Torn Down The Middle Chapter 10: Water Hero

“Great…swimming.” You groaned internally as you walked home alone. “Maybe I could ask Todoroki to help me? He has an ice quirk? That’s like…water…solid water…” You pulled the ring on the necklace out from your shirt and looked at it, “I really hope he was the boy who gave me this…”

…………..

– Swimming Carnival –

The day had come. You had practiced a few times with Mina and the other girls and had actually managed to back out of all the swimming races except the relay race at the end of the day.

You were hoping that by that point some people would have left for the day but unfortunately the stands were packed with spectators, all cheering for the relay teams.

You hadn’t gotten a chance to ask Todoroki for help with swimming because Bakugou had always cut in but you felt like you might be ok to do this one lap without looking like a complete idiot. Mina and Jirou had been really good teachers.

After lunch you all headed to the poolside to determine your positions.

“Ok Y/N, I’ll go first.” Mina said, “then Jirou will do the next stretch,” she said, pointing at Jirou. “Then you, then Uraraka.”

“Ok, Uraraka you have to save my ass and be a fast swimmer because I’m gonna be slow.” You said, looking at her and laughing nervously.

“It’ll be fine!” She said in a bubbly voice. “We can do it, girls!”

Mina and Uraraka were pumped. Jirou was indifferent and you just wanted the ground to swallow you up.

You looked around and up into the stands to see both Todoroki and Bakugou were sitting there leaning forward with forearms on their knees, watching you intently.

You grimaced and walked to the end of the pool that you would be starting from.

“Can this get any more embarrassing?” You thought as you saw both boys eye’s follow you.

You stood behind Mina and waited nervously as the officiator got ready to ring the start bell.

The crowds started cheering and yelling out words of encouragement as they sensed the start of the race drawing near.

Mina hopped up onto the block and bent down to get ready, finger tips just over the top of the starter platform.

Suddenly the bell rang and she sprung from the board, taking off in the water at lightening speed.

You looked down the line at the other girls that had jumped in too.

“Mina is a good swimmer! We’re well ahead.” You thought as you watched them go.

Mina touched the opposite end of the pool and Jirou dove in.

“Ah crap, I’m next…”

Jirou was powering along. Still ahead of the other teams.

“I just need to hold this lead…”

She approached your end and you stepped up onto the block and crouched slightly, ready to jump in. Her hand touched the pool wall and you sprung forward, hitting the water sharply.

“Ok…not the most graceful entry but what else is new.”

Furiously you pawed at the water, kicking as fast as you could.

“Ok rhythm, find the rhythm…”

You tried to steady your breathing and settle into a good stroke pattern but just as you were about to get into some kind of rhythm you felt a searing pain rip though your right calf.

“WHAT THE F-?! CRAMP? Omg seriously? Now?”

You tried to keep going but the pain disabled your lower half and you stopped mid stroke to reach back and grab onto your lower leg.

Taking one last deep breath you sunk under the surface as you curled around to hold onto your leg.

Suddenly strong arms grabbed you and pulled you up to the surface. Your rescuer was kicking furiously to drag you to the side of the pool and out of anyone’s way. Vaguely, you saw a flash of red when you half squinted an eye open but there was so much splashing you shut them again.

Two teachers grabbed you from your rescuer’s arms when you reached the side of the pool and hauled you out, taking you straight to the nurses office for an assessment.

“Was that Todoroki who saved me? I saw red?”

At the nurses office they gave you some medicine to relieve the cramp and a towel to dry yourself with.

Mina came to check on you then went to get your clothes. You thanked her when she returned and went into the change room to change into your dry outfit.

“Hey uh… Did you see who it was that pulled me out of the pool?” You asked her while you were changing. She had taken a seat outside the change room.

“Uh yeah? You didn’t see who it was?” She asked quizzically.

“No, I had my eyes shut.” You said with a sigh, “but I did open them once and I saw red…was it Todoroki?”

Mina laughed. “Why would Todoroki have jumped in?”

“Wait?….so it wasn’t him?” You said, slightly sadly.

“Of course not!” She snorted. “It was your boyfriend!!”

“WAIT!? BAKUGOU?!” You yelled. “WHY?!”

“I dunno babe. You might be faking this relationship but I think there’s more to it on his side…”

“As if.” You retorted.

“No I’m serious.” She said. “He wouldn’t just jump in and save anyone.”

“Yeah but his aunty was probably watching so he felt obligated.” You replied dismissively.

“I don’t know if she was there…” Mina said. “I didn’t see her.”

“Probably hiding.” You said nonchalantly, playing it off. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

You finished getting changed and walked out, looking down at your uniform to fix it up a bit.

There was a knock on the door so Mina got up and answered it.

“Hey.” The voice said. “Is Y/N ok?”

“Oh yes, Bakugou, she’s fine.”

You looked up.

He was looking past Mina to you. You scowled slightly.

“I’m fine.” You grunted.

“Tch.” He snapped gruffly and turned away, walking off down the hall.

“Y/N!” Mina hissed. “You need to thank him!”

“I do not!” You hissed back. “I don’t owe him any thanks!”

“If it weren’t for him you’d still be on the bottom of the pool!” She snorted playfully. “Just go and say thank you! It won’t kill you.”

“It might! …am I really willing to take that risk?” You said with a cheeky raised eyebrow.

“Just do it!” She sighed, walking behind you and pushing you out the door.

You could see Bakugou walking away in the distance so you called out.

“OI!” You screamed at him down the empty hallway. He turned around.

“WHAT?!” He yelled back. 

<<< Torn Down The Middle Chapter 9: About Your Quirk

Torn Down The Middle Chapter 11: Icyhot Getting Close >>>