Your Prince is in Another Castle; Chapter 5: Nothing Much Grows in the Shade
Silence
That was all he was met with for the rest of the day. From the moment his mother, with hardened gaze had come into the building to pick him up. Not a single word spoken between them. From the car to the apartment where they stayed. A few times he wanted to at least try and speak. A last attempt to break the tension, if only a sliver, but the look in his mother's eyes warned him otherwise. Once in the apartment he was instructed, in no simpler words, to go up to his room. Again he the idea to speak crossed his mind, but not his lips. And, with conflicting silence, he headed up to his room. Feeling the eyes of his mother, like so many others, at his back.
Contempt. Disgust. Anger.
Ever since that day he could never escape those looks. With only his home as a haven to breathe. School had become a silent cell of itself. Besides his classmates, the rest of the student body had turned against him. From the whispers, the looks, the tension that over took the entire building. Even the teachers, sans Mlle. Bustier, had become stricter with the class. Not expressively saying anything, but their demeanor changed when they were taught. Even Mlle. Mendeleev seemed much colder and stricter with them. Whenever they went into the room, even the courtyard, students would automatically become silent. Staring at them before returning back to their groups. Ignoring them as if they were nothing.
Because to them they were.
It didn't take long for the students to truly notice the change. How other students would bump into them in the hallways, never stopping to acknowledge or even apologize. The incidents becoming more rampant from simple shoulder hits, to basically nearly sending them into the lockers or knocking them on the ground. Many of the more out spoken of his classmates confronted the students, only to be brushed off not only by the one who hit them. But, other students who pretty much ganged up on them and force them to retreat back. Even students like Kim and Ivan were no match for the number of students that grew against them. Many of the altercations were broken up by one of the faculty members before anything could happen. But, it didn't stop.
It only escalated from there.
Hey Al's it's okay.", Nino, her boyfriend, attempted to comfort his distraught and no doubt upset girlfriend crying into her hands. Her clothes were wrinkled and her hair was a mess. The remnants of her altercation with Aurora, as the two had gotten into a heated argument and cat fight during a confrontation in the hallway outside the computer room. Alya had tried to go there when she could no longer log onto her account on the school website as part of the young journalist club or the school paper. She also had to check her blog and update it. Unable to use her phone when it got confiscated, again, by Mlle. Mendeleev who refused to return it until the end of the day. When she tried to enter she found herself blocked by members of the journalism club. The students refusing to let her in. And when she questioned them and tried to get through the students still refused.
One thing led to another and a fight had broken out between Alya and Aurora.
Which only showed that the weather girl wasn't a pushover. Having pinned Alya onto the ground more than once during a scuffle. Somehow Alya had managed to retreat and hide out in the bathroom. Where she texted Nino, who came rushing to find her. Finding her crying on one of the benches.
"We should take you to see the nurse.", Nino commented, noting some of the scratches and bruises she was sporting, "Or maybe home would be the best place." , though they might not have a choice. The school was not the safest place to be, especially for them at the moment.
"I...I...can't...I just...can't...", Alya stuttered through her tears. Nino had tried to comfort his girlfriend, not being in better shape himself. His emotions were grinding against each other and he could barely make any proper words to comfort himself. Let alone someone.
Even simple words and phrases of assurance felt like bitter lies on his tongue. And helped neither of them. So all he could do is sit and hold his girlfriend as they sat on the floor of the schools locker room.
"Told you they were in here."
Looking up he saw their classmates spill into the room and swarmed towards the two. Looking less than friendly, but not as hostile as those outside their own circle. Many of them looked like they had been in their own fights. Sporting bruises, wrinkled clothes, and even some marks and stains he couldn't make out.
"Seriously what was up with everyone today?", Kim questioned. Being pulled from class and ending up in a fight in the middle of the hallway with other students.
Alix added, "What is going on?", she questioned.
"Alix, what happened to you?" , she was covered head to toe in colored splotches.
"I got paint bombed.", courtesy of the art club who 'surprised' her with hail storm of paint when she went work on her mural, "What about you?"
"Someone glitter bombed Rose's locker.", when she opened it a burst of multi-colored glitter hit her. Covered her in glitter and sparkles, before being bombarded with laughter from students in the hallway.
"Why are you covered in feathers?"
Juleka blushed in embarrassment. She had been taken by surprise and had feather's sprayed with glue dumped on her when she tried to go to the bathroom. By, the time she was able to get the bag from over her head, the assailants were gone and she was covered.
It looked like everyone had been assaulted or pranked in some way.
Kim had his clothes stolen during swim class and had on nothing but his swim trunks. Having to borrow Ivan's spare shirt just to cover up. Someone had broken into Sabrina's locker and taken out all her belongs. Leaving them scattered on the floor. Max's game system had been stolen and dumped in a toilet in the boys bathroom. Someone put glue inside Ivan's gym shoes, destroyed Alix's graffiti mural. The only person that seemed to be missing was Nathaniel, who had been absent from school for a couple of days.
"What happened to you guys?"
"Alya got into a...situation with some of the girls." , and barely got out of there before hiding in the locker-room to escape.
"Seriously what is with everyone today?", it was as if the whole school was out to get them.
"It was a madhouse out there.", though that might have been an understatement. It felt like students were ready to go up in arms. They barely got out of the hallway with how upset people were.
"The students are practically in a frenzy.", no one was even in class. Just in the hallways looking at their phones and conversing about all the gossip being leaked over the web.
"The teachers can barely keep everyone calm. And no one can get a hold of Principal Damocles.", who had been locked in his office for some time now. Not that many didn't try when they first got hit.
"The whole school is falling apart."
"More like the whole city."
"According to the calculations, the current state of the city is ranked between anger and confusion. With a growing number of reports of shock, confusion, and above all disgust.", Max spoke, "As of right now the biggest topics, outside of this school, are the growing number of scandals involving one Lila Rossi.", which only grew from lies to outright fraud. As it turned out a number of videos had been found uploaded onto the schools website the night prior. No one knew who uploaded it, but the time it was actually deleted everyone in the school had seen it. Which only led to one of the biggest confrontations to date.
"Ugh, I can't stand that name right now.", Alix groaned punching a random locker. Even Nino flinched from the impact of her fist against metal. The reverb making his muscles tense and knot tighten in his stomach, "All day it's been nothing but Rossi this and Lila that.", and it was grinding on their nerves.
"I didn't think it could get any worse until I saw the last statements being released.", which were growing by the second.
"I can't believe someone would lie about donating and helping charities.", Rose practically whispered as she held close by Juleka.
"She didn't just lie about her charity work. A bunch of them spoke out reported evening knowing her.", not the real one or any of the one's she claimed to have started, "She never volunteered or donated a single euro.", not even from the hundreds they had raised and donated out of their own pockets, " Most of the charities don't even exist and no one can find the money!", or that it was even donated to any charity.
"Not to mention a bunch of celebrities have made comments against everything she claimed.", from the statements made online by the Ladyblog and it's creator. Including the articles that were being now being flagged with cease and desist notices among the negative comments that had taken over. And forced the comment section to be turned off. Needless to say they were not happy and had their attention locked on the Italian girl. And not in a good way.
"That's nothing compared to what the students are saying.", and with the new evidence coming out it sent shock waves through the school as the videos were viewed, shared, and posted on a number of social media accounts.
"She's a complete fraud!", who had deceived and taken advantage of everyone. Lied about her connections, taken money, stolen credit, and possibly made up everything about herself and her life.
"When I see that lying, two-face, black-hearted, fork tongued con artist I'm going to do violent things to her.", Alix hissed with venom in her voice it could melt steel with the amount of acidity. n
"You may have to wait in line.", Max commented, "According to the recent traffic on forums a lot of people have called dibs on her head.", even though he couldn't keep track of the exact number of comments being left by people no doubt upset and wanting to give the girl a piece of her mind, "The biggest claims being made by the Sunshine Group of Paris."
"Sunshine Group of Paris?"
"One of the many fan clubs dedicated to Adrien.", Max mentioned that the club was one the models fan clubs that made the temperature in the room dipped to the negatives, "According to recent online traffic many of the members from various fan clubs of Adrien are quiet, how do I put it, ticked off.", to put it nicely.
"What are they mad about?"
"Well from recent web activity a number of videos have been uploaded onto a variety of social media accounts.", and although they had been deleted from the main site from which it was published. The video had been downloaded and been shared hundreds of times. Expedited by a mystery shadow account called 'VL'.
"What video?"
"According to comments from those who have viewed it. Have written the following..."
'I can't believe what I just saw?'
'How can someone be that heartless?'
'WTF!? How haven't those (expletive) not been arrested yet?'
'It's Faux Hunting Season.'
'No one should be put in that kind of position. Shame on her!'
"I would read more. But they have a rather colorful language.", some of it in different languages, but sharing the same tone, "Simply put, the video is bad. It appears to have made the ire against Lila and us reach its peak."
"Of course it just had to be her.", Alix scoffed, "What did she do? Kick a puppy? Steal candy from babies? Push an old lady in the fountain and pretend to save her?", at this point the bar was pretty low.
"Oh it's much worse."
"Could it be any worse than stealing from charities and lying about disabilities?"
"Depends.", Max commented.
"On what?"
"How do you rate assault and inciting a mob.", Max listed off the number of statements being released. Claims of harassment, false claims, bullying, and even verbal and physical assault from the Italian girl and her entourage.
"Entourage?"
"Take a guess.", the group felt their stomachs drop further down.
"Most photos with Lila in them have been tagged. Including the one's on your accounts.", showing that any photo with the Italian girl was being tagged by other people's accounts. Leaving comments and captions, "A number of videos have also spawned prominent influencers from the internet.", people who responded and commented on topics over the web and uploaded videos, "I advise either private your online accounts and delete your photos with her.", before it got really ugly.
"...But-why would people be coming after us?"
"Again because she's tagged in a lot of your photos that are displayed prominently on most of your social media accounts.", with references to the girl on their Instagram walls and other social media pages. Pages that were being bombarded with comments and statements to the 'friends' of the girl now being scandalized in the news, "And, as I mentioned, we have all been seen and mentioned in interviews and referenced in articles that have been posted on...certain blog sites.", he looked towards Alya still on the bench. Which didn't take the other students too long to put the pieces together.
"This is a nightmare.", a bad nightmare that no one could wake up from. And as the realization of the deeds being done behind their backs were coming to full light many looked like they were on the verge of a break down. Revelations of growing deceit twisting in the pits of their stomachs, stirring into a nauseous bile built with the slow tick of the clock.
"What should we do?", could they even do anything?
"What about calling Rossi?", if anything she had to answer for all this. The photos, the video, the articles flooding social media by the minute.
"We've been calling and texting her..", at first she responded with assurances that she would handle the problem and clear everything up. That it was just internet trolls or fake information being leaked for click-bait and to harass her. She told them that her parents lawyers were handling it and she would get in touch with some of her connections to help. But, as time went by and more information came to light, the more the students began to doubt. Along with statements from celebrities and businesses. Her accounts, which were being flooded with comments, had gone silent. No one had seen hide nor hair of her.
"I bet she's ghosting everyone."
"Or hiding out somewhere."
"I'm betting she got out of dodge.", possibly took a plane, train, or whatever she could use to get out of the city.
"So she just bailed.", to avoid the consequences and the wrath of the other students.
"Of course she did!", Alix exclaimed, "She figured she was caught and took the chance to make a run with her tail between her legs.", and leave behind her mess for everyone else to pick up. Especially them.
"This is so unfair.", Kim frowned, his frustration growing.
"Maybe we should all just take a step back and chill.", Nino suggested sensing the tension in the air. It felt like he was walking onto a loaded mind field blindfolded. But, all the back and forth wasn't helping.
"Oh yeah that will fix everything.", Alix said sarcastically, "Great idea DJ."
"I'm just trying to help."
"Well congrats you failed."
"If you want to help tell your girlfriend to snap out of her little daydream and do something useful."
"Guys cool it.", Nino said, "Alya has been through a lot today and is dealing with...a lot of information."
"You mean the information that her super amazing friend who told her such amazing stories is a con-artist, a fraud, a lair, and quite possibly a thief."
"Seriously this isn't funny.", because no one was laughing.
"Everyone is really upset."
"Not just upset.", Juleka spoke. Her voice felt tired and hoarse. Her eyes were strained strained and puffy, evidence she had been crying. She had remained silent during the whole conversation. Phone in hand, clenched tightly.
"Seriously, did you once check a single thing that girl said before you posted it on your blog?", Alix questioned, her voice showing frustration at the silence, "Well? Say something.", she demanded the blogger speak.
"Alix chill.", Nino stepped in, "Alya isn't in her right state of mind right now.", he said, "Her blog is being flooded with negative comments. And she got into a fight in the cafeteria."
"We...um, don't really know if it's all not true.", Nino commented, though rather doubtfully, "I mean are we really sure that, you know, everything was a lie?" , it couldn't be right? No one would lie like that, right?
It was just a mistake.
"Are your glasses busted or have those headphones made you deaf?"
"Celebrities are giving statements against her. None of them know who she is.", the very same one's she had claimed to know and had been making promises for connections she never had and was never going to fulfill. Social media pages were blowing up by the minutes.
From celebrities like Jagged Stone, Clara Nightingale, and even DJ XY. Each giving a statement about the accusation and attack on the model.
"So un-rock and roll."
"That poor young man, hurt without remorse. He has all my best wishes and support!
"People might call me a poser. But, even I wouldn't fake it like those guys. Not cool."
To political figures like Prince Ali. Who, in a personal statement, not only defended Adrien from accusations. But, also expressed that neither he or his family were involved in anyway with the accuser. Including 'rumors' from 'unchecked' sources spreading misinformation on a member of the royal family.
" She lied to people and faked her entire life. She used people. And hasn't even tried to defend herself.", not for a single video or statement made against her.
"And you want to defend her."
"Not cool bro."
"Look.", Nino began, "I am not defending her. I'm just saying all this back and forth. Arguing and pointing fingers at each other. We're not thinking straight."
Friends don't do that.
"Everyone is either upset or confused they're turning on each other." , or rather turning on them.
"What do you expect?", people were mad. In one afternoon people's worlds were turned completely upside down. Gossip was spreading like a gale force winds. Creating a storm ready to take anything and everything apart.
And for them there was no shelter.
After that day it only became harder. Almost everyone in the class were being harassed in some way or another. From pranks, being tripped in the halls, and isolated by the other students. They had been booted from their clubs, with the other members refusing to associate with them and excluded them from not only the activities, and wouldn't even associate them otherwise. Many had made reports to the their homeroom teacher, Mlle. Bustier about their problems. But, with the growing number of akuma's coming out they were rarely in school long enough. And it didn't help that the akuma's usually targeted them forcing them to run and hide until Ladybug fixed the problem.
But, not even the miracle cure could fix the damage that was now their lives. Even outside of school, they couldn't much go anywhere without being looked at and singled out. From people their own age and even adults who looked at them with an unmissed disappointment. Everyday more and more of their worlds crumbled and chipped beneath them. But, foolishly they chose to ignore the fragments and continue on. Blindly following along the path that they wanted to believe would even out and the cracks would fill up.
Nino had tried to be supportive to his friends and classmates. Offering words of encouragement whenever he could and being someone they could rely on. Especially to his girlfriend Alya who seemed to be one of the hardest it. Though known for his energy and 'can do' attitude, he found that spirit dwindling with each passing day. When her blogs had been flooded with negative comments and her videos were down voted, even flagged. When she would come to class with stains on her clothes from an 'accidental' spill on her clothes. At least that's what they told the homeroom teacher when she came in and saw her students in such disarray. Most making a pack to make up an excuse of their states being the result of small accidents. They didn't know whether or not she had become suspicious. And in a way, it didn't seem to matter when another akuma attack would come and they were forced to hide.
The cycle seemed to repeat like that until a couple weeks back. When Hawkmoth had become silent and no more akuma's appeared. Days passed and there even so much as a butterfly sitting. Even with the negative energy present there were no super-villains or Sentimonsters. Meaning there was no sighting of the heroes. Chat was the first to disappear from the public eye and then Ladybug became silent. Making days seem more mundane and rather lingered, slower without anything related to the miraculous happening. When not at school, and without any club or after school activities to do, the students mostly spent their time trying to hang out with each other. Yet, just like at school, the outside world seemed to have turn right before their eyes.
'Your call cannot be completed as dialed.'
'Your message could not be delivered.'
'This account has been made private. You must have permission from the user to comment on this content.'
'Your account has been blocked and is no longer able to access this user. Contact customer support if you believe...'
It was lunch break. With another uneventful day of no akuma's or super-villain's, it was just another school day. Sitting against the wall on the side of the school, hidden from the vision of the students in the courtyard. Avoiding going to the cafeteria or not wanting to go into the classroom to eat with his classmates. Looking at his phone he stared at the device tiredly. Tapping up another message he pressed the send button and waited...
'Your message could not be delivered.'
It was the eighth one today.
Must be a bad connection.
That's what he told himself with each rejected messages he had sent to the number. Each one with the same automatic denial message and 'x' next to the unsent message. Or the denial screen that came when he attempted to access social media accounts. Being blocked at every avenue.
What was he even going to say?
Thinking about it more and more only branched more questions. Would they even listen to him? Reply back? Where did they even go?
"College Voltaire?", a voice spoke.
"It's one of the top schools in Paris.", a student said, "I looked it up online. Not only it is one of the top ranked schools. A lot of notable figures have attended and graduated from there.", many of whom went on to become high ranking figures in business, law, arts, and a variety of professions.
"I read about the number of charity programs the students get to volunteer for and the school donates to."
"They have some of the top sports and academics teams in the district. Possibly the city.", with a number of sports and after school activities that had awards in tournaments and competitions. Holding championship status, mentoring programs, and students that have been scouted for future national teams.
"Wow.", the students sounded amazed as they read the information about the school. but, why would they be so excited about another school?
The DJ couldn't help listening from his spot on the side of the wall in the courtyard. Listening to the students as they continued their conversation about the prestigious school. The name had come up throughout the day. From the hallways, the library, and even the lunchroom. All anyone seemed to be talking about was College Voltaire.
"Look what was posted on the Sun Princes account.", one of the girls of the group showed their phone and no sooner a mix of squeals erupted.
"So cute!"
"Have you ever seen such a smile?"
I never thought I see it again.", the girls were practically fawning over this 'Sun Prince'. Giggling and wanting their friend to send them the link so they could look at the photos. But, who was this Sun Prince? A celebrity, highly possible, with the way they were being talked about.
Going into his phone Nino's curiosity got the better of him. Opening the browser he typed in the name Sunshine Prince. As expected he was met with a crowded list of tabs and results for a variety of things. He figured he was looking for a person so it narrowed the search. But, there was still a number of results to look through. He could look through each of the links, maybe using other information could narrow the search. He didn't know why he cared so much about this mystery person. Something to take his mind off the current state he was in.
'Was it a good idea to be here?'
The saber pointing to his throat answered his question.
If looks could kill Nino would be dead within seconds of meeting those cold, dark eyes.
"You are either incredibly bold or infallibly idiotic for coming here.", like her eyes, her words were laced with ice. Kagami, the Ice Queen, of the fencing club. Prodigy and overall person you did not want to get on the bad side of.
Guess it was too late for him.
"I...um...come in peace.", it was the only thing he could think off with a literal sword at his throat. But, in a way he was expecting something like this happening when he approached the Japanese fencing prodigy. Having waited until after fencing practices were let out and he could speak to her privacy.
"And you'll leave in pieces.", and by the sound of it she might and would make it happened, "What are you doing here?", she questioned.
"Could you put the sword away, maybe?", it was rather, a lot, intimidating. Having a sword pointed towards you would make anyone nervous. And he was on needles already.
Kagami narrowed her eyes, sword steeled at the other boy, before slowly pulled aside.
"Now speak.", it was more of a demand then anything. With a short sigh of relief Nino slowly composed himself, giving his throat a gentle rub. No cut. Thankfully.
But, it was still early.
"I was hoping to talk to you.", he said, "If you have time."
"What could you possibly think I would want to speak with you about.", she was always too the point, "Just seeing you fills me with the need to very bad things to you.", and he didn't want to guess what that was.
"It's nothing...I mean it's not nothing-just that I...", he fumbled with his words.
"You what?", she questioned, "I do have important things to do.", and didnt' have time to just stand around listening to someone attempting to form a sentence, "Either speak or step aside.", those were his only options.
"I was hoping maybe you...um could possibly help me."
"Help you?", her stormy eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yeah-see I've been trying to get into touch with my br...I mean Adrien.", just saying the name sounded so foreign on his tongue. Toxic and threatening to dissolve his mouth for even speaking it. But he pressed on.
"If he does not wish to communicate with you, than why would I assist in something that causes him discomfort?", in all she felt offended he even think she would do something behind Adrien's back. Let alone think he even deserved any assistance or she would become an accomplice to his plans.
"I just thought..."
"So you do have cognitive thought.", Kagami commented, "Is this your actual idea or are you under orders from a outside party?", she questioned, or rather accused, the other of coming to her not of his own will. But, as a ploy to gather information for nefarious reasons against the one he was trying to contact.
"I came here on my own.", he said, not missing the obvious stab against him, "I just wanted to talk to you."
"No. You assumed you could get information about Adrien from me.", again sounding pensive of the other's intention, "To have the nerve to not only approach me in such a casual demeanor and assume that I would aid you in whatever plan your hoping to hatch. As if I would allow you to harm my friend more than you have and continue to do!"
"What? No! No! I'm not trying to hurt him."
"Do not lie to me.", she practically hissed, "You do not fool me. To think after what you did to him, to Adrien, you honestly think you deserve to even speak his name. Let alone speak to him."
"I-I..."
"You are, as one might call, a follower. A sheep who lacks the nerve to venture from the heard and will walk to the cliffs edge until it's too late.", and he was already falling over, down into the cavern and towards the bottom, "And now you stand before me. Pretending to be some concerned individual. Pretending to care about his so called 'friend'."
"I'm not pretending!", he tried to defend, "I just want to talk to him."
"And he obviously doesn't feel the same.", given the steps he put in place to keep certain individuals from even knowing where he was, "Could it be because your receiving the backlash you so rightfully deserve. For attacking an innocent individual by word of a silver tongue worm who has been revealed for what she is.", and him as one of her followers who had hung off her very word, "What gave you and your classmates the justification to attack Adrien, another person, so viciously and without remorse?"
"Because some lying scum not even fit to touch the bottom of a leaper's foot told you some story. That you and your classmates believed without even one shred of evidence or even getting Adrien's side of the story. You attacked him!"
"And you have the nerve to try and contact him. You think you have he right to even think you can talk to him?", when he's doing better and recovering away from them. That he was getting better. Making friends that weren't them. And that they were getting backlash for their actions, "If you even try to contact him. I will find you.", she warned before heading off. Leaving Nino stunned and in silence.
The tears he had been holding in had leaked out. Welling from the lashing Kagami had unleashed on him. But, even so, paled in comparison to what he would soon face and continue to face.
But, it didn't make it hurt less.
And when the day came, watching one of their classmates not only get berated and scolded by her own mother in front of the whole school. But, then handcuffed and taken away by the Parisian Police Officers had thrown them for a loop. If they weren't sure before, they were slapped into reality.
At home the reality came down harder. Standing in the living room, his younger brother having been sent to his room, he now faced those he feared more than Hawkmoth.
His parents.
"Your mother told me she had to pick you up from school.", his father began, voice stern and eyes matching, "She also had a short, but informative talk with the superintendent of the school district.", Nino shrank remembering Mr. Hawkes, with his sharp eyes and stony exterior. How he had come down on the school, especially the headmaster and his homeroom teacher, and the class in general.
Unmerciful and Quick for the kill.
Nino looked down, unable to meet his father's gaze. But, feeling them both baring down on him.
"Before I say anything else to you, do you have anything to say for yourself?", his father questioned gazing down at his son and waiting for a reply.
"I...", he paused trying to find the right words to say, "No sir."
"We received an email from the school.", Mrs. Lahiffe said, "As of today you are suspended.", and can't return to the school.
"S-Suspended?", he sounded shocked at the news. Yet, somewhere he figured that it would happen given how upset the superintendent had been to dismiss the entire class and call their parents.
"As in not allowed to go back.", essentially bared from setting a foot in or near the school grounds.
"Have anything to say for yourself now?", his father questioned.
"No sir.", he replied.
"Well when you come with some actual words and find your own senses. You'll be spending your time away from school in your room.", his mother said, "You are grounded."
"G-Grounded? But mom...dad...", he looked at his parents. He didn't know what he was expecting, but it didn't soften the blow of the punishment.
"No television, video games, laptop, music.", no electronics in general, "And definitely no cellphone."
"My cellphone? But...what about my friends?"
"Simple. You're not seeing them either.", his parents had forbid him from having any contacts with any of his classmates, "You're grounded. Which means from the rising of the sun and the fall of the moon, you'll be in this house.", and no where else without their permission.
"But, that's not fair."
"You want to talk about fair?", his mother's voice raised, "I got called when I was at work about an emergency. I had to come down to your school, through a crowd of protesters and reporters, to drag you out of the building because of what you and those so called friends of yours did to that poor boy.", like many she had become aware of the situation with the Agreste boy that had once gone to the school. Who had been to her house and played with her youngest son, "Was it fair when you beat that boy so bad he ended up in the hospital? Was it fair you lied to me and your father about what was happening at the school? Got an innocent boy expelled on the word of some silver, fork tongue demoness?"
"Honestly, attacking someone for no reason.", his father shook his head, "Your lucky you just got suspended from school."
"She said...she said he hurt her.", Nino felt vile on his tongue. His fingers twitching and his legs felt tense.
"And that gives you reason to attack someone?", his mother said, "This is serious Nino. Do you know how much trouble you are in?", apparently not.
"I know I just...she said...and told us...", why couldn't he say anything? He defended himself, his actions, before. Why stop now?
"She said. She said. You sound like a broken record without a tune.", now skipping and incoherent words that even he couldn't understand.
"So you believed this girl not because of any proof or evidence.", and attacked someone because of it, "I've only met him a few times and even I wouldn't believe the boy would hurt anyone, let alone a girl.", he was basically a young gentleman. Polite and gentle even from just a look, "And the way you talked about him he was awkward around girls.", that he didn't know about simple things like flirting, "So when some stranger, a girl you've barely known for even a full school year, tells you something you automatically believe her. And attack someone who was a 'good friend' to you and your classmates.", as if he didn't have a mind or will of his own.
"What was this some girl you were trying to impress?", his father questioned.
"N-No.", he denied, reminding them he had a girlfriend, "She's just a girl. She has these amazing stories of traveling, meeting celebrities, and accomplishment.", but his parents weren't impressed or amused for that matter.
"So she told you stories. Is that what I'm hearing?", his father folded his arms, "I've never met the girl and even I know there's something wrong with this so called 'amazing girl'. Especially if she's got your head so far in the clouds you can't tell bird from a plane that's about to hit you dead in the face."
"But dad..."
"Don't dad me!", because he didn't want to hear it, "You think I care about someone else's kid. No. Right now I'm wondering where your head went.", because it wasn't on his shoulders, "Causing trouble over some girl spewing nonsense.", and his son just soaking it up like a sponge in the middle of a puddle of water.
"Now because of this person with 'amazing stories' your suspended from school.", with no set date to return if the school board decided not to let him return, "And on top of that Gabriel Agreste is no doubt going to be pressing legal charges against you, her, and the rest of your classmates."
"Legal charges?"
"Oh so that get's you worried? Not attacking a student, putting them in the hospital, getting suspended from school.", his father shook his head.
"You and your classmates attacked his son. Did you think nothing was going to happen?", that no one was going to question how Adrien, model and son of Gabriel Agreste, ended up in the hospital, "Or did you think the police coming up to the school was just for show. Or the crowd of reporters and people outside your school were just there. Or the fact that it's being reported on the news."
'Agreste Seeks Litigation Against School and Son's Attackers.'
"Do you even understand the trouble you're in?", not just him, but his classmates as well. Who were no doubt getting sent the same letters as them. Notices of litigation against their son on behalf of the Agreste estate. No doubt from the father seeking retribution for what had happened to his son. And having seen images of the young man in the hospital, they couldn't blame the man. He was a father and a parent. And any parent, at least decent one's, would do anything they could to help their children. Especially if they got sent to the hospital.
"Besides being suspended from school. You can get arrested for what you did to your classmate.", his father stated, "You think a judge is going to care that you were just 'caught up in the moment'? You sent a boy to the hospital."
"I didn't know!"
"That doesn't matter.", he still did it and now almost everyone knew it, "Worse is that after you did it, not once did you tell someone.", not even them. Yes, they would have been upset, but it wouldn't have escalated to this point. They could have called the proper authorities and at least attempted to fix the situation.
"You've been lying to us for weeks.", and they had to find out the truth from a member of the school board and the news of all places about their son's behavior.
"And you know this is going to go on your permanent record.", for all his schools and possible employers to be, "And that whole 'the girl with an amazing story' isn't exactly going to bat any eyes.", especially since the victim was high profile as well, "On top of that, as your parents we also have to deal with this.", which might effect their jobs and living in the city, "And I doubt your little friend and her stories are going to be doing anything to help.", and never would.
"Until you find that mind you claim to have, the rest of you is going to be staying in this house.", his parents restated so that it was stamped into their son's brain.
"And don't think you're going to just be sitting around with your tail between your legs. No, your going to be working.", chores and other household tasks for the duration of his suspension and even afterwards, "Maybe then you'll learn about consequences.", because this was only the beginning.
"Now get to your room. We'll finish this in the morning.", they ordered. Defeated, Nino could only hold his head down, muttering an apology under his breathe, and headed for his room.
Now this is where he basically resided.
He still got up in the morning. when his parents went to work and take his little brother to school. He was confined to the house where he would be given a list of chores to do. Cleaning the house from top to bottom. His parent's had unplugged the television, radio, and anything that could be seen as 'fun'. With his cellphone gone, his parents had left him an emergency flip phone. Where his parents would call to check on him and make sure he was still home.
In all he bored.
After doing his chores he was basically alone with his thoughts.
Maybe it was for the best. Without the voices of other's in his brain. He could think.
He thought about the events that led him here.
'Spineless sheep. Follower. Traitor.'
He never wanted to be the one to rock the boat. He went with the waves and tried to level when he could. Though at times when the waves got to harsh and the boat would threaten to tip he found a way to hang on. Sometimes he hit the water, but never got taken down.
'Your going to get dragged down because of a strangers words.'
He knew right from wrong. Of course he did. It was simple, right? He had been a hero. Carapace. He had fought evil. Evil that threatened the city and made people into monster. Brainwashed people who could only follow the demands of a super-villian trying to get a hold of jewelry. And he was the shield protecting his teammates from whatever came.
'No remorse. You didn't care.'
He had been one of those. Nothing more than a pawn used by someone else. He didn't have a choice. His emotions got the better of him. It wasn't his fault, right?
'So you do have cognitive thought. Where did your head go? You call yourself a friend?'
But, no matter how much he scrubbed his hands he still saw the red on his knuckles. The splotches on the floor. The discolored skin emphasizing the blue water streaks.
'You are no hero.'
Shouldn't he be proud? Protecting a friend. The innocent. Like he was supposed to. He was right, right? That's what he was told. That's what he thought.
He didn't want to listen anymore. To the voice in his head. The images on repeat. Dull green eyes staring back at him. Leaking red and blue against a sickly dark.
But he did it. He did it!
And now he can only sit. With himself and the images. The memories shattering like a thin glass shell. Smudge in smeared red and wet with bitter blue. As darkness finds residence and swallows him whole.
"Nino?", the voice rattles the young teen from his thoughts and pulls him back. He looks and sees his brother's Chris staring at him.
"Hey Chris.", he tries to sound normal. His brother was a child and shouldn't see him so frazzled, "Did you need something?"
"I wanted to see if you play a game with me.", he said.
"A game.", he looked at his brother and the phone in his hand, "What kind of game?", it might be nice to do something other than chores and sitting around.
Chris smiled, "I downloaded a new level on for the new music game.", he showed him the screen for the app Freestyle Clash, "I'm stuck on one of the levels. Can you help?", being a DJ Nino was sure to be able to get through it.
"Sure little bro.", he nodded and helped his brother onto a couch.
"So you like Freestyle Clash?"
Chris nodded, "Yeah! It's really fun and I get to make up cool rhymes!", he said, "Plus I know the creator of the app!"
"You...what?", did he hear right, "You know the creator?", did he mean like he knew who made it?
Chris nodded, "It's awesome! She told me she made the code for the game all by herself."
"She? Who she?"
"She's one of your girlfriend's classmates. She babysat me when you and her went out for a date.", he stuck out his tongue in disgust.
"Alya?", he blinked, "Which classmate?", there were a lot of girls in his class and Alya had a few friends that were girls. And he sure none of them created the popular app.
"I think her name was Lena? Lulu?...oh right, Lila!", the name rang in his ears.
Lila told his little brother she created Freestyle Crush. Lila lied to his brother.
She lied...she lied...
"You okay bro? Big bro? Nino?", Chris called seeing his brother wasn't paying attention to him.
Nino sat back and began to drift away again. The thoughts echoing in his brain as he processed and dug up the skeletons decaying in the back of his mind. The festering stench he had ignored for so long invaded his senses. And with a lurch he got off the couch, nearly knocking off Chris, and sprinted into the kitchen. Just making to the sink where he emptied his stomach into the drawn. Staining the fixtures he had cleaned earlier. With another dry heave the last of the bitter liquid escaped as tears leaked from his eyes.
Like a turtle without a shell. He awaits the beast to come and devour him.
'I deserve it.'
To Be continued...