A/N: I just now figured out this site saves the deleted stories just in case. Freakin' heck, dagummit XD
"Miraculous Ladybug!"
She never could get tired of the way the ladybugs in her Miracle Cure would heal the damage done by the battle. Radiating from the Lucky Charm she had tossed into the air, she watched while the streets were once again made whole. Toppled and destroyed buildings were restored to their proper backing, the lampposts were set upright, the karma effects were reversed, and the akuma was restored to her civilian self. Ladybug never could get tired of this. Because at the end of every akuma battle, it was worth it. She saw her partner and friend hold his fist out for their signature end-of-battle fist bump.
"Pound it," Chat Noir said, grinning. Ladybug smiled and returned the fist bump.
"Pound it."
Ladybug's fist fell to her side, her eyes surveying the restored cityscape of the City of Love. The akuma victim had yet to regain consciousness. Perhaps, Ladybug thought, the wall did a little more damage than they thought. Thank goodness it was back on the building it was supposed to be on. Speaking of, her eyes caught sight of four teenagers exiting the building. Her eyes brightened, then dimmed almost immediately when she saw Yumi helping Amaia. Oh, dear…
"Ladybug, we got a situation," Yumi called. She was supporting Amaia, who was clutching her shoulder while grimacing. "Easy, easy." Ladybug looked at what was going on. Seeing Amaia's arm positioned oddly near the shoulder, Ladybug winced.
"Here, I got it," Ulrich said, taking over for Yumi. Amaia hissed, squeezing her eyes shut and gritting her teeth. The pain in her shoulder dominated every current feeling she had. Ladybug's brows knotted together in the middle. She approached the group.
"Is she okay?" Ladybug asked.
"Yeah, but it looks like she dislocated her shoulder helping us out," Yumi answered. Ulrich in the meantime helped Amaia sit down, the pain bothering her too much. Ladybug knelt to Amaia's level.
"Will you be okay to head home?" she asked. Amaia did not answer immediately, still clutching her shoulder tightly. She breathed. A small, shaky breath. She looked down, Ladybug unable to see her expression.
POP!
Ladybug's eyes widened. As did, Odd's, Ulrich's, and Yumi's. Amaia rolled her shoulder, which was now back in its socket. It was as if the dislocation hadn't even happened. Ulrich cringed, Odd winced, Yumi grimaced, and Ladybug swore she heard Chat going "oooh" in the background. Amaia looked up at the spotted superhero.
"I got it, but thank you," she said. Ladybug's eyes were in danger of falling out of their sockets. They looked at the arm which was now back in place, then at the redhead sitting on the ground as though nothing had happened. Ladybug could only manage an open-mouth gape.
"S-sure…" she uttered uncertainly.
A groan sounded off behind her. Ladybug looked back to see the akuma victim, now in her civilian form again, slowly rising. Knowing the situation with the four teens is taken care of, Ladybug stood and approached the de-evilized civilian. She knelt once more, helping the akuma victim.
"Ma'am?" she asked. The woman blinked, massaging her temples. She looked away.
"Just call me Eleanora…" she said. Ladybug smiled.
"Right." Behind her, the four teens were reuniting with their friends and family. Andres and Salomon hugged Amaia, Odd high-fived Jeremie and Aelita, Yumi pulled the two in for a hug and Ulrich fist-bumped Jeremie. Aelita smiled being among her friends again, knowing they were safe. Ladybug smiled at the scene, then turned her attention back to Eleanora. "Eleanora, do you remember what happened?"
Eleanora hummed, distinct displeasure present in her tone. "Yes, unfortunately." The rest of the people hiding in the building slowly emerge, trickling out once they were certain it was safe again.
"Are you able to tell us?" Ladybug asked. Eleanora shook her head to clear her mind.
"I got angry," she replied. She then looked up… and her face contorted into an angry snarl. "At her!" Ladybug jumped, as did Bria Rossi.
"Bria!" Eleanora screamed. Bria shrank in on herself. Everyone else winced at the volume. Chat Noir quickly got over the shock to restrain Eleanora, preventing her from rising beyond her knees. Ladybug was not far behind in restraining the raging woman.
"Ma'am! Please! Stop!" Ladybug pleaded. She never knew the strength an angry civilian could have, but now she was seeing it firsthand. Eleanora was attempting to thrash and break free. And seeing the target of her rage was in reach, the heroes used every ounce of strength to restrain Eleanora.
"You ruined everything, Bria Rossi!" Eleanora screamed. "I hope the world hates you and that devil spawn of yours!"
Bria held her head in her hands, kneeling and shaking. The old man in the Hawaiian shirt, alongside Salomon and several others, placed themselves between Bria and Eleanora. Aelita knelt and held Bria's hands, whispering soothing words. Salomon glared as if he were daring Eleanora to try and attack them. Ladybug's patience in the meantime was wearing thin.
"Ma'am, that is enough," Ladybug proclaimed. Using her strength as the Ladybug Hero, she forced Eleanora to the ground. The warm pavement met Eleanora's face with zeal. As though it was paying back karma. Ladybug gripped Eleanora's hands, her knee pressed against the woman's back, and her hand holding Eleanora's face to the ground. "I don't know what she did to you, but you are not helping your case!" Eleanora ignored the heroine's warning. All her attention was on Bria.
"I hope you're happy, Bria!" she shrieked. "You cost my daughter everything she worked for! That stupid fiasco at that school has your inability to properly parent a child on full display!" Bria curled in further on herself. "She was top of the class! She was running for class president! She had clubs to partake in! And it all came crashing down!" Bria tried to keep the tears from leaking out, but it was futile. She sniffed and covered her ears, attempting to block out the vile accusations. Ladybug decided then and there enough was enough.
"Ma'am, stop this!"
Eleanora wriggled and writhed, squirming to break free from Ladybug's grasp. Her elbow drew back, hitting Ladybug square in the ribcage. Ladybug recoiled, grunting and hissing in pain.
"Oh!" Aelita gasped. Amaia looked up, alarmed. Odd stepped back, Chat Noir seizing both Eleanora's arms.
"Stay down, ma'am!" Chat Noir hissed, a growl threatening to break through. Amaia paused, then walked over to Ladybug. The spotted heroine had doubled over, teeth gritting from the pain. Amaia knelt, offering some help. Ladybug graciously accepted, slinging an arm over Amaia's shoulders for support. Footsteps sounded off, and Ladybug looked up to see Yumi and Ulrich assisting Chat Noir in pinning down the enraged woman. A distinct sound echoed in Chat Noir's ear. Aelita looked up, the sound reaching everyone's ears.
"Here! Over here!" Odd called out, waving his arms. Everyone present could see the distinct blue lights of the police cruisers approaching. Yet even despite the approaching law enforcement, Eleanora was screaming her head off. She hurled every insult she could think of to tear down Bria, the woman she deemed responsible for her daughter's supposed downfall. Ladybug was certain she would hear that for the rest of the week. Salomon and the old man, along with everyone acting as a shield, glared down Eleanora. Ulrich, along with Yumi and Chat Noir, firmly held the woman down.
"Ma'am, either you be quiet or you'll find yourself in worse trouble," he coolly warned. Yumi scowled, using every bit of her strength to keep Eleanora in place.
"Here, officer!" Yumi called. Chat Noir stepped in to take care of the rest.
"I've got her. Step away you two," Chat Noir instructed. One by one, to make sure she didn't get away, Ulrich and Yumi stepped away. The sirens blaring full force now, the police cruisers came to a stop right by the group. Officer Roger Raincomprix stepped out of his cruiser in full business mode.
"What seems to be the problem?"
His eyes scanned the scene before him. Chat Noir was restraining an out-of-control woman, Bria Rossi was centimeters away from a full meltdown, and Ladybug was being helped by a civilian. He'd like to say it was nothing he hadn't seen before, but he knew better than to lie. Roger's eyes landed on Chat Noir.
"Got a lady here who will not calm down, officer," Chat Noir responded. "She's yelling at another without reason. And she's also hit Ladybug too just a moment ago."
"Let me go!" Eleanora screamed. She continued to thrash and wriggle, fueled only by her rage towards Bria. Bria was still shaking, tears leaking out.
Roger's face hardened. His eyes narrowed, his lips drew into a thin line, and his brows pinched together in the middle. His expression reminded Ladybug of a stone cold statue. Underneath said statue was a whirlpool of fury. Roger looked between Eleanora and Chat Noir.
"… thank you, Chat Noir," he said. He then pulled out the handcuffs, unlocking them to their full width. "We will take it from here." Chat Noir stepped away long enough for Roger to put the handcuffs on Eleanora. "We'll be adding 'assault on a local superhero' to her charges."
"Get these off me!" Eleanora screamed. "I want Bria behind bars for life for her crimes!" Chat Noir's ear dipped in confusion.
"Calling someone the Treasonous One is slightly... inaccurate, if you look up the definition."
"Shut up!"
Chat Noir recoiled while Roger called in for backup. Several more officers exited their cruisers to assist him. Ladybug observed from where she was kneeling. Though she was a tad annoyed at Chat's joke given the situation, she couldn't help but agree. Did Eleanora even know the meaning of treason? Perhaps not considering how she relentlessly pursued Mrs. Rossi.
"Ma'am, you will refrain from acting out," Roger warned. "You are already facing charges for an unprovoked assault on a co-worker." Eleanora continued to squirm and thrash.
"'Unprovoked' my butt! That woman destroyed my daughter's life, so I want her life ruined forever!" she screamed, her voice increasingly shrill. By now, a small crowd had gathered at the site of the ensuing arrest. People whispered or recorded on their phones. Roger was in no mood to be dealing with entitled adults behaving like elementary children, so he did everything in his power to make it short. Eleanora continued screaming every profanity she could think of, sometimes slipping into her mother tongue.
An all too familiar face passed through the crowd. Eleanora stopped her tantrum when she laid eyes on who was now seeing her. A girl around Marinette's age looked on. The recognition flashed through Eleanora's eyes, stopping her for a brief moment.
"Thérèse…" Eleanora whispered. Thérèse remained where she was, unmoving and stoic. Eleanora grunted, eyes fixed on her daughter. "Tell them to let me go!" she ordered. Thérèse looked, a long while, then she turned away. "Thérèse!" Eleanora called again. Thérèse sniffed, her shoulders shaking. Then she turned to an officer with one request.
"Take her away, officer..." her voice was so small, as if even a whisper took too much strength. Eleanora's jaw dropped, hearing her own daughter say such a thing. "Just take her away..." Eleanora continued to struggle. Roger knew after this she would be facing charges for resisting arrest. Thérèse couldn't look her mother in the eye. Not after this.
"She destroyed your life, Thérèse!" Eleanora yelled. "I'm making sure it gets set right again!" Thérèse looked back at her mother. And for the first time, Ladybug saw the vulnerable young girl.
"She didn't destroy anything, Mother..." Thérèse whispered. "You did." Eleanora continued to thrash, Roger looking on.
"You had everything! Everything! And every day I would tell everyone about how talented you are!"
To anyone with a family and a mother, it would've meant the world to hear that. But instead, Ladybug saw Thérèse look away. Had she been Marinette, she would've gone and hugged Thérèse right then and there.
"To you, I'm just a trophy…"
The entire world stood completely silent. No one dared to speak. Eleanora continued resisting the efforts of the police officers to restrain and push her into the cruiser. Thérèse sniffled, her shoulders shaking.
"You're my daughter! A daughter I would rave about whenever I could because I've been a parent proud of her child!" Eleanora shrieked.
"To the point you hurt someone else?..." Thérèse asked. "Just stop it... you lost the right..."
"You're supposed to help your mother, Thérèse!" Eleanora shrieked. Thérèse did not answer, still turned away. "Thérèse! Answer me!" Thérèse shuddered. It was then several of the older members of the crowd glared at Eleanora. Her true colors were on display for everyone to see. Nothing she could do could restore the reputation she had utterly thrown into the gutter. Thérèse could no longer look upon the face of the woman who called herself a mother. Then and there, Roger decided enough was enough.
"Ma'am, that's enough," Roger barked. With one final push, he shoved Eleanora into the cruiser. "Into the cruiser you go." Eleanora continued screaming. Thérèse was ushered into another cruiser, away from her mother.
"How dare you, Thérèse!" Eleanora growled. "After sixteen years of raising you to my best ability!"
Ladybug didn't know what to think. Here was someone who called herself a mother assaulting someone else for what her child did. And looking at the woman Eleanora hated so much, her brain almost froze. Her thoughts would've drifted off had there been no beeping in her earrings and Chat Noir's ring.
"Uh oh," Ladybug said. She then reached for her ear and took the earpiece out. "Here," she said, tossing it to Yumi. Chat Noir tossed his to Ulrich. "Thanks again for the help."
"Gotta pounce!" Chat Noir announced. Right before he launched himself to the roof with his baton.
"Bug out!" Ladybug said, zipping away with her yo-yo. Ladybug was only a building away, although she could still hear the screaming.
Ladybug landed in an alleyway in time for the last warning beep. She de-transformed, the pink light engulfing her. The arrest from earlier was still fresh in her mind. And Thérèse… poor Thérèse. She'd always been so kind and helpful, being there for Marinette when she'd first started as class president. And now…
Footsteps interrupted Marinette's thoughts. She thought she heard someone calling her name. Looking up, she saw the owners of the two pairs of footsteps rapidly approaching.
"Amaia, Andres, hey," Marinette said. She was immediately tackled in a hug by the younger of the duo.
"You had us worried!" Andres shouted, hiding his face in the hug. Marinette's eyes widened, then they gentled. She slowly returned the hug the young boy was giving her.
"It's fine. I'm okay," Marinette assured. She heard Amaia breathe a sigh of relief.
"Where have you been? We were looking all over for you," she then asked. Marinette froze, realizing she'd forgotten that little detail in her cover story.
"I, uh, took cover." Marinette mentally slapped herself. "Yeah. Took cover. Like any normal civilian," she stuttered. Amaia raised an eyebrow. Marinette could tell she questioning the half-hearted tale she spun to cover herself. Well… gonna have to step up her game there. Looking down, she noticed Andres was still hugging her.
"Andres," Marinette began. "Can I have myself back now, please?" The boy's eyes widened. Then he grinned sheepishly while he released his hold on Marinette. Andres raised his shoulders, his head tilting down while his eyes looked up at the pigtailed girl. He held his hands behind his back. His feet shuffled and shifted.
"Sorry," he said. Marinette had to smile.
"It's fine," she said, patting his head. Andres smiled widely. In her peripheral, Marinette noticed Amaia pulling out her phone. She flipped through some apps Marinette couldn't see.
"We still have some things to do," Amaia said. She then looked up at Marinette and Andres. "Do you want to go home early or no?"
Marinette opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. She pulled out her list of things she needed while out in town. Then she came across the post-it note Tikki reminded her about. Manon had asked for crafts to make Ladybug- and Chat Noir-themed projects with her the last time she babysat. And seeing how she had an extra pair of hands to help her…
"Actually, there is one thing."
She felt a distinct pleasure seeing the confused looks on their faces.
"Thanks again for helping me with this," Marinette said to her two new neighbors. The trio had spent a good hour, give or take, at the fabric store Marinette regularly shopped at. Their arms were loaded with fabrics, bobs, pins, pin cushions, the whole list of Marinette's regular supplies. The owner of the store greeted her warmly. And they were more than happy to meet her two new friends (she at least hoped they counted as friends even if they'd just met). Now, the three were finally on their way home after a long day.
Andres grunted while adjusting the supplies he was carrying. "Remind me again what this stuff is for?"
Marinette smiled. "Friend of the family who has a daughter," she answered. Amaia looked through the fabrics she was asked to carry. She noticed one roll had a bone pattern on it, likely for a dog.
"It's kinda cute..." she whispered. Andres just snorted.
"It's a bunch of fabric and stuff."
Marinette giggled. "Well, of course," she stated matter-of-factly. "I make stuff with it." Andres grinned his little gremlin smile. Amaia looked up, an unexpected shine in her eyes.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yep," Marinette responded. Amaia's mouth hung open in an "O" shape. Which, humorously enough, made her look like a gaping goldfish. Then her mouth closed to form a thin line. As if she were thinking about a question to ask. She looked at Marinette.
"... what do you make?" she asked pensively.
"Is it something cool?" Andres piped up. Marinette could only smile. Then, holding her arms akimbo as best as she could, she told them what she made.
"I can make lots of things." Marinette couldn't help but puff up proudly. "Hats, custom clothes, crafts."
"Dog beds?" Amaia piped up, a little extra bounce in her step. Marinette looked at her. Amaia realized how quickly the outburst came out and looked away, a tad flustered. Andres snorted in disdain.
"Diego already has a dog bed."
Marinette had to laugh while Amaia put on her grumpy face again.
"Really, Andres? We lost it during the move." She shifted some of the materials so they wouldn't fall. Marinette could sense another argument between them coming. Though she'd be lying if she said she didn't find it funny.
"No one ever told me about that."
"Really."
"There you guys are."
The familiar voice interrupted their train of thought. Andres looked up, as did Amaia and Marinette. Marinette's cheeks turned a light shade of pink when she noticed the familiar boys walking up to them. Was she perhaps too quick in getting over Adrien for another boy? She pushed that thought aside for now.
"Ulrich, hey," Marinette said. Ulrich walked alongside Odd. Except now they were joined by Aelita, Jeremie, and Yumi.
"Yo!" Odd greeted. Jeremie looked at the fabrics Marinette and the other two were carrying.
"Uh, bit of a haul there?" he inquired. Marinette raised an eyebrow.
"This is typical for me," she said simply. A whistle cut through the air. Marinette realized a little belatedly it came from Yumi.
"Wow, she's stronger than you."
"No doubt," Ulrich shrugged. Glancing at Odd, Marinette noticed the slightly smug grin thrown his way. "I daresay she's stronger than Odd over here." Marinette giggled when she heard Odd shout in protest. Then she noticed Amaia looking Odd over.
"Doesn't look like it takes much," she commented. Odd's eyes widened, Yumi threw her head back laughing, Aelita hid her mouth in a giggle. Ulrich had a corresponding ouch while Jeremie was hard to describe.
It took a while for Yumi to start breathing normally again. "Wow. You weren't kidding," she finally wheezed out. Odd once again wore the expression of absolute failure and defeat in his conquest. Marinette hid a little giggle at Odd's expense.
"At least we won't say anything outside this group," Jeremie added.
Marinette took her time to observe the rest of the group. Now that she got a closer look at them, she could notice different details. Aelita's bright pink hair made her stand out the most in the group, though there was a sense of kindness and intelligence emanating from her. Jeremie wore glasses and when was the last time he wore something fashionable? Marinette would have to fix that. And that wasn't even getting close to the near eyesore that was Odd's ensemble. He stood out like a sore thumb, pardon the cliche. Yumi wore all black, but she saw a hint of color in the blue stars on her shirt. Perhaps she was a goth like Juleka? She'll have to get to know them some more.
"Besides Odd and Ulrich, I don't think I got the rest of your names." She extended a hand in greeting. "I'm Marinette."
"Yumi."
"Aelita."
"I'm Jeremie."
Marinette could not stop the smile on her face. "Nice to meet you." So far, she was already starting to like this group.
Ulrich looked over the tower of supplies Marinette was carrying. "Need help with that stuff?" he asked.
"Uhh…" Marinette looked over her items. "Maybe." She suddenly let out a small indecipherable sound, just now noticing a few items precariously tipping over. Oh no. Oh, snap. Please don't fall please don't fall please don't fall—
A hand reached out to grab one of the tipping items. "Here," Yumi said. Carefully so nothing fell, Yumi took the items most likely to fall.
"Oh, thank you," Marinette said. Looking at the group, she noticed something she hadn't seen in a long time.
"One thing our group doesn't do," Jeremie said. "We won't turn our backs."
"You got that right," Ulrich grunted in agreement. "Can't say how much sticking together has saved our skin."
"Oh yeah," Yumi added. Once again, Marinette couldn't stop the smile on her face
Everyone in the group stopped to help Marinette carry the items. With Jeremie's careful calculations, they distributed the items amongst themselves so no one was carrying more weight than necessary. She was surprised by how strong Ulrich and Yumi were, even with the balance. Odd surprised her as well with his careful handling of her materials (though she suspected he was trying to make up for his earlier flop at being a Casanova). Aelita asked about some of her fabrics. Marinette was more than happy to tell all about how to make different cuts in the cloths. In turn, Aelita surprised her with her knowledge of the makings that went into different fabrics. The science part of fabric-making, that is.
Odd held up some items and materials he didn't quite understand. "What do you make with this stuff, anyway?" he asked.
"Crafts, clothes, hats," Marinette listed off. "I make lots of things."
"That's nice," Jeremie said.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
They chatted while they walked. Marinette learned Yumi and Ulrich practiced a martial art called Pencak Silat. That certainly explained why they were so strong (and why Ulrich looked so athletic). Odd led a band called the Pop Rock Progressives that performed locally. Although recent developments have them considering breaking up. No hard feelings considering someone in the band was transferring schools. Aelita and Jeremie were computer nerds who had a love of science. Aelita even had a spark of creativity of her own, Marinette found out.
"Jeremie and I make stuff, too," she said out loud. Marinette's interest was piqued.
"Really?"
"Yes." Nobody noticed Yumi grinning in the back of the group. "We're making a game right now." Andres's head snapped straight up. Marinette's wiggle dance was commencing.
"Ooh, what's it about?"
Jeremie adjusted his glasses while thinking of an answer. "It focuses mainly on stopping the attack of an all-powerful AI entity that threatens the world from it's computerized housing."
Marinette's jaw dropped. "Whoa."
"We're still in the early phases," Aelita explained. "Getting everything in place before we start making it look and sound nice."
"I'd play it," Andres piped up. Amaia let out an indecipherable sound and patted his head.
"I'm still waiting on the composers I've been in contact with to get back to me," Jeremie explained. At this, Amaia looked over, quirking an eyebrow.
"Composers?"
"Yes," Aelita answered. They heard Yumi chuckling.
"Jeremie over here wants to get everything in place for the next phase," she commented, throwing Jeremie a look.
"I like things to be organized, okay?" he retorted. Yumi responded by playfully elbowing him in the ribs. Marinette cringed a little remembering how Eleanora had struck her in the ribs as Ladybug earlier.
Though she didn't quite miss how Amaia suddenly went quiet and thoughtful. Amaia's brows furrowed in the middle, her hand touching her chin in contemplation. Then she looked up at Jeremie.
"Was one of the composers 'Night Rain' by any chance?" she asked. Jeremie looked in her direction.
"Why yes," he answered. Then he raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"
Amaia paused a good long while.
"... I'm Night Rain."
The response was immediate. Odd's jaw dropped while Marinette's eyes widened. Yumi shared the same expression as her friends. One of the composers they had reached out to was right here? In the flesh? Jeremie couldn't believe it.
"Really?" he asked, eyes wide.
"Really."
"Whoa."
"That's crazy!"
"Incredible," Jeremie stated. "I found your work impressive."
Amaia looked away, visibly flustered. "Th-thank you..." she uttered. Andres snickered right beside her.
"You make music?" Marinette asked, gaping. Slowly, and silently, Amaia looked at her neighbor. Then she nodded. Suddenly, all the pieces came together. The keyboard she had seen when they moved in wasn't just a hobby. It was her passion. It explained why she dashed off so suddenly to look at the songbooks at the Green Melody.
"Whoa," was all she could utter. Amaia watched warily, unsure what Marinette would do. Then she turned to Jeremie. "Jeremie, I hope you don't mind. I'm gonna steal Amaia for a bit."
"Wait, what."
"Okay." Aelita laughed while Marinette did a little wiggle dance of joy.
"Oh my gosh! You can make music!" Marinette exclaimed. Amaia's face burned bright red. She hid herself using the fabrics she was holding as a shield. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to fade into the background.
"Nice going, sis," Andres quipped.
"Careful. You're overloading her," Yumi commented. Amaia shrank, wishing the spotlight would be elsewhere. It wasn't long before Andres stepped in.
"Alright, let her breathe," Andres said. "Don't crowd her." Amaia was grateful to be out of the spotlight for a bit. Marinette wondered for a moment if she had stage fright.
Her thoughts didn't last long when she noticed the bakery coming up on the street. The delicious smell of fresh-baked macarons wafted through the air. The various pastries and baked goods were proudly displayed in their cases. One look at Odd told Yumi and the others he was positively drooling.
"Is that where you live?" he asked.
"Yep," Marinette answered. Odd's drool count would've increased tenfold if Ulrich hadn't cut in.
"Just because she's a new friend doesn't mean you can have an all-you-can-eat buffet in her bakery," Ulrich commented. Nobody missed the grin on his face. "Her family has a business to run. Though now I know where the coffee cake comes from that Mom usually sends."
Odd pouted, unhappy about being denied fresh baked goods. "Why is the universe out to get me," he cried.
"You make it too easy," Amaia added. Odd shut up in time for Yumi to split a gut. Aelita joined her. Marinette's brow quirked a bit. Then she turned to Ulrich.
"How often does that happen?" she asked. Ulrich's grin was too much for Odd's ego to bear.
"Every time he opens his mouth too wide." Odd's heart shattered with the betrayal of his best friend.
"Ulrich, not you too!"
"Yes, Ulrich too," Yumi added. Ulrich just shrugged while Aelita laughed.
"Hey, it's either you or your dog."
Odd cried all the way across the street. Yumi looked over at the park to see a girl with black hair holding a gray dog on a leash.
"Speaking of which, there's Kiwi and Sissi over there." Yumi gestured to the girl and dog in the park.
"Uh oh," Aelita quipped. Marinette looked over.
"Should I be worried?" Marinette asked. Andres looked Kiwi over from where he stood.
"That dumb dog?" Andres inquired. Amaia immediately elbowed him in the ribs, stopping his smart comments cold. Odd jumped to Kiwi's defense.
"Hey! My dog is the smartest dog in the world!"
Ulrich side-eyed Odd. "Need I remind you he chewed up your CD?"
Odd just waved him off. "Big deal."
Marinette sighed in exasperation. This guy was a complete and total nutcase. That much was certain. She didn't know what went on in his head, and she wasn't sure she wanted to know. But then again, this sense of familiarity with them. It was nice. Really nice. There was no judgment, no demands. Not even a harsh shut up. It was just… friendly.
Marinette didn't know when was the last time she felt something this familial with people outside her family. But it was nice.
Approaching the bakery, she noticed a rather odd car parked outside. It was an old model, looking like it had been driven for years upon years. Yet it was in good condition and working. The color was rather dull, but it added to the vintage charm. Whoever the owner was took great care of it if it was still running after so many years.
From their position in the group, Amaia identified the car's owner.
"Oh, that's tío's," she said. Marinette breathed a sigh of relief knowing the car didn't belong to some psycho stranger. Her eyes wandered, and she spotted Master Fu riding in the back. He gave a small wave, and she waved in return.
Then her eyes fell upon the woman riding in the car with him. Marinette's brain froze. Because she had seen that face on someone else. Mrs. Rossi looked down, dark circles developing under her red and puffy eyes. Marinette wasn't sure how to feel at that moment. Because she knew the name associated with that face.
And yet… it was different somehow…
Setting those thoughts aside, Marinette lead the group to the back of her house.
"Thanks again for helping me," she said to the group.
"Any time," Yumi said.
"If you need any of us, just call," Jeremie added. Marinette looked over the entire group, gratitude filling her heart.
"Thank you. So much."
Truly.
Once they had everything inside, Ulrich handed Marinette a piece of paper with their numbers on it. Yumi had to rib him for handing out their numbers to random strangers. To which he replied only mattered if it were people they trusted. Marinette was deeply moved by the display of trust they had in her. And she had to chuckle when Amaia accepted the offer of their numbers.
The group chatted some more in Marinette's room. Then they received an extra surprise when Marinette brought them a tray of baked goodies with which to help themselves. She would forever remember how they had to restrain Odd from ripping his pant seams by way of overstuffing himself on food. Waving bye to them, Marinette allowed herself to fall on her couch for a good day's rest.
Her phone beeped with a new text message. Marinette glanced… and her face immediately paled. Amaia and Andres turned from the trapdoor, having helped put everything in place.
"Something?" Amaia asked. Andres stayed silent, sensing something was happening. Marinette silently read the text message, her face growing paler every second. "…Marinette?" Marinette did not answer. It was a long time before she turned to Amaia.
"... can I trust you with something?..." she whispered. Amaia said nothing, but she nodded. Marinette hugged herself, as though she were bracing herself for an impact. "My... friends are in the park next to us, having a picnic and..." She sniffled, anxious. Andres looked out the window overlooking the park.
"And you don't want to go," he stated simply. Marinette sniffled again, still hugging herself.
"They're..." Marinette hiccuped. "It's being hosted by..." Suddenly, it all made sense to her why Nino and Alix were being so tight-lipped about the whole affair.
The one hosting the picnic was none other than Alya.
Looking over at Marinette, Amaia walked over and knelt to the floor. "Did something happen?" Trembling, Marinette nodded. Her breath became shaky in between sobs she choked back. She was on the verge of rocking herself back and forth. She didn't even look up to see her neighbor. She just wanted it all to end. Just end.
"… I can go in your place if you'd like."
Marinette's head snapped up. Was she hearing this? Was this for real?
"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Amaia added. Marinette gaped, unsure if she had just heard this.
"You... you mean it?"
"Of course."
Marinette stared for what was a long time. Then she threw her arms around the other girl. Amaia leaned back, but ultimately stayed where she was. Marinette's quiet sobs were heard more clearly.
"Thank you…" she whispered. Amaia glanced at the crying girl, then she returned the hug. Andres was silent, allowing Marinette the room to cry and release her emotions. Amaia rubbed soothing circles in Marinette's back.
"You want to go, but something's scaring you?" Amaia guessed. Marinette just nodded, sniffling.
"Please?…" Marinette begged. "I really don't want to face them…"
"… okay."
For the longest time, Marinette cried. She cried and cried onto Amaia's shoulder, grateful she won't have to face her class again. A part of her felt bad for pushing this onto Amaia, but Amaia reminded her she was first to make the offer. Therefore, she shouldn't have to feel bad. Andres looked out the window again, seeing someone he did not wish to.
"Amaia." Amaia looked over. "It's that kid who's butt you tore up."
Amaia and Marinette separated to come look. That was until the reality of Andres's words sank in.
"Wait…" she looked at Amaia. "You're the one who tore up Kim's pants?"
"Yes," she stated.
"Kim?" Andres asked.
"That's his name," Marinette answered. Amaia's eyes narrowed dangerously. Marinette could feel the anger rising.
"Oh don't worry," she growled. "I'll be just fine."
Marinette made a mental note to never enrage her neighbor.