Chapter 4

Back with another one!

I meant to post this chapter yesterday, but a few changes had to be made. Anyway, I'm so glad that you all are enjoying this story! And, I hope you'll continued to love it as more chapters roll in.

I DO NOT OWN MIRACULOUS OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS. I ONLY OWN THIS STORY AND MY OC's.

P.S. I know there's plenty of guest readers. Why not leave a review this time? If I can get around 3 or more guest reviews, I'll post Chapter 5 early.

Enjoy~

Marinette woke to a raging headache. Someone had been lightly tapping her shoulder. They said, "Marinette? I need you to sit up and take this for me." Who is this? How do they know my name? She did what the person asked, forcing herself to sit upright despite her head pain.

Marinette looked around to observe where she was and who she was with. It was a tall man wearing glasses, an orange shirt, and a lab coat-like cardigan. He sat adjacent to her in an office chair. This man was someone who Marinette had never noticed around before.

"Hello there, I'm Nurse Loudin. But, you can call me Mr. Loudin, if you like." Marinette remained silent, but waved shyly to him. "If you're wondering where you are, this is my office. We're still in school, though." The Nurse felt that she was still quite lost and confused, telling her "Oh, and your friends helped you both up before leaving for class a few moments ago." He held out a medicine cup for her to take. "Please, drink this. It'll help with your fever."

Both...? Marinette dwelled on that as she drank the medicine. She nearly choked from the taste, it was very bitter. "Bleh-!" The face she made must have been hilarious, Nurse Loudin struggled not to laugh as he handed her a cup of water.

"It tastes that bad, huh?" He sat patiently as she downed the beverage, then threw the cup away when she was done. "Would you like some more?" Marinette secretly did want more water to wash out the awful taste, but shook her head to not seem greedy. "Alright then, how about you tell me how you feel? Do you feel bad, does anything hurt?"

She nodded and spoke quietly. "My head hurts, ...a lot actually." Marinette fought the urge to lie back down, but gave in and flopped back onto the recovery couch. "I...I feel pretty weak, too."

Nurse Loudin was startled by her sudden action, then relieved realizing that she remained conscious. "I-I see. Um, have you eaten anything?"

"Mhm..." Marinette sighed as she closed her eyes, feeling awfully ill. "I ate breakfast."

"Ah, and what about last night? Did you sleep any?"

"Yes..." Marinette lied, unable to face him. She hoped he wouldn't notice.

"Hmm," unfortunately Mr. Loudin did notice the change in her tone. Her voice seemed rushed, but also quiet just then. "Are you telling the truth Marinette?" Marinette paused for a bit before she sighed and shook her head. "So you didn't sleep much at all?" She shook her head again. Nurse Loudin, at this point, was able to give his diagnosis. "From your symptoms, I feel that you may be suffering from over exertion or exhaustion. Have you done anything that you wouldn't normally do?"

Marinette thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Not that I can think of..."

"How strange." The nurse sat back in his seat. What could cause this? "Marinette, I've tried contacting your parents, but no one seems to be home. And, your condition seems quite serious-" Suddenly someone gagged and sounded as if they threw up. "Oh, excuse me for a moment please." Nurse Loudin wheeled back behind a divider to the other side of the room.

Someone else is here? But, who...? Marinette couldn't see anything from where she was. How could she when there was a large room divider in her way?

"Are you alright?" Mr. Loudin asked them.

"Mhm..." That voice-, it sounded familiar to Marinette. Are they...crying?

Adrien coughed for several minutes before releasing a long, shaky sigh. He notice that the nurse sat next to him, gently rubbing his back. "Are you feeling any better?" He asked, to which Adrien nodded. The boy was still a little dizzy, but somewhat better. Mr. Loudin gave him a cup of water he brought over. "Would you like to try taking the medicine now? It would help with your nausea." Adrien rejected the medicine earlier, so Mr. Loudin hoped he would agree this time around.

Adrien took cautious sips of the water, looking down into the trash can he held. He knew he hated taking medicine, but Adrien also knew he hated the state he was in. It brought him to tears even! Adrien never cried, not really. But, to be fair, he's never ever felt so awful in his entire life. "O-okay," he sniffled. "...I'll try."

"Alright," Nurse Loudin retrieved the medicine for Adrien from his office counter. It had been placed there since the boy refused it earlier, or rather he was too sick to take it at that time. He then came back, having poured a fresh cup for him. "Here you go. Drink it slowly now..."

"Mhm." Adrien drew in a deep breath before taking a sip. As one would expect, it wasn't pleasant. So gross... ugh, it's pasty. He honestly felt like vomiting again, but toughened up and swallowed it.

"There you go. Why not try a little more this time?"

M-m-more...? Adrien was quite fretful of the situation he put himself in. He really didn't want to get sick again. I'm not sure if I can. Adrien most likely wore his feelings on his sleeves. In that moment, he found that he could do nothing more than tremble.

"It's alright, take your time." Mr. Loudin made an attempt to reassure him. "I know you may feel bad now, but the medicine is here to help you not hurt you." Adrien listened and gave a nod, not wanting to speak. He then took another deep breath and, to the Nurse's surprise, quickly downed the entire cup. "Great job Adrien! You were very brave."

Adrien smiled sheepishly, before turning and covering his mouth. "Mmf-!" He still felt quite nauseous, this time more from the medicine than from his vertigo.

"Oh dear, are you going to vomit again?" The Nurse asked.

"Mm-mm." He shook his head, his hand still over his mouth.

"Here, I believe this will help-" Nurse Loudin moved to adjust the front half of Adrien's recovery couch. He raised the height so the boy could lay in an elevated position. "Please lay back. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it should help you to relax. Your position as well as your tremors could be upsetting your stomach."

Adrien had lain back as he was told and he was right. It was uncomfortable. So much so that Adrien was beginning to think it was a bad idea.

"Oh, I've already contacted your father Adrien. Someone should be here for you soon, okay?" Adrien nodded, closing his eyes. "I'll tell you when they arrive. Just rest for now." Mr. Loudin pulled up the curtain for Adrien's section of the room and wheeled back over to continue with Marinette.

A-Adrien!? Marinette gasped, Did he just say Adrien was here? If she didn't feel so bad, she'd outwardly panic and pace around the room. Aw, I wish I could see him! But, I don't want him to see me like this... "Ugh, Why'd I have to get sick today?"

"Are you alright Marinette?" Tikki flew up from her bag and hovered just above her nose. "You were a sleep for a while, Alya, Nino, Rose, and Juleka were all worried about you two. I wasn't sure what to do..."

"Don't worry Tikki, I'll be okay. The nurse gave me some medicine and said he called Mom and Dad."

"But he said no one answered- Aren't your parents out making a delivery today?"

"Oh no, that's right!" Marinette facepalmed, scarcely missing her kwami friend who dodged just in time. "I totally forgot! I guess I'll have to stay here until they get back home."

Tikki became somewhat concerned. "What if that takes all day? Did they tell you which part of Paris they were going to?" Marinette shook her head, to which Tikki sighed. "I wish there was something I could do..."

"Aw Tikki, you keeping me company is more than enough." Marinette gave her a reassuring pat on the head with her finger. "I wouldn't ask for anything more." Tikki thanked her by hugging her cheek.

"As long as I have you it won't be so bad. I wish I could talk though..."

"Pardon?" Nurse Loudin entered the space, "Did you say something?"

Tikki sped to hide behind Marinette. "O-oh, no... I didn't..."

So, what do you all think? Also, this is for anyone and everyone, would you like to know why/how Curse-andra was akumatized or would the story be just fine without it?