Confections
Marinette sat at her desk with a dreamy look on her face. It wasn't the topic on the equation of a line that was making her go googly eyed, no. It was a certain blonde who had gorgeous wispy locks and nice smooth kissable lips...
Marinette sighed.
Adrien...
"Marinette would you please come up to the front and solve question three for us?"
Miss Bustier's voice shot Marinette out of her staring trance and into a confused state. She quickly began to panic. She hardly was listening to the lesson! Her mind was much too focused on Adrien that she had no clue what the teacher was talking about!
"Marinette? Please answer the question." Miss Bustier held out the chalk for Marinette. Marinette sat there like a deer in headlights until Alya nudged her.
"Question three from last night's homework." Alya reminded her in a low whisper. Marinette perked up from her friend's helpful reminder and instantly began fumbling through her notes to find the answer to the question.
"Miss Bustier, I think little miss scatterbrain is much too incapable of answering the question. Let me answer it." Chloé raised her hand and shot the teacher an innocent look. Thanks to Sabrina, her homework was completed to perfection. It would be a breeze to look great in front of the teacher while also rubbing it in Marinette's face. Chloé turned to Marinette and gave her a nasty look.
"You can solve the next question. I want Marinette to do this one on her own." Miss Bustier motioned for Marinette to come up again. The girl clumsily shot up from her chair and gathered her notes in her hands. With hesitant steps, she accepted the piece of chalk from the teacher and went to the board.
Marinette's hand shook as she looked at her paper and began to write her answer on the board. She could feel everyone's eyes staring at her. Her face went red. What if she was answering the question completely wrong? Adrien would surely think she was a scatterbrain for sure! A total airhead!
Finishing up the answer, Marinette then handed back the piece of chalk to Miss Bustier and stood there uncertain. Her gaze caught onto Adrien's and she quickly looked away to avoid seeming creepy.
"Very well done Marinette. You may take your seat now."
Marinette let out a small breath she didn't even notice she was holding. Of course the answer was right. Marinette only doubted herself because of Adrien's presence. She wanted nothing else but to be totally perfect around him.
With confidence in her step, Marinette went back to her desk and plopped down in her chair.
"Way to go girl! Adrien was totally watching your every move." Alya whispered in the pig-tailed girl's ear. Her face instantly heated up at the mere thought of Adrien remotely staring at her.
"He was?!" She whisper shouted back to her friend who only smiled.
"Totally checking you out."
"Eeep!"
Alya chuckled to herself. "I'm only teasing. But seriously girl, you gotta pay more attention in class! You can't afford to space out when we have a test coming up."
Marinette lowered her head. "You're right."
Sitting up more straight, Marinette watched the teacher instead of her crush.
"Alright, next question. Chloé? Would you like to solve this one?"
As if she were expecting it, Chloé stood up gracefully from her chair. "It would be an honour." She then sashayed over to the teacher, grabbed the chalk and began writing down her answer.
"Correct! Great job Chloé." Miss Bustier congratulated.
Chloé hummed in satisfaction and smugly flicked her ponytail. She then took her spot back at her seat and sat straight and proud.
Marinette couldn't help but roll her eyes. As if Chloé would actually sit down and do her homework. It was obvious that Sabrina had done all the work for her.
"I'm glad you all seem to be getting the hang of it." Miss Bustier spoke to the class with a warm smile on her face. She then turned her gaze to Adrien and held out the chalk in her hand. "Adrien, would you like to come up and solve the next question?"
Adrien's unusually slouched frame straightened to attention when he heard his name be called out. He hadn't been paying attention much since his mind was completely fuzzy. His body felt weak almost to the point that it nearly took all of his energy to sit up straight.
"Adrien?" The teacher called out again when he didn't respond.
This time Adrien nodded and slowly got out of his seat to retrieve the chalk from Miss Bustier. The moment he stood up, his vision began to swim. Adrien had to hold onto his desk for support until he could see clearly again.
Unfortunately the longer he stood, the dizzier he felt. It wasn't until he took a small step forward when his body instantly gave out and he collapsed on the ground roughly. Once he crumpled to the ground, he didn't move.
The class watched the whole event unfold right in front of them. At first they didn't know what to do. They had just witnessed their classmate fall unconscious on the floor!
Miss Bustier ran over to her student as the other students hastily followed in pursuit. "Can someone please contact the school nurse?" Miss Bustier instructed trying her best to remain calm. It was still apparent that she was deeply concerned. She knelt down and gathered Adrien on her lap as she checked for any injuries he could have gotten from the sudden fall.
Rose nodded quickly and bolted out of the room. All the other students looked on in shock. They had no idea what to do. Marinette's heart was racing. As she watched Adrien lay on his side unconscious, she couldn't help but feel a wave of utter despair and concern wash over her. What was wrong with him? Was he sick? He seemed fine at the start of class!
"Out of my way!" Chloé shoved past the other classmates so that she was closer to Adrien. "Adrikins! You're too hot to die!" She dramatically fell to her knees and sobbed. "Why couldn't it have been Marinette?" She continued to wail and Marinette shot her a glare. Even in the middle a crisis, Chloé could still be a total brat.
"That's enough Chloé, that will not help the situation. I would please ask all of you to remain calm, Adrien will be okay." Miss Bustier advised everyone from her spot on the ground.
Chloé gasped. "How am I supposed to remain calm when my Adrikins just just...collapsed! I don't think my Daddy will approve on how you're handling this!" She then took out her phone and was about to dial her father's number until Marinette stepped in.
"Chloé listen to Miss Bustier. Rose is getting the school nurse; Adrien will be in good hands." Despite her worries Marinette could not let it get in the way of Adrien's wellbeing. She needed to ignore the heavy dread in her stomach and focus on getting the help Adrien needed.
Chloé considered Marinette's words and then huffed putting her phone away. Before she could say another word, Rose came running into the room with the school nurse following
"We're back!" Rose declared with her voice laced with desperation. The school nurse approached Adrien and instantly began to check for a pulse. The whole class grew quiet during that moment. Even Chloé held her breath as the nurse felt for Adrien's pulse.
The nurse lifted her fingers off of his wrist. She then placed a hand underneath his bangs to check his temperature. The nurse hummed and removed her hand. "His pulse is quite low but his temperature seems fine." She noted before continuing, "What exactly happened?"
"We're not entirely sure dude er I mean nurse!" Nino answered when no one else did.
The nurse continued to assess Adrien as the classmates stood and watched helplessly. She took a glance at the other students and noticed their worried stares. She quickly decided it would be best to make further assessments in her office to avoid worrying the kids any further.
"I will take Adrien to my office for further assessments." That did not calm down the others at all. Their anxiousness only seemed to grow after what the nurse had just said.
Marinette's heart dropped in her stomach after the nurse addressed the class. Assessments? This was starting to sound more serious every minute. She was so anxious to the point that she could feel her entire body shaking.
Miss Bustier could sense the tension in the room and tired to ease the situation as much as she could. "Adrien is in good hands. Everyone please go back to your seats and let the school nurse handle the situation." Miss Bustier calmly stated from the front of the classroom. The students all glanced at each other and then reluctantly obeyed the teacher's instructions.
Marinette was so desperate to say something. She was so worried about Adrien. He did not look good at all. With a deep breath, she opened her mouth only to close it again when a hand rested on her shoulder. Marinette jumped from the sudden touch and swung her head to look at who touched her.
"Girl, I know you're worried but I'm sure the nurse knows what she's doing." Alya gave Marinette a sympathetic look. Marinette was torn. She glanced at Adrien who was still on the floor and then back to Alya.
Marinette didn't know what to do. "I-I...Alya I'm really worried." She slumped and Alya put an arm around Marinette for comfort.
"I know, and I get it. But trust the professionals." She said and gave her friend a reassuring smile.
Marinette nodded slightly. Maybe Alya was right. She had no control over this situation. Marinette sat back in her seat like everyone else. The nurse was just about to bring Adrien out of the room when all of a sudden the blonde twitched.
With bleary eyes, Adrien came to. His eyes took a moment to adjust to the light, but when they did his head immediately began to pound. His body felt heavy and the thumping in his head did not help his jumbled up mind.
"Ugh..." Adrien weakly groaned still laying down and utterly confused. What had happened? Why was he on the ground? Who was that lady hovering over him?
An overwhelming pang in his head made him cringe. Thinking hurt way too much at the moment.
"Are you able to hear me?" The nurse questioned Adrien who tried to open his eyes again. When he did, he looked back at the nurse with a pained expression.
"W-w..hat...ha..." Adrien couldn't finish what he was about to say as it hurt too much to form coherent sentences.
The nurse gently put a hand under his soft bangs to check his temperature again. "You fainted during class my dear. But there's no need to worry, you are in good hands." The nurse softly spoke to Adrien as all of the other classmates began to crowd around the poor boy.
Adrien stared back helplessly, unable to digest what had happened. Did he really faint? He was on the ground sp he must have. Weakly, Adrien closed his eyes again in a lame attempt to make the room stop spinning.
Watching from afar, Marinette frowned as much as she wanted to do something, she didn't want to make Adrien uncomfortable by crowding around him. The nurse needed to do her job and it would only be bothersome if Marinette got in the way.
The nurse began to speak which caught the attention of the students. Marinette snapped out of her pestering thoughts and turned her gaze to the woman clad in scrubs.
"Adrien, are you able to stand up?" The nurse questioned the boy. He opened his eyes again and tried his best to sit up. Thankfully the nurse did to best to assist him and he was now standing with her support. "I will need to bring you to the nurse's office for a further check up. Will you be alright with walking hun?"
With a slight nod Adrien agreed. He felt extremely weak so the mere act of standing took the little amount of energy he had left. He just hoped that he would be able to make it to the nurse's office without keeling over.
"Adrien will not be going anywhere! Not with the likes of you!" Chloé snapped and appeared in front of Adrien and the nurse. Her arms were crossed and she wore a nasty frown.
"I'm afraid I will in fact need Adrien to come with me right away. There are many tests I need to perform in order to figure out the source of the problem." The nurse promptly explained in a professional manner.
The look on Chloé's face made it clear that she was having none of that. "Oh please. I know many high end nurses that would do a much better job than you. There is no way I'll let you perform your odd tests on my Adrikins!" Chloé sassed back growing increasingly snooty. It was obvious that she was not going to be swayed no matter what.
The nurse kept her composure and her professional demeanor. "I'm sure you want the best for your friend and I am more than certain Adrien will get the care he needs right here." The nurse responded in a soft voice. She made the move to walk away along and helped Adrien take some gentile steps.
"Friend?! Please! Adrien is practically my boyfriend! My Daddy will not be impressed with the way you talk to me like I'm some sort of toddler!" Chloé barked, clearly outraged. She was pointing fingers in front of the nurse's face and threateningly pulled out her cell phone.
Watching the commotion in front of her, Marinette seethed with rage. Chloé was getting in the way of Adrien's treatment! Not only that but she also called him her boyfriend! As if! Chloé and Adrien were worlds apart. Adrien was sweet and charming. Chloé was selfish and a total brat!
Right before Marinette was about to intervene, Miss Bustier approached the fuming blonde. "Chloé please. There is no need to be calling your father. Our school nurse is fully capable. Now, everyone please take your seats, I will be continuing today's lesson." Miss Bustier calmly spoke.
Just as Marinette was celebrating Chloé getting shot down, the end of Miss Bustier's sentence made her heart drop to the pit of her stomach. As important education is, she couldn't handle the fact that the class was going to continue as if nothing had happened. Marinette was beyond concerned about Adrien. She watched as he and the nurse left the room. Her heart sunk further. She wouldn't be able to focus in class now. She hoped Adrien would be okay.
"It appears you fainted due to low blood sugar. When was the last time you ate?"
Adrien sat perched on the examination bed. He couldn't truthfully think of the last time he had a decent meal. Because of the upcoming fashion week his meals had been drastically altered with fewer portions. His father insisted he must do it to maintain the perfect physique for the shoot.
Adrien frowned at the memory of the past couple of days. Each night he found himself going to bed hungry. It was no wonder he fainted in class.
"U-um I'm not entirely sure. I think maybe yesterday?" Adrien answered once he found his voice. He was certain he hadn't had breakfast this morning. According to his father, breakfast was not the most important meal of the day.
The nurse gave Adrien a disapproving stare. "It is important to eat breakfast every day. Is there a reason as to why you are skipping meals?"
An uncomfortable feeling settled in Adrien's stomach. Should he tell her the truth? The truth that includes his own father's crazy diet plans? Adrien grimaced internally and settled with the fact that it would probably be a bad idea. He didn't want to bother the nurse with his burden. On a side note, he only had a couple more days until fashion week so that diet wouldn't be forever.
"Adrien?"
The blonde blinked a couple of times before he noticed he was being spoken to. He blushed when the nurse watched him skeptically. "I said, is there a reason as to why you are skipping meals?" The nurse asked again with the same professional manner.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Adrien lied. "I've been very busy with school work and must have forgotten. I'll make sure it won't happen again." He cringed on the inside. He hated lying but he had no other option. Even if he did tell her the truth, there was no way Gabriel would ever change his ways.
The nurse tsked and wrote a few things on her clipboard. The room was filled with silence until she looked up from her paper and stared directly at Adrien. "I would like you to rest here until you no longer feel faint. I will also bring you some snacks to help regain your strength." The nurse then stood up from her swivel chair and left the room to get the snacks. It didn't take her long to come back with a granola bar and a juice box.
"I'm afraid this is all I have here." She handed him the food which Adrien gratefully accepted.
"This is fine, thank you." Adrien shyly spoke up. He took a few sips from the juice, enjoying the way it soothed his dry throat.
"There's a spare room here with a bed. Once you feel ready to walk, you are welcome to rest there." The nurse explained as Adrien nibbled on the granola bar. He nodded but sat where he was until he was finished with the snacks.
The nurse sat back in her swivel chair and began to work on some paper work. When Adrien finally felt capable of walking, he threw out the garbage in the trash and made his way to the other room. Once he lay down on the soft mattress he let out a long sigh.
Plagg flew out of Adrien's shirt and immediately began to give him a hard time. "I told you this would happen, kid." He nagged as Adrien rolled his eyes at the black kwami.
"You humans and your crazy eating habits."
Adrien scoffed at Plagg's remark. "Yeah and eating cheese for a living is so normal."
The black cat kwami flew right in front of Adrien's face. "I'll have you know that cheese is a staple in one's diet. Now speaking of cheese I'm starving! I need camembert!" Plagg said floating close by the boy.
Adrien paid him no mind and began scrolling through his phone. Five new messages from Nino about him wondering if he was okay and what happened. Adrien decided to answer back and tell him that he had just missed breakfast this morning and didn't get enough sleep.
Unfortunately Nino was not convinced and before Adrien knew it, his phone was ringing.
"Dude, I'm not buying it. This has to have something to do with your pops, doesn't it?" Nino spoke right as Adrien answered the phone. Adrien hesitated to answer back and glanced at Plagg for some assistance. The black kwami simply shrugged and then pointed to his mouth indicating he still wanted his precious cheese. So much for help.
Sucking in a breath, Adrien changed tactics. "I'll be fine Nino, don't worry about it." He said hoping the topic would be dropped. At first only silence met Adrien's ear until a sigh was heard over the speaker.
"Alright dude but if you need me you know you can talk to me. This isn't right and you know it." Nino replied which caused Adrien to wince at the disappointment laced in his voice. He knew Nino was aware of his bizarre eating habits. He just wished Nino wouldn't worry about it. This was his problem; he didn't need to burden Nino with his problems.
"Thanks Nino." Adrien replied and then was met with the sound of a dial tone. Lowering the phone from his ear, Adrien hung up. He rested his arm over his eyes and exhaled. He just wished today would be over and done with.
When Marinette first caught wind about Adrien being restricted from food, her heart ached. She was aware that being a model included high standards but she never imagined that it would go to that extreme. Adrien fainted and now she knew for a fact that his poor diet was to blame.
Marinette was heartbroken. Who could do that to their own child? Adrien was perfect the way he was. He didn't need to suffer for no reason.
That's when Marinette came up with a brilliant idea. She lived in a bakery! There was no way she was going to just sit there and let Adrien go hungry. Not on her watch.
A/N That concludes this chapter! There's more to come so please stay tuned!
