"Damn it! It's been over a week now! Can't we just go talk to her?"

"No, we have to give her space. She's wants to be alone for a bit."

"You don't honestly believe that, do you?"

"That's not what I meant. We all know Marinette isn't used to friendship, nor is she used to having fights with them. Let her cool down first."

"And how long is that going to take?!"

Sigh. Ayla and Nino have been having this same conversation for a few days now. I understand where Alya's coming from, but I have to agree with Nino on this. Marinette needs some alone time right now, and I know what that feels like. Sometimes you just need to work things out on your own.

Though she sure is taking her time.

I don't want to rush her or anything, but some part of me wishes to be the first person she seeks out for comfort. She's knows I'll understand. She knows I'll always be there for her. I promised.

Abruptly, my arm was yanked in the direction of the cafeteria exit.

"Where are you taking me, Alya?" I said exasperatedly.

"Somewhere!" She replied hotly.

I managed to pull my arm out of her grasp after a few tugs. "I'm siding with Nino on this one, as I have with the others. Like he said, let's give Mari her space. Marinette isn't the only one lost. I've never had friends before, not real ones anyway, and you guys have probably never had someone like Marinette either, am I right?" Alya looks at me doubtfully, proving my statement correct. "We have no idea how to deal with her."

I pause, then, "How about this: We'll give her the weekend and then decide to make a move. If she isn't ready, we'll give her some more time. If she is, we'll need to be gentle. There's nothing to guarantee that things will go back to the way it used to be, with circumstances like this. We'll take things slow and build from there, that sound good?" I look at both of them for confirmation.

They nod their heads. Nino looked relieved, while Alya was resigned.

"I hope she'll give us another chance." Alya said.

I shook my head, "No, let's just hope she believes she deserves another chance."

Who knows what kind of guilt could be coursing though her at this moment?


The guilt was slowly eating me alive.

I don't know what to do.

I saw them every day. They were sad at first, trying their hardest not to speak to me. They always stared, but only from a distance. I could see it in their eyes, how they wanted so badly to say something. Maybe even just a simple "Hi" or "Good morning", but they didn't.

The next couple of days, they seemed to except things, which is not what I wanted. I wanted them to reach out to me, to touch my shoulder or even my hand. I wanted them to say they forgive me, but I can't expect them to treat me with kindness after how I acted towards them.

I don't know what to do. Everything's a mess. I can't focus on my studies, I keep screwing up orders at the bakery, and worst of all, I'm all alone again.

I don't have anybody to help me. I don't know what to feel. I don't know what to say.

Do I apologize? That wouldn't be right. What do I even start with? And it's not like that'll be enough. I hurt them with so many cruel words, and it's going to take a lot more than 'I'm sorry' to fix that.

Nobody's here. Everything is dark and empty. I can't see ahead of my sorrow.

What do I do now?

My tears are the only things that I feel right now. There's nothing left for me. I thought my life was finally getting better, but I threw that opportunity away.

And for what, silence that I asked for? Well, I finally got it, and it feels like shit. Kind of ironic how this was my life before I met them.

I have no purpose, not like I did before but I could ignore that fact. Now it seems more profound how I had no meaning. Go to school, manage the bakery, shut out everything else. My existence was stale and disused. I had no hopes, no dreams, no future that I could imagine. I had no happiness.

What am I going to do now?


I was physically incapable of moving. My entire being was riddled with terror.

What had happened over the weekend?

She had been fairly fine last week. A little more subdued than normal, but she was about the same as before I became her friend. Could it be that it was an act, a façade that covered what she was really feeling? A mask that was slowly, inconspicuously breaking day by day?

I was sitting at my desk, as usual, when she came in. I thought it would be the same as every other day. She would come in, not look at me once, and remain silent for the remainder of the day. I knew something was wrong immediately when she walked through the door.

It was almost as if seeing a different person. She moved like a robot. She was stiff and somehow her eyes were more blank than before. Though there was no mistaking her red, puffy eyes, her unkempt hair, and wrinkled clothing. Is it even possible to look like you lost thirty pounds within the span of two days?

It appears I wasn't the only one to notice. Alya and Nino were just as horrified as I was. The rest of the class looked worried too, even Chloe had on a different expression than expected of her, looking uneasy.

When I made eye contact with Alya and Nino, I shook my head and mouthed "later" to them. They complied, Ayla reluctantly, and spoke quietly among themselves. Everyone else turned back around and continued on with what they were doing earlier.

I was almost about to zone out and contemplate on what we would do "later", when I noticed something.

It was subtle, but I could actually feel the bench shaking. I always did like sitting more towards the middle of it, subconscious or not, to be closer to human contact. Marinette, however, would usually sit as far to the end as possible. She was closer than that, but not in a way that seemed like she did it because of me. It was almost like she wasn't aware of it herself. But then, for what reason would she be shaking?

I was about to reach for her, but a teacher burst into the room in a wild frenzy.

"There's an Akuma outside!" Then she promptly ran out again.

Um, wasn't it a teacher's job to take care of the students, whether they're yours or not?

All the students were already on their feet, dashing to the nearest exit. Some even went through the windows, on the second floor might I add. What is wrong with these people? They act like they've never seen a supervillain in the streets. Don't they know we have superheroes to counter their attacks? Tsk, children.

I decided to at least seek somewhere safer than a classroom where a villain can clearly spot me. Alya and Nino had already left. I checked my right to see the last person I thought to freeze up during an Akuma attack. No wait, she was already acting strange.

I waste no time ushering her to come with me. "Come on, Marinette. Snap out of it! You could get hurt if you stay here!" I said, griping her shoulders. She didn't respond.

"Marinette, don't make me drag you out this classroom!" Nothing. "If you don't move this instant I will talk my mouth off all the way to Hell until I think your ears start working!"

An explosion rumbled outside, causing the windows to shatter as debris was thrown through them.

I cursed under my breath. Getting Marinette's brain to function can wait until after we're away from the chaos.

Just then, an idea sprang into my head.

I quickly grab Marinette's arm and pull her out from behind the desk, guiding her down the steps steadily. I turn to see her following me mechanically. Good. At least her legs work. Not like I wouldn't be able to carry her, it would just be really inconvenient in a situation like this.

No later than a minute had we arrived at the door. I'm pretty sure this is the right one, if I remember correctly. I opened it and shove her inside impatiently yet not harshly.

Once we were inside with the door closed, I moved her towards her seating area. The sounds of a distant battle seeped through the gap between the floor and the door.

I was seated opposite of her at the other wall. Déjà vu much?

I can still clearly remember our first encounter in this closet. Now that I think about it, that was the day I gave her my promise.

I look at her for quite some time, at the porcelain face of an inanimate doll. She really is pretty.

I clear my throat, here goes nothing, "Marinette? Marinette, please look at me. I'm not going to say anything more if you can't at least give me your attention."

Her fingers clenched slightly before relaxing.

"Marinette, look me in the eye so I know you're listening to me." She shifts a foot to the side.

In a broken voice, I said, "Please, Marinette. I can't do this without you. You have to –," I take a deep breath, "You need to listen to this. What I have to say…it's important…" I finished with desperation in my eyes.

To my relief, she slowly lifts her eyes up to mine, and I can see recognition in them staring at me. Nothing else about her demeaner changes, but that's ok. She only needs to hear me say this.

I inhale sharply, "Marinette, I-I'm sorry."

I see her become shocked for the briefest of moments, but I ignore it.

"You were suffering, but we-we didn't see it, and even if we did, we wouldn't know what to do, I most of all. Heck, I don't even know what to do now. All I know is that the most I can do, is be there for you. We were waiting for you to make the first move, but we should've known that you wouldn't. You were just as lost as we were. Except you were all alone." Somewhere in between, I realized I started crying but that isn't significant.

I pause to breath again. I can no longer seem to look at her, which is bad because in need to make eye contact with her. She needs to know that I'm being genuine, and how will I be able to tell if she's even paying attention anymore? The words tumble out of my mouth before I can worry further.

"You were probably confused. You-You were probably thinking we had abandoned you. Maybe we had. I think it was selfish of us to assume you would do all the work, that we were in the right. I don't believe we were. We pushed our own wants above yours, being more focused on becoming your friends then on what you wanted. We only wanted you to be happy, for you not to be alone, but – "Another breath, "But that's no excuse, now is it?" I give a humorless laugh.

I then realize that this isn't what she needs to hear. Maybe what she wants to, but that's not what matters. I've been getting side-tracked from the point I'm trying to make. Is she even listening anymore?

Well, you wouldn't know that, now would you, dumbass?

To my surprise, she is, and her face has relaxed from her robot-like trance, but I'm not done yet. I harden my eyes as I look into her own.

"Do you remember what I told you the last time we were in here? How I would always be your friend?"

She doesn't move, but a spark of acknowledgement is there.

"That meant that no matter what happens, I will keep being by your side." She stays quiet. "I'm not giving up on you, Marinette."

I get up and move closer to her, pulling a chair across from hers. "Do you remember our conversation on the Ferris wheel? You said you'd allow me to be the person you'd come to for relief, that you would cry on my shoulder. Well, here it is." I indicate to my left shoulder. She glances at it for a second then looks back at me. Just a little more until I finally get through to her.

I lower my voice to a whisper, "I know you're strong, Marinette, and I know you'll overcome this. You don't have to feel guilty anymore. It's okay. We've already forgiven you. We'll never really hate you, Mari. You mean a lot to us, and you can be sure that next time, we won't let you do things on your own."

I smiled softly, "And if you can't believe a word of that, then the only thing you need to know is…" I grab her hands in mine to emphasize my point, "I will always be here for you."

That might've been the nail in the coffin, but I wouldn't know. It was in that split second that I didn't think, didn't hear, didn't see.

I blocked off all sounds and closed my eyes. I could only feel her soft cheek connect to my lips. I could only feel her hands tremble in mine. And I could only feel her tears slide down the side of my face.

When I pulled back, I could fully recognize her again.

She was crying through eyes that held so many emotions, just beneath the surface. Her cheeks were a lovely shade of red that complemented her blue eyes perfectly.

I offer her my shoulder lightheartedly and the next thing I knew she had her arms around my neck, head buried in the offered appendage.

No sooner did I wrap mine securely around her, face in her hair. I inhaled, "Glad to have you back."

She lets out a sob at that, all the while nodding her head furiously. "I was so scared!"

I blinked once, "Of what?"

She clutched at my shirt. "That I'd be alone again," She said in a muffled voice.

I chuckled breathlessly, "Why would you think such a silly thing? Who else is going to annoy you to pieces?"

I can't tell if she laughed or just let out another sob. I'll take my chances, "Just be glad I can't see how much of an ugly crier you are."

Yep, definitely a laugh. I take pride in that.

With another round of Déjà vu, the door burst opened to reveal not only Rena Rouge, but Carapace as well.

"We heard crying – "Rena stopped short.

The two of them looked, dare I say, immensely relieved and overjoyed.

Carapace placed a hand on Rena's shoulder, "Looks like they're going to be alright."

They shared a secret smile. Okay, weird. Can't we just have this moment in peace?

They left shortly after while we stayed in the other's arms for as long as possible. I didn't want to let go, and I have a feeling she didn't either, but we had to go home eventually. When she pulled back, her face was dry and didn't convey a single thing that happened before, but I know things were different.

My father is probably upset right now, though I'm curious if he's the least bit worried about my absence.

Nah.


My father pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation, "Honestly Adrien, if you're going to keep disappearing for hours after Akuma attacks are over, then I might as well keep you here for the whole day."

"But how can you predict which days an Akuma will appear?" I ask in disbelief.

"My point exactly. It means you'll stay here and resume being homeschooled."

My eyes widened as I inwardly panicked. I swallowed it down, "From now on, I promise I'll try to return home as soon as the Akuma is gone."

He raises an eyebrow, "You'll try?"

I narrow my eyes to the floor and sigh, "I will."

"Good, you may leave now." I nod and turn to do just that but not without hearing his last words, "Just remember, Adrien, that you requested to go to school. Do not take advantage of it."

I nod again, "Yes, father."

I think the universe might be rewarding me, for some unknown reason, because not only did I rekindle my friendship with Marinette, but my father had actually sounded worried about me.


The door closes softly.

"What am I going to do with him?"

Nooroo appears from my jacket, "I wouldn't fret too much. I'm sure he knows you only want what's best for him."

I heave a sigh, "That's not what I was referring too. What if something were to happen to him, by one of my Akuma's no less?"

Nooroo seems hesitant to speak.

"What aren't you telling me, Nooroo?" I glare at him.

He gulps, "Well, it's not like you would let anything happen to him." I continue to stare I him, prompting the sentient moth to give more details. "You have the capability to see through an Akuma or an Akumatized victim's eyes at all times."

"You don't say." I hum in thought.

Nooroo looked regretful, the little insect is always reluctant to give away information about the miraculous'. He should know better than to disobey his master. He did eventually tell me, even though it took him long enough.

On the contrary, this just so happens to make my plans a lot easier.


It's been a while, so I decided to make this chapter longer for you guys, though it's only by about 1,000 words.

I know I said I don't have specific update dates, but I think it's safe to say that each chapter is about a month apart. Don't expect anything from now until October 6th because that's when I'll be taking my SAT, though why would you when I just told you about the monthly chapter thing. Wish me luck!