorozu comes from a rich family. She is an only child, so therefore she was spoiled, though she doesn't quite act like it. She is very modest, and most of the time offers to pay for people's (especially Jiro's) lunches. Yaoyorozu constantly asks herself how she was blessed with such a life, but there was one thing that never really sat straight with her.
That thing was indeed the idea of being straight.
---
[Momo's POV]
"Hey, Yaomomo, did you do the homework last night?" One of Momo's classmates, Denki Kaminari, asked her as she was putting books away in her locker.
Momo gave a soft laugh, "Of course I did, Kaminari. Did you need help with it?"
Kaminari rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah...I don't know why math is so hard for me to grasp. I'm great at English, though!"
Momo smiled kindly, "I can help you with it after school."
"Yay! You're the best, Yaomomo!" Kaminari went to hug her, but at that moment a certain purple haired girl made her way down the halls and towards where the two were standing.
"Oh, Denki, how expected of you to be here. Again. Asking Momo for answers." Jiro smirked, the confident tilt of her head giving her an arrogant aura.
Kaminari stopped midway with his attempt at a hug, backing up a step. "O-oh, no, I wasn't asking for answers, per say—"
"Oh, you just 'need help' again? Mm, okay. When are you two studying? I'd like to join."
Momo, oblivious to Kaminari's spluttering, turned to her friend. "After school today. Would you like to meet in the library?"
Jiro rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I wouldn't be able to get a ride home afterwards. Maybe we can get a raincheck?"
"If it's fine with your parents, I'm sure you can sleep over. My parents adore you," Momo offered.
Jiro grinned, snatching her phone from her pocket and shooting her Mom a quick text. She got a reply a few seconds later. "Perfect! I'll see you both after school today." She continued down the halls, shooting a smug smile at Kaminari.
Momo sighed, feeling the usual beat of her heart again. For some reason, whenever Jiro was near, her heart did this odd little flutter. She never spoke of it to anyone, though. Many people probably wouldn't take it well.
Besides, she was perfect. Straight hair, straight A's, straight forward...straight girl. She couldn't risk falling off her throne.
---
After the final bell rang, Momo gathered her belongings and headed to the cafeteria to meet Jiro and Kaminari for their study session. When she walked in, she noticed the very quiet and very pretty boy Shoto Todoroki leaving. She waved a greeting to him and he waved back before heading out the door. Momo knew many people at the school shipped them, solely because they were both probably the smartest people in the school. A few others, however, stated it was because they were the two hot, rich kids in the school, so it only made sense they'd get together.
Momo frowned slightly at the thought. She didn't think much of Todoroki; sure, he was nice looking, but he just wasn't her type. Her frown deepened, what is my type?
"Momo, over here!" Jiro called, waving her friend over to a table in the corner.
Thump-thump-thump, her heart accelerated, and she silently willed it to stop. She would never get used to how her heart reacted to Jiro.
"Hello, Jiro, Kaminari. You two ready to start?" Momo received nods in response to her question, and they dived into the math homework assigned.
---
"Thanks for this, Yaomomo. O-oh, and Jiro." Kaminari sent a wink their way as he got into his parent's car. "See you tomorrow!"
Momo turned to Jiro, "My dad says he'll be here in a couple minutes."
Jiro nodded, stretching her arms above her head. It caused her shirt to slide up slightly and Momo felt her heart stutter. It's not like Momo had never seen her stomach; they'd gone swimming a billion times over the summer and whenever they could, and they both always wore bikinis. What was different now?
Jiro pointed to the road, pulling Momo from her flustered thoughts. "Your dad's here."
Momo shook her head slightly, leading the way to her car. She smiled at her dad as her and Jiro climbed in the back. "Hi, Dad. How was work today?"
"Oh, the usual. How about you girls? How was school?" Mr. Yaoyorozu asked them as he drove back to the Yaoyorozu residence.
"Pretty good. We had a science test, and I think I passed. It was pretty easy," Jiro commented.
Momo nodded, "It was just review."
They talked a bit more about school and such before the car pulled to a stop in the driveway of the Yaoyorozu home. Calling it a house is modest. The place was two stories, large, surrounded by a black fence, and had a garden in the front of rare flowers and tall, sculpted plants that surrounded a fountain. The inside was even better, with five bedrooms, four baths, a full kitchen, two home offices, an attic, and a grand staircase instead of the usual small ones that clung to the walls.
Jiro smiled fondly as she entered. "I remember when your house used to intimidate me."
Don't smile like that, Momo pleaded inside her head. Jiro's smirks were always enticing, but whenever she gave a genuine smile, as if to herself, Momo found it hard to form proper thoughts. She gulped thickly, plastering her own smile on her face as she looked anywhere but at Jiro. "Yeah, you were scared to touch anything."
Jiro shoved Momo playfully, and it felt like a firework went off wherever they touched. Momo cherished it whenever Jiro touched her, but she knew it was wrong to. She doesn't even like you like that. You don't know what love is.
You aren't in love.
---
After dinner, Momo and Jiro went up to Momo's room to hang out until they decided to go to bed, for they still had school tomorrow. Jiro reached into her backpack when the door was locked and pulled out a water bottle. Knowing Jiro, however, it did not contain water. "Want some?"
Momo accepted, taking the first sip. It was definitely just straight vodka, and it burned her throat as it went down. She made a face before handing it back to Jiro, who took a long swig without wincing. Momo admired it whenever she showed off like that, as if she knew she was better and had to prove she could handle herself. She sat on the edge of Momo's bed and Momo sat beside her, grabbing the drink when Jiro handed it to her again.
An indirect kiss. Momo nearly choked at the thought but played it off as the vodka still getting to her. In all honesty, it was starting to numb her tastebuds already. She never really drank straight liquor; it was most of the time mixed with some sort of fruit juice to make it more flavorful at the school parties.
The hours sped by practically like seconds, and Momo was finding it harder and harder to keep her thoughts straight. Something about Jiro drew her in more than usual, and she had to keep telling herself that it was 'totally platonic'. Her feelings towards her best friend were just that—friend feelings. Nothing romantic at all.
At least, that's what she kept telling herself.
Jiro took a sip of the vodka as it was nearing the end of the bottle, only slightly tipsy, while Momo was finding it hard to sit up straight. Momo had to bite her lip when Jiro changed into a pair of Momo's pajamas. She turned away politely, but her teeth were gnawing on her lip so much she thought she tasted blood. The bed weight shifted again and Jiro laid back down, wearing one of Momo's larger pajama tops and gym shorts.
Jiro's words slurred as she giggled, "H-hey Momo, want to hear a joke Mina told me earlier."
Mina was one of Jiro's other friends, who was typically her class skipping buddy. Momo nodded slightly, the movement sending strange vibrations through her head. Jiro told the joke, "What do you call two...two mean fighting over a slut?" She paused for dramatic effect before continuing, "Tug of whore!"
Momo, who had taken another sip of the vodka, nearly choked at the punch line. Yeah, she was definitely drunk. School was going to be a nightmare tomorrow. Ah...well that's tomorrow's problem.
Jiro sat up, laughing, and patting Momo's back to make sure she didn't choke on the vodka. She took the drink, and once Momo had stopped dying, moved on to running her fingers through her long black hair. She took a few strands and started to braid them together, as she normally did whenever she was in the mood. Tonight, however, Momo could practically feel her heart about to burst from her chest. She felt her face heat up and coughed, hiding her face in her arm for a second. She was definitely close to having a black out moment.
Jiro sat forward slightly, reaching for another strand of hair. Her face was super close to Momo's own, and she could almost feel her breath in her ear. Momo's hands tightened on the comforter.
Don't.
She's so—
Stop!
My heart—
I can't—
I...will.
Momo turned her head slightly, looking straight at Jiro, who was just finishing braiding her hair. She noticed Momo staring at her and cocked her head slightly, which Momo found utterly adorable. "What's—"
Jiro never got to finish her question, for Momo tugged her forward by the front of her shirt, capturing her lips with her own. Her whole body felt alive, buzzing with adrenaline and alcohol. Jiro didn't kiss back, but she didn't pull away either, as if in a state of shock. Momo was so wrapped up in the kiss that she didn't notice Jiro put her hands on Momo's shoulders, pushing her away slightly.
Momo stopped suddenly, realization about what she just did dawning on her. She turned, staring at her reflection in the window. She was utterly horrified of what she just did, yet...she wanted to do it again. And again. And again.
"J-Jiro, I—" Momo started, turning back around to stare at the shorter girl. They were both standing now, Jiro looking at her feet.
She took a deep breath, "Momo, I'm sorry. I know you're drunk, and you probably just got caught up in the moment or something...but..." She hesitated, and when she stopped talking Momo's heart stopped beating. "I...don't like you, in that way. There's nothing between us, Mo. Sorry if that disappoints you, and I don't even know if you'll remember this in the morning, but I don't like you like that. I'm...straight."
Momo's breathing seemed to have stopped, but she gulped it down. Told you so. Her breathing picked up again, faster, nearing the nerve of a panic attack. "I-it's fine, Jiro, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I don't know what came over me—"
Jiro held up a hand, silencing her. "Let's just go to bed. We still have school tomorrow."
Momo nodded slightly, shuffling to her king-sized bed and climbing under the covers, practically falling off the bed with how close she was to the edge. She could feel the mattress shift as Jiro climbed in after she turned the lights off, but she didn't look. She shut her eyes tightly, tears pricking the corners.
Just forget it happened.
You're just confused.
Believe her when she says there's nothing there.
You don't love her.
You don't know what love is.
---
The next day, they didn't talk. They got ready for school in silence, Momo being tortured by both her heartache and headache. Once they were dropped at school, Jiro walked ahead of her, meeting her friends and leaving Momo by herself.
She never does this.
She hates you.
She will never be your friend again.
You've ruined your friendship.
Momo took a deep breath, pushing her thoughts to the back of her mind. She focused on school the first four periods, glancing at Jiro occasionally, who seemed to purposely be avoiding her. When lunch came, she didn't go to the cafeteria like she normally did. She always sat with Jiro and her friends, but she couldn't.
Jiro probably told them everything.
They all think you're a disgrace.
No one will talk to you again.
She opened the door to the roof, sitting near the edge with her lunch. She didn't really eat, just picking at the food and checking notifications on her phone before powering it off and staring at the school yard below. She heard the door open and tensed, praying it wasn't a teacher or Jiro or any of Jiro's friends.
"Yaoyorozu? What are you doing up here?" A monotoned voice called behind her. She turned, dark eyes meeting the mismatched blue and gray of Shoto Todoroki. He came closer, sitting down near her. He opened his own lunch, cold soba, and took a bite while he waited for her to respond.
"I wanted a change in scenery," Momo lied, turning her gaze back to the lawn.
Todoroki hummed, "Okay. I won't pry."
Momo bit her lip, trying to keep herself from breaking down. He obviously knew she was lying, but he wasn't trying to figure it out. Momo found comfort in this, being used to the way Jiro would always push her for details whenever she was upset. She fidgeted with a piece of her hair, "Thank you."
"No problem. It's your issue, and if you don't want to talk, I respect your privacy." Todoroki stated, going back to his soba.
Momo wiped a small tear that fell from her eye, sniffling slightly. "You're a good person, Todoroki."
"Thank you." Silence, again. This silence was comforting, though. Todoroki had a calming presence, which caused Momo to relax despite her spiraling thoughts. The bell rang a little while later, and they walked to their sixth period together, not talking, just walking side by side.
Momo noticed Jiro glanced at them and felt her gaze like a prickling sensation in the back of her neck. Her heart stuttered, but this time for a different reason. She didn't feel the comfort Jiro's gaze usually brought her, instead felt it like a pressure about to make her burst. She clenched her fists, moving to her seat in the front of the class. Todoroki sat behind her, and Jiro to her right. She noticed Jiro shoot them both a glance before turning to talk to Mina.
Class went on as usual, oblivious to the friction between the former best friends. Todoroki offered to be her partner in the group project assigned, and she couldn't be more grateful. Jiro kept looking over, but Momo pretended not to notice.
And that was how the next few weeks went, until one day where Momo broke.
---
"Yaoyorozu, did you finish number seven?" Todoroki asked her in class one day. They had gotten closer, but he still didn't know what happened between her and Jiro. Momo decided that she wouldn't even think about it, nor bring it up.
Deny the truth, it's easier.
"Yes, I—" She was cut off by a small cheer in the back of class.
Momo and Todoroki turned, catching what was happening through a gap in the wall of students. Kaminari was at his desk, Jiro sitting in his lap, the two making out so intensely you couldn't even imagine how they have that much stores air. Tongues swirled and teeth clashed, and the sounds of the others hyping up the kiss drowned out every other sound.
Momo felt like she couldn't breathe. She had kissed those lips, had noticed how Jiro treated Kaminari, and couldn't believe the fact that they were making out in the middle of class. She stood up abruptly, asking to be excused to the bathroom. She grabbed her bag and left as quickly as she could without running, holding back her tears until she was in the safety of the stall. Her tears cascaded down her face at that point like a dam had been broken. She covered her mouth with her hand, silencing the ugly sobs that threatened to escape.
She could deal with Jiro not liking her back. She could deal with Jiro ignoring her. What she couldn't handle, though, was seeing the other girl in a relationship, especially with Kaminari. She could taste her salty tears as they got caught in her hand and fell onto her lips. Her lips, which had touched Jiro's only a few weeks ago. Jiro's soft, perfect lips, lips she had dreamed about, lips she had wished would open to talk to her again.
Lips that she'll never come into contact with again.
Her phone pinged and she opened it, seeing a message from Todoroki. The bell had rung about ten minutes ago, and since they were in eighth period, it was time to go home. Momo had started walking home since her dad was traveling again, so it wasn't like she had to catch a ride. She could sit in the bathroom and cry until tomorrow if she really wanted to.
Todoroki: Where are you?
Momo responded, deciding to tell him the truth. He answered a few seconds after.
Todoroki: I'm outside the bathroom if you want to talk.
Todoroki: It is just me.
Momo bit her lip, wishing her tears would stop. She sniffled, wiping her eyes and taking shallow breaths. She stood up, splashed water on her face, and exited the bathroom, knowing she looked like a complete wreck. Todoroki stood against the wall; his arms crossed over his chest. He looked up as she exited.
"Are you alright?"
Momo nodded slightly, looking down. She felt arms wrap around her and froze as she realized Todoroki was hugging her. She knew he hated physical contact, so this must be torturing him, but she allowed it to happen, slowly wrapping her own arms around his torso. They stayed like that for a few minutes before she pulled away, wiping her eyes again.
"Thank you," she muttered.
Todoroki nodded, "What are friends for?"
She smiled gently. "I suppose I should tell you why I ran off like that..."
Todoroki shrugged, "Your choice. I respect your wishes."
Momo shook her head. "No. No, I will tell you. It's the least I can do." She recounted what happened, hesitating when she mentioned her kissing Jiro. She eventually got past everything, ending with how she knew she didn't love Jiro anymore, but still feeling a hole in her chest whenever she saw Jiro with someone else. They had moved outside, since a teacher had seen them talking and asked them to leave. The wind blew softly, ruffling Todoroki's red and white hair. He looked lost in thought.
"I can understand that. No one will judge you for your sexuality, though." He stated, turning his eyes to look at her. "You were drunk. I do not see the real problem. Jiro just didn't know how to handle the situation, so she distanced herself and found someone else to hook up with, probably to prove something. In my opinion, it's dumb. Poor Kaminari just dates everyone and eventually gets dumped, and nothing more is going to happen between him and Jiro."
Momo sighed, frowning. "You say no one will judge me, yet how can you be sure?"
Todoroki held his hands out, "I'm gay."
Momo blinked, surprised. "Really?"
"Yup. Do you think any less of me because of that?"
"N-no." Momo furrowed her eyebrows. It was that easy? Others probably know Todoroki is gay, yet they're fine with it? "B-but what about—"
"No. Don't think about what ifs. My father hates that I'm gay, but it's who I fucking am and he can deal with it. Your parents, unlike mine, are supportive of you. They won't judge you at all."
"I'm not positive that I'm gay, though. It may have just been that once." Momo worried at her bottom lip again.
Todoroki put his hands on her shoulders, "Then you're bi. No matter how you feel, there's a word for it, and others who feel the same way. You're an amazing girl, Yaoyorozu, and any person would be lucky to have you. Don't let one small mistake in high school dictate your life."
Momo started to tear up again and she hugged Todoroki tightly. It wasn't long, just a short hug, but it made her feel better. "Thank you for everything, Todoroki. You're an amazing friend."
"Any time, Momo. Any time."