~~Recap~~

Not wanting to agree, but having no options left, she agreed. It was decided then. They won't try to force her to talk. But they will be ready and willing to listen to her when she finally decides to open up. A few days passed, no one heard from Marinette. Her parents weren't able to force her to go to school. So they did the next best thing. They supported her decision to stay at home for the time being and told all her curious classmates that she was sick. Of course they didn't want to lie, but what else could they do?

~~Recap Over~~

As the days passed by, and no one heard of the young baker, Alya grew impatient. She kept insisting Adrien to talk to her again but he'd always refuse and reply "Now's not the time".

"Dammit Agreste. Then when is it?"

"I don't know."

Their conversations always ended up in an argument and it was always Nino who struggled to pull them away from each other. Sometimes he calmed his girlfriend and sometimes he'd calm his best friend. It depended on his mood actually. At first Alya and Adrien would argue in private, but as time passed, they became more open about it when they argued during classes, after school, before school, in the corridors, everywhere. Nino tried his best to keep their matter a secret but he failed miserably. Soon, everyone knew that the blogger and the model had gotten into a disagreement that ended up in both of them avoiding each other.

Everyone felt sorrow for them and tried to get them to make up but it seemed impossible. As the situation got worse, they couldn't help but wonder how Marinette could have resolved their issue. Oh! How she could solve everyone's problems! But alas! She is alone now and no one can help her. At some point, even Chloe and Lila genuinely felt sorry for the girl.

"Is Dupain Cheng ok?"

"Why do you care?" Alya rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Honestly, it just isn't the same without her constantly blabbering about being nice and all." She finally confessed.

"Yeah, i know" she said in a mere whisper.

"I know exactly what you mean Chloe. Even you of all people miss her too, huh? I wish someone else did too." She made sure Adrien (who was sitting across the room) could hear her.

"Let it go Alya." His hand busy on writing something in his notebook. Though he didn't say much, his tone strongly hinted at the frustration he felt for the four eye.

"Look at me when you're talking to me." She spat angrily.

"Not even if you paid me." Then he took out his headphones and put them on to distract his ears.

The entire class oo-ed Alya at the blondie's respond.

"Excuse me! Who do you think you are?" She shouted back. But he was too engaged with the music playing in his ears to hear her. And that made her embarrassed even more.

Thankfully Nino was able to stop her before she could even think about throwing things at him.

"Dudette chill."

"I swear I'll kill him! He's such a jerk. What does she even see in him?"

"C'mon. I'm sure he's having a hard time too. How do you think she'll react when she finds out that her best friend and her crush were fighting?"

As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. Marinette would be upset if she learned about their fight. So for her sake and only hers, Alya backed out from a fight. She admitted defeat. She'd let Adrien win this round... This round.

After school was over, Alya was the first to leave. Leaving Adrien and Nino outside the school. The blondie was waiting for his ride and the dj willingly offered him company until the limo pulls up in front of them.

"You don't have to stay."

"I know. I want to."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Guess I don't want you to be alone?"

Adrien scoffed. "You're just like her."

"Who?"

"Your girlfriend. When someone wants space, you're supposed to give them that. Alya can be so toxic at times."

"Well in my defense, you didn't say you wanted space. You simply said that I don't have to stay."

"Well you don't."

"Dude, there are somethings dudes do for each other because they want to. Not because they have to or are told to. That's just how friendships work." He placed an arm around his shoulder and leaned closer.

"But, hey, if you wanna be alone, I respect that." He pulled away and continued. "I mean we're all respecting Marinette's space too. Even if it hurts. Am I right?"

"I guess that makes sense." The blondie thought out loud.

Finally his ride pulled over. Adrien grabbed Nino's arm and pulled him towards the car.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Offering you a ride home." He slowed down as he approached the car and opened the door for him.

"Nah, dude. It's fine."

"Oh I know but I want to do this."

Nino was a little shook. Taken aback actually. This is probably the first time Adrien's offering him a ride like that. (Well if you'd even call it an 'offer'. Sounds more like a kidnap to me).

"But won't you get in trouble with your father if-"

"Relax. He won't find out. Besides, he's out of town. You have nothing to worry about now get your butt inside already."

...time skip...

Finally done with today's homework, his photoshoot and his piano lesson, the kid laid in bed. Yet he wasn't tired. Night had fallen. But he couldn't sleep. What Nino said to him today, his words were ringing in his ear.

'there are somethings dudes do for each other because they want to. Not because they have to or are told to. That's just how friendships work.'

"Adrien aren't you going to sleep?" His kwami finally inquired.

"I can't. I feel like I have to do something."

"Then just do it already."

"But she said she doesn't want to be disturbed. Wouldn't it be invading her personal space?"

"Who's? Ladybug's?"

"No, of course not. I'm talking about Marinette. I want to visit her. But she wants to be alone."

"Well if you do decide to go, you probably won't make it back. She told you she doesn't want to see you."

"Yeah..." He sighed in tiresome to this topic. But his frown soon turned into a smirk as he shot straight up. The kwami startled at the sudden movement.

"But she never said anything about Chat Noir not visiting her. Plagg, claws out!"

As the night grew longer and longer, Marinette found herself on her balcony. Taking in the gorgeous view of the city. She let out a sigh as she fell a prey to her nightmares again. The peaceful city flashed in front of her. What she saw now was the destruction Vexer caused. Though her flashback was short lived, she felt as if she was still there. Still trapped in her nightmare. She held the railings tighter and closed her eyes. She flinched her head to the side as she fought back the images of herself and the pain she caused to the people she cares about.

The next thing she knew, she heard metal clashing behind her. An imposter? Her instincts were proved right when she turned around. Though it wasn't who she thought it was. Thank God!

"What are you doing here?"

"Sorry. Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." The feline apologized as he shifted to a more comfortable position. Still sitting on the railings, he leaned in closer to her. But she didn't mind. Her eyes were focused on the view of the city in front of her. She took a breath as she tried to relax a bit. Clearly ignoring Chat's existance.

"Trouble sleeping?" He interrupted the silence. She didn't answer. Her head shifted to the night sky. Chat followed her lead. Both teenagers were now gazing at the bright milky white moon. Though he admits, it looks beautiful. The silence made him uncomfortable.

"It's a beautiful night today. Isn't it?"

"Yeah. It is. It'd be a shame if someone took it away." She finally responded.

"Oh c'mon. I bet even Hawkmoth couldn't do that."

The obvious action of the young girl's hand tightening itself around the railings went unnoticed by the alley cat. His eyes were still set at the sky. Marinette looked at him for a split second. Then towards the sky again. In her head, Hawkmoth might not be able to take away this magical scene. But Vexer definitely could.

"I'm sorry Adrien." She uttered a whisper.

"Wait- what did you call me?" Chat shook his head at the sound of his name being called.

She finally let go of the railings, and ran back inside the house.

I'm thinking about doing one more chapter to complete the story. what are you hoping to see in the next part?