"But today the school field trip."
Adrien spoke, in front of him was his father. Dressed in his normal Khaki suite, he looks over at his son with annoyed eyes.
"Today is a valuable meeting for my fashion line, I can't afford to miss one shoot."
"But you promised…" Adrien whimpered.
"A promise I did not keep, you can cry about it later. Get dressed, we will be leaving soon." Gabriel said to his son before walking past him. Adrien was staring at the ground with sadden eyes. After a minute or two, the young man grabs his phone and begins to text his friend the news.
N (Nino): WDY mean you cant come?"
A (Adrien): My dad wants me to go with him to a photo shoot. I might have to take some pictures again.
N: Another one!? That's the third one this week! Have you even eaten?
A: I am fine. I gtg, ttyl.
Adrien texted before swiping the screen to his main screen. He then turns his phone off and sighs. His right hand slowly goes to his stomach as it makes a loud growling sound. The young teen bit his bottom lip before moaning in pain.
"LET'S GO ADRIEN!" His father shouted, Adrien nodded his head before leaving the office.
(His classmates)
"What do you mean he can't come?" Ayla asked her the glasses wearing male in front of her. Marinette and Alya saw Nino in the hallway growling at his phone when he informed them of the news.
"His dad wants him to go to another shoot." Nino growled. "Adrien hasn't eaten in almost a week because his dad wants him to lose a few inches around his waist! His skin is starting to become the color white!"
"At that rate, he will kill him." Alya said.
"I think that's his goal." Nino growled.
"Pfft!" Chloe started as she walks towards the group of kids. "You losers don't know the life of a model. We need to stay fit and skinny at all cost."
"Didn't France pass a law saying you can't be a certain weight anymore if you're a model?" Marinette asked in annoyance.
"You're a law-ist now?" Chloe asked in annoyance, making the blue haired girl stick her tongue at Chloe in anger. Marinette gritted her teeth a little before walking up to Chloe's face to say:
"You've known Adrien since you were babies, how can you watch him starve himself to death over a job!?" Marinette asked. The question alone made Chloe feel insulted, let alone hurt.
"How dare you, I care about Adrien!"
"Yet you find it okay to let him do this to himself, I've seen you and your dad go to his house over these few days." Nino growled. "Stop pretending you care for him, if you cared, you would at least give him something to eat!"
"Look, Adrien looks is all he has! He's not going to get far in life with his brains. He needs to get used to this now before he becomes a serious model." Chloe growled.
"Adrien's more than just his looks!" Marinette growled. "He's smart, caring and doesn't act high and mighty like you do! You're not even a good friend to him but he's willing to call his best friend. To me that's an insult to anyone that hears it, let alone says it!"
"All you care for are his looks too!" Chloe shouted back, gaining the attention of her classmates.
"That's a lie!" Marinette shouted. "Adrien is special to me in ways you would never understand! You say you're his friend and that you love but you treat him like shit! At least he gives you the day and time! While he's my world and he doesn't even look at me!"
"And I will make sure he never gives you an inch of day. So screw you baker girl!" Chloe shouted.
"No, fuck you spoiled cunt!" Marinette shouted back, making everyone in the room gasp in shock at her words. Even the teacher was shocked at Marinette's words, no one has ever heard her curse. Marinette, coming to her sense, grasp her mouth in shock with her eyes widen to the size of white plates. Looking around the room, she begins to blush a deep shade of reds.
"I…sorry." Marinette said as her face becomes redder.
"Leave!" The teacher shouted at the blue haired girl, making Marinette look at her.
"What!?"
"You heard me young lady, I do not accept that type of behavior. Leave my class, you will not be participating in the school trip!" The teacher shouted at the teenager. Sadden by her teacher's words, Marinette grabs her book bag and walks over to the door with her head down and tears forming in her eyes. By the time she exited the room, tears were rolling down her cheeks at the humiliation she had caused herself. She wasn't crying because she couldn't go on the trip, she was crying because she shouted her feelings to the world.
Marinette!" Ayla shouted as she runs to her best friend in the school hallway. Marinette's hand was on the door handle when Ayla called to her. Nino was right behind her when she approached the young teen that was crying.
"Oh Mari…" Alya said before wrapping her arms around her friend's neck. Holding her close, tears begin to form in her eyes.
"Chloe's such a bitch." Ayla whimpered into her friend's ear. "But's its okay, karma will get to her."
"I-I-I-I- It'-s-s-s N-n-not that!" Marinette whimpered, or morally sniffed, her voice was lost behind the saddens of her heart. "I did…didn…didn't want any…to know about my…cr-cru-crush!"
"Aww Mari." Nino said. "Please don't cry, if it's any help. Adrien already knows you have a crush on him."
"HE DOES!" Marinette shouted before breaking away from her hug with Ayla. She turns to Nino as she wipes her tears away.
"Wh-what he says!?" Marinette asked.
"He thinks it's cute, but he doesn't have those feelings for you." Nino said, making Marinette look to the ground in sadness for a second. She then looks up at him before nodding her head.
"But, that doesn't mean he doesn't want to be friends. He does care for you, in a friend way." Nino said.
"Oh." Marinette responded before noticing the two had their book bags on. "Why do you guys have your bags on?"
"We decided to ditch the trip. It wouldn't be fun without the two of you." Alya said. "Besides, Nino and I formed a plan. And I think you might like it."
(Adrien)
"He's perfect!"
A man in a black suit shouted as he removes a yellow tape from the blond's waist. Adrien bits his bottom lips as the man examines him. Next to him were boys his age that was also shirtless, he hated doing these things. It always made him feel uncomfortable.
"Great, I will set up a schedule for you." Gabriel said with a small smirk on his face. Adrien quickly walks over to his father in haste, ignoring the designers gazing eyes on him. Gabriel handed his son his black shirt and jacket.
"Dad, can I go home now?" Adrien asked his father. He and the older blonde were in a studio room watching models be examined by the designer. Adrien was putting his shirt as he stared at the young boys similar o him. All shirtless with their ribcages showing, it was terrifying to the young man.
"I have to talk to Dantor, go to the back and play games." His father responded. Adrien was about to say something but his stomach answered for him. Placing a hand on the skin, his body twitched a little in pain before he walks away. Heading downstairs, he exits the building and heads to the back. Gripping his stomach, he leans against a brick wall in the back and growls.
"Ugh…" Adrien growled. "I need food. I becoming a skeleton. A frame of something I use to be."
Slowly falling to the ground, he looks up to the sky and begins to shake. All those boys, they looked sick and tired just as he was. Only in the worst condition, they practically looked like skeletons to him, he wasn't too far but not near either. But what saddens Adrien of all was how his father was perfectly fine with that fact that Adrien was starving himself to look like a stick. An unhealthy stick that will eventually kill him, he didn't want to be a model. The only reason he started was to be with his dad, now he's so popular that he wished he never agreed to it.
"Nrg…" Adrien moaned.
"Adrien!" A voice shouted, he almost jumped into the air like a frightened cat because of it. Turning his head to the voice, he saw three pairs of eyes staring at him.
"Nino? Alya? Marinette? What are you doing here?" Adrien asked as the three teens walk over to him.
"Marinette cursed Chloe out and got kicked out of school. So we joined her and decided to see you." Nino explained, making Marinette blush while Alya sighed. Her blush then fades into her skin as she inspects Adrien a bit more. His skin was paler than the average human skin, he was nearly white as a ghost. His body shaped looked a bit smaller, like he was small enough to be thrown by her but still be able to pick her up. His hair wasn't as thick as it use to be, it seemed like it flatten and wasn't full of life anymore. The only thing on his body that had color was his eyes, and even they seemed bland. They didn't look emerald green like she remembered, they were plain and dull. Unhealthy, with deep dark circles underneath his eyes.
"This is beauty in the fashion industry?" Marinette thought to herself. "He looks so sick."
"What about the trip?" Adrien asked.
"Who cares!" Marinette growled in anger. Adrien's eyes widen because she didn't stutter her words. "Adrien, you look like a ghost! What is your father doing to you?"
"It's work." Adrien responded.
"It's stupid! You're coming with me and getting food!" Marinette growled before grabbing Adrien's arm. Forcing him up to his feet.
"I have to stay!" Adrien pleaded.
"Text your dad you're going out for a bit!" Nino said.
"He won't listen." Adrien said, making Marinette let Adrien's arm go.
"Adrien, I don't know if you looked in the mirror recently, but you look sick. You look like a skeleton! You need to eat!"
"I am fine Marinette!" Adrien growled, making the blue haired girl pout at his words.
"You're not fine!" Marinette shouted. "Stand up and come with me, please!"
"Marinette, I wish I could, but I can't!" Adrien said.
"It's cause of your dad, isn't it?" Nino asked. Adrien was about to respond, but doesn't, instead he looks down in anger.
"My dad is stubborn. He won't listen to me." Adrien said, making Marinette stomp her feet at him. Gaining his attention and the other two teens.
"Your father's a monster then!" Marinette shouted. "To let his son become like this, its crazy! Please come with me, I will make your food and it will help you. Adrien please come with me!"
"Marinette I just got the job, I can't lose it!" Adrien said, making Marinette glare down at him before crossing her arms over her chest to look angry at him.
"If you don't stand up and come with me, I will never talk you again!" Marinette growled, making the green eyed boy stare up at her in shock. He knew she had feelings for him, but this was going a bit too far. Sure, he can ignore her and ruined their friendship forever, at the same time, he did like and adore Marinette. He didn't want their friendship to end, he knew in his heart he needed her in his life. He didn't know why though. Standing up from his sitting position, he looks at her.
"Mari…please don't do this to me." He begged, but the young girl did not yield to him.
"I care for you, but I refuse to watch you hurt yourself like this. Ether take my help or leave me!" Marinette growled, making the young man sighed.
"Marinette I-ADRIEN!" Gabriel shouted, cutting his son off and making his friends look at the blonde older male as he approaches them.
"Who are they?" Gabriel asked.
"Marinette, Alya, and Nino, my classmates and friends." Adrien said.
"Oh yes, the commoners you play with." Gabriel growled. "The meeting is over, we shall see Dantor in two weeks."
"Good…" Adrien said. His father turns his back to the kids, it was a clear sign to his son to come along. Which Adrien did, only to stop three steps before looking at Marinette. Her blue eyes were like daggers to his soul, so he looked over to his father to say:
"Um, my friends are going to the bakery to play games. May I go?" Adrien asked, making his father stop in his steps to look at the boy. The two made eye contact for a few minutes before the older male nod his head.
"I want you home before dark, Nat has homework for you." Gabriel said before walking away. Once he turned the corner, Adrien takes a deep breath.
"Okay Marinette." Adrien said. "I will go with you."
(A week later)
"What is this?" Adrien asked as Marinette sets down a plate of green unknown food. The two were in their school's courtyard when Marinette brought him food to the table with Nino and Alya already there.
"It's a Chinese dish, it will help with your skin color." Marinette said. A week has passed since the deal Adrien and Marinette has made, and so far Adrien seems to be recovering quicker than normal. In less than two days, Marinette made his appetite come back and make his eyes return to their normal color. His hair was growing again, becoming a poofy mess it was originally, becoming it's originally puffy form. Although his body was that of a Skelton still, Marinette was proud of her results.
"How do you feel?" Marinette asked.
"A lot better, since you been caring for me." Adrien said with a small blush on his face. From afar in the shadows was angry blue eyes staring at the four teens as they laughed and talked. The blonde girl glares at the table with dagger practically coming out of her eyes. It was Chloe, and she did not look to happy.
"Ugh! What does she have that I don't!?" Chloe shouted. "Adrien and I are meant for each other! We both are blonde, pretty, rich and in the same social class! But yet he's with her and not with me!"
"Maybe he's just using her." Sabrina said with a smirk on her face.
"No, I can see it. She's using food to manipulate my Adrien-kins! I need to get her away from him…but how?" Chloe asked. Then, a plan formed in her head, an evil and cruel smile appeared on her face as she pulls her cell phone out of her pocket. Handing it to Sabrina, she pulls out a black tube of mascura. Removing the top, she uses the tip to poke her eye. Making her eyes water and then tear up. She then puts the mascara into her back pocket before walking towards Adrien when Marinette had left to throw away their garbage.
(Adrien and Marinette at her family bakery)
"So, if I were to move here…" Adrien spoke as he moves a small orange object on a purpled plastic box with multiple holes in it. He sticks the orange object down into another box. "C12!"
"My battleship!" Marinette shouted, she then burst into laughter. "You sunk it, no fair!"
"All fair in love and war!" Adrien said with a smile on his face. The two were sitting her parent's bakery playing battleships.
"Oh my gosh, I wonder what taking Alya and Nino long. They were supposed to be back a half hour ago." Marinette said before she looked down at her cell phone. "Maybe you should call them."
"I lent my phone to Chloe since she dropped hers in the toilet this morning. So I am sort of phone less. Besides, their probably making out somewhere." Adrien chuckled, only to look up and see Marinette blush at his words. This made the boy in front of her chuckle at his words.
"I'm sorry, I forgot you're a shy person."
"I am not shy, I just…uh…" Marinette was lost for words. Her face was turning all sorts of reds and pinks, this just made Adrien giggle at her. "Ugh, please don't laugh at me."
"Why not, your so cute when you blush. I think the red cheeks goes well with your blue hair." Adrien said, making her face practically turn a different shade of color.
"Um… I ne-ee-neee-need!" Marinette lips were trembling as she tries to speak. Closing her eyes, she begins to mentally shout at herself.
"Oh no! I am studdering again!" Marinette thought. "Come on Marinette! He doesn't like you! Your just friends, friends!
"Mari?" A voice spoke to her, opening her eyes. She saw two green orbs staring down at her an inch away from her blue eyes. His nose pokes her gently as he moves his lips towards her, connected, her heart races! A long-awaited kiss…that lasted for a second because her parents came walking into the room. Or morally, barging into the area with angry faces. Marinette stood up from her seat as Adrien takes a seat.
"Hi mom! Hi dad!" Marinette shouted.
"Your room, now!" Her mother shouted before turning her head to the blonde boy in the area. "Adrien, I think it's time you went home, please."
"Uh, sure." Adrien spoke. "Bye Mari."
"Bye…"