It's been months since I moved to Paris. Three months exactly. No one even knew my name at my school let alone who I was. I had started the year too late so everyone in my class had their group of friends. So my only salvation is the music on my phone.
Today I was early to school and no one else was there. Usually I stop at the cafe before class but I didn't have enough money on me so I had no where else to go. All your could hear were my footsteps on the marble staircase as I entered the building. Then I found my way to the lockers and sat on the bench, guitar in hand.
My fingers gloss over the strings and I strum once, trying to think of a song to play. Eventually it comes to me, 'something just like this'.
"I've been reading old, the legends and the myths," I begin singing with my eyes closed to concentrate. I continue the song ti'll the end and place my guitar on the ground. Upon opening my eyes I see a blonde haired boy staring at me. I've heard of him and seen him before, I think his name is Andy or Andrew.
"Um... can I help you?" I asked, placing my guitar over my shoulder. His eyes wandered to the ground and then back at me.
"You have a great voice... I'm sorry I don't know your name," He said. I smiled lightly and tucked my curly black hair behind my ear.
"It's Amira. But my friends call me Ami, and by friends I mean the Siri on my phone," He laughed lightly and I chuckled along with him. I went to get my headphones out of my bag but he stopped me.
"How long have you been here for?" He asked.
"Three months today, congrats Andy your the first to talk to me," I said curtsying to him. He looked confused.
"My name is Adrian not Andy," Adrian added. I threw my hands on my face and slid to the ground mumbling stupid nothings. Adrian Agreste, I'm and absolute idiot.
"Sorry I'm terrible with names," I mumbled. He laughed.
"Your the first person who didn't know it," he informed. I laughed with him. I could never afford magazines and stuff so I only knew him off rumours and billboards," So why did you move to Paris?" I froze at the question.
"Sorry curious cat but that's a question for another day. Plus it's my turn to ask you something. Why-" but I was cut off by a girl with blonde hair tied in a ponytail.
"Adrikinnns!" She shouted. I rolled my eyes. The only name I did know, Chole. As Adrian and she chatted, I left silently. I could feel Adrian's eyes on me all the while before I left.
Class began and I was seated at the back, on my own. It was designers ed and I couldn't afford the material for projects so I failed half the time. I didn't even realise Adrian was in my class until he walked through the doors. I don't think he knew I was in here either as he looked surprised when he saw me.
After the register, the teacher began the lesson. I knew she hated me.
"Today class you will have a month assignment, so no excuses," My head hit the desk as I sighed heavily," the task is to design and make," and make! And make? No,no, no! This won't go well," A dress with a spring theme. I want your designs to scream the season,".
I sit and think of my dreaded excuse for not handing in the project. No money, no material. No material, no dress. No dress, no grade. The list could go on and on. We were given the rest of the lesson to chat and design our ideas. I sat in silence and drew the never to be used design.
My dress was light green, but not a sickly green, more airy and light. There were white swirls all over it and a white ribbon hanging lightly on the waist. The ribbon would have a 3D flower on it. It would have been perfect...
The bell rang and I chucked everything in my bag and legged it out of the class. I went to the bathroom and struggle to keep myself from having a panic attack. My mind was running wild with crazy thoughts. I breathed in and out deeply before heading back to the lockers to collect my things.
There he was, Adrian staring at my panicked expression. He looked slightly concerned.
" Are you okay Amira?" He asked.
"I guess, just the project is stressful," I lied.
"I get it, but we got a month to do it," he added.
"Yeah... anyway I better go," I waved goodbye to Adrian and exited the school. I needed to run to get the bus on time. I raced down the street to the bus stop and panted whilst holding on the lamp post next to it. I was just in time as the bus rolled around the corner and stopped. I jumped on and searched my purse for change. I was one cent short and the guy wouldn't have it.
"Please!" I shout and the bus goes out of the station. I sit on the bench and hold my head in my hands. The tears fall. I check the timetable and the next bus to my neighbourhood was...tomorrow. I sigh heavily. It's one heck of a walk.
I begin to walk down the street in determination but the sun falls quicker than I expected and everywhere was dark. The area I was living in was notorious for robberies and gang wars. I would be dead if I walked through there at night. But I had to get home.
I looked at my phone, it was eight o'clock and I was no where near home. I heard rustling in the street behind me and as I turn around I see a figure lurking in the darkness.
"Stay back I have a... knife!" I lie, getting a ruler out of my bag. The figure laughs, it sounded like a middle aged man. The figure came closer and closer. I saw that he had a real knife in his hand. I eventually saw him. He was very tall, and had rugged hair. His face was wrinkled and covered in scars, he was definitely after something.
"Give me your money!" He shouted. I emptied out my purse and my hands were shaking and tears were running down my cheeks. I gave him all my change and he stuffed it in his pocket. His expression changed to anger.
"I'm sorry it's all I-" I began but he grasped my arm and I cried out in pain.
"Do you think I'm dumb?!" He screamed at me. I shook my head, he kicked me in the knees and I fell on the ground. He punched me in the face. I was weak and was laying lifelessly on the ground. I heard another set of footsteps come up he street but they seemed friendlier.
"Help me," I mumbled. I heard fists being thrown and someone getting slammed on the floor. I used all my strength to tilt my head up to see who my hero was. His eyes locked mine and I realised it was Chat Noir, the hero of our city. He kicked the knocked out man to the pathway and stared at me with sorrow in his eyes.
I felt his arms around my body and he jumped on top of the roof. He went running off towards the main city.
"No, that way," I groaned pointing towards where the danger was.
"I can't take you there honey, it's risky," He said.
"But it's my home!" I say. He froze and looked at my shaking body.
"Sweetie, you can't stay there it's dangerous, look I'll take you to a hotel room and-"
"I can't afford a hotel," I muttered ashamed," I'm saving to leave this area but is hard with getting a bus to school and having to buy material for my classes, it's not enough working 3 jobs," I rambled to try to stop my pain. Chat Noir lowered me onto the roof and I held my waist in pain he wiped away my tears with his finger.
"Okay, I will take you back to your home tonight but I will guard you throughout the night, princess," he explained. I nodded and he picked me up and I instructed him to my house.
My home isn't pretty, not one bit, I live in a cracked and crumbling apartment block. My room held one sofa, a counter, a stove, a fridge and a table as well as a crumbling chair. The walls are stained with god knows what and the only thing of value I owned was a quilt made by my grandmother.
"This is.. um," He mumbled.
"A disgrace, ugly, abhorrent? Don't worry it's just a reflection of me," I mumble. I settle on the sofa and stared at the necklace my mother gave me when I was younger. I bet she wouldn't be proud of me.
"I think you seem pretty great, I mean most kids at your age would do anything to get out o school but you choose to go to school and to learn. It's really I inspiring," he said, he put his hand behind his head and smiled at me.
"I'll be lucky if this doesn't bruise," I said. I used the camera in my phone to see the damage.
"How come you have a phone but live in a place like this?" He asked. I sighed.
"It's a long story,"
"Well I've got all night," he answered. I breathed in, was I ready to tell the first part of my story to someone?
Adrien/ Cat Noir's POV
Nathalie had booked out the limo for my father for when I needed to go to school. The only solution was that I'd be a bit early. Obviously, my education doesn't mean much to my father, which is great. Just great…
When I got to school, the doors were open but I could hear the faint steps of someone else in the building. I followed the sounds to the locker room, but to my surprise, a girl with black curly hair was playing a guitar with her eyes shut. Yet she didn't miss a single note, it was perfect.
Her voice, I've never heard anything like it. It was perfectly pitched and had a soothing tone. Her voice made me think of honey and sugar, it just sounded sweet and innocent.
The last note played and she opened her eyes, her hazel pupils examined mine and she looked scared. She took a deep breath and regained her composure.
"Um… Can I help you?" She asked looking irritated. I smiled at her.
"You have an amazing voice… I'm sorry I don't know your name," I said apologising. She looked at the ground then back at me. Her eyes look hurt but her smile shew she didn't care. Maybe she did but her brain wouldn't let her.
"It's Amira. But my friends call me Ami, and by friends, I mean the Siri on my phone," She joked. I laughed along with her but part of me felt sorrow in the way she said it. She went in her bag to get her headphones but I stopped her.
We had a simple conversation and I learnt that she isn't exactly popular, she didn't even know my name. Which to be honest- shocked me. But my mind was telling me she was hiding something- the way she avoided questions about why she came to Paris. Amira was definitely secretive. She was about to ask me something when Chole walked in.
"Hey Chlo," I said smiling and waving. I watched Amira roll her eyes and leave, obviously not a Chole fan. Chole scoffed as Amira left the room.
"Such a loser, her clothes are so plain and who even is she? Adrikinns don't waste your time on her," Chole said. I scowled. Sometimes even I can't stand her. A fake smile was plastered on my face and I agreed and disagreed randomly from time to time to make it look like I was contributing.
Luckily the bell rang soon and the day started. It was uneventful until last lesson, designers ed. I walked in and looked up but instead of seeing the usually empty desk. I hadn't noticed until now that Amira sat in it. Her eyes locked with mine and she smiled lightly. She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked on her desk.
The teacher set an assignment to make a dress with a spring theme. We had a month to do it. We were given the lesson to design and chat. I looked up to the far desk to see Amira just staring at her piece of paper, fear written on her face. She reached for her necklace and upon holding it, instantly calmed down. Her hand drew and drew, she sat in silence and didn't mumble or hum like I thought she would.
"Hey dude who are you staring at? Who's she?" Nino asked tugging on my arm. I looked at him and then at Nino.
"I met her in the locker room today can you believe she has been here for three months?" I stated. Nino looked at me in confusion.
"She must keep to herself a lot cause I haven't heard one thing from her!" He added. I told him her name.
"Who are you guys talking about?" Alya said joining in our conversation. I explained and pointed to Amira. Alya nodded and returned to talking to Marienette.
"Maybe we should invite her out with us sometime?" Alya suggested. We all agreed. I looked one more time before continuing to design.
Class finished and Amira left like a bullet being shot from a golden gun. I followed her to the locker rooms. She still looked paniced and scared.
"Are you okay?" I asked. She explained it was just stress so I tried to comfort her. Before I could invite her out to the park she looked at her phone and legged it. I shrugged it off and met up with Nino. I would see her tomorrow.
Night fell and I transformed into Chat Noir. It was my night to do the patrol and I went straight to the rougher parts of town. I was jumping over the rooftops when I heard faint crying and a deep muffled voice. As I looked down the street I noticed two figures. One was towering over the other, the other was handing over everything she had in her pockets and hands.
"Do you think im stupid?!" The man shouted and gripped her arm, I began running down the street as I began running he knocked her to the ground, hit her in the eye and kicked her in the stomach. God he makes me sick, to hit a woman.
I came from behind and hit him with my baton. He fell to the ground. I looked at the lifeless body on the ground and realised it was Amira.
"Help… Me," She mumbled. I picked her up bridal style and jumped onto the rooftops. What was she doing in a place like this. I began running towards centre Paris but she pulled on my jacket collar.
"No…That way" She groaned. Amira pointed towards where the incident had taken place.
"I can't take you there honey, it's risky," I explained but she was certain of going that way. She couldn't afford a hotel so what was left to do? I decided to take her back but I would guard her through the night.
She was sure in a rough area; her room didn't even have a bed in it. We walked in and she sat on the sofa. Amira stared at the gold necklace around her neck. She then looked into the camera on her phone and sighed.
"Defiantly gonna bruise," She muttered sadly. I didn't understand one thing though, how could a girl live in a place like this but afford a phone? When I asked her, she held her legs to her face and sighed heavily. It looked like she was debating telling me.