Ch.2

Ext. School entrance

Bakugou calls Nola.

Bakugou

Scales, answer the damn phone. We need to talk about your-

TEXT From MY T-REX

I’m on the phone right now. Call me when you're out of school.

Bakugou kicks a pole.

Deku

Hey KacChan?

Bakugou

What?

Deku

I wanted to ask you something, if you don’t mind. Well. Me and Kirishima were talking earlier and well. I wanted to know if what he said makes sense to you.

Int. Locker Room

Phone ring.

Nola

Merc, you won’t guess who I just met!

Mercy(o.s.)

Who?

Nola

Hawks, the No. 3 I mean No. 2 hero.

Int. Mercy’s Rooms

The walls covered the Hawks wallpapers and figurines

Merc

What?!

Nola (o.s.)

Yeah he was the guy for my shoot.

Merc

Why didn’t mom tell you he was going to be at your shoot.

Ext. Street

Nola paces back and forth on the sidewalk.

Nola

I don’t know. Maybe because she knew I’d be too embarrassed to pose with him like we’re going to kiss!

Merc screams.

Mercy

You were that close.

Nola

Yes. Yes! Oh my god. We were like-

Her phone vibrates.

Incoming call from BAKUHOE

A picture of Bakugou brushing Nola’s hair into a ponytail in her bathroom is her screen saver.

Mercy

If you see him again around can you please get his autograph for me?

She declines the call.

TEXT To BAKUHOE

I’m on the phone right now. Call me when you're out of school.

Mercy

Are you listening to me, Nola?

Hawks walks out. And sees Nola texting.

Nola

Yeah, get Hawks’ autograph.

Hawks

Me?

Nola eyes turn goldish green.

NOLA

Merc, hold on.

She holds her hand on the mic.

Nola

Hey.

Hawk

So. You want my autograph?

Nola

Yes. I mean, no. Shit. Sorry. I really mean my sister. She’s a big fan of yours. Actually I was just talking about you to her on the phone and-

Hawks laughs.

Hawks

You're honestly the cutest thing. What’s her name?

Nola

Mercy.

Hawks takes her phone.

Hawks

Hey, Mercy. This is-

Mercy

(Screams)

Int. Mercy’s Room

She runs around her room.

Mercy

Oh my god! Your- you're Hawks!

Hawks

Damn right.

Mercy

I can’t believe you're talking to me.

Ext. SideWalk

Nola watches Hawks on her phone.

Hawks

(laughs) … I love this. You sound beautiful. Maybe one day I can meet-

He pulls the phone from his ear.

Nola

What happened?

Hawk

I guess she hung up.

He shows her the screen.

Time 3:45

Nola

Holy crap, it’s so late.

She turns away from him.

Hawks

Hold on a second, kid.

He takes her hand.

Nola

Yes?

Hawk

Your phone.

Nola

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

She takes her phone.

Nola

And thank you for talking to my sis. Bye now. Hope to work with you again!

She skates off.

Int. Park

Bakugou

Spit it out Shitty Deku!

Deku

Do you have someone that you like? Maybe someone like NolaChan?

Bakugou

Where the hell is this coming from?

Deku stares at him.

Bakugou

Ugh! What's it to you? Why the hell are you sniffing behind me all of a sudden!

Deku

I guess I'll never get my answer. Because, you're not here. Mentally of course.

Bakugou

Are we gonna talk or fight?

Deku

Stop playing KacChan, it's not funny anymore. For a few weeks now, you laid off teasing me as much. I Should've picked up on the facts sooner. Especially, when I saw your mom and Nola in the grocery store last month.

Bakugou

What the hell are you getting at?

Deku

So, it’s true.

Bakugou

And, so what if it is? Are you going to do something about it. I knew you had a thing for scales when I met her. But I didn’t care. Because I knew I’d have her. And I do.

Deku

Damnit KacChan! Why the hell did you have to like her? You had everything when we were kids?

Bakugou

I’ve told you too many times you’ll never beat me. You're the one who thought you had a fighting chance.

Deku

Well, I guess there’s only one way to settle this then.

Ext. Creek

Nola climbs on the boulder and Deku holds her tail.

Deku

Be careful Nola.

Nola

I’ll be fine just keep a hold of my tail alright.

Deku missteps.

Pulls Nola’s tail down with him.

She screams.

Kacchan grabs her leg.

Kacchan

Your both stupid! Why did you climb that dumb rock anyways?

Nola

Zuko are you okay?

Kacchan

Uh, hey I was-

Deku

I’m fine, I just scraped my knee.

Nola

That looks bad. Maybe we should go ask your mom for a band aid.

Deku

No, I’m okay don’t worry.

Kacchan

Hey!

Nola

Even so, a scrape like that could get gross.

He pulls her tail and then her hair.

Kacchan

I was the one that saved you! You better say thank you.

Nola

Ew, get your hands out my hair. Meanie!

She swats her tail at him.

He pops her tail with his explosions.

Nola starts to cry.

Deku

Hey, stop Kaachan!

Kacchan

Why are you crying?!

Deku

You shouldn’t hit girls, kacchan.

He pulls her arm.

Ext. Sidewalk

Bakugou waits at the crosswalk.

Bakugou's phone chimes.

Bakugou’s Phone

Nola on his homepage.

MY T-Rex Outgoing

Nola(o.s.)

Hello?

Bakugou

Was there a reason you didn’t tell me about your birthday.

Ext. Driveway

The Strex family unpacks the truck.

Nola

Well hello to you too. My loving charismatic boyfriend.

Bakugou(o.s.)

Stop joking around.

Nola

(sighs)

Can we talk about this another time. I’d rather talk to you about something that isn’t stressing me out.

…

Nola’s scales lift.

Nola

Please, don't do this. Not now.

Bakugou(o.s.)

You invited that damn shitty Deku. But not your own boyfriend. So yeah Nola, we’re doing this now.

Nola

Okay, fine. Three weeks we were at your place, after. I told you my birthday was around the corner. Do you remember what you said?

…

Nola

I was so scared when I found out the league of villains kidnapped you. But you can’t tell me that it didn’t change you. I don’t know what they did to you but. I tried so hard to be there day end and out. But there’s so much verbal abuse a girl can take kacchan!

Bakugou(o.s.)

So now you're too weak to just be here for me. So you decide to invite him instead.

Nola

God. Listen to yourself! You act like it’s always you or him for me.

Bakugou(o.s.)

Because it is! It always has been! Even when we were growing up you always picked him over me.

Tears stream down her cheeks.

Bakugou(o.s.)

Dammit stop crying! I’m the one who should be upset!

Nola

You're so irritating. I was a good friend for Zuko. You kept teasing him. I was the one who pulled him out of that depression. I put him first. Because no one could. But before I knew it,

Int. Freezer aisle

Mitsuki holds the cart still. Nola reaches for the ground beef.

Mitsuki

Thank you for helping me out with the groceries.

Nola

Oh no you don't have to thank me. I wish I could do more. But my quirk would probably have me break you're kitchen supplies.

Mitsuki

(sighs)

I'm surprised that you ended up with my loud mouthed hot tempted son. And also that you didn't end up going to UA. With such an a quirk like yours.

Nola

My mom and dad both encouraged me to try my luck in being an actress. There still isnt alot of rep for animalistic quirked black women on the big screen, plus I never thought I looked good in leotards.

Mitsuki and Nola laugh.

The cart stops.

Deku stares at Nola.

Deku

Nola? Is that you?

Nola

Zuko.

Deku

Mrs. Bakugou hi. It's been awhile.

Mitsuki

It has. Well, I'll let you too catch up.

Nola

Huh?

Mitsuki

I'll go grab the taco shells.

Nola

Wha wait a second, Mrs. Bakugou.

Mitsuki

See you at checkout, Nola!

Deku watches his feet.

Deku

So you and Kacchan's Mom.

Nola

Oh. Yeah, I guess I'll have dinner at their place tonight.

Deku

I guess that makes sense.

Nola

What?

Deku

Oh. Nothing I just thought seeing you just caught me off guard is all. I haven't seen you since that night.

Nola nervously smiles.

Patches of scales cover the face and hands.

Deku

Don't worry. I haven't told anyone about what happened.

Nola

It's not that. I guess seeing you here caught me off guard as well. I heard you saved Katsuki from a slush.

Deku

Well I didn't really do anything. My legs just moved by themselves and-

She bites down on her lip.

Nola

Thank you. I bet you'll be a great hero one day. Even if he never says it. You're the only real friend that guy has.

Deku

Nola. You're crying.

Nola

Sorry, I guess the whole Katsuki being kidnapped is really getting to me. You two are becoming strong everyday. But things like these get to me so easy ya know.

Deku

You really care about Kacchan.

Nola

Of course! I care about both of you.

Deku

(Smiles)

Yeah. But growing up, you always scolded him like his mother. It was always so funny.

Nola

You think? Remember the first time he popped my tail?

Deku

How can I forget? I had to drag you back to my house with you kicking and screaming.

They laugh.

Nola watches Deku laugh while her own smile fades when she sees his deep scars on his arms into a blank expression.

Nola

Hey, you should come to my birthday cookout in the summer.

Deku

You're still doing that?

Nola

Yeah. Like always BBQ, friends, family, and music. Guess fish fry as well. You can bring whoever.

Deku

Okay. Yeah, it sounds fun.

Nola

Great. Well I have to get going. She's probably looking for me. But, before I go.

She writes her number on his hand.

Nola

My number, I want to hear what happens at that new school of yours.

Deku

Yeah. Of course.

She runs off.

Deku

Bye.

Nola stops holding her mouth.

Her tail rips out. And knocks things off the shelf.

Ext. Train station

Bakugou pushes the people out of his way.

Nola(o.s.)

Zuko didn’t look like anything special anymore.

Bakugou

So. What does this mean-

Int. Nola's room

Her back is pressed to the door.

Bakugou(o.s.)

For us.

Nola

What do you mean?

Bakugou

Do you want me to spell it out for you.

Nola

Do we really have to have this fight the day before my birthday?

…

Nola

Katsuki?

Ext. Suburbs

Bakugou walks in the street.

Bakugou

Your right. We shouldn't do this now.

Nola (o.s.)

It feels like everytime the fights get worse. And one or the other loses interest.

Bakugou

You're the only one that does that.

Nola sighs.

Nola(o.s.)

You do know how much I-

Bakugou

Stop talking!

He grabs the vines.

Nola

Who the hell are you talking to like that?!

Ext. Nola's family backyard

Bakugou climbs up the vines to her bedroom window.

Bakugou

It's not my fault if your rabbit eared sister wakes up.

Nola

What are you talking about?

Bakugou

Just open the damn window dumbass.

Int. Nola's room

Nola pulls the blinds up.

Nola

I don't get this.

His head pops from the window.

Int. Nola's room

He jumps inside.

Nola is shocked.

Nola

How did you know where the cabin was?

Bakugou

Don't worry about that.

Her back to the wall. His arm pinning her to the wall.

Bakugou

Take it off.

Her scales cover her body completely. Her tail is thick. And her claws are sharp.

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