Welp… had a three-week vacation. I had fun. Right now. I'm a little frustrated. Figured it would give me inspiration…

"Alright, let's go!" Said the person who grabbed my arm and is currently pulling me in the complete opposite direction of the bakery.

Sigh. "Where are you taking me?"

The person grinned widely, "To the mall, silly! Remember?"

"Not really," I said, causing them to stop.

"Well even if you don't, I do." They suddenly took on a deadly serious expression, "I promised myself that I'd take you to the mall, and I never go back on my promises."

Well it certainly fits her character. "Okay," I shrugged.

And just like that, her happy-go-lucky self was back. "Alright then, so how was your day?"

I pause. No one has asked me that question before, and because it's coming from her, it's even more strange. Hadn't she seen me throughout most of the day? "Um, good?" That's a normal response, right?

My answer was satisfactory to her. "Same, girl! Mine was good too!" At least she didn't ask how it was good.

The rest of the conversation was pointless small talk, all coming from her, the rest of the way.

I've been to the mall on occasions, those of which when I need exclusive fabrics, but those were mostly myself getting in and out as fast as possible. There were way too many people in the mall, people like Chloe. I wonder if my luck will come out and string together a chance encounter with her… Nah, she probably only shops at places owned by her family or other famous people, even if famous people's shops are located somewhere within the malls.

And I don't know who owns this place, but it's huge. I can't even see the end of the building. It's definitely bigger than the school.

I hear a snicker to my left and turn, "With that look on your face, I wonder if you've even seen the Eiffel Tower, what with you being a recluse most of your adolescence so far. You do know you live in Paris, right?"

Whatever look I had on my face was quickly washed off. "Well, we're here, now what?" I crossed my arms impatiently. She of all people should know that I do have to work after school.

Sensing my annoyance, she says, "Well I don't know about you, but I'm starving. Let's go get something to eat in the food court."

We ended up eating at an underrated deli, which wasn't half bad, but it took too long to wait for our food to be made. Since hardly anyone eats here, the only guy working didn't think to check the fridge, which had miraculously stopped working, letting all the food inside get warm. He had to thaw our food from the freezer room.

"So, about your day, did anything exciting happen?!" Wow, someone's eager, must be the reporter in her.

I can't really think of anything spectacular that occurred. It was fairly average: Chloe ranting over something insignificant, boring lectures from teachers, Kim challenging Alix to their hundredth race, the lunch lady serving substandard food, etc. This day, other than going to the mall, was probably more boring than usual.

Oh, wait. "I got an A on my Algebra test."

Her expression instantly dropped to that of disappointment. "And….? That's it?"

"What?" I thought it was exciting. Algebra is really hard, especially this unit on exponentially graphing without a calculator. I internally pouted, I was proud of myself.

"Well, I would've thought that Adrien had talked to you today." What?

I narrow my eyes, "He talks to me every day, or at least tries to. What's so special about that?"

But the red head acts as if I was the one evading the topic. "Oh, come on! I saw you two holding hands the other day," What does that have to do with today? "You can't tell me that it means nothing." Her smugness grates on my nerves, thinking she has everything figured out.

I, however, know that she has an overactive imagination, at least in my mind, so I try to make it as simple as possible. Like they do it in tv shows and movies, "It was nothing. We're just friends."

She's not buying it though, but thankfully she doesn't push the subject. "Hmm…okay." Her eyes sparkle with determination.

Oh god.

The next time the conversation is brought up, it's on a Tuesday before school starts.

"How was your day?"

"It's morning."

…

"How was your morning?"

"Good." Another shrug.

"Anything exciting happen yesterday? Did you get to talk to a certain someone?"

Sigh. "Yes. We talked. Just like we do every day."

"We? So, you both talked? Wow, you two sure are moving quick." She nudges my shoulder with her elbow.

I groan, "You know what I meant."

She smirked at me, "Yes, I think I do know what you meant."

Why me? "I'm going to class."

"Okay, I'll wait out here for Nino!" Thank god. "And I'll tell Adrien where you are when he shows up!" I spoke too soon.

Surprisingly, the next happened right after school ended.

"How was your day?"

"Good." This time my right eye twitched.

"Talk to anyone today?"

I decided being derisive was in order, "I talked to you."

She giggled, "Well duh. I meant anyone else?"

"No."

She pauses, "Oh, okay. See you tomorrow then!" She waved over her shoulder.

I feel a headache coming on.

The rest of the week went on like this, and I've about had it.

Wednesday:

"How was your day?"

"Good." You'd think after being given the same answer to the same question that you would start to assume the answer given to you will always be. That. Same. Answer. 'Good'.

"I heard that Adrien's doing a photoshoot in a bit. Maybe if you ask nicely, he'll let you come along with him."

"Pass." I roll my eyes.

"Well I just thought you'd like to hang out with him outside of school."

"I went on a Ferris Wheel with him." Technically he forced me to, but that's beside the point.

"Oh well that one doesn't count since there was a bet going on between us." What? Of course it counts.

Fine. "I'm not going."

I start to walk home, but she's not done yet.

"Ok, I'll just tell him you wanted to but were too busy to come."

No! I mean, "No don't – "

"And sent ~ "

Ugh, I don't have time for this.

"See you tomorrow Clarinet." I grimace as my insides clench.

Thursday:

"How was it today?"

Even though it's worded differently, it's still annoying, so I'll word mine differently too, "Great."

I take it back.

She gasps, "Really?! How is it better than the others? Oh! Did something happen between you and Adrien? Did he wink at you? Flirt with you? Touch you?" Does she not even know how aggravating she's becoming?

"No, it was great because Adrien wasn't here today." I give her a fake and exaggerated smile.

"That's what you want me to think. Maybe he'll do something to you tomorrow to make up for today!"

I hope to god he doesn't, I would hate to give Alya something more to pester me about.

While she goes on about the possibilities of what Blondie will have in store for me, I take that as my cue to silently leave.

"See you later Mari!"

Friday, however, I snap.

It was right after school ended and we were at the front.

"How was – "

"Fine!" I cut her off.

She doesn't back down though, "Ouch someone's touchy today. What? Did Adrien do something wrong? I guess he's isn't that perfect, but I'm sure you two will bounce back – "

"Will you knock it off already!" I can't deal with this anymore, a week is my limit.

A few students walking by turned to give us curious looks, all thinking the same thing: Marinette is pissed. They know by now that when Marinette is upset, it's best to give her some space, no matter how close you are to her. That didn't mean they couldn't watch, though.

Alya looked confused, hilariously so in a different situation. "What do you mean?"

Surprisingly, unlike the rest, my glare didn't affect her, though she did seem to be more on the cautious side now.

"What I mean is that I want you to Shut. UP! Stop asking about my "relationship" with Adrien. You talk as if we're hopelessly in love with each other. Well we aren't! I can barely stand the guy as it is!" I take a deep breath to collect myself for a moment.

Alya started to look worried, though I'm not sure for whom or for what, like I care at the moment. "Marinette, maybe we can – "

"NO! I don't care if you want to talk about it, about how "I should just get to know Adrien." Maybe I don't want to, ever thought of that?! No, you didn't, because you're too busy trying to play matchmaker that you don't seem to realize that no one wants to be matched!" She flinches at that.

While the whole ordeal may have been between the two of us, I'm so caught up in my rant that I start to think I'm only talking to myself now. "I don't even like him that much to begin with! I don't enjoy him starting meaningless conversations just to get a rise out of me. He's annoying and doesn't understand social cues because he's been sheltered his whole life. Because of his daddy issues, he thinks that I'm just like him! But I'm not! My mother's still alive, I'm not a model, and I understand people! He doesn't get when I want to be left alone, that I don't want his company. He's so set on having friends yet he only hangs around me like some lost puppy! Maybe he should be homeschooled again since he hasn't made too many friends while he's been here. Not surprised though, he doesn't have any friends so he obviously doesn't know a thing about friendship. He doesn't respect what I want, and neither do you!"

I take a step towards her. "So, let me make this simple for you air heads: I want to be left alone!"

As I pant heavily, I notice the large crowd that had surrounded us, even Chloe was watching. Though, her presence isn't what I was surprised by the most. What was said behind me, even though the crowd's murmuring should've drowned it out, didn't go unheard by my ears.

"I'll see you later Nino."

I didn't dare turn around, fearful of the expression he wears. His familiar blonde hair was unmistakable as he made his way through the crowd, some starting at the sight of him.

I stood frozen, my gaze fixated at the spot where his car and driver used to be.

The students started leaving once they realized the fight, or more like me yelling, was over, some going about their way while others discussed what just happen. This is surely going to be talked about for at least a week.

While they don't happen often, they do enough for others to be used to me being in one of my "rages" as they like to call it, but because it's common knowledge that Alya was able to befriend the hermit, Marinette, this time it's different. Especially since it involved my two and only friends, who I may have just lost, not to mention I haven't had them for that long.

While I believe my anger towards Alya was justified, I shouldn't have insulted her. I'm usually so calm under stress. I should've been able to sit down and talked to her about it. Just like how she asked before…

When I refocus my eyes on my surroundings, I realize she isn't here anymore.

I must've chased her away, like I did the others.

Like Dad did to Mom.

Eventually I became the only student left, rain beginning to drizzle lightly. No use in getting a cold to make myself feel even worse.

My feet find it in themselves to tread home, my mind blanking out again.

I feel…bad, and guilty, and awful, and terrible, and everything else that's similar. Not that I've never felt this way before, but this never would've happened if everyone would've just minded their own business. I wouldn't be feeling these new emotions, or questioning my every action to please others, nor would I be this stressed.

Maybe I did the right thing, for myself and for them. It's better that they keep their distance. All I ever do is make people upset. I can never please anyone. No matter how silent and indifferent I stay, something is going to make me explode eventually. It may not be the best or healthiest option, but at least its predictable. I'll always know when I've had enough, when I'm ready to let it all out. My outburst today was unexpected and more damaging than the rest. Because it mattered this time. Because this time it hurt people. It hurt my friends.

And it'll only happen again, so it's better this way.

No matter how persistent those two can be, my harshness had to show them how horrible of a person I really am. That I don't deserve their kindness.

That night I cry myself to sleep. Flashes of an orange tail and ears passing by my window are the last things my consciousness registers before I fall into the world of nightmares I am so familiar to.

This chapter isn't what I would call my best, and it's kind of random, but it is the most relatable (to me), and I like how it works with Marinette.

Now some of you might be discouraged by Alya's behavior, but it isn't that different from how she acts in the canon. Alya likes to tease Marinette about her crush on Adrien, and though Marinette is embarrassed by it, its well within understandable. Because this Marinette doesn't have feelings for this Adrien that she expresses outwardly, Alya, being the reporter that she is, feels she has to know that theirs something going on between them.

Also, I like to think that part where Alya talks about what Adrien is going to do to Marinette next is similar to how the fans react whenever Adrien so much as looks at Marinette in an episode. XD

This chapter did make me feel better though! I guess it's true that if you're upset then writing your feelings down will make you feel better.