That evening, a few hours after Alya had left, mom brought up some soup and ordered me to eat it before leaving to help dad close up the bakery. Tikki, along with the rest of the kwamis, pestered me until I got annoyed enough to sit up and eat the soup.

I had stared at the photo of Chat and me for almost the whole day, thinking, and yet I was no closer to an answer.

I didn't go to school again the next morning, opting instead to sit on my bed and design. My pencil twirled in my fingers above an empty page, but nothing came to mind. My brain was too focussed on Chat. His miraculous lay on the dresser where I had left it. I was still too hesitant to let Plagg come out of the ring. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear what he had to say.

"Tikki, why?" I asked abruptly. "Why would he do that? Why would he leave me after all the things we've been through together?"

The kwamis swarmed around me, alighting on my head, shoulders and legs.

"Oh, Marinette," said Tikki. "I don't know. Maybe he felt that he couldn't be Chat Noir anymore after you both defeated Hawkmoth?"

"He may have thought that thissssss wasssss the most painlessssss way to ssssssay goodbye," Sass added.

"But he's always wanted to know my identity. Why would he leave without asking for a reveal first?"

"You have always told him that you could not reveal your identities," Wayzz observed. "Perhaps he did not want to put pressure on you."

"Or he decided he didn't want you to know his identity after all," added Trixx.

I felt my heart constrict at the idea. Did Chat not trust me after all?

I stared at the photo again. "It's too late now. I'll never know and there's nothing I can do about it. I should move on." I stood up and began moving around my room, gathering my school supplies. "If I hurry, I can just make it in time for last class."

Tikki flew after me. "Are you sure that's wise?" she asked, concerned. "Your emotions still haven't settled down. Maybe it's better to stay home for one more day and rest."

"I'm fine Tikki. I just need something to take my mind off him. School will do just fine. There's no use missing more of it than I have to."

"Just be careful," Wayzz said.

"I will." I rooted through my jewelry box until I found a thin silver chain left over from one of my designing projects. Grabbing Chat's ring, I threaded it onto the chain and fastened it around my neck. I slipped it under my shirt so no one could see it, before grabbing my purse and school bag and running downstairs. I went back up just long enough to drop off some snacks for the kwamis before bolting through the bakery and out the door.

"Bye mom, bye dad," I called before I left. "Going to school. See you tonight!"

I purposefully timed my entrance into the classroom for just after the bell had rung, to avoid any prodding questions from my classmates. I knew I couldn't escape Alya, but after six years, I knew how to evade her questions.

I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I entered the room. "Sorry for being late Ms. Bustier," I said before taking my seat. Ms. Bustier continued the lesson after I sat down and the class returned their attention to her. Everyone except Alya, that is.

"Girl," she whispered, nudging me with her elbow. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at home resting."

"Couldn't stay at home any longer," I replied, keeping my eyes glued on the textbook. "I had to distract myself." I could feel Alya's gaze judging my condition. "I'm fine, okay?" Alya said nothing, but I could hear the silent We'll talk later.

But, she didn't get a chance. As soon as class ended, I was out the door and away. Alya would definitely ask what had happened. I was trying to forget, not remember.