Marinette's POV
The slap landed directly on my cheek, and stung like a thousand knives across one section of my face. I fall to the ground and as I process what happened, Alya is already at my side, checking to see if I was okay.
"Chloe! What the HELL?!" Chloe's laugh just pierced through my ears like daggers taking off a flies wings slowly.
"That little witch deserved it for ruining her reputation! Not like there was much to begin with!" She continues laughing as I just look around the room with everyone not facing eye contact. I lower my head in complete shame for something I didn't even do.
"Chloe, that's enough!" I jolt my head up to see if my mind was playing tricks on me. "You have NO right to slap her at all! If you actually got to know her instead of degrade her all the time, you would know this!" I look up at those beautiful green eyes in utter shock. He leans down to see if I'm okay, placing a hand on my cheek gently. "Hey, Mari. Are you okay?"
"Y-y-yeah..! I'll be fine. It stings like crazy, though." I'm kind of glad now I got hit, or else Adrien would have seen my blush of how close he had gotten.
"Come on, Mari, I'll take you to the nurse," he offers a gesture to help me up with his hand while glaring at Chloe. "As you for you, don't you dare ever speak to me again until you apologize and truly mean it. I'll know too, Chlo." he glances around the room. "Anyone lays a hand on her at all in a hurtful manner, I'll make sure to do the same; this is your only warning." With that, he puts his arm around mine to steady me in case of whiplash and takes me to the nurse without any hesitation. Right as they left, their teacher comes in and looks tells the class to sit down. Chloe just gawks at what Adrien had said to her. "How DARE he! I'm an angel!" She pulls out her phone and makes a quick text. A.B "Lila, we need to make another one."
V "What?! That didn't work?"
A.B "Not completely... but I have a much better idea in mind."
V "Oooh, curious! Hehe, library in five?"
A.B "I'll be there."
'OMG Adrien has his arms around me! AHH! If today did suck, this day got a million times better; minus my cheek still burns like crazy! Also, when did he get so protective? Not that I'm complaining... just seemed slightly familiar..' I thought.
"Mari? Mari!" I snap back into reality.
"H-huh? Adrien? What?" 'Dangit..there's that stutter again' I curse at myself.
"I don't know why she did that to you... I know she doesn't like you, though. If she actually got to know you, she would be different. You're an amazing person." he softly spoke that last part, hoping I didn't hear it. Yet that last bit made my heart skip quite a few beats.
"I highly doubt it. Her and I have been in the same class for who knows when.. even before you came to the middle school. I tried being friends with her and helping her some times, but she just-"
"I know. I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner when we were younger how she was acting. If I would've caught on, maybe I could've stopped this," he looks at me and then gives me a gentle hug. "I'm so sorry, Marinette." He whispers. I blush and hug him, but just then the nurse came in with some ice and bandages. Apparently, Chloe drew blood with those fake nails of hers.
"Make sure you ice it and clean it when you get home, before bed and when you wake up. Be thankful it's the weekend, or else I would have suggested you not come in tomorrow just so it doesn't get worse."
"Merci bocou, Madam." Adrien and I said in sync, making me smile. He walks me out of the clinic and he takes a detour.
"A-Adrien? I thought we needed to go back to class?"
"I'm not taking you anywhere near her right now. Plus, I don't want to be near her either, so I'm taking you back home and I'll explain everything to your parents so you can just go upstairs and rest. I already told Mr. Damocles and our teacher, too."
"B-but what about my things? They're still in-" he stops and smiles.
"I already had this planned out," He smiles so brightly while lifting up my bag and puts it around himself. "You're going to take it easy, the only thing you can carry is your purse." "T-there's no need for that, Adrien.. I'm perfectly fine to be able to carry my own things!"
"Nope, I'm not giving in. You're stuck with me carrying it until we reach your place and you're in your bed." I look at his eyes, knowing I can't say no.
"Okay."
While we walk towards my house, we accidently kept brushing shoulders. A couple times I almost fell over due to whiplash. He caught me every single time, but I still got more flustered to where he asked if I needed a break from walking and some water. I of course said no, but that didn't stop him from worrying about me. After a few minutes of silence, Adrien spoke.
"Hey Mari?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you... want me to stay with you tonight?" What?
Did... did Adrien just ask if he could stay the night? At my house? With me?! I had to think quickly or else I would stammer the whole time without answering him.
"W-w-what about your father? Also your photoshoots? Don't you have those over the weekend?" 'Yes, good job, Marinette! My years as Ladybug has really paid off!'
"Actually... I don't have any this weekend, and my father is away on a business trip. So I'm free." He smiled like he had just won a free cookie. Him and his food always go hand in hand.
"O-oh. Well, that's up to my parents..."
"Well, we never know unless we ask." I stop and he looks back at me. "Mari?" I look up at him, trying hard not to look into his eyes.
"Why... why do you want to stay the night?" I honestly was curious, but I was nervous at the same time.
"Honestly, Marinette? I want to protect you. I don't trust Chloe at all right now, and she knows where you live. Yes, you have you father who look like he could even kick HawkMoth's butt, yet I want to help in any way I can." I blush after he finished.
"T-thank you, Adrien... We'll ask them."
As we arrive at my house, my mother gasped right away when we came in. Thankfully, there were no customers in the bakery so they didn't have to see what happened next when Papa came out ad saw me.
"MARINETTE! What happened?" Sabine spoke up. Tom heard and rushed into where they were standing, his eyes bulged. I quickly looked over at Adrien, who looked like he was thinking hard of how to word things.
"Well, ma'am, sir," Adrien spoke up. "She got slapped..." I wished he could've worded that differently than being so blunt infront of them!
"WHAT?!" Tom was in pure rage. "Adrien, you better elaborate on that right this min-"
"Tom! Don't talk like that to him. Clearly it wasn't him that did it since our little girl isn't standing far away from him. In fact, I think he stood up for her!" It's rare I ever hear my mother talk like that, but boy did it make him realize how he acted. "I'm worried too, but don't take it out on him." Maman looks over at Adrien. "You are welcome here any time, dear, for helping Marinette. Now, if you can elaborate, I'll make sure he doesn't go berserk again." She laughs softly with a big smile.
"Y-yes ma'am."
Adrien was telling them what happened very carefully and respectfully, honestly not leaving any detail out. When he was done, my parents sat down in the living room where we joined them.
"What is this photo? Show it to us." Tom said carefully with a shaky voice. He looks over to me, pretty much asking if it was okay. I nod and brace myself for the outcome. They look at it together and are dumbfounded and what they saw. What Adrien and I didn't know, is another photo came through to that same message, and my parents had a horrified look on their face.
"Adrien... this isn't the photo you were talking about, is it?" They hand the phone back to Adrien who became beat red and quickly turns the phone away. I quickly grab his phone and just before he could take it back from me, I see the newest photo that will ruin me.
A photo of me and Nathaniel making out..naked. I am suddenly whisped away in a whirlwing of emotions.
"WHAT IS THIS?! I've never even madeout with anyone, let alone my first kiss!" I look up from the phone to find Adrien, my mother and father looking at each other. They nod at once. 'What are they all telepathic now? Jeez!'
"Mari, I swear I will find whoever is doing this and take them to the cops. This is a serious form of harassment, especially since they..uhh..got a photo of you naked." His blush as red as my alter-ego's suit.
"Adrien, I thank you for standing up for, and protecting her. You guys may be 17, almost 18, but she will forever be our little girl." Tom spoke softly and gave Adrien a hug. Sabine joined in as well, while I just watch them embrace the man I love in pure acceptance.
"As much as I hate saying this, I should be going." Adrien spoke.
"I thought you wanted to see if you could stay the night..?" I said sadly, not wanting him to leave now.
"I have some things I need to look up on. I want the person responsible to pay. I'm going to do just that. You'll see me again."
"Okay.. be safe on your way home." Adrien walks over to me and give me a gently but firm hug.
"Don't you worry, Prin- I mean, Marinette. I'll text you when I get home. For now though, go up in your room and sleep." As he is saying good-bye, my mother and father give him one last hug and offer for him to at least stay for dinner. He was sad to decline, and promises to come by for dinner some time soon. With those final words, he leaves my house to go home.