Chapter 2: Confrontation

Mornings never used to be difficult, always ready to rise and get going. With a strict routine and a full schedule, there was little time to waste. Years of practice made getting up early in the morning easy. Especially when life became interesting.

Life no longer held the same boring routine as before. The days have become exciting, with new people and adventures. The monochrome stretch of the week turned into a symphony of excitement and energy, each day bringing joy and excitement. School is a present most kids look for the return slip, but school was the second best thing to have happened to Adrien Agreste.

Until a few years ago, Adrien was homeschooled, only leaving the house for modeling jobs for his father. His only friend, Chloe Bourgeois, was so different from him that Adrien used to wonder if she would have been his friend if their mothers did not force it upon them. Then he went to school and found out what real friends are. How real friends treat each other.

Going to school was amazing and making new friends has made Adrien happy. But it was not as amazing as becoming a superhero. Who would have thought? A superhero. From being stuck at home with a father who was too worried to let him out, to becoming Chat Noir, the superhero who jumps around all over Paris and fights akumas with his lovely partner, Ladybug. The freedom of being behind the mask has been revitalizing for Adrien. He was used to watching over everything he said, maintaining the image of perfection, knowing well he represented his father and his father's brand. As Chat Noir he could be himself, do what he felt and say whatever came to mind. No matter how silly it might be.

Being a superhero was also difficult. The freedom came with a heavy responsibility. He was no longer just responsible for himself and his father; he was responsible for all of Paris and for the safety of Ladybug. He was her protector, her shield, her guardian. This responsibility was behind his mornings becoming difficult.

Last night was exhausting. Night attacks usually are. Even though they are not common and there are far fewer innocent bystanders, the night seems to give the akuma extra strength. It is more sinister, an added level of corruption, of evil. Last night was tough. He has the bags under his eyes to prove it.

Years of practice helped Adrien pull himself out of bed and get ready. He knew that if Natalie suspected he was not sleeping well, it would get reported to his father. His father, who fixed all Adrien-issues with a sledgehammer, would decide school is too much for him and forbid him from going. He would also set Natalie to monitor his actions, effectively putting a stop to the two best things going on in Adrien's life.

Worse, if he cannot go out as Chat Noir, he cannot spend time with his partner, his love, his Ladybug. Spending time with Ladybug was the highlight of any day, of any week or month. Being with Ladybug was the highlight of Adrien's life. He could not lose that.

He has been a model long enough to catch the tricks of the trade; with a touch of makeup, he concealed the bags under his eyes and arrived at breakfast all freshened up and smiling. He ate breakfast by himself as usual, with Natalie showing up for a few minutes to check on him and give him the day's schedule.

Photo shoot after school. Nothing special.

"Hey, Nino." Nino was waiting for him as usual by the stairs at school.

"Morning dude," Nino called back with an easy smile. "You're late. We need to rush to get to class."

"Sorry, took me longer getting ready this morning. Where's your shadow?"

"Shadow?" Nino blinked. "Oh, Cheriss. I sent her to class so she won't be late. We got a few minutes to ourselves."

"Cool. How've you been doing?" Adrien asked as they walked into the school.

"Exhausted. I've been up late last night fiddling with my new equipment. This new version of the soundboard software is just beyond incredible. I have come up with this awesome track you gotta hear. You coming over after school?"

"Sorry, I have a photo shoot."

"Dude! Where are the perks of having a model as your best friend? It only gets in the way."

"Sorry. I'm sure Cheriss will come and listen."

"Ya, she'll be there anyway. But she loves everything I make so I can't rely on her opinion."

"I guess we all disappoint you. You need to find new friends."

"Well, that's an idea," Nino contemplated for a few seconds, then gave a big smile. "Naa, I wouldn't swap you for anything."

"Phew," Adrien wiped his brow. "You worried me there me for a second."

They walked into class with a few seconds to spare.

"I am sure it is beautiful. I can't wait to hear it." Cheriss beamed. "I will come back with you straight after school."

Lunch with Nino and Cheriss were rather boring. Adrien would just sit there while the other two occupy each other. Generally, there was not much of a conversation going on, and when there was, it rarely included Adrien. Nino did not ignore him, but Cheriss was very distracting. Not that Adrien disliked Cheriss. She was a nice enough girl. They just never really clicked, having nothing in common besides Nino.

"...and he didn't stop there. He just didn't know when to stop. He kept on saying 'it doesn't make sense'. Mrs. Faure eventually told him to hold his thoughts and come speak to her after class. It was so ridiculous. He's such an idiot. Why does she even bother?" Chloe's was mocking Kim at a nearby table.

Adrien was seeing red. Chloe's cruelty always surprised him. He knew it shouldn't, he's known her for forever and she was always like that, although not towards him. As children, Adrien would tell her to talk nicer to the staff to which she would reply: "It's their job." Once he came to school, he discovered she was nasty to everyone; other kids, teachers, and even the principal. To the amazement of all his new friends, Adrien remained Chloe's friend throughout the years. She was his only friend growing up; He would not abandon her. Nevertheless, her behavior has put a strain on their friendship. A fact that Chloe was oblivious to.

Adrien was friends with the others too, including Kim. More than that, he was Chat Noir. Protector of the innocent. Chat Noir the brave becomes wimpy Adrien who lets people get hurt? Is he nothing without his mask? Is Chloe's bullying of others any different from Stormy Weather or Antibug? If Chat Noir is dealing with super villains, then Adrien should deal with regular ones.

"Chloe, that's enough." Adrien stood up and faced Chloe, whose head whipped around to look at him, surprise and shock painting her face. Clenching his jaw, he stared into her eyes.

Chloe brushed aside the shock with a smile, although the effort was showing.

"Adrikins," Chloe's voice rose an octave, "come sit with us Adrikins."

"No Chloe, you are being cruel again and you need to stop it. We've had enough hearing you spitting venom on everyone around you." Adrien could barely constrain his anger. How can she switch from being cruel to others to being friendly to him with such ease? Do they mean nothing to her?

Chloe's smile fell, shock replacing it once more. "Adrikins?" she whispered.

Pushing down his anger, Adrien walked over and spoke softly. "You need to stop this, this queen of the school behavior. Stop thinking yourself better than everyone else. You are a student here just like everyone else."

"Huh, what are you talking about? Do not put me in the same category as the rest of them."

Anger flaring again, Adrien turned his back to Chloe. "Then I guess I'm not in your category either," he threw over his shoulder and walked away.

He was fifteen steps away before Chloe recovered from her shock and ran after him. "Adrien, Adrien! I'm sorry, wait."

He was out of the school when she caught up to him.

"Adrien, I'm sorry. Don't walk away from me."

"Why not?" His anger has not subsided, "we are so different. You will not change. I can't be your friend anymore."

"What! We are best friends."

Adrien stopped and looked at Chloe, searching her face and surprised to find her sincere.

"You really believe that, don't you?"

"Of course, since we're kids."

Adrien sighed, his shoulders dropped as the anger left him. He looked at Chloe, wondering if she could see the pity in his eyes.

"Chloe. Look at us. I'm not your best friend and haven't been for years. I'm not even sure how much of friends we are. Since we were little, I have been telling you I didn't like the way you treat others, but you just brush it away as if it's nothing. It's not nothing. By brushing that away, you have been brushing me away. I care about people, you do not. How can we stay friends?"

"I care about you."

"Do you? Do you really?" Adrien put up his finger, stopping Chloe with her mouth half open. "Don't answer that. Think about it. Do you care about me, or do you care about 'Chloe with Adrien'? I want friends who are kind and caring, who care about others, not just themselves. The way you behave, I cannot see you caring about anyone besides yourself. If you care about yourself so much then there is no space there to care about others, including me."

Leaving Chloe frozen with her mouth open, he walked away.

"If anyone asks, tell them I went to a photo shoot."

A/N Next chapter: "Alternate view"