The next morning couldn't come soon enough, but when it did, it felt oddly similar to the one prior. Even though it was Saturday, it felt like a dread to get out of bed, most likely due to the lack of sleep Hailey experienced through the night.

Whenever able to, Hailey dissociated herself from interacting with anyone and was quick to lock herself in her dorm room when school hours came to an end yesterday. Although her classmates did their best in efforts to reach out to her, they gave her space, realizing that if they pushed too hard, she would be harder to reach. Midoriya though, was the most bothered, since it was what he blurted comment that seemed to push her away.

Now, here she laid in her bed, staring at her ceiling and cursing how hungry she was. Admittedly enough, being hungry seems to be an acceptation when it comes to wanting to stay in bed, especially when she had hardly ate at all yesterday. Sitting up in her bed, Hailey noticed the lack of sunlight from outside shining into her bedroom.

'What time even is it?' Hailey thought, groggily, reaching for her phone and turned it on.

1:27 am.

'Well, I guess I could go down and grab something to eat and not have to deal with anyone. Even Mr Aizawa should be out after a week like this.' Hailey sighed and decided that she would get up.

As quietly as she could, Hailey cautiously tiptoed down to the kitchen.

There was a feeling of relief that no one was there, but a bit of uneasiness due to the dark room.

Searching through the pantry, Hailey grabbed a few granola bars and decided that she was also thirsty. So, she set the snack on the island countertop and grabbed an empty glass to fill it with water.

She sighed as she watched the glass slowly fill with water from the tap. It was a weird feeling, sneaking around like she was, but Hailey didn't know what else to do.

After feeling content with the amount of water she had, Hailey raised the cup to her lips and took a sip. When she finished and lowered the cup, she turned back to the countertop.

"You know," Hailey flinched and almost jumped at the sudden voice, almost dropping her water in the process. "Mr Aizawa isn't going to be too impressed that you're awake."

Hailey turned to see Bakugou leaning on the wall by the fridge before making it to the island countertop.

"Mr Aizawa's probably snoozing, so I think we're in the clear." Hailey responded and turned to talk to him, "Surprised to see you awake and functioning at this hour."

"Yeah, well, I needed a drink." Bakugou grumbled, turning away from Hailey, his hands shoved into his sweatpant pockets. "Why are you up?"

Hailey looked down at her cup of water, "Same and just... couldn't sleep.. really hard to when I'm over thinking shit and my brain becomes hyperactive." She then tiredly lifted her arm in a false and tired sense of enthusiasm, "Yay anxiety."

Bakugou gave his classmate a look of concern.

"Telling you to stop worrying about shit won't help, I'm guessing?" Bakugou inquired.

Hailey shook her head, "Not that easy, even though I wish it was."

There was a moment of silence between the two.

"Random thought, but.. would I.. make a good villain?" Hailey blurted, causing Bakugou to look at her in a stunned expression.

"Is this about what that fucking idiot, Deku, said?" He grumbled.

She immediately regretted it and tried to brush it off. "I-I mean- you know forget I said that, I'm just running on tired fumes." Hailey said quickly and was starting to leave before Bakugou grabbed her arm.

"No, you'd make a real shitty villain." He replied, very serious. "You know why? Because you're too fucking busy worrying about everyone else. You're too nice to everyone. You make people happy, and I'll be damned if I see a villain be so fucking determined to be a hero, like you are."

Hailey gave her classmate a soft look, "Do you really mean that? I mean, it's probably what everyone's thinking anyways...it wouldn't surprise me if you lied to make me feel better."

"Now you're sounding like a fucking idiot." Bakugou huffed, dropping her arm. "Look, everyone's encouraging you because they know who you are. Don't let some shitty villain dad change you wanting to be a hero."

There was a stunned expression on Hailey's face as she tried to let that sink in. Bakugou's blunt word's almost got through Hailey's skull.

'But then again...even though Bakugou's my friend, I don't feel as encouraged as maybe I should..' Hailey thought in doubt, before forcing a smile on her face, in an attempt to assure her classmate that his help was well received.

"Thanks, Baku, I appreciate you trying to help." She said and grabbed her granola bars. "I better head to bed, have a good night."

And with that, she rushed back to her dorm room, still feeling anything but satisfied about herself.

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The sun had finally risen high enough to signal that it was later in the morning. Sure enough, Hailey just wanted to sleep all day. It was just easier and felt nicer to stay in bed. But her alarm went off, causing Hailey to lose the relaxing sensation of sleep.

'Why does past me hate myself so much?' Hailey thought in annoyance.

It wasn't like there was anything productive to do, Hailey was in too much of a rush to grab any books to bring back to her dorm to study.

But the day was all hers, tomorrow she could worry about her mother's agency and school. Today she would do something for herself. Luckily, Hailey spotted a container of her bottles paints and brushes.

'Maybe I could do some painting.' Hailey pondered, before feeling content with the idea. 'Good thing mom had my art stuff packed.'

Throwing off her bed covers, Hailey got dressed into regular clothes that already had some dried blotches of paint on them and grabbed a plastic red cup from her container of art supplies.

Approaching her door, Hailey felt hesitance over leaving her bedroom. 

'Fucking Christ.' She cursed at herself, 'My classmates are my friends...even if it'd be better for everyone if I just backed off for a bit..they mean well..'

Sighing, Hailey didn't let herself herself dwell on anymore doubt and exited her bedroom.

As she got closer to the kitchen and living area, Hailey could hear her classmates laughing and chatting, as well as a camera flashing?

'Is something going on today? Or maybe one of the girls brought down a camera?' Hailey questioned to herself. 'Ooh maybe it's a new styled polaroid one.'

Then Hailey puffed out her cheeks as she made a realization.

'I do not look any type of picture genetic today.' She internally cringed, decided to avoid detection from her classmates and any chances of her picture being taken.

Shuffling with her back against the wall, Hailey snuck into the kitchen. She ducked behind island counter. Feeling pleased that things were going so far so good, she slowly rose up and quietly turned on the tap. Glancing back to her friends, Hailey realized that everyone else's attention was on being in the perfect poses for the journalist taking pictures. 

As Hailey turned off the water, she honestly felt a bit left out.

'Don't get all mopy about everyone having fun without you. You wanted some space, so there you go.' A bitter voice echoed in her head.

Hailey sighed and began to leave the room, not knowing of the concerned looks her classmates shared when seeing her figure leave.

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There was a more heavy feeling that Hailey sensed weigh on her shoulders. 

As she leaned against the door inside her dorm, she let out a sigh, realizing that she was feeling regret.

Rubbing her eyes as she stressed about everything she thought that she was doing wrong.

'Of course they'd go on with their days, can't hold everyone up with my mopy mess.' 

Looking up at her ceiling, Hailey continued to ponder. 

'How do I get out of this funk?' She questioned herself, trying to remember the last time she felt this sort of way and how she got out of it.

'There was the hospital..but, that shrink was around...as weird as she was.'

'But sitting in the garden, that helped clear my head....is there even a garden at this school? I mean sure there's the flower bed, but there's something missing there..' 

'Maybe I could have my own garden in here..could look into that cool indoor planter thing at that tech store back in Tokyo....or maybe I could make my own.' Hailey pondered, looking back at her art supples. 'It is nice outside.'

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Sitting on a chair on her balcony, feet elevated on her railing as she dragged down her brush against the canvas that was displayed on an easel.  Her phone played an upbeat playlist of songs out loud, her foot tapping against the flooring of her porch to the beat.

It was a moment where Hailey really felt at ease, for the first time in awhile.

Dipping her brush back into a red colour on her palette, Hailey gracefully dragged it against the canvas and followed the already drawn lines of the picture. 

As the song got to the chorus, Hailey grinned as she sang along with the singer.

"I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me."

"Papa-Paparazzi."

"Baby, there's no other superstar, you know that I'll be your papa-paparazzi."

"I promise I'll be kind, but I won't stop until that boy is mine."

Just as she was beginning to get invested in her performance, the music was cut off by her phone ringing, the familiar guitar tune play. Stopping herself from throwing the paint brush that she was using off the porch (instead settling for setting it in the cup of water), and excitedly answered the phone.

Unbeknownst to her, she had a small audience that had listened to her performance. 

"Is that Roselle?" The journalist from in the common room asked Midoriya, as he looked at the photo that he took of her painting earlier on the camera that he carried. 

"Uh..yeah it is." Midoriya answered, still in a bit of awe of her.

"Hm, she reminds me of a songbird, but I wonder what's keeping her caged.." Tokuda murmured to himself. "Of course everyone knows about her father, but when you actually get to know her, you'd figure out how badly she wants to be a hero."

"You've met her before?" Midoriya questioned.

"Back when Hondashu was peaking in popularity, I interviewed her mother and in turn met her. Kid was passionate about coming to this school, when I asked what her plans for the future. Now that's she's here, I'm sure things aren't going how she initially planned and it's all sinking in." Tokuda explained, then turned his back to Hailey's direction. "I'm sure she's avoiding me because she doesn't want to fuel any paparazzi. How about you show me something else?" He suggested.

Midoriya looked back at Hailey, who laughed at whatever the other person on the phone said, before nodding and leading the reporter away.

"You did not tell Adrien that." Hailey was nearly cackling.

"I promise you that I did." Luka laughed from the other line.

Hailey shook her head as she laughed, "Oh, I could imagine how embarrassed he was after someone explained what 'thot' actually means."

"How do you think Marinette felt? I've never seen her face turn so red!" Luka attempted to say through his laughter.

"That's surprising, especially since she's dating you." Hailey chuckled, as she calmed down.

Luka's laughter began to die down, "Oh, guess I didn't tell you that Marinette and I broke up a little while ago."

Hailey paused for a moment, "Huh, sorry to hear..you wanna talk about it or something else?" She cautiously asked.

"It's fine, we just weren't right for each other and just had different goals.." Luka summarized, before lightening up the conversation. "Oh! Before I forget, Yuri and I have a surprise for you." 

Hailey sat up in excitement, "Do tell." 

Luka chuckled, "You're going to have to wait a few days, Ms CEO." 

Hailey narrowed her eyes in annoyance, "Don't tease me, Luka Couffaine, or I will make you regret that." 

"Even if I add some chocolate cake or pizza in the deal?" Luka offered.

What seemed like a flick of a switch, Hailey immediately lit up at the sound of free food. "You'd be forgiven and loved again." 

"Then we will make sure to bring some." Luka smirked.

Hailey gasped as she figured out what the surprise could be, "Are you guys coming to visit?!" 

Luka sighed, "You could say that." 

"There's more to it!?" Hailey beamed.

"I better go before I spoil more to it." Luka grumbled.

Hailey laughed, "Awh, but we were getting to the good part. But I guess you better save yourself from Yuri throwing a skate at you."

"If I end up being spared, I'll make sure to tell you." Luka remarked.

"Or else you'll haunt me." Hailey finished, "But thanks for calling me, I was getting kinda lonely." She said, feeling thankful.

She didn't see it, but she knew that Luka had his usual gentle smile on his face, "No worries, if I'm being honest, I was feeling a bit lonely too. It's nice to talk to you, someone who really understands me, even when I struggle with saying what's on my mind." 

"I get that, just wait until you surprise visit, then we can do it face to face." Hailey assured.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Guess I'll see you then." Luka bid her goodbye.

"Mhm, see ya then." Hailey said before hanging up the call.

Hailey blew a raspberry with her lips as she stared at her unfinished painting, finding disinterest in finishing it suddenly. 

Rubbing her face in her hands, Hailey let out a frustrated groan, as she felt old conflicting emotions resurfacing.

'I should just focus on Luka and Yura, just gotta look forward to them coming. Not about who one of them is dating..' 

Hailey cursed at herself for such pathetic thoughts creeping into her mind. Checking on her phone to see the battery life at 73%, Hailey decided that maybe a quick walk could help her clear her head. Grabbing her art supplies and putting them away, Hailey threw on a hoodie and put her wireless earbuds into her phone. Once connecting them to her phone, Hailey exited her dorm room.

As she walked down the hall, Hailey scrolled through her song list on her phone, not being completely aware of her surroundings. 

"Woah! Hey, Hails!" Kirishima explained, as he grasped onto Hailey's shoulders to stop from crashing into her. 

"Oh shit- hey Eij! Sorry, I'm not very good at multitasking I guess." Hailey apologized, sheepishly.

"No worries!" Kirishima smiled, "Where you off to?" He questioned.

"Oh, I was just heading off for a little walk around the campus or wherever I end up." Hailey answered with a shrug. 

"Cool, you want some company? The guys keep telling me to take it easy with some of my workouts." Kirishima requested.

Debating on whether she should go against her original plan and allow Kirishima to come with her, or politely brush him off, Hailey smiled and nodded at her friend.

"Yeah, sure! We haven't really hung out for a while, anyways." 

Kirishima grinned, "Now that you mention it, this is one of the first times we've hung out together." 

The two began to walk side by side out of the dorms and aimlessly walk the property of the school.

"So, what are you planning to do for the hero study?" Kirishima inquired.

"I don't know how much of it will actually be a hero study, seeing that I'll be busy with running my mom's agency." Hailey sighed, not looking forward to the change of plans. 

"Oh, that sucks.." Kirishima responded, but offered an optimistic suggestion. "But not a lot of people can say that they became the CEO of a popular hero agency, while in their first year of high school."

"True, but..people will already think that I'll fail...maybe it won't be some public disaster when I do mess up..it'll just be disappointing my mom." Hailey sighed, as if she were already accepting defeat. "No pressure or anything."

"Hey, don't go worrying about stuff like that. I know that you'll do great, and people will be there to help and support you! And you can bet I'll be one of those people!" Kirishima reassured with a large grin.

Hailey smiled, "Thanks, Eij." She playfully bumped his side with her hip. "I'm thankful that you're one of my best friends."

Kirishima put his arm around Hailey in a friendly manner, "Same here! I'll be the manliest friend you've ever had, you got that?"

Hailey giggled, "Yeah, I got it."

As the two continued to walk, Hailey found it easier to confide in her spikey haired friend.

"Sorry that I've been kind of weird lately, I just..been feeling really bad about myself and the more I try to be happy now, the worst I get.." 

Kirishima stopped walking and looked at the shorter female with understanding eyes, "I get it, believe it or not...I almost didn't go through with applying to U.A."

Hailey was taken aback and looked at him with disbelief, "Really?! Why?"

"Because I was so insecure about my quirk, that my confidence took a pretty bad hit. I found it hard to find the courage to stand up for some of my friends and classmates..I didn't think that I was manly enough to deserve a chance at going to U.A. or becoming a hero." Kirishima explained, a somber tone overcoming his story. 

Sympathizing with her friend, Hailey put her hand on Kirishima's shoulder and urged him to continue. "What changed your mind about it?"

"My hero, Crimson Riot, did." Kirishima smiled, courageously. "By some string of fate, I was watching one of his interviews, where he says that all heroes have fears when charging into danger. The way he explained it, I felt validated and inspired to keep pursuing my dream! I decided from that day on, to embody the courage that Crimson gave me..if that makes sense."

A smile grew on Hailey's face as she realized something. 

"That's the face." She blurted, causing Kirishima to give her a look of mild confusion. "That's the face I wanna make when I find the thing that inspires me to keep going. I wanna smile with that same courage you have, Eij." 

Understanding what she was saying, Kirishima grinned and ruffled her hair, "When you find it, you better tell me all about it."

Hailey nodded, "You'll be one of the first to know."

"Nice." Kirishima replied, as the two returned to walking. "Oh! Before I forget, some of us were thinking about hitting that summer street fair tomorrow before classes the next day, you wanna tag along?" 

Pondering for half a moment, Hailey shrugged her shoulders, "You know what? Sure! But I'm only going for the fair donuts and blue raspberry lemonade."

Kirishima chuckled, "Guess that'll be our goal for the day."

"Damn right." Hailey nodded, happily. 

'Maybe this is one step closer to getting better..'