Chapter 1: Secret
Claire MacLiam felt the warmth of the sun on the window pane, and strummed her fingers against the tempered glass. With reticent eyes, she gazed upon the other students. The spring air seemed to lift them as they ran and chased each other along the school grounds. Her golden turmeric hues blinked. A finch perched itself upon the window sill. She smiled at the company, leaning closer. The bird, startled by her movements, beat its wings and flew towards the sky. Claire watched the creature abandon her and disappear against Paris' picturesque silhouette. Her fingers ceased tapping against her glass cage. A silent yearning hidden beneath a forlorn acceptance. On some days, ones that were especially brighter than others, the subdued emotions stirred in her chest. Claire rested her eyes, condensing into the warm comforts of the heated glass, reminding herself it could always be worse.
"Claire," the school nurse called, beckoning her attention. "I have to step out for a moment. Would you help by reorganizing the aid care supplies for me?"
"Of course, Ms. Moreau," the young student smiled. "Please, leave it to me."
The nurse simply nodded before exiting the office. Claire took one more glance at the boundless sky before attending to her duties. With hum and tune, she went about her business of restocking blood pressure cuffs, first aid kits at the bedside cabinet, and adjusting the patient bedsheet. Wiping down the monitor cords, a polite knock interrupted. Without time to properly answer, the presence behind the door entered. Claire withheld a gasp with the entrance of Adrien Agreste, one of her classmates and highest rated teen magazine models in the industry.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Is the school nurse here?" Adrien asked, with a palm firmly against a visible forehead bump. "Kind of had an accident."
"Oh—!" Claire fumbled with the cords. They would need to be untangled again. Recovering, she tucked a shy strand of caramel hair behind her ear. "Ms. Moreau is out for the moment."
Claire noted her classmate's features had fallen, and without her intent, she spoke; "I could take care of you instead, if you'd like."
"That would be a relief," Adrien rose with elation at the offer. "I have fencing practice in a few minutes. I'd hate to be late."
"Of course. Please, have a seat on the bed."
Claire felt her lips turn dry. Talking to boys was never her forte, especially ones plastered on billboard signs around Paris. Her eyes tailed her classmate, watching as he perched himself at the edge of the patient bed. Blowing out a puff of air, she washed her hands and gathered her care supplies.
With the snap of clean gloves, she pulled the privacy curtains.
"May I see?" With a voice suited for a mouse, she wondered if it carried.
Adrien's hand lifted to sweep his golden blonde bangs framing his crafted features. Claire noted the bright red mark and un-concerning appearance.
"Is it bad, nurse?" He asked, grin deepening into his supple cheeks.
"You'll be just fine," she answered, hands shaking to tear the alcohol swab. Swallowing hard, she dabbed at the wound. "How did this happen to you? If you don't mind me asking. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"Well, I…" Adrien chuckled, his gaze shifting around the infirmary. "I was just at P.E when Nino threw a football at me. It was so fast, I couldn't intercept it in time."
"You should really be more careful," Claire affirmed, forcing Adrien to straighten his posture. She couldn't deny the honesty in her tone, "Many athletes' suffer from unknown concussions, you know. I'd hate to see you back here anytime soon."
"You seem to know a lot about this stuff." Amusement gleamed in his field spring eyes, his attention fixated on her working hands. "It's pretty impressive."
Claire flushed a rosy-pink, waving her hands in front of her dismissively, "M-My mother's a nurse at the hospital. I volunteer there sometimes, and I do my best to remember."
Clearing her throat, Claire peeled her gloves off inside the biohazard bin. She reached for a piece of parchment and pen inside the nurse's desk and handed it Adrien.
"Please fill out this incident report. None of it will be discussed with any other student or faculty member; only immediate family members will be contacted—"
"No!"
Claire blinked wildly at the outburst and change in Adrien's demeanor. As instantaneous as it was, it simmered with a forced laugh from his lips.
"No can do. That's what I meant to say. My father is away on a business trip and doesn't usually answer his phone. He's always busy anyway."
"In that case, you'll need to put a phone number of a close relative at least," Claire responded with a curious glint in her golden eyes. "And just sign your name below."
With a scratch of the pen, Adrien returned the form.
"Thanks for all your help," he revealed a heart-warming smile, one that Claire knew was worth millions if a camera had captured it. "I'll see you in class…Sorry, I don't think we've talked much since the beginning of the school year. It's Claire, right?"
"Mhm, that's right," she turned a reddened cheek at the sound of her name against his lips.
Somehow, it reminded her of someone whom she was fond of. The familiarity unnerved her.
"Take care," she drew up the courage to regard him with a smile. "And try to tell the next incoming football not to bump your head."
"I'll try to reason with it next time." Adrien lifted a chuckle from his stomach, "but if we still disagree, I'll know who to call."
Adrien made his way to the infirmary exit, giving one final wave before closing the door behind him. Claire exhaled the hot wire coiled tightly in her chest. Collective squeals and screams rattled outside the nurse's office. Claire speculated it was a body of students fawning and taking notice of Adrien's new forehead piece.
With a shake of her head, Claire gathered her wits and continued her assigned duties.
A drizzle of rain pelted all of Paris, forming glistening puddles all over the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Claire tiptoed around the edges of water while balancing her umbrella, hoping water wouldn't catch her shoes and drench the inside of her soles. Passing an electronic store, various size screens flashed the current broadcast. A news anchor spoke feverishly, drawing in the attention of other passersby.
"This just in: Paris is under an immediate flood warning caused by a newly announced villain under the name of Hydroplane. LadyBug and Cat Noir are on high pursuit along with the Paris police force. Citizens are advised to relocate to high ground immediately for their own safety."
A gust of high-speed wind and rain smacked against Claire's body, forcing the umbrella out of hold. She gasped, along with the surrounding Paris citizens, staring uneasily at the many televisions turning into nothing more than grey static. Claire's ears perked, sending her blurred sight down the street. Her golden eyes widened at the distant image; a rush of tidal water a few meters high swirled and splashed as it sped down the entire road. The panicked crowd erupted in screams, running away from the impending wave.
Frozen, Claire watched as the surreal waters devoured cars and trees. Anything that it swept over vanished from her vision, as if it never existed. A small cry brought her back to her senses. A few feet ahead of her was an insignificant black kitten, splashing in a confused stupor and mewling insistently for its mother. Fear gripping hesitation spellbound her; tortured her. Time was not in her favor. Without any mind at all, Claire raced towards the kitten and grabbed it. Practically slipping on her heels, she rushed into the nearby alleyway.
Immediately, waves like rolling thunder coursed. A surge of water flooded rapidly into the alleyway. Claire couldn't outrun it, and the overpowering tidal water forced her against a wire fence. With the kitten in her possession she raised her hands high, pathetically trying to keep it out of the furious waters. The waves felt like crushing cinder blocks against her body, and bouts of water overlapped her face, forcing her to swallow. She coughed sporadically, extending her neck as much as she could, so that her nose and mouth remained open to air.
Water felt like a filter that covered her plane of vision. Watching the kitten through the blinding curtain gave her some form of moral relief. If anything, at least she tried.
A pair of clawed hands grappled her forearms, and Claire felt her entire body pulled from the relentless clutch of the waters. She pressed the kitten protectively close to her chest, and with limited awareness, made out the black suited figure cradling her.
"Cat Noir," she coughed up a pool of water, shaking at the bursting feeling in her throat.
"I'm going to get you to higher ground. Hold on," he spoke over the roaring rain.
Cat Noir jumped from his balanced spot on the fence onto the roof of a building. With haste, Cat Noir placed Claire on her side, allowing gravity to assist her in expelling any excess water still trapped inside her.
"Wait, something's not right." He whispered, witnessing her coughing escalating into heavy wheezes.
With wide and iridescent eyes, he watched Claire struggle to point an index finger at her cardigan pocket. Cat Noir took the hint and pulled out an inhaler. There was no time to pause. Hurriedly, he crouched to her side, propping her upwards and assisting the inhaler to her mouth. Her hand shook to take control. Gradually, her wheezes decreased in magnitude and duration, until she was able to form proper words.
"Thank…you," Claire spoke between labored breaths.
"Will you be alright?" Cat Noir placed a tender hand against her shoulder, inspecting her drenched form.
"Mhm," her head rolled on her shoulders. She held the mewling kitten closer to her aching chest, "find Ladybug…save Paris again...like you always do."
"I will. You have my word," her superhero nodded, standing tall with his shoulders back and whisking out his extending baton. "There's a door that leads from the roof into the main building. Go inside and stay dry."
A gloved claw extended out to take her hand. Her face flushed a deeper red than any apple she had ever eaten. Taking it, he hoisted her onto her unsteady feet.
Droplets of water dripped from his lashes as he gave her a sly wink, "take care of that stray kitten. Without his mama, he's going to need lots of attention from you. Can you do that for me?"
She nodded feverishly, strands of damp caramel hair sticking to her cheeks, "I can do it."
"That's my girl," he spoke coolly before running off towards the edge of the roof and taking a leap to the next building.
Claire watched in a foggy haze as his figure turned into nothing more than a speck of rain. Although there was no more water trapped inside her chest, she felt the suffocation of her own emotions drowning every part of her. She held the kitten close, blushing hotly at the sensation. Claire couldn't help a tear or two from escaping her eyes.
Thank you…thank you...!
"I wonder what I should name you."
Claire's eyes glistened at the feline lapping at a dish of milk formula. Laying flat on the carpet room floor, she placed her head upon her palms, thoughtfully swinging her legs back and forth.
"Hm," she squinted her golden hues, as if sifting through the air for some invisible sign. She tapped a finger against her cheek, "It's difficult being a new mama. I can't even think of a good name. Papa would be so disappointed in me."
Claire turned red as a beet, "that's right. Technically, Cat Noir is your papa and I'm your mama, and that makes you baby Noir."
The kitten peered over at Claire with its beaded blue eyes, mewling and allowing drips of milk fall onto the carpet. She paid no mind.
"Do you like that name? Noir?" She insisted on the question. The kitten merely purred, before pawing at its milk dish. She smiled triumphantly, "alright then, your name is officially Noir. Welcome to the family."
Claire giggled as Noir dipped both of his pink pads into the milk, splashing and flicking formula around.
"Looks like my first job as mama is to teach you proper table manners."
"Claire, honey." Ms. MacLiam entered the room, gowned in scrubs and her purse. "I'm leaving for my night shift. Remember to go to bed at a decent hour. I agreed to let you have the cat, but I don't want you being distracted by it."
"Yes, mama." Claire rose to her knees and nodded her head. "I'll be snug like a bug in a rug by no later than 10 o'clock."
"Alright. You know to call me if there's ever an emergency."
"Mhm—yes, mama."
"Good," her mother's shoulders relaxed. "Before I go, I want to remind you to bring in your telescope. They said it might rain again later tonight."
"Yup! I'm on it," Claire waved good-bye.
One last maternal smile, and the bedroom door closed. Claire rose from her spot and opened her balcony door. A night breeze wafted in, raising bumps upon her milk bathed skin. With care, she collapsed her foldable telescope and brought it inside the safety of her room.
Gathering the kitten in her arms, she snuggled into bed. She turned off her moon shaped bed lamp and her turmeric hues glowed at the ceiling. Painted stars and galaxies brightened and waned above, illuminating the swirling cosmos pulling her to dream. They looked incredibly real.
Even her father thought so.
"It looks exactly like him," Claire's admiration had her attention shift from the linework to the reference photo. "Thank you so much, Nathan. It's perfect. Is there some way I can pay you for it?"
"No, it's fine. We're friends anyway," Nathanael replied with a shade of pink catching his cheeks at the compliments. "I mean, you help me enough already by tutoring me in Chemistry. I'm just returning the favor."
"What's your cat's name, by the way?" He asked.
"Oh, his name…" Claire fidgeted in her seat, and bowed her head low in embarrassment. "It's Noir."
Nathanael raised an eyebrow incredulously, "Don't tell me you named your kitten after—"
"I did," she buried her bright red face against the drawing.
"Cat Noir really is your favorite superhero," Nathanael chuckled, tending to another unfinished sketch in his drawing book. "Maybe you should think about sending him fan mail."
"I wish." Claire sighed, recalling yesterday's events and the emotions that followed. She stared hard at the sketch, "But I don't think superheroes have a convenient mailing address. Especially this one."
"Hey, Claire."
The young high school student heard the sound of her name spoken by a pair of familiar lips. Her golden gaze averted upwards, catching Adrien Agreste regarding her eagerly.
"How are you? Are you feeling alright?" He asked, placing a hand on her desk and leaning closer.
"Oh, no different than usual," she cleared her throat, leaning further into her seat. "Why do you ask? Is there something wrong?"
From her investigative inquiry, Adrien stiffened at the reversal of questions.
"Well, I just thought I saw you on the news yesterday," he adjusted his bag while scratching the back of his neck tensely. "I wanted to make sure you didn't get caught in anything too serious."
"You were, Claire?" Nathanael chimed in curiously.
"I-I'm completely fine." Claire flushed, sweat forming against her temple from the unwanted collective of questions. "What about you though? How's your forehead?"
"Oh, yeah." He touched the band aid present on his forehead. "The bleeding stopped but I think there might be some bruising."
"That's good to hear," Claire responded, sincerity lifting the hem of her smile. "Just keep checking on it, okay?"
"Sure thing."
The school bell rang, breaking the attention of the students and their antics as they shuffled to take their seats. One could hear the unanimous groans from a few select students, who would rather continue to browse their phones or not be bothered at all.
"Looks like class is about to start. Take it easy, Claire." Adrien dismissed himself with a slight wave of his hand and took his seat next to his usual partner in crime.
"That was a little weird," Nathanael commented. "I've never seen Adrien speak to you before or at all."
"You're kind of right," she responded, tapping her lips. "We had our first real conversation yesterday in the school infirmary. Besides that, we've only spoken during group assignments."
"Uh-oh, looks like your feline superhero might have some competition pretty soon," Nathanael teased, defending himself from Claire's onslaught of flustered attacks with his sketchbook.
"Please, Nathan." Claire whimpered. "It's already bad enough that you know about it. I don't need everyone else knowing too."
"Sorry, I just couldn't help it." Nathanael smiled sheepishly. "I'm serious about the fan mail, though. I'd say you deliver it personally, since there's no other way."
He tapped the drawing in Claire's hold, "There's nothing more personal than showing affection through artistic expression. Write a cute poem, draw a few cat faces, then finish it off with a heart over the 'I' in your name."
"Wow," Claire felt her cheeks turn visibly warm. "How do you know how to be so romantic?"
"I just have a good source of reference," Nathanael smiled bashfully, patting the secret doodles of his comic book in progress. "That's all."
"I guess it couldn't hurt to try…" she whispered in private, lightly thumbing over the kitten art. "Would it?"
The last bell tolled, and the whole student body sighed in relief; except for Claire. The whole day had been spent with her thoughts about the perfect fan letter to craft for her beloved savior. From the bottom of her heart, she knew nothing in her power could ever suffice to display her gratitude. Yet, if just a bit could show through a few written lines, then that's all she needed.
"Ok, how does it look, Nathan?" Claire asked, hovering her phone camera over the piece of parchment. "Does it look bad?"
"I wouldn't really know, since I can still see your face." Nathanael chimed in, shaking his head. "You forgot to switch the camera."
"Oh! Right," she giggled bashfully before correcting her mistake. "How about now?"
"It looks pretty good, I'd say." Nathanael's voice rang in approval, lifting his side bangs to inspect it further. "Good job, Claire."
"Thanks, I'm really happy—" Claire reeled in horror as she watched Noir tip over a personable size container of glitter. It spilled onto the carpet, sprinkling even the tiniest of grooves. Claire released a defeated sigh. "Sorry Nathan, I have to go. Noir just spilled glitter all over my carpet."
"Yikes. Glitter doesn't come out easily," he empathized with mild pity. "Good luck cleaning. Let me know how the letter goes."
"Will do," Claire pumped her fists at her sides.
With a simple tap, they ended the call. She stared off into the pink sealed envelope with 'Cat noir' written in her best cursive. Touching the fragile piece of parchment, her heart fluttered at its contents. The golden calligraphy of his name, the appreciation she had boasted in paragraphs, and the essence of her amber perfume delicately notable. Claire's thoughts scattered. Perking, she heard the calls of her mother.
"Be right there, mama!"
She hurried to clean her kitten's artistic mess before scurry into the living room. Her sight fell upon her mother, relaxing on her day off on the couch. A finished bottle of wine garnished the coffee table.
"Look, Claire." Her mother's voice came, uncorking a second bottle of her mother's vice. "Isn't that the cat boy that you like so much?"
Claire gazed at the blaring screen of news reporters surrounding Cat Noir. It seemed to be the usual interview. The reporters started from what caused the spectacle to how it had been tied up with a neatly finished bow. Claire couldn't help but lean in 'awe' on the back end of the couch, admiring his confident posture and straightforward way of speaking. She even giggled at his corny jokes, which not everyone seemed to find amusing. To her though, those jokes were the highlight of his character.
There really wasn't any boy who could make her laugh so easily.
The reporter on scene finished with a few closing words, and she caught a glimpse of the surroundings. Claire's eyes lit up, realizing the broadcast was coming from central park. The distance from her apartment to there was relatively short. Perhaps if she were quick enough….
"I'm going out for a second!" Claire rang into her mother's ears. She slipped on her pink flats and fetched her fan letter. Reaching the front door, she turned over her shoulder, "I forgot to give some school notes to Nathan. I'll be back in soon."
"Well, I guess that's fine." her mother peered all over her flustered form. "Do you have your inhaler and phone with you?"
"Yes, ma'am," she patted her pocket. "I promise I'll take my time to get there."
"Alright, be safe." Her mother smiled before waving her off.
With a firm nod, Claire pushed herself into the brisk night. Once her heels hit the pavement, Claire paced herself towards the park. Pursing her lips, she made sure to be mindful of her breath. On her walk, she passed shops dimming their store lights and apologized to commuters she brushed against. Claire reached the park's entrance. She stopped at the gates, peering into nothing but the fading police car lights and dispersing news vans.
Cat Noir, nor Ladybug for that matter, were anywhere to be seen.
"If only I was able to run," Claire gripped at the fabric against her chest. The creaking of the empty swing set sounded like eerie mockery to her. "I would've made it on time."
Claire dragged against the pavement, treading back the way she came. The night was still around her, with only the sound of far away cars humming in the distance. Her head lifted slightly, nearing the alleyway where she had found that kitten…and where Cat Noir found her. Her feet ceased to move. Her head wanted to reconstruct the events of yesterday, while her heart wanted to feel the nostalgia of it all over again. It pained Claire to think she may not even get the proper chance to thank him. Sadly, all she could do was stare off into a blaring television screen hoping he could feel her warm intentions.
A figure shifted in the alley, a creature with a pair of pointed ears and long tail. Claire caught a mere glimpse of it before wanting to flee. She wasn't aware that there was a stranger lurking in the alleyway.
"Phew, that was a close one," the playful voice erupted from the dimness. "They kept interviewing me for so long I thought I was going to transform in front of them. Could you imagine the news the next day?"
Claire remained still, curiosity had gotten the best of her. From the voice and peculiar silhouette of a feline, she assumed it to be Chat Noir. The thought went off like a firework inside her. Her palms began to shake and developed a particular clamminess.
Gradually, she took a step forward, "e-excuse me, Cat Noir. I wanted to..."
Before Claire could finish, something peculiar was taking shape. There was a certain beeping sound, followed by a noise that resembled a candy being unwrapped. Then, a small creature appeared, whizzing around the night air.
Was she wrong about it being Cat Noir?
"Geez, I was trying to tell yah!" The blackened soot pushed against the figure's cheek, beholding to their captured audience. "We've got a serious problem on our paws."
An uneasy breath escaped their lips. The figure staggered back, revealing themselves under a prominent alleyway light.
"Adrien," Claire's honeyed eyes stared in between the space of unfathomable reality.
"Claire," Adrien's chest heaved up and down. The static alleyway light buzzed and hissed. "This isn't what it looks like. I know what you're probably thinking. I promise, I'm not—"
Like an abandoned ocean, thoughts rushed to fill it senselessly; various oddities, possibilities, and out-worldly explanations. All of which seemed to melt into one, and there she was, caught in the intricacies like an insignificant fly in a spider's woven silk web. Claire didn't want any part of this. She could forget, couldn't she? She swore she could blind herself and keep the image of Cat Noir in solidarity. Tuck it away so that her superhero could always be that…just a superhero.
Claire felt her knees weaken. Before she allowed herself to fall, she stumbled backwards and picked up her heels in the direction of her house. Her feet smacked the concrete, trying desperately to flee from the present.
"Claire, wait!"
She shook her head against the desperate plea. Her caramel strands whipped around her, while sparkling tears floated into the night air. The sentimental letter crinkled in her grasp. Nearing a small intersection, she squealed and dug into her heels, watching a car drive past her.
"Claire," Adrien spoke, placing himself at her side. "You need to be careful where you're going. You almost—"
Claire heaved a long and heavy wheeze, interrupting her classmate. Claire gripped Adrien's forearm, keeping him from advancing towards her and causing more of an unnecessary scene. As steady as she could, she took out her inhaler and prepared it in her mouth. Dispensing the medication and inhaling deeply, she released on an exhale.
There was a pause in the air, where booth teens remained in a wordless battle.
"Would you like to get some gelato with me?" Adrien spoke first to her, soft and malleable. "I'll pay."
Claire lowered her head and turmeric hues, knowing it wasn't just a friendly invitation and gesture. With hesitation, she nodded mutely.
There was going to be a lot to talk about.