Chapter 2
Sunday came around sooner than expected, with an akuma late Friday night and Marinette designing all day Saturday to end with Alya coming over for a sleepover that night. The girls and the boys met at the mall before going shopping and then to a café for lunch before going to the library. The story reading would occur around six that evening, so they had another twenty minutes before it would begin. "I'm so excited to see her! I feels like forever since I heard her read!" Marinette exclaimed, barely holding back a squeal.
"I know! It was just a few months ago, but I always miss hearing her stories," Alya laughed. "I wonder what story she's going to read us tonight."
"Not sure, but it's going to be good!" Marinette wasn't wrong in her assumption. The story was an older fairy tail originating from Russia, and it was about a young lord that took life for granted and was cruel to others. His father had enough of it, and sent him on a journey for a year to learn valuable life lessons, returning home a completely different man. Now he was kind and just, treating others equally and fighting against injustice. It reminded the group about Ladybug and Chat Noir and how they fight the akumas, where they fix the wrongs and comfort those who were wronged before. Unfortunately, everyone's happiness ended when they heard an obnoxious giggle. Turning, the group groaned when they noticed it was Chloe. She was standing tall in front of Nana Sophaline, sneering at her costume she wore today and over the story that was told.
"What a hideous dress you're wearing, it looks like you're an old hag. Oh, wait, you are!" she laughed and made Sabrina laugh with her. She was talking so loud that the whole place became silent.
"We need to do something, dudes," Nino commented before they all went to go help Nana Sophaline.
"You're just a washed up widow that doesn't know how to do anything better with her life than to come here and entertain children. You might as well just go back to the nursery home," she claimed before ripping the book from Sophaline's hands and tossing it in the garbage. Sophaline's shock and horror resulted in her dropping her cane and falling to the floor.
"Nana Sophaline!" Marinette and Alya exclaimed before heading over and seeing if she was alright. After confirming that she didn't hurt herself and she was okay, Marinette turned her furious gaze to Chloe while Adrien and Alya helped her up. "How dare you, Chloe? She's a great human being who devotes her free time to read precious stories to the children and anyone wanting to listen to her. Everyone here, other than you, love to hear and see her."
"Perhaps you're just a kid yourself, Maritrash. You have nothing better to do for your time but lounge around a filthy library? Wow, I thought you sunk low enough. This is just rich," she snobbed with an upturned nose.
"People of any age could enjoy listening to someone who's passionate about reading to children, even if you don't. If you don't like it, then just leave her be. You will gain nothing in tormenting her."
"That's where you're wrong. I could easily tell my daddy that her reading disturbed my own tranquility when visiting the library. He could easily fire her."
"That shows how much you truly know, Chloe," Marinette said as she cocked her hip while crossing her arms. "She can't be fired because she doesn't actually work here, it's all voluntary."
"I can still have her kicked out, this is government property, and loiterers aren't allowed."
"This is a library, Chloe. People technically loiter here all the time."
"Whatever, I will find something and have her banished from here. You can ensure of that. Also, if you truly think that you are some kind of hero like Ladybug protecting someone, you're going to find yourself in more trouble than you're ready for. Consider yourself warned, Dupain-Cheng." With that, Chloe whipped around, pushing aside Alya and Nino, and made her way to the door.
"I will never stop defending people from injustices, Chloe, even if it meant standing up to those powerful, like you think you are!" Marinette called after her, before remembering that she was in a library and blushed as she looked towards the ground. She was startled from her train of thought when she heard Alya ask if Nana Sophaline was okay. It was when she turned around that she noticed Adrien approaching with her book that Chloe threw in the trash can. Rushing over herself, she took stock that Sophaline was a little shaken, but much better than what she was earlier.
"Nana Sophaline, are you okay?" Marinette asked.
"I'm just fine dear," she answered with a rueful smile. "Just a little bit shaken is all. Oh, thank you, dear," she commented with a small smile to Adrien as he was giving her the book. "I suppose what she said is true though, I could be spending my time doing something useful."
"What are you talking about, Nana Sophaline? Everyone loves hearing your stories! They love coming to visit you, please don't let what Chloe said hurt you so much."
"Just as what Marinette said, people love visiting you. In fact, I can confirm that she just about squealed when I told her that you were here this weekend," Alya commented with a smirk.
"Alya!" Marinette felt affronted. Her best friend just ousted her so easily.
"Oh I wouldn't be surprised. She would squeal often when she was younger. I remember when her parents would change her diapers."
"Nana, not you too," Marinette groaned while trying to cover her rapidly reddening face. The boys were laughing at her too, all in good fun though, but that didn't change the fact that she felt betrayed. But as long as Nana Sophaline was laughing then Marinette could endure the torture.
After another couple minutes of them quietly laughing to themselves, particularly over Marinette's embarrassment, Marinette could confidently say that Nana Sophaline felt a lot better. "Well, I hate to cut this merry gathering short, but I am old and need to rest," Sophaline commented while making her way to the doors.
"You're not that old, Nana, but if you need help we will help you home?" Marinette suggested while the others nodded enthusiastically.
"Thank you, dears, but you're right, I'm not that old to need help crossing the street," she chuckled.
"I thought you lived a few blocks over?"
"It's the same thing. No need to fuss over me, I am the one who helps others, not the other way around."
"Sophie," Marinette lightly admonished using her nickname. "You know as well as anyone that even Paris' heroes need help sometimes. You don't have to do everything yourself. If you ever need help, I'm sure just about anyone would be all too happy to help." Sophaline only looked into Marinette's eyes intensely for a moment before she smiled and brought a hand to Marinette's cheek.
"I remember you when you were a baby, when did you grow up so much?" Marinette could only smile her someone she's considered her own nana for many years now.
"Your stories definitely helped, Nana Sophaline, and I'm not just saying that. We've all learned many lessons through our lives, and your stories are some of them. Don't let a few criticisms let you down."
The group stood outside the doors to the library watching Sophaline walk home, hoping that she took Marinette's words to heart. It was an awkward few minutes with them just standing around, but eventually they all gave their goodbyes and headed to their own homes, having to go to bed soon due to it being a school night.
"Do you think Nana Sophie will be okay?" Marinette asked worriedly to Tikki as she brushed her wet hair. She took a shower after the patrol her and Chat did, of course after she did her homework too. She already put on some shorts and a T-shirt for bed and was brushing through her slightly longer midnight locks. When she was 13 she had them cut short so they didn't brush past her shoulders, but now they reached towards the center of her back.
"I'm not sure, she seemed okay when she went home, but one can't be 100% sure until something happens, or doesn't happen."
"Wow, way to be helpful," Marinette teased with a roll of her eyes, making Tikki giggle. "I do hope that she's okay, though. She's been doing this since before I was born, and I would hate for a brat like Chloe to say a few hurtful things and make her quit something she loves."
"That is her choice, Marinette. You might be Ladybug, but you can't fight other people's battles. If she wants to move on, then let her, that's her choice."
"I suppose you're right," Marinette sighed. Setting down her brush, she left her hair long to try so she could go to bed. Bidding Tikki good night, she fell asleep early for a change, somehow having a feeling that tomorrow was going to be a long day.
