Eyes Closed
Running around the city and meeting her project managers was tiring work. Sarabella couldn't be more than happy to be back to the comforts of her apartment. It doesn't feel like home yet, however, she liked the current silence of being alone in her own space. She proceeded to her room and stopped at the mirror. Sarabella smiled to herself, the stillness in her apartment was unnaturally deafening yet it solaced her. One of the things she doesn't miss from her home country was the vivacity of her sisters.
Sarabella was the youngest of four siblings. It was natural that she was the one being pushed around, bullied verbally and inferior to her sisters. She was the last child and they deemed that Sarabella has the least power on the four of them.
The eldest sibling, Mirasol, is the most rebellious between all of them. Tattoos, piercings, multiple boyfriends, name anything that parents would be horrified to see their child with, she's probably had tried or used one of those. She has the sharpest tongue when giving out insults, much to Sarabella's misfortune. Even if she's a rebel, Mirasol can be disciplined when she wants to. She's the athlete and martial artist among them. Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, she can do it and she can finish off multiple opponents within a short amount of time. Her name translates to 'sunflower' yet her personality screams 'venus fly trap'. Mirasol would always find the irony funny.
The second child, Julianne, is the bossiest between all of them. She's always been a controlling dictator, telling people how they should act, how they should look and how they should think. Mirasol and her would always clash but when it comes to Sarabella, they'd always be a team against her. She was the smartest, too, so her superiority and pride has always been up the roofs. She knows the name of many historical figures, she can manipulate formulas after formulas in mathematics and she can mix and combine the elements in the periodic table to create certain products. Medals after medals, trophies after trophies, she's always been the genius one.
The third and second to the last sibling, Merrilyn, is the laziest between all of them. She's always been good in bed, that is to say, when sleeping. She can laze all day without feeling any guilt or remorse for not doing anything. She'd always task Sarabella to do her homework and bring her things when going to school because she can't be bothered to bring them herself. Despite the lack of motivation to do work, she's the prettiest out of all the Morin sisters. Boys, and sometimes girls, would flock her even when she's half-assed her make-up or wore two different shoes to school. They'd always find a way to give her compliments and shower her presents. There's not a day in Merrilyn's life does she have to be insecure about her looks.
Then there's Sarabella. Touching her cheeks and scrutinizing her facial features, the ravenette stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was a mediocre athlete in the track. Her parkour skills were not considered important by her family. She barely even passed mathematics and physics when she was in college. And she isn't very pretty when compared to her sisters.
She was… mediocre, unexceptional and normal.
No wonder she ran off to France. No wonder she ran away from the stage where her sisters shone in the limelight as she disappeared in the shadows. What am I doing in Paris anyway? Sarabella asked herself. Am I really doing this for myself or am I doing this so I can proudly shove it in their faces that I've done something better than all of them? Sarabella forced back a sob as the realization of her purpose hit her like a cold, hard brick. She wasn't there to follow her dreams. She wasn't there to be a great architect or be a great chef. She just wanted to become the best at something - something that her sisters can never be good at.
And it disgusted her.
Sarabella would never have thought that her inferiority complex would stretch to a point that she'd unconsciously make decisions for herself, only for the reason that she wanted to prove them wrong. Even if it's just a tiny sliver of hope that she's bested them at something.
The foreigner fought off the tears that were dangerously trying to fall down her eyes. I can't breakdown, not now, not ever, she told herself. You'd be the crybaby they'd always tease, Sarabella. It was a losing battle and she knew it. She crumpled on the floor and cupped her face with her hands, the tears streaming down her cheeks like a river flowing endlessly down its path.
Riiiing. Riiiiing.
The sound made Sarabella jerk her head up. It was her phone. She sniffed, wiping the tears of her face while reaching for her phone. The ravenette calmed herself for a few seconds before answering the videocall. With a fake smile, she greeted her family, "Hey, dad, mom, you three."
Mirasol moved her head closer to the screen, a smirk forming on her pierced lips, "Are those tears in your eyes, Sarabellita?"
Julianne sniggered, mocking Sarabella with a condescending tone, "Boo-hoo, such a crybaby."
With a lazy 'awww', Merrilyn added fuel to the fire, "Did your boyfriend there in France dump you already?"
"S-Shut up!" Sarabella stuttered, a frown etched on her face. Oh, how she wanted to punch those three. "A dust particle flew in my eye, you idiots." She lied then changed the topic to avoid further discussion of her being a 'crybaby' and the non-existent boyfriend. "How are you guys there?"
Her mom took the gadget from her sisters and answered her, "We're fine, sweetie. How are you? The neighbors aren't mean to you or anything, right?"
Sarabella let herself give out a dry laugh and answered no. A few seconds later, the ravenette then shrugged. "Well… I've never really talked much to them, aside from that old lady that's up a floor from mine. She really needs to move on a lower floor. Her groceries will be the death of her." She told them, eyes sparking with concern for her poor neighbor. "Can you guys imagine that? A seventy year old lady bringing up four bags of groceries to the fourth floor!"
"Well, what'd'ya know! Sarabellita's being such a nice neighbor." Mirasol started.
"You could've helped us with our bags when you still lived with us before!" Julianne added.
"Yeah, little sis, you could've been our slave!" Merrilyn finished.
Their father shook his head, "Girls, shush. Don't treat our bunso* that way." He scolded the three, a disapproving look evident on his aged face. (TL: "Last Child"; A Filipino endearment and title given to the last child in the family)
"So, any boys annoying you at school?" Sarabella's mother asked, her face frantic for an immediate answer. Sarabella opened her mouth to reply when her mom added in panic, "I heard that French men are notorious smokers! You should always wear a mask. Don't date a chainsmoker, alright?"
The girl sat on the edge of her comfy bed, leaning down to her pillows as she smiled at her mother, "Mom, there are no boys in university who are annoying me. It is true that people here, in general, love smoking… but not all the people and it's basically the same thing in the Philippines. I'll be fine."
"Oh, honey, I remembered." Her mother added, "Roma is going to France for a while; give him a kiss or two from me!"
Sarabella gave out a long displeased groan, "He's coming here? Like… In Paris? Right now?!"
"I've talked to him a few hours earlier and he said he'll be leaving Spain tomorrow." From her father's words, the architect calculated the estimated time he'll arrive in France and realized that Roma will probably be at her doorstep in a few hours. That is, if dad gave my address- "I gave him your address so he can find you."
Using her unoccupied hand, she unconsciously face-palmed at the notion of her father. "Way to go, dad."
"Hey, he's always been a good boy. I'm perfectly sure that he'll take care of you when he's there."
She raised an eyebrow, replying sarcastically, "Wow. I feel the support. You guys didn't even ask whether or not I can take care of myself here."
"You're alive, aren't'cha?" Mirasol laughed dryly.
"Yeah, you aren't dying anyway so we don't feel the need to ask!" Julianne added indignantly.
"You can contact us when that happens, though. We'll be there and I'll laugh at your misery." Merrilyn finished sadistically.
"Girls!"
Heaving a deep sigh, Sarabella rolled her eyes due to irritation to her family. "Dad, Mom, I need to go." She stated, face void of any happy emotions. The ravenette was full of their supervisory attitude and harsh comments.
I'm twenty-one, for god's sake! She cursed in her mind. I'm an adult with a full-time job and they're treating me like a fragile little baby.
"Sarabellita, look, your sisters are just missing you-"
"I'm tired." She emphasized, "I should get some sleep before I start with work again."
"But Sara-"
Sarabella did her best to act mad at her family, intensely adding stress to her words to guilt her parents. "Mom, I need to rest."
Her mom sighed, "Alright. Sleep tight, pancakes."
"Yes yes." She ended the video call, threw her phone a few inches away from her and closed her eyes shut. "Well that was a disaster."
Paris, France is such a beautiful place to appreciate around morning until midday – save it for the evenings where one can experience a mystical and romantic ambiance. Even for natives who grew up in the place, it is still a wonderful sight to behold. Sarabella, a foreigner who moved in on the city for a few weeks now, had no time to appreciate her surroundings.
Sweat trickled down her brow as she dashed across the streets of Paris, careful to not be run over by incoming cars. "Ah, shit shit shit!" She cursed continuously as she looked at her wristwatch. It was almost nine and she can't afford to be late in her first period. It was Mr. Boucher's knife classes. He punishes late students by making them sing and dance, infront of the whole class, the latest children's jingle from television commercials. It was a humiliating punishment; Sarabella would rather not be the subject of shame at such an early point in time.
By the time she was situated at the front door of their room, the ravenette's chest was heaving. She mumbled a short desperate prayer, holding her jade necklace close to her heart and opened the door slowly.
Sarabella was confused of what she saw. The room was scarce of students, no Mr. Boucher can be seen. A small group of her classmates formed infront of the room. They eyed her for a bit; some smiled and waved their hands to acknowledge her. She nodded and waved her hands back with a polite smile. Looking around the room, she saw an occupied Adrien, sitting on his designated seat with his phone in hand.
The architect made a beeline beside him and sat down on her seat, unable to process the lack of students in their room. With her chest still catching up on air, Sarabella rested her face on the marble countertop of their tables. "Where's Mr. Boucher?" She asked the blond model beside her.
Adrien didn't know how to respond. He texted her thirty minutes prior, to their first and only class in the morning, that their class president got a message from Mr. Boucher. Blinking twice, the Parisian model gave out a confused smile to the tired woman. "You… didn't get my text, didn't you?"
"What text?" With Adrien's words resonating in her mind, Sarabella started sifting through her bag, looking for her phone. She pulled out the device after a few seconds of blindly groping all of her things.
The blond looked at her blush as she silently read his message. Adrien wasn't sure how to properly text girls- considering that the only girl he text is Natalie, his father's long time secretary- so he tried to be friendly and polite. He was half-formal and half-informal with it, not wanting to sound too buddy-buddy and not too distant with her.
If he remembered correctly, his text was as followed: Lut*, Sarabella. Mr. Boucher isn't going to class today so no classes! He texted the pres. Said he's sick & is not attending classes today. Biz** [TL: Lut = Shortened version of "Salut" = Hi; Biz = Bisous, bises = Somewhat of an equivalent of 'xoxo' or hugs and kisses]
Adrien kept his smile then proceeded to poke Sarabella's head as a sign of jest. "You ran through the hall ways again, didn't you?"
The ravenette faked some sobs while recollecting her panic-filled morning, making teary eyes to exaggerate her story, "Woke up at eight fifteen, took a combat shower and practically shoved everything in my bag before zurg-rushing through the streets of Paris…"
The native frowned at her story. "And you arrived at school at… 9:14?!" He wasn't processing her whole story at all. She can move that fast when she wants to? Adrien knows how far Sarabella's apartment is from their university but one hour for preparing and traveling to the school was insane. The other Miraculous holders were as fast as he and Ladybug when it comes to running, and that's saying something because they're superheroes, yet he still can't put his mind at ease. Sarabella really is something.
"Achievement…!" She put her hands up in the air, celebrating her misfortune of rushing through Paris in attempt to not be late while their teacher had no qualms in taking a day off to get well.
"You'll survive in a zombie apocalypse, mademoiselle." Adrien commented at her skill in running. He then remembered that Sarabella said she used to be a track athlete and she's proving it.
The blond heard a loud and lazy yawn from his seatmate, "Can I sleep here?"
"Don't you wanna to go back to your apartment?"
She cushioned her head with her arms, an attempt to use it as a comfy pillow, "I'll just get the urge to continue my project." Sarabella gave Adrien a soft smile before closing her eyes, probably on the way to dreamland.
He stared at her almost-sleeping figure. Her hair was disheveled but it suited her. Her eyelashes were as curved as before but it suited her. Her lips were chapped and dry, probably from all that running, but it suited her. Ah, those full lips… He can just easily lean in and- His heart skipped a beat upon realizing that he's gazing at her for too long, as if he's memorizing every part of her face.
Adrien, stop. Sarabella's only a friend. He mentally scolded himself, hand placed on his face to conceal his blush. And stop being such a creep. You can't—shouldn't kiss her.
His inner meltdown was interrupted by a classmate of theirs. Her hair was platinum blonde, eyes were a sparkling pair of cerulean blue. Her name was Dana Loiseau, if he wasn't mistaken. He's had a decent conversation with her before concerning fashion and, kudos to her, she knows a lot about it. She was also the very few in their class who'd talk to him without blushing or trying to contain a squeal.
"Hey, Adrien, wanna join us? Erin found an amazing karaoke place!" Dana said, eyes expectant of a quick answer. "You can bring your girlfriend, too." She mocked, looking at Sarabella. When the ravenette not responding, she pouted and brought her gaze back at Adrien.
"I'll pass, Dana." Adrien replied politely, "Enjoy your trip…"
His reply drawled out a disappointed 'aw' from Dana. He noticed that a brunette has perched on Sarabella's other side. It was Erin Sirois, Dana's best friend. She was poking the sleeping foreigner in the head none too gently, "You look zonked out, Sarabella." He knew that Erin is very approachable and he knew that she can be very buddy-buddy with everyone easily. Adrien just didn't know how to respond to the crisis he's facing.
Sarabella might be already asleep and he didn't want her to wake up anytime soon, considering that she's been so tired from running and he also didn't want to turn off probable friendship with other people in their class, knowing that they'll be working together as a block for the duration of the year.
As Adrien opened his mouth, Sarabella whipped her head towards Erin and slapped the brunette's hand away from her head. "Quit poking me, Erin. Ugh, let me sleep." She groaned in desperation. However, Erin smirked and her hands made way down to the sides of her abdomen, tickling her as roughly as possible. "AH! Brûle en enfer!" Sarabella screamed while standing up from her seat. [TL: Burn in hell]
"Stingy." Erin pouted. She watched the ravenette squeeze in between Adrien and Dana in attempt to hide from her clutches. The foreigner leaned her head on the blond's shoulder without context. Adrien peeked to see what she was doing, purely out of embarrassment, and saw that she was trying to sleep once again. "What happened to your girlfriend, Adrien? You two stayed up all night?"
Adrien let Sarabella lean against him, knowing that she needs sleep badly. He shook his head gently, trying to minimize his movement for Sarabella's comfort. "Sarabella's not my girlfriend and… I really have to pass." He explained to Dana and Erin. "I have photoshoots today and I can't use up too much energy."
"Right." Dana answered, suspicious of his real agenda but she let him slide. "I forget you work 'till your photographer is happy with the pictures."
"Yep."
The blonde shrugged, "Well, next time then. And two you aren't going to have the pass cards next time just because of your jobs!"
Adrien smiled, "Sure." He's happy that his classmates understand that work needs to come first.
Erin gave out a sinister laugh, standing up from her seat, "Don't try to do something else in here, okay?"
"Wha-What?" The Parisian model asked, feigning innocence, "What are you talking about?" He knew exactly what Erin was talking about and he didn't like it. Never have he ever thought of anything… unchaste to girls he meet in his life. That's just sick and he isn't going to be like that.
"Adrien, don't ever try an unconscious victim!" The brunette said shrilly, her laugh resonating through the classroom.
"Shut your mouth, Erin! I'm sleeping!" Sarabella cried out, turning her head towards Erin to glare at the smiling Parisian.
"Keep one eye open, Sarabella!"
Dana shook her head and walked towards the door. "Erin, stop teasing those lovebirds." She told her friend, a smile gracing her face as she emphasized the last part.
"You guys…" Adrien sighed, "Enjoy your karaoke time."
"Please wake me up when if you need to go, Adrien." Sarabella moved back to her seat and did the same thing with her arms, cushioning her head once again. "Don't hesitate to slap the back of my head if I can't wake up."
"You're spouting nonsense, Sarabella. I would never do that." He consoled her, "I think you really need that sleep."
"You can call me Sara or Bella if my name's being too much of a mouthful." She smiled at him again. Adrien's heart did a flip. He forced himself to not blush while Sarabella was still staring at him. The blond made a mental note of sorting out his confused feelings sooner, not later.
"Alright alright, Bella." He nodded at the ravenette, enunciating her new nickname affectionately, awkwardly patting her shoulder in attempt to not seem awkward around her. "Go to sleep."
"Merci, Adrien." With one final yawn from Sarabella, Adrien was enveloped in silence and realization. He's crushing for his foreign friend and he's crushing on her hard.
A/N: I HAVE RETURNED WITH A NEW UPDATE!
Let me just tell you all that I cannot believe myself that I wrote a chapter with 3,500+ words in just a few hours. I'm sorry for updating irregularly, that's just me being a responsible architecture student because, my god, do I need some sleep. Plus! Art and literature can't be rushed, my half-assed excuse everytime, and I love you all so you guys don't deserve to be presented with a rushed and sloppy chapter!
On another note, please do tell me in the reviews if I'm hastening Sarabella and Adrien's friendship too much. Or if you have anything to say to me or if I fucked up on a spelling or two, please do review! It means a lot to me, seeing your feedbacks and reactions to my story! C:
And please don't worry about the next chapter [I have the dialogue ready]! The tenth chapter is going to be special, perhaps I'll make it 5,000 words long, and I'll be presenting two new characters who'll interact with Sarabella, Adrien and Marinette!
Oh, and an inside info for my beloved Miraculers, *whispers* I have a document solely for the dialogue of this fanfiction and let me tell you that I have already written 9,000+ words of interactions and I can't wait to finish them and post it here!
But anyways, I'll be taking my leave now, thank you for reading and I hoped you enjoyed this chapter despite my long absence. Stay miraculous, my fellow ladybugs and tomcats!
