Chapter 2
Parting ways was awkward. We kind of just waved to each other, as Alya dragged Marinette one way, Nino walked another, and I stood there waiting for my limousine. I didn't want to leave her. We still hadn't organized a time for the movie. But I had a photoshoot, and she had a bakery shift. That didn't mean that I stopped staring at her. I was gazing into her beautiful eyes until she was out of sight. The weight of life was suddenly thrown on my shoulders once again. The pressure of looking perfect. The diet I was supposed to stick to. The loneliness that was my home. I tried to push the thoughts away from me. Down deep, into an imaginary hole. Because I still had Ladybug. I still had Marinette. And no one could take that away from me. Let them try.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out. It was my Father.
"Yes Father?" I said answering the call.
"I would hope that my son would answer a call more formally that that." He scolded. "But that's beside the point. I have canceled the photoshoot. I have organized something special for tonight."
"But Father, I was going to go to the movies with Marinette tonight!" I protested.
"That will have to wait. Your limo just arrived. I will see you then."
"No, wait that -" A beep cut me off. He had just hung up on me. Typical. Ever so typical. I growled softly.
"He only ever thinks of himself!" I told Plagg. The kwami obviously didn't know what to say. He wasn't known for his pep talks. I trudged down the stairs to the limo, dragging my shoes, probably wrecking them. I didn't care. I slammed the door shut as I put my seatbelt on, ignoring the worried glances Natalie was giving me. She drove me home in silence, which made me feel ever so alone. Why did nobody care about me!
"Shut up!" I told myself internally. "You just want the attention. That's why you're doing this!" I mentally agreed, ignoring the other whisper from the back of my mind.
We eventually reached the over the top mansion. I had never understood the reason for its excessive size. We had so many spare bedrooms, but never any guests. A humongous dining table, but only ever seated by one. We had an excessive hall, but never any parties. My bedroom was the size of a small house! I watched as we passed the elaborate security, passed the jail like gates, the scanning machine, the password at the front door. The limo stopped. I grabbed my bag and flung the door open, wishing I didn't have to be here. I mumbled thanks to Natalie, and dragged myself through the maze of rooms to get to my bedroom. As I set myself down on the unnecessarily large lounge, I realized that I hadn't told Marinette anything. Sighing, I realized that procrastination would only get me so far. I picked up my expensive phone, I dialed Marinette's number.
"Hey Adrien!" A familiar voice said.
"Marinette about tonight..." I began.
"Oh, I have that all sorted, there is a romanic movie that I really like, and that starts at 7:00. There's a comedy that starts at 8:00 and a sci-fi one that starts at -"
"Marinette." I cut her off. "I'm really sorry, but I can't make it." I heard her breath get caught in her throat.
"Oh." She said. "N-no w-worries." It was the same tone of voice that she had used when I had told her I didn't love her.
"I'm really sorry!" I told her apologetically.
"No, don't worry about it." I could detect the sadness in her voice, that she was so desperately trying to hide."
"Ok. I guess I have to go now." I sighed unhappily.
"Bye then." She's said. I heard a faint sob from the phone a second before she had hung up.
"Great!" I said out loud. "Now I've hurt the only person who cares about me!" Plagg flew out of my bag.
"Don't say that Adrien!" He exclaimed. "I care about you! Who else will give me cheese? Alya and Nino care about you! Ladybug who technically is different to Marinette cares about you!"
"Ladybug won't even trust me with the identities of our hero team!" The words left my mouth before I had time to process it. I continued letting my anger overflow. "She is the one that Master Fu talks to. She's the one who gives out the miraculous to everyone. She's the one who gets all the fame and glory. I'm just her SIDEKICK!" I spat the word, with so much fury. Plagg just stared at me concerned.
"Adr-" He began, when my bedroom door was flung open.
"Adrien Agreste!" My Father yelled. "What are you doing!" Get dressed, get ready, our guests will be here in an hour!" He said angrily. Unfortunately, my own anger overflow was still at the front of my mind.
"HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?" I screamed back at him. "YOU NEVER EVEN TOLD ME WHO WAS COMING, OR WHAT IT IS FOR! YOU DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT ME!" I exploded.
"How dare you." He mumbled. "HOW DARE YOU! After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me. You useless kid! Get dressed in FORMAL clothes. And be down here in ONE HOUR. Got it?" He didn't even give me a chance to answer before he stormed out the door, slamming it loudly behind him.
"That is it." I told Plagg. "That is IT!" The kwami looked at me, confused. "Claws out."
"Adrien whaaaaaa?" That kwami questioned, before being sucked into my ring. A flash of green, and once again I was Cat Noir. I shot out my open window, knowing my cheeks were still red, and my eyes were still shedding tears. I launched myself from roof to roof, before I landed in front of the Dupain Cheng's bakery.
"Claws in." I whispered, as I let go of my transformation, completely unnoticed. I casually opened the door and walked in. Marinette was working at the counter, and was just finishing serving a customer. She hadn't noticed me yet. As I walked up, I saw the look of boredom covering her face.
"Hi." She said, as if on autopilot. "What would you like to order today?" She began punching buttons into the register.
"Marinette?" I asked. She looked up, startled.
"Oh, Adrien!" She gasped. "Sorry, I didn't realize it was you. Um, what are you doing here?"
"Can I talk with you please. It won't take long."
"Yes, sure, just give me one second." She cupped her hands around her mouth. "MAMA!" She yelled. Almost instantly, a small Asian lady ran through the door. "Mama, can you cover my shift for a small while?" Marinette pleaded.
"Why would -" Her eyes fell on me and she mouth "ohhh". She glanced back at Marinette. "Sure thing honey!" And with that she took Marinette's place at the counter. We walked up to Marinette's room without a word. When we entered, I took notice of some pictures of me from various magazines scattered around the room.
"I wasn't expecting you." Marinette confessed. "So what is this all about?" I slumped down on her small daybed.
"Its actually my Father." I admitted. "He's the reason I can't come to the movies with you tonight. He says that something special is on, but I know it will just be some famous model coming over for dinner." She nodded understandingly. I continued. "He came into my room, and told me to get ready and all. I got angry, and blurted out my feelings. So did he." Her gaze was fixed on me, as if she was taking in every detail.
"What feelings did you blurt out exactly?" She asked me kindly. I felt myself blushing.
"I, I get lonely sometimes. I feel pretty useless. Like no one really cares about me." I shook my head. "But I know its just me being selfish."
"No, that's not true Adrien. This isn't you being selfish, its..." She paused. "Its something that you must not bottle up.
And then I told her everything.
I gave the subtle hints that I was Cat Noir, which I knew she picked up on. I told her how I felt about her, how my dad was always neglecting me, down to the smallest detail. She laughed, when I told her that I couldn't understand why our house was so big, and pouted when I started crying. But I knew that she was listening to every single word. By the time I was done, I knew I had to leave. As I flew back home as Cat Noir, I had this weird feeling. I hadn't felt it in so long, that it took me a while to figure out what it was. Then I got it. Relief. Mixed with joy. I smiled happily as I rushed to get dressed. When my dad came in, I brushed off his many insults, and hurried downstairs, less than eager to meet my guest. I was beyond shocked when I saw who it was.
"What are YOU doing here?" I asked, mad and confused. She laughed, a fake laugh that has deceived me too many times before.
"You don't know yet?" She giggled. "How exciting! Trust me, you're going to LOVE this surprise!"
"Why are you here?" I asked again. It was my father who answered.
"Adrien. I have organized you someone who can be a good influence on your bad behavior. Here is your new girlfriend."
"WHAT?!" I screamed. "Um, NO WAY! I object!" The girl pouted. "Why would it have ever crossed your mind that I would ever date CHLOE!?"
"But ADRIKINS!" The spoiled girl whined.
"No way!" I told them both. "No wayyyyy!"
"Adrien, you don't get to decide. you WILL date her! No exceptions." My Father said harshly.
"But Father!" I complained. "I already have a girlfriend!" At this, he rolled his eyes, and Chloe shrieked.
"And who may this girlfriend be?" I stood up tall, trying to make myself look confident.
"Marinette Dupain Cheng." I had never heard Chloe scream so loud.
"I don't know that one." Said my Father, carelessly. I huffed.
"The bakers daughter, as you like to call her."
"Oh that one." He laughed. "No, I do not approve."
"What?!" I exclaimed. "Why not?"
"I don't need to explain myself, you just need to know, that what I say goes!" He ordered.
"No. Thank. You." I yelled, as I stormed upstairs and locked my door. Without even taking time to think it through, I transformed and was heading once again to Marinette's house. What am I doing? I thought as I stood on her balcony. Well, there was no going back now.
"Claws in." I said. Plagg has been silent for a while, knowing that what he would say would just make things worse. I took a deep breath, then burst through the door. I stumbled slightly as I slid down the ladder. She turned and saw me.
"Kitty!" She exclaimed, before catching her mistake. "I mean Adrien, um, why are you here again?" She asked. I got straight to the point.
"My Father is going to make me date Chloe!" I told her.
"Chloe?" She repeated, obviously distressed.
"You have to help me!" I moaned. "I mean, please may you be kind enough to -"
"Of course I'll help!" She said. "How about you stay here for a while and talk everything through?" I nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes please!" I told her. Suddenly, the trapdoor opened, and a head popped through.
"Mari, have you - wait is that you Adrien?" Said Marinette's Mum.
"I'm sorry Mrs Dupain Cheng, I can leave if you want..."
"No, you can stay!" Marinette gasped.
"Adrien have you been crying?" Asked Mrs Dupain Cheng as she crept into the room. How has she noticed? "Mums notice these things!" She said, once again reading my mind.
"I, no, I mean yes, but, doesn't matter" I stuttered.
"Adrien's dad is being a jerk!" Said Marinette.
"Mari, that's no way to talk about a famous designer!" Her mum told her.
"But he is a jerk!" I said, my emotions rising past boiling point. "He is a neglecting, selfish, mean, cruel, spiteful jerk! He's a lame excuse for a father!" I exploded. The two were looking at me in shock. "Sorry." I mumbled, expecting to be told off by Mrs Dupain Cheng. "Mrs Dupain Cheng, I'm sorry, I can go now if you want, I underst-"
"Sabine." She said calmly. "Call me Sabine. And tell me what's going on." The kindness and generosity in her voice was too much for me. It was so contrasting to my fathers that I just...broke. I slumped down to my knees and began sobbing. Marinette and Sabine were over me immediately.
"Don't make me go back there!" I begged. "I want to stay here." Sabine nodded.
"I will see what I can do." The woman told me. She left the room, leaving Marinette who was comforting me.
"Don't worry, my mum was in the debating team when she was at school." Marinette said, laughing slightly. "She has a way of persuading people." We fell silent, so we could listen to the phone conversation.
"Hi Mr Agreste, I'm Marinette's Mum. Yes, I own the Dupain Cheng bakery. Your son is in my daughter's room. Well no, he is obviously not in his room." A long pause. "Actually, he doesn't want to go back, he is very upset with you. You do realize that I could call the police and accuse you of emotionally abusing your child. I'm sure that would be good for your reputation. Yes. I'm sure that would work. Thank you for your cooperation. Goodbye Mr Agreste." And with that she had hung up the call. The woman came back into the room.
"Success!" She exclaimed.
