The Aizawa Effect - (Aizawa X OC)

Back to the Basics

The next day, nurses came in bright and early to check my vitals before unhooking me from the machines and applying bandages to the puncture wounds. Following Mom and Mr. G's arrival, I was transferred into the wheelchair the hospital required despite my initial reluctance.

"I'm so proud of you, Rae. You survived this ordeal, and now you get to rest at home for a bit while the doctors figure it all out," Mr. G comforted me as the nurse wheeled me to Mom's parked car. Mom smiled at me and nodded.

"Where's Jay? He said that he would have been here to take me home this morning," I asked curiously.

Mr. Gonzales sighed and gave a sympathetic look. "He had a few things to take care of this morning regarding a villain he captured last night. I'm sure he'll check in with you at some point today."

I nodded silently and was helped into the car. The ride home with Mom was mostly uneventful. She spoke about cleaning up my room and being excited to have me stay with her so we could hang out and bond again.

"You act as though we don't speak," I said as I stared out the window at the houses in her neighborhood.

"It's different, honey. Obviously, there's a disconnect that we need to work on so you're not afraid to tell me when things are bad in your life," Mom tried to explain.

I sighed and stared out the window before turning back to her. I was excited to spend time with Mom again, but I hated relying on someone when I should be keeping our community safe and running the agency. Still, I was curious if Mom knew more about what was going on.

"So, do you know why Jay and Mr. Gonzales have been fighting more?" I asked.

Mom kept her eyes on the road and cleared her throat. "Well, you know how those two get."

I squinted, slightly taken aback by her nonchalant attitude. "Well, I figured you'd know since you hang out with Mr. G a lot. I'm sure he must have said something to you about it."

Mom kept her head on the road even as we stopped at a red light. "They're fine. Focus on your health. Those two are just having their moment."

I sighed and focused on the road as the other cars made their way across the intersection in front of us. "Yeah, but I feel like maybe I'm to blame. They seemed fine before all of this, but I don't know if maybe the seizure was the cause for some reason. Mr. G has to know that Jay couldn't have prevented that."

The light turned green as she nodded quietly but didn't move. We sat at the light for a few seconds before the car behind us honked its horn quickly to get us to drive. My eyes shifted from the light to her.

"Mom? It's green. Mom, drive," I said a bit firmly, confusion growing.

She clamped her eyes shut, and her jaw tightened.

"Tayo," she muttered a few times through gritted teeth.

Within a few seconds, her head shot up. She tried to drive forward but stopped again when she realized the light had turned back red. I looked at her, confused and wide-eyed.

"Mom? What's going on? Who or what is a tayo?" I asked calmly while rubbing her shoulder.

She turned to me with a flash of concern before smiling, "I got lost in thought for a second. I'm okay; stop worrying. We were all worried, and everyone was a little shaken up."

"Mom? What is a tayo?" I asked again.

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. Sorry, sweetheart."

I sat back in the passenger seat, confused and slightly concerned as the light turned green again; this time, she began driving. I wish I had my damn quirk; I feel crazy.

~~~~~~~~

For those of you who read TAE from the beginning, left comments or kudos, or began TAE today, thank you for your love and support, and Happy New Year!!!

It's been one hell of a year, and I'm so happy to be able to be here and posting again. In late 2022 into early 2023, I was diagnosed with reoccurring optic neuritis that left me permanently partially blind in my right eye. With the cause still unknown, it's been a fight health-wise for the past couple of years. BUT!! I've had so many positives, like freeing myself from a very toxic situation and working to reclaim my space and my life. This came with having to step away temporarily from things I love, like TAE, but in that time, I have been working on writing chapters, crafting my artistic skills, and enjoying the life I have.

I'm so excited to begin getting back to things and working on rebuilding my confidence. There won't be a posting schedule as of now, but updates will be coming out.

Let's dance into 2025 and keep this ship sailing!