-Twelve Years Later-
7:01 am.
The art studio in the confines of François Dupont High School was the only room lit in the early morning, and occupied by one girl. Piano music played gently from the girl's phone speakers, its beat echoing through the room. The girl, 15 year old Ella Aurelle-Maunt, kept her eyes on the notebook before her, studying her written words, erasing and replacing things.
But also sitting on the desk, Ella kept her eye on her little kwami friend Kiismet. What's a kwami, you ask? Well, a kwami is a special creature that allows a person to become a superhero with the help of the kwami's Miraculous. In Kiismet's case, she's the Miraculous of the Raven. She has the power over destiny, and she's been Ella's kwami since the girl was four.
"Ella! You've still gotta shower and change before school starts! You don't want to be late for your first day of public school, do you?" Kiismet called out over the music. Ella smiled and slowed her writing.
"I'm getting there, Kiismet. Relax! I won't be late, considering I have a change of clothes and I can use the school's shower." Ella smiled at the little raven kwami, closing the notebook and sliding it into her bag. Kiismet floated up, landing on Ella's shoulder.
"You're still going to need to find some breakfast- don't think I notice you forget that this morning."
"I'd rather be hungry than stay in that apartment longer than I have to be, Kiismet." Ella sighed. Standing from the desk, the girl grabbed her bag and moved towards the locker rooms.
"I saw a little bakery when we got to the school. Maybe you can find something yummy there!" Kiismet chirped from Ella's shoulder as the girl set her bag down on the counter of the private shower.
"You just want some walnuts, don't you?" Ella teased her kwami, turning on the shower and undressing. Kiismet flew over to the counter and sat down, frowning at all the bruises and cuts on her owners body. The little raven hated seeing her master hurt, but she knew Ella's destiny- and the pain was only going to continue for a few months longer in the least. She still had yet to meet that special one...
"Kiismet? Can you pull my notebook out and jot down a couple lines for me?" The kwami giggled and did as Ella asked, enjoying the one-track mind of the teen.
7:54 am.
Ella sighed, shifting her back on her shoulder. Her schedule wasn't too bad, luckily- and since the majority of the students shared classes, she was going to at least see the same people most of the day. But as she crossed the inner courtyard to head back outside, butterflies erupted in her stomach. Sure, she was excited to start the new school year after years of being trapped at home, but it was still nerve-racking.
"Don't worry, Ella! It'll be fine! You'll make lots of friends!" Kiismet chirped from the pocket of Ella's skirt.
"Just because you can see my destiny doesn't mean I'm not nervous, Kiismet."
"Think of it as a song then? Each action like notes in a song!" Ella thought about it for a moment before smiling down at her friend.
"I'll give it a try! Thanks Kiismet!" Kiismet smiled.
"Now- let's get some food first! Try that bakery across the street!" Ella laughed before agreeing with the little kwami. Exiting the school, Ella turned right and crossed the street to the little pastry shop.
"Awe Kiismet, it looks like they're not open yet. I guess we'll just have to wa-"
"Good morning, miss. Can I help you?" A woman opened the door, surprising the teen.
"Oh I'm sorry! I was just seeing if you were open- I'm early to school across the street and wanted to grab something to eat." Ella smiled, shifting her shoulder strap. The older woman smiled, moving to let Ella inside.
"Of course! Come in and pick whatever you want."
"Thank you ma'am."
Ella wandered into the quaint shop, smiling at all the sweets and breads in the display cabinets. It smelled delicious, and even Kiismet was squirming around in her pocket.
"Is there anything in particular you're looking for?" The woman asked, moving around Ella to the register.
"Not really. What do you recommend?"
"Well if you're looking for sweet, our macaroons are wonderful. For something hearty so early, we have a variety of breads, including a lightly sweetened walnut bread."
"That sounds perfect. Can I get three slices?"
"Of course, dear. Tom! Can you prepare three slices of walnut bread? That'll be 5 euros, miss." Ella smiled and handed over the notes. A moment later, she took the small paper bag with her bread, thanked the woman and exited back towards school.
Ella took a deep breath, shifting on her feet. She couldn't quite find it in herself to enter the classroom, the nerves getting the better of her.
"Come on, Ella! You can do it! One step, just like a new note in a song!" Kiismet chirped, poking her head out of her pocket- all while munching on a piece of walnut bread.
"Alright- I'll do my best as long as you promise to keep in my pocket, you silly bird!" The little kwami giggled before nuzzling back in the fabric. Ella took a breath, looked back to the door and opened it.
And there's no one in the room yet.
"Geez, my nerves are toast now..!" Ella chuckled, moving to the first row of tables and taking a seat next to the aisle. She had no idea if there were assigned seats or anything, so she decided to just pick one for now. Pulling out her little brown journal, a folder of sheet music and a pencil, Ella sat in silence. Her hand scribbled across the paper, writing lyrics and filling in notes on sheet music, while the other occasionally handed Kiismet pieces of bread from the little paper bag.
Slowly the class began to fill with students. All noticed the new girl sitting in the front row but none approached, considering that the girl was too immersed in whatever she was writing to notice them or the increasing noise level.
Marinette panted as she entered the classroom- she thought she was going to be late this time! Taking a breath, the girl moved to her normal seat but noticed a new face in the seat in front of her own. She had black hair that almost looked purple and blue in the sunlight, and Marinette could just see storm-grey eyes moving with her hand across the page.
"Hi!"
The girl startled, her hand drawing a line across the paper. Her eyes shot up, curious as to who disturbed her.
"Sorry to startle you- I just noticed you're new and I wanted to say hi! I'm Marinette- I sit in the seat behind you." The girl was quiet a moment before a small smile graced her lips.
"Hi Marinette, I'm Ella." Marinette smiled back, before moving to take the seat behind the girl. Ella turned around to face the blunette.
"There aren't assigned seats or anything right? I don't want to be taking someone else's seat."
"No- that one's always open. No one usually takes it since it's the front row."
"Ah okay good. Then I guess this can be my seat?"
"Sure! You could even come up and sit next to me if you want! Ya know- sit with a friend?" Ella smiled and giggled, collecting her stuff.
"Sure! I wouldn't mind having some company for the year!" Marinette scooted over and Ella took the aisle seat, once again spreading her stuff out.
"So whatcha writing?" Marinette asked, scooting closer.
"Sheet music and lyrics. I wanna be a song writer someday."
"Wow that's so cool! Can I read some of your songs?"
Ella smiled again and handed over a few finished products, going back to the current project as Marinette read through the lyrics. Both girls were entranced in their work, only to be startled out of it when a hand slapped against the desk a few inches from Ella's face.
"You're in my seat, new girl!"
"Excuse me? As far as I know, this is Marinette's seat that she gave me to sit beside her. And who are you supposed to be?" Ella didn't fare well with bullies. Given what she endures at home, she has no tolerance for that type of behavior anywhere else.
"You don't know who I am?! Ridiculous- utterly ridiculous!" The blonde girl shrieked, her manicured nails curling into fists.
"No I don't and granted- I really don't care cause I already don't like you. And no I'm not moving from my spot. You can find another place to sit. Now buzz off."
Ella ignored the shrieks coming from banshee girl beside her, and turned her attention back to Marinette.
"So what do you think of them?" Her question started Marinette from her shock, her gaze falling from a hissy fit-throwing Chloe to Ella.
"They're really good, you're really talented."
"Thanks Marinette. Those are some early ones I did, but the newer stuff I think is better. Here- read this one."
"Hey! I'm not done with you!" Ella felt a hand grip tight on her shoulder, nails biting into her skin. Instantly her mind was back home. In a flash, Ella was up and away, past Marinette and up against the wall of the classroom. Every set of eyes were on her, confused at the sudden expression of fear on her face. Marinette stood slowly, reaching a hand into Ella's view.
"Ella? Are you okay?" Her calm tone allowed Ella to focus on the blunette and gain a grip back on reality. Reaching forward, Ella gripped Marinette's hand as an anchor before she let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Y-yeah... I'm good. Thanks Marinette." The two girls smiled at one another before turning back to their seats, only to see Chloe and her tagalong had shoved their stuff to the ground and taken the desk for themselves.
"You really are a selfish brat, aren't you blondie." Ella growled, moving to collect her music sheets and bag; Marinette doing the same beside her.
"Come on, Ella- she's not even worth it." Marinette dragged Ella away from Chloe before the girl actually attacked her, to the first row again- this time furthest from the door. The pair joined the other new girl in their class, who gave them a sympathetic look.
"The evil just radiates off her, doesn't it?" The girl commented, drawing Marinette into conversation. Ella sat there beside them, focusing on her breathing and getting her music sheets back in order.
"Why did Chloe kick you out of those seats anyways?" The other girl asked.
"Apparently some famous model is starting at our school and she knows him or something." Marinette supplied, remembering the drama she overheard this morning. Ella snorted, bringing herself into the conversation.
"If he's friends with her, then he's gonna be a joy to have around..." Ella grumbled, flicking dirt off her latest work.
"I have a feeling the three of us are gonna get along great. I'm Alya."
"Marinette."
"Ella."