Day 4: Hide Me - LadyoftheBirds
After almost an entire school year of clumsiness, Marinette had assumed she would be safe from having a big one. She was wrong.
Flashback to approximately five minutes ago as Marinette nervously trotted up the Collége steps with a piece of paper in hand. She thought it would be the day that Adrien would finally be able to learn of her feelings. Sure, letters have been just as successful as her other attempts, but it was the least anxiety-inducing idea she could think of.
Plopping into her classroom seat, Marinette eyed the main door, waiting for Adrien to enter. He couldn't be that late, right? Marinette didn't wake up that early.
"Alya… where could he be?" she nudged her friend.
"I don't know, girl."
Marinette glanced at Mme. Bustier, who was occupied with a call.
"I see. Exactly how long will Adrien be late- No, it's no problem, Mme. Sancoeur. Take your time. Have a good day."
Marinette sunk down in her seat. With one last look at her letter, she was about to stuff it into her purse when her wits were scared from her mind as Chloé slammed her hand on Marinette and Alya's desk.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng. You don't look too well? Boy troubles?" She taunted before glancing at the piece of paper that flew to her feet. Picking it up, her eyes widened as her smile grew. "Aw, how cute. You really think you have a chance."
"What's that, Chloé?" Lila peered from Chloé's shoulder.
"In a fit of panic, Marinette quickly snatched the paper from Chloé's hands. As curious heads turned to her, Marinette grew red as she brushed past Chloé and Lila and ran out of the class.
As her heels clattered as they hurried down the stairs, a trail of water could be faintly tracked to Marinette as she continued to run, hiding her face from passerby. Not paying attention, she ran into the one she wanted to avoid most. Marinette could only yelp as she tumbled into Adrien.
"Woah, Marinette!" Adrien gripped her shoulders. "Are you alright- were you crying?"
"I…" her voice trailed off as Marinette heard the familiar sing-song of Lila. Marinette turned up to face Adrien, her bluebell eyes pleading.
"Hide me."
"With no hesitation, the two dove into the bush near the front steps.
Marinette opened her eyes to see Adrien's arms protectively wrapped around her. Hastily unlatching himself, Adrien placed a reassuring hand on her trembling shoulder.
"Marinette, what happened?"
Marinette's hands were balled into fists which covered her distraught face.
"You wouldn't understand." she whispered.
Adrien gently gripped Marinette's forearms and lowered them from her tear-stricken eyes. "Try me. Even if I can't relate, I'll always stick around."
She rapidly shook her head. "No. This was a mistake. If you knew you would see me differently."
As hundreds of predictions, some plausible, some plain luck-enforced, entered his mind, Adrien pushed them aside and wiped a stray tear from Marinette's cheek.
"I swear that if you want, we can forget this entire conversation ever happened. But before that, I want to help, Marinette. Please."
She hesitantly nodded before shakily unballing her fist, revealing a crumpled note. She gingerly picked it up and placed it into his blond, wrapping his fingers around it. Saying no words, she slid back, not wanting to see his reaction.
A lifetime ago I said what was true
Hoping I wouldn't be filled with rue
I wanted to be your valentine too
I wanted to spend my life with you
Many times I thought you knew
Especially as together we grew
You loved one, my own without a clue
Despite you my heart opened to
Despite you being my glue
I hope no change in your view
I hope we can start anew.
Adrien stared at the words as it danced throughout the paper. Guilt circled his mind as he finally met eyes with Marinette, whose face looked sorrowful.
"I knew this was a mistake." she whispered.
Gripping the note in his hand, Adrien crawled closer to Marinette, still taller. Opening his palm, he gripped Marinette's hand, letter meeting both sides. Grabbing her other hand, he pulled himself closer as his lips contacted her forehead. Releasing, he smiled.
"Merci, Marinette."
"But you don't feel the same, do you?" she muttered. Her theory was confirmed as she never received an answer.
"I'm really sorry, Marinette. I love you so much, but there is still someone. I hope you don't take it personally."
Marinette stifled a sob as she nodded. "I understand. I don't want to interfere." Emerging from the bush, Marinette walked back up the stairs and into the classroom. But before she could leave earshot, pools circled her eyes as she heard Adrien say apparently to himself.
"Because Ladybug."
Even as Adrien eventually walked up the stairs, he never noticed Marinette curled up in a ball, silently crying and praying for some numbness. As Marinette re-entered the classroom, eyes red, Adrien's breath hitched as for the first time since the second day of school, Marinette never sent him a warm smile.
And that was when Adrien realized he had hurt one of his best friends.
As Alya tried to discreetly hug her heartbroken friend, Adrien tried to meet Marinette's eyes with a sorrowful look, but alas, he never saw those familiar bluebell pools for the rest of the day.
While Adrien expectantly waited at the table where he sat with Alya, Nino, and most importantly Marinette, he frowned as Alya and Marinette avoided the table and sat across the lunchroom. When her friend wasn't looking, Alya shot him a sympathetic glance.
"Marinette?"
The bluenette turned to face the man she had avoided for days.
"Hi." she replied simply.
"Look, I can't lie and I didn't want to lead you on, but I'm really sorry."
Marinette chuckled sadly. "Don't apologize for your feelings."
"Just so you know, I'm in love with-"
"You don't need to tell me. The truth is more than enough." Marinette responded, her mind in space.
"No, it wouldn't feel right if I didn't. I'm in love with Ladybug."
Marinette's lip quieted as she attempted to remain composed. After a few seconds of examining the ground, she saw Adrien inch closer to her as he wrapped his hands around her. Pulling her close, Marinette's head eventually rested on his shoulder.
"You'll find someone, I promise."
Marinette smiled, the first time in a long while. Adrien may not love her- he may never will. But knowing he'll always be by her side was enough.