Chapter 7: Mari Protects Chat
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
The girl in question groaned before looking up to see Chloe staring her down.
Along with the rest of the class.
"So you've been dating Chat Blanc, huh?" Alix asked dryly, arms crossed.
"No! I'm not dating him!"
"Then explain this, girl!" Alya scowled, shoving her phone in Marinette's face.
Eyebrows furrowed, Marinette pressed play on the video.
And gasped.
The sheer terror of the situation was plainly written on Chat's face, tears spilling rapidly. His throat must've been raw after the terrified screech he let out as soon as he saw her falling. People were panicking and rushing around, sirens were blaring in the distance, but all she could focus on what Chat.
He had been so scared.
The worry in her eyes must've been evident since Chloe let out a triumphant laugh.
"You must spend the night together all the time! Admit it, MariTrash!"
"No!"
"Don't lie to us, 'Nette." Nino sighed, his expression showing exhaustion as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"He...showed up bloody on my balcony one night," Marinette finally admitted, defeatedly, "I patched him up. I've fed him a couple days-"
"You've helped him!" Chloe slammed her hands on the desk, getting in Marinette's face, threatening her.
"To survive! Do you want him to die?!" Marinette stood, accepting Chloe's challenge.
"Yes!"
The classroom went silent.
You could hear a pin drop as Marinette started a hole into Chloe's face, unnerving the blonde.
Unnerving the class.
"I feed him every night to make sure he doesn't die! He's a person, too!"
"But he's an akuma." Kim countered, speaking before thinking. Marinette's glare snapped to him before she continued.
"Who in this room hasn't been akumatized? Who here hasn't killed or attempted to kill at least one person?"
The group remained silent.
Until Chloe piped up again.
"But he's killed! He obviously enjoys it! He's a monster, Blanc or Noir."
Noir.
Chat...Noir...
"Don't talk about Chat Noir." Marinette growled, a wave of rage consuming her.
"Well? This is just him letting loose! He's always wanted this!"
"Have you met Chat Noir? He's a kitten!"
"Please! Then why's he akumatized?!"
"He's human too, Chloe! He was just like us! Hurt and alone! You think this is what Chat Noir wanted?! You think this is what he would do?! He's died five times over for every person in this dang room! Don't you tell me my Chat is a monster!"
"Your Chat?"
"Chat Noir!"
Angry tears spilling, Marinette ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
...
Marinette was alone on her rooftop, a blanket wrapped around her as she cried to herself.
About Chat.
About his victims.
About her friends betraying her.
About...Everything.
God, when did this all become such a mess?
She continued in a circle of pain until her muddled thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a gentle voice.
"P-Princess, are you okay?"
Looking up, she saw Chat Blanc sitting on her railing and rubbing the back of his neck, guilt and worry on his face.
"I know you hate me right now but...can I please help you?"
Without a word, she entered her bedroom and locked the door behind her, leaving Chat alone with his broken heart.
I kind of hate this chapter.
Yes, I know Chloe is getting her redemption but just work with me here.
In case you're wondering, Adrien is "being homeschooled again".
Please review and have a pawsome day!
