As class resumed, Nathanael noticed bits of paper being tossed to Lila whenever the teacher turned her back. Lila ignored them for the most part, but he could see her eye brow twitch with each piece of paper that hit her. Ivan, whom sat in front of them, tried to knock some away from her, but couldn't get them all.
It wasn't uncommon for past Akumatized victims to be bullied. The reason it happened always factored into it. For him, it was endless teasing about Marinette, and how even with superpowers he still couldn't get a girl. But hers was because she lied to be popular and Ladybug called her out on it. So now she was known as Liar Lila, the girl who got owned by Ladybug.
Although Marinette made up for it by apologizing, and then being nice to her as Marinette, it still hasn't made up for the damage done. Nathanael understands the feeling of wanting to fit in, so he understands why she did it, but he thinks she didn't go about it the best way. The bell rang dismissing the end of class.
"Thank gosh its lunch time, no more dealing with Liar Lila," Declared Chloe causing some students to laugh. "Seriously, so desperate for attention she would lie like that? And then get Akumatized on top of that? Hilarious!"
"Tch, pot call the kettle black much?" Muttered Nathanael.
"Hm, did you say something Mr. wannabe Leonardo DiCRAPio?" Said Chloe. Nathanael felt his anger rise farther at that. He was never much of a fighter, or a loud speaker, but he was a quiet guy. And everyone knows what happens when the quiet ones snap.
"I said, pot call the kettle black much? Since your brain seems to be small ill explain it to you. You are being a hypocrite. How many times have you lied about being "BFF's" with Ladybug, yet we all know you're not. Also, you get friends only because you threaten them with your family heritage. You're a whiny spoiled brat, and you need to stop talking so we all don't lose more brain cells listening to you!" He said loudly.
The class fell silent as Chloe stared with her mouth gaping. The they began to laugh.
"Wow Chloe got OWNED by Nathanael!" Shouted Kim threw tears of laughter, making everyone else laugh harder.
"You. Will. Pay. For. This!" Said Chloe as her eyes burned with tears of humiliation. She turned around and stormed out of the classroom.
"Thank you Nathanael," Said Lila. "But wont that bring her wrath upon you next?"
"Uh, Probably, but that was long overdue. Besides, there's nothing wrong with you that needs to be made fun of," He said looking down. When he looked up he saw her standing there with a huge smile on her face.
''Thank you so much Nathanael!" She said as she hugged him. He stiffened at that, and awkwardly put an arm around her and rubbed the back of neck. He wasn't very used to hugs. "Well I got to go to lunch, Ill see you around."
"Y-yeah see you," He said quietly as she skipped out of class.
"Wow Nath, you sure know how to cheer a girl up," Said Alya.
"That was really kind of you Nathanael," Said Marinette with a smile.
"U-Uh, Thank you both, but it was really nothing…. I-I just said what I thought that's all. No big deal…" He said blushing. They gave him a wave before leaving, and he let out a sigh as he headed towards his detention.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The bell rang ending the school day, and Nathanael let out a small sigh of relief. Since he stood up for her, all day she has been sitting by him and talking to him. He wasn't used to such normalcy, so he didn't know what to do. Thankfully she wasn't offended when he told her that, she instead understood. He did have to admit, it was nice having someone sit next to him, and talk to him frequently.
He made his way out the front school steps and turned to go walk home when he felt someone grab him and pull him around the side of the school.
"Hey there little emo boy, come with us nice and easy." Said a voice.
He felt panic rush through him as he saw three older kids standing there. 'S-Someone help me I-' His thoughts were interrupted when he thought of his drawings of him being a superhero. 'It's not possible… is it?' He thought. 'Well regardless, I'm not going to let these guys take me down easily!'
"The fucks up with this kid?" Asked one of them as Nathanael looked up at him with a glare. "I don't like the look he is giving me!" He shouted as he swung his fist at Nathanael.
Nathanael ducked down, causing the guys fist to hit the wall behind him. The guy grabbed his hand giving Nathanael the chance to duck under their arms. He turned and put his hands up, like he saw in Anime, and braced himself. The attackers laughed as they all lunged towards him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lila let out a sigh of relief as she exited the school. She stayed later to avoid the students, and avoid going home. She was tired of all the teasing she got. As Nathanael said early, it's not her fault! Everyone in the class has gotten Akumatized, and they aren't being bullied!
What's wrong with wanting to fit in any way!? It's not like she knew any other way to get affection and attention besides having the most exciting life. And that all stemmed form who she knew and who she didn't know . Was that so wrong of her? She didn't know anything else.
As she thought, she couldn't help but think of Nathanael. He was definitely a different kind of person she ever encountered. When she first transferred, she over looked him as a weird emo kid. After today though, she saw he was a kind, weird emo kid, with a backbone. Granted its small, very small, but there. She was so happy when he stood up for her.
She was interrupted by her thought when she heard a shout of pain. She looked over and saw a group of high scholars running out of a side ally, looking pretty roughed up.
"Emo freak is fucking nuts," She heard one of them say to the other.
Curious, she stepped into the ally and gasped when she saw Nathanael laying on the ground, clutching his hand in pain. He had a bruise on his face, and a swollen nose, but his right wrist was completely swollen and turning purple. he looked up at her with tears falling from his eyes as she ran forward and slid down next to him.
"Where all are you hurt?" She said as she gathered him in her arms.
"My wrist really hurts, and so does my face. My sides hurt a little bit as well." He said through his tears.
"It's okay, I'll call someone for help!"
"My father… password 1443, speed dial 2. M-My wrist hurts," He whimpered out. She grabbed his phone and followed his instructions. After she spook to whom must have been his father, they only had to wait 5 minutes before a white car pulled up. A man with red hair like Nathanaels ran towards where they were at.
"Nath! Hanging in there?" He asked as he knelt down besides them.
"Dad, My wrist hurts really bad. I-I think its broken," he said.
"It's okay son, we will get you to the hospital. Can you help me with him?" He said asked Lila.
"Y-Yes sir!" She said. Together they made their way to the hospital.
A/N So there is the next chapter. Lil meets Nathanaels father for the first time! I debated having Nathanael have a broken home, but decided to erase that, cause Lila will need a warm caring family to become a part of.
Let me know what you think in a review, and see you next time~!
