#thanks to r/cb and r/ep for the inspo

[punchybreakyboi]

Open pre-prom starter

Okay, now was the time. UA's prom night was drawing near, and he needed something to wear to it. He couldn't just ask anyone to help him get a suit, either; he wanted to be an independent adult, capable of taking care of himself. So, the best course of action would be to get a job.

Deku applied everywhere he could. From cafes, to grocery stores, he even applied to fast food places to be thorough. Eventually, in spite of how nervous he was at the interview, he managed to get something at a trendy little clothing store near the campus part time. So it seemed like a great situation all around. He'd just go to his classes, then when he was done, he'd walk to work, and when he was done with that, he'd walk back, do all his studying for the night and head to bed. He'd only have to do it long enough to pay for his suit. Maybe a little longer so he could buy his mom something nice. She always did complain about the rice cooker being on the fritz. Maybe he could get her one of those fancy pressure cookers...

The first day of work came around, and Izuku was honestly excited. He ran to the store, not telling anyone where he was going other than the school staff who were responsible for knowing where he was. He got to meet all his coworkers, and they were pretty nice. His boss appeared to be perfectly patient with him as well. On the first day of the job, she taught him all the ropes, then sent him home early.

The next day, however...

Things began tame enough. It was his first day on the floor, and he had an easy enough time at first. The customers were typically younger and friendlier. But, there was one exception. A middle aged woman in designer clothes and a haircut more expensive than it should have been.

I think we all know where this is going.

"A-hem," The woman tapped on the cashier's desk with a bright red, overpriced manicure. The girl working as cashier had gone out at the time, so Izuku figured he would step in.

"Ah, hi, can I help you?" He asked with a bright smile and cheery disposition.

"Wait. You work here? Dressed like that?"

Aaand the smile was gone. Sure, he knew he was plain, but she didn't have to put it like that.

"Well, yes, I do." He answered as polite as he could be.

"Hmph. Well if you really work here, you might as well be useful. I bought these pairs of jeans for my daughter yesterday, but they don't fit. I demand a refund! In cash!"

Well this wasn't going to work. For a number of reasons. "Um, ma'am, store policy only allows me to give you in-store credit for retuns. Also...if you really bought those, then the plastic tags on them should have been removed. Otherwise they would have broken open as you left the store and gotten ink everywhere." Deku tried to explain as calmly and as rationally as he could. One thing was for certain, though: this woman was (poorly) trying to get money out of the store.

"Are you saying I'm a liar?" 'Karen' fumed. "I demand to speak to your manager! Maybe they'll actually know what they're doing! And get you fired!"

"Um! She's not in right now! And, as it stands, it seems like you're just trying to scam the store out of money!" The poor thing tried to stand his ground.

"Well maybe that's what the store deserves!" Just then, a chime was heard. It came from Izuku's phone which was left on the counter. And because of that, the Karen could see what was on the lock screen. "...Is this your phone? Why is there a picture of another boy in it?"

"Um, that's my boyfriend..." Izuku admitted. Which unfortunately turned out to be a big mistake.

"Ugh! Disgusting! Figures that the useless boy turns out to be a total f**!"

...And this was why Izuku was in the closet for the most part. Reactions like this. If it weren't for the fact that this woman was a civilian, he could have just fought back. But that wasn't how normal society worked. So in this scenario, he just felt helpless. So then an anxiety attack came upon him. He would have tried to breathe, but he forgot how, and he started hyperventilating.