It's been weeks since I got that strange text - "we are coming from you" - chilling words from an unknown sender. My mind keeps replaying it, trying to decipher the meaning, the threat, the origin. I haven't dared speak about it, not to Izuku, not to Momo, not even to my own parents. The weight of it is a constant companion, a shadow that clings to me, making it hard to focus on anything else.
Right now, I'm at Diamond's house, supposedly studying for midterms. The textbooks lie open before us, but my gaze keeps drifting, lost in a sea of anxious thoughts. My mind is a storm, and I'm the lone ship being tossed around. I hear Diamond calling my name, her voice a distant echo, but I can't seem to pull myself back. It's not until she gently taps my arm that I finally jolt back to reality.
"Anos?" Her voice is laced with concern, but her words carry a different tone. "You've been out of it all day. Seriously, you look like you haven't slept or eaten in weeks."
I shrug, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Diamond. Just a little stressed about midterms, that's all." It's a flimsy lie, and her piercing blue eyes see right through it.
She reaches out, cupping my face in her hands. "No, you are definitely not fine." Her touch is warm against my skin, a stark contrast to the cold dread that has become so familiar. "What's really going on?"
I sigh, finally admitting it, "You're right, I'm not okay. I guess I've been feeling… overwhelmed lately." I can't reveal the truth, the absurdity of a cryptic text from people who claim they're coming from me. I can't bear the thought of her reaction, the look of concern morphing into disbelief.
Her gaze softens, morphing into one filled with sympathy. "It's going to be okay, Anos. You're amazing, you'll get through this. You always do." Her words are like balm to my troubled spirit. I lean against her, resting my head on her shoulder. She's right, she always has been. She is, without a doubt, my best friend, the one constant in my chaotic life.
A comfortable silence settles between us, but I can sense she has something more she wants to say. I raise an eyebrow, "What is it, Diamond?"
She looks away, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. She starts twirling a strand of her dark hair, a habit she has when she is nervous. "Do you ever think it's weird that we never… like, never had anything serious between us? Like, dating?"
I am taken aback, her bold question catching me off guard. I turn to face her, "Honestly, I never thought about it until now. You're right, we've been friends since we were kids and we never had anything…" I trail off, the realization hitting me with full force. "Why did you ask?"
She sits up, her gaze fixed on her hands. "Just a thought… remember that night at the dorms? Our first night at UA? I was really nervous about being away from home."
My cheeks start to heat as I remember that night. " Yeah, I remember it… we shared a moment. We almost…"
"We almost kissed," she finishes, her voice barely above a whisper.
A wave of heat washes over me, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Do you think it would change things between us?" I ask.
Her eyes lock with mine again. "I-I don't know," she admits. "But what if it did? What if we really did do it?"
I am at a loss, her words have left me scrambling for an answer. "I-I don't know, I really don't." The words barely escape my lips. A mixture of confusion and desire swirls within me. I mumble an excuse about needing to use the restroom and flee to the sanctuary of the bathroom.
My reflection stares back at me, a mess of emotions swirling within those silver eyes. I pull out my phone, knowing there's only one person I can talk to about this. I dial Peter's number, hearing the familiar ring.
"Hey, Petey," I say, trying to keep my voice level.
"What's up, Anos? You sound stressed."
I sigh, letting everything pour out, the strange text, my growing unease, and the conversation with Diamond. Peter listens patiently, occasionally offering a word of support. I even tell him about Momo, how things have progressed between us. It feels good to finally talk to someone about it. I feel a slight weight lifted off my shoulders.
"Look, I get it, man," Peter says after I've finished. "The anxiety, the confusion... you're dealing with a lot. And with Diamond, just know that you need to follow your heart, dude. Do you know what your heart tells you or what?"
"Yeah, I know," I reply. I feel somewhat more relaxed now. "Thanks, Peter."
"Anytime, bro. Call if you need anything. "
We hang up, and I stare at my reflection once more, a little calmer, a little wiser. I splash some water on my face, trying to clear my head. I needed to get back to Diamond.
When I return to Diamond's room, she's back at her desk, her brow furrowed in concentration. I sit beside her, the familiar comfort of her presence washing away some of the turmoil. We study for a while, a comfortable silence settling between us once more. My gaze drifts to her, watching as she chews on the end of her pen, her dark hair falling over her eyes.
The "we are coming from you" text, the conversation with Diamond, they are all now a part of the strange and complicated tapestry of my life. And as much as I try to ignore the dread, the anxiety, there's also a sense of the unknown, the possibility of change. Maybe, just maybe, that wasn't always a bad thing.