Chapter 13

We bow to add to our thanks and return to my apartment.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. I used to pay them to help keep the building 'safe'. They never left me alone until I paid," I explained. He nodded his head with understanding.

"Sometimes they would…take other forms of payment." I looked down in shame.

"It's ok. I'm sorry they did all of those things to you. Would you like to gather the rest of your things from your old apartment? I'll call everyone down to help if you want." Kirishima gives me the biggest, manliest hug I've ever gotten.

I start to sob into his shirt at the painful memories. "I would like that, just not my brother please. He can't know I traded a wonderful life with him and momma for a life alone in an old apartment just a few miles from the school."

"Don't worry, I'll text everyone but him to meet us here." He pulls his phone from his pocket, no doubt doing exactly as he said. He rubs my back with his free hand, calming me down.

We sat in my apartment for a bit until everyone arrived. I saw Bakugou go to my private cabinet first. "Wait…"

"What the hell is this?"

I stayed silent, ashamed of my previous guilty pleasure and small addiction.

"Izzie, what is this?" Kirishima asked, pointing to the various half empty bottles of various liquors, wines, beer, and other alcoholic beverages in the cabinet.

I still remained quiet. I didn't want to explain myself to my brother's friends. Those were part of my old life. I didn't want anything else to do with them.

"You can leave them there," is all I said.

They all continued packing my things, not touching that cabinet again. When we were done, I saw the apartment in the same shape I found it in a year ago.

I release one more sigh as we all leave, everyone carrying my things. Everyone but me. We go to the dorms, and I sneak in the middle of the small group, hiding within them. Denki never acknowledged me, so I assume he didn't see me.

We all go up to the room me and him share and set up some of my things, leaving most of it in boxes.

"Thank you for all your help."

They bow in response and leave me alone in the room. I lay down on the bed, facing the wall, and try to take a nap.