melting Ice, Burning Desire

Chapter 1: A House Divided

My mother slapped my face, "Don't ever let me hear that again Esme!" Her frustration grew more. "Me and your father built this company for your well-being and you will take over it one day!" She scoffed as I held my cheek in my hand gently rubbing it. "You will not be a hero, do you understand me? Get that crazy idea out of your head!" She yelled and yelled continuing on about my supposed mistake, and I felt a little bit of air that was traveling into my airway slowly depleting,then my father barged into the room as she strangled my neck. "Mei, put her down!" he cried with worry in his voice and concern etched on his face. My throat felt like it was closing and I grabbed her hand in desperation to get her to stop. My eyes begged for mercy as tears swelled into my eyes and my face turned purple. "Mama...please." My father grabbed her arm squeezing it hard as she threw me down. I gasp for air holding my neck and crying. My mother and father argued, yelled, and cried as the world spun around me, and then it was black.I was only 6 years old.. Everyday after that, I wasn’t just hurt at home but at school too. I formed a speech impediment where I stutter uncontrollably. It had gotten very bad to where I just didn’t talk anymore, a mute is what I was called. I always wanted to be a hero but my mother hated the idea since she knew I had two quirks, which is rare and that something could happen to me. But I couldn’t understand why she would care if she hurt me too? I let it go since it was nothing to dwell on, but 5 years later we had moved to Musutafu, Japan, since my parents company was going abroad. So for that time I learned Japanese, forgetting my American roots. 

I can't complain about life, but I had to realize that I couldn't always run to my father every time my mother was being...abusive. I struggle to look at her and I feel fear in my body every time I'm around her. It took me a while, but I have managed to get the hang of it since we moved. My father is like heaven to me and his love is so comforting to me. When he isn't around my mother she gets very drunk and goes mad. 

Oh! I forgot to mention my quirk silly me, well my quirk is microscopic. Meaning I can get as small as I want but I have two quirks and I have the quirk Kick-start. I use heated energy from my body to any limb I want and it increases my strength, I can jump high, far distances, and can even break through a brick wall. Only problem is I use so much of my energy that I need sugar and rest to keep my body going. Almost like a low blood sugar for diabetics except I don’t have to take insulin or a pill for my blood sugar daily. It’s the effect without the cause! I normally don’t like school. The new one is way better than my other school and now I’ve found an interest in drawing. My teacher invited me to go to the art club. She believes that I’m really good. I started talking more to teachers but that’s all, I still feel as if I can't trust anyone just yet. But I had met a boy who wanted to become a hero, his name was Izuku Midoriya. He was with two other friends but they didn’t speak, so I didn’t talk to them either. He was very kind and he mumbled a lot to himself. I found it very funny and he gave me his number.

 "Esme!" I heard my mother shout through the long echoed halls. I walked closer to my mother's voice, fear growing inside me. "Y-Yes, Mother?" I stood still in the front archway going into the foyer.

"Make yourself presentable and come into the living room in 30 minutes, we have guests arriving for dinner." She stated as she was setting her shoes to the side, she must have just come into the house. I roll my eyes, why would I have to look "Presentable" for some people I didn't know? "Oh and clean up your filthy room! I don't need a pig in my house, understand?" She added, I nodded my head so I wouldn't have to respond to her sounding foolish. I stormed up into my room and shut the door behind me. I mumbled under my breath of harsh words and curses about her. Within 30 minutes I got ready and wore my long hair down. I needed to get it cut but my parents won't let me. They say I should be grateful to have long and thick hair like I do. But it wasn't a blessing, more like just more work to handle. I grabbed clothes from my closet like I would put on any day. I wore a pink sweater with a white skirt to the middle of my thighs with pink and white striped knee-high socks. Then I slowly slipped on Lolita shoes, matching the outfit and the little bows on the top. My mother wasn't too fond of the way I dressed but I didn't care what she thought, it was my body and my clothes. "Esme, dear, the guests are here!" She shouted but made it seem like she cared about me. It was annoying when she did that when guests came over. I walked down the stairs anyway and I also saw my dad standing next to my mother, he had a pitiful facial expression. What is going on? Then I saw the boy who I met with those other two boys! His most distinctive feature is his hair, which is split perfectly down the middle. One side is fiery red, and the other side is pure white. His eyes are different colors too – one blue, one grey. I forgot what that is called, but I know that it's rare! He's tall and lean, he looks about 5'9, and with a serious expression on his face. He also had a big mark surrounding his left eye My mother turns to me and she puts a smile over her angry expression trying to keep her anger in. “Speak dear.” Her voice almost growled. I managed to speak up in a soft voice. “Hello, everyone” My mother turned back to the guest and she smiled as she showed the guest the way to the living room. “Oh, Shoto, you look ravishing darling!” My mother exclaimed that she spoke again, “ Esme bring him to your room, the grown ups are going to have a talk, now.” She snared at me and glared as she went into the living room with Shoto’s parents. I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Come on Shoto.”I said unenthusiastically.  I never had a boy in my room before so this feels weird and a flutter of nerves fluttered in my stomach. He scoffed as I led him to my glorious pink,white, and black room. It was almost the size of a master bedroom but a tad bit smaller. I had a canopy bed with pink and black sheets that had white curtains hanging down. Tiny stuffed animals accompanied me on the bed, they comforted me when I needed it. Then I have a heart shaped rug, a white dresser with a vanity, a big tv, and my bookshelf because I love reading. I look at Shoto as he walks in and sits on the chair next to my vanity taking a look around my room."He was silent, which annoyed me. 'S-Shoto is-' He spoke at the same time, 'Esme-' We both started laughing, a genuine, surprised sound breaking the awkward tension. I wiped a tear from my eye, 'That was funny.' He regarded me with an inscrutable gaze, his expression unchanging. Was he a robot?