Ch. 3

A/N: Sorry for the long wait, had to buy a new laptop for college. Been really busy, but haven't stopped thinking about these stories I want to write!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot of these stories that we all wish were real.

Dinner went as smoothly as I could have hoped. I only almost choked on the cheese of my pizza once, nearly spit my soda out from laughter and stuffed my face with way more food than I have eaten in awhile.

Alya patted me on the back reassuringly, I have been able to continue a conversation of Adrien the whole meal! Well except for a few times where I just so happened to have my face stuffed with chips to avoid answering one of Adrien's questions. I have to remember to thank Nino for saving my back later.

Wiping his hands on a napkin, Adrien finished his last bite before turning to Alya and me. "So when do we go to sleep at these sleepovers?"

The innocent curiosity of that simple question nearly broke my heart. He really has been sheltered from everything fun in his life. The pout on my face reflected Alya's.

Before either of us could respond, Nino jumped onto Adrien's shoulder exclaiming, "Dude, we don't plan when to fall asleep! We just keep doing whatever we feel like till we drop!"

"But-"

Alya interrupted Adrien. "And before you try to make up some excuse about having to wake up in the morning- don't. We can stay up as long as we want because we all know for a fact that we have nothing going on tomorrow." Standing to bring all of the plates and napkins to the trash, ALya continued, "Come on Adrien, relax a little. Who knows when we will be able to spend time together like this again."

Something must have clicked in Adrien's head, he visibly relaxed. That dazzling smile appeared back on his face, "You're right, I'll try not to overthink this. This has been so much better than I imagined it could be."

"The night is young yet, just you wait for your fatigue to kick in and you start acting goofy." I attempted to input into the conversation and give my crush something else to look forward to. My next comment was caught off by Alya snickering from her position leaning on Nino's shoulder.

"Girl you are the only one that starts acting goofy when you're tired."

"I am not!" My face flamed. "You laugh just as hard as I do when we goof around."

"I can't wait to see Marinette more goofy than she already is," Adrien interjected. "Our humor and jokes have definitely gotten better, right Marinette?"

Adrien's reference to the wax museum renewed the dark blush on my face and ears. I manage to mutter a sound of acknowledgement before following Adrien back up to his room. Alya and Nino non discreetly fist bumped each other when they thought I had my back turned. I swung my head back around and pointed my two things from my eyes to theirs. 'I'm watching you.'

I yawned as I walked back to sit next to Adrien on the floor beside his bed, handing him a cup of soda before taking a sip from my own. Nino and Alya fell asleep cuddled up together on the couch sometime after 2am. That is very early for my best friend, especially when her boyfriend is with her. I'm not complaining, I get to spend some alone time with Adrien.

The night brings a cool, calmness that soothes any nerves that are left raging within my mind. A gentle breeze floats in from the still open window, though Adrien had closed it so it is no longer wide open. Low snores can be heard from the lovers on the couch.

I lean my head on the edge of the bed, close my eyes and take a deep breath. This is so peaceful. This is the closest I have been to my crush without flipping a lid. With every breath I take, his t-shirt tickles my arm lightly- the goosebumps making me shiver. Adrien must have thought it was from the cool night because he throws half of his thin blanket onto my front.

I could die happy right now and not regret anything. My life is complete.

A small shift and we are sitting so our shoulders and forearms are flush together. "What's your favorite kind of music? Like what genre do you mostly listen to?" The gentle question broke the silence.

Slightly turning my head to face him, with eyes still closed, and consider the question. "Honestly it depends on my mood, but mainly pop, hip-hop and rock. Oh and throwback music, I can jam to the throwback songs any day." I open my eyes a little and ask him the same question.

"Me too, except it depends on how throwback we're talking. I cannot jam to hippie music." We chuckle. Even though I am comfortable with the silence, I crave to deepen and explore this connection that finally feels real. This no longer feels forced or like it is unobtainable.

I wonder if Adrien is thinking the same thing when he interrupts my thoughts. "Can I show you something? An old friend of mine helped me express some...dark feelings after my mother passed and everything with my father became worse. She too passed away not too long ago, but we never published the song that we wrote together." I lift my head and put my hand on his arm, offering silent comfort as he continues. "I feel that someone else needs to hear this song, but I know how broken you will view me after this and...there is no one else I trust to be this open to."

"Of course Adrien, I won't tell anyone."

With a heavy nod, Adrien walks to a wall. This wall becomes a hidden cabinet that I would have never known about had I not just watched him open it. Pulling out an IPod and notebook, he closes the door and settles himself back next to me, closer than before.

We each plug an earbud in, Adrien pressing play on the untitled song file. The music began, reminding me of the opening to a music box. An old fairy tale pops into my mind as a violin hops into the mix.

I'm caught up in your expectations.

You're trying to make me live your dream.

But I'm causing you so much frustration.

And you only want the best for me.

You wanted me to show more interests.

To always keep a big bright smile.

But every day I fail to impress.

So I cry once in a while.

Unexpectedly, Adrien begins quietly singing alongside the track. The most beautiful, heart breaking sound I will ever hear is coming out of this boy's mouth.

And this storm is rising inside of me.

Don't you feel that our whole worlds collide?

It's getting harder to breathe.

It hurts deep inside.

My heart just cracked at the pain in his voice. I watch as Adrien sings with his eyes clenched closed.

Just let me be

Who I am.

It's what you really need to understand.

And I hope so hard for the pain to go away.

And it's torturing me.

But I can't break free.

So I cry and cry but just won't get it out

The Silent Scream.

Then my heart shattered at the confessions within the chorus. How long has Adrien looked like the fine, perfect, put together model son? The upbeat music masking the soulful lyrics- a sunshine boy hiding the pain of the past.

How long did he suffer before this friend pulled him out of that dark place?

Tell me why you're putting pressure on me.

And everyday you cause me harm.

That's the reason why I feel so lonely.

Even though you hold me in your arms.

Wanna put me in a box of glitter.

But I'm just trying to get right out.

And now you're feeling so so bitter.

Because I let you down.

My chest aches for this friend I will never have the chance to meet, for the pain these two have felt.

And this storm is rising inside of me.

Don't you feel that our whole worlds collide?

It's getting harder to breathe.

It hurts deep inside.

As the chorus begins to play again, I feel tears pool in the corners of my eyes. My breath hitching at the tears on Adrien's face. The pained look plastered on his face, his hand clenching at his chest.

Can't you see how I cry for help.

Cause you should love me just for being myself.

I'll drown in an ocean

Of pain and emotion.

If you don't save me right away.

I cover my mouth with a hand, trying to cover my own sob.

Just let me be

Who I am.

It's what you really need to understand.

And I hope so hard for the pain to go away.

And it's torturing me.

But I can't break free.

So I cry and cry but just won't get it out

As that fairy tale music played once again, I hesitated in touching Adrien's arm. Wanting to hold him and protect him from anymore pain, but unsure if he will let me.

The Silent Scream.

With the end of the song, Adrien slowly unravels his hand and opens his eyes. Turning towards me, we both began to break down. I push away the IPod and lyric notebook to wrap my arms around his head, kneeling in front. He reciprocated my embrace with his arms around my waist, crying into my chest. My tears fall into his hair.

A long time passed before we both calmed down enough to talk. I pull away enough to grab Adrien's chin. Beautiful, sorrow filled eyes are forever burned into my memory. Moving on instinct, I kiss his forehead, pushing his bangs out of my way.

"Thank you for opening that up to me Adrien...this will stay between us. I promise." Turning his face back to face me again, I told him, "Never hide your pain from me Adrien, I will always help you anyway I can."

Adrien merely nodded at what I said, probably too choked up to manage words. "I think you should title the song Silent Scream. For you, your friend and everyone around Paris and the world who can't find the words to fight their way out on their own," I suggested quietly.

The smallest smile broke through, my heart clenched.

Blue eyes staring into green, all of the weight of the world seemed to be lifted off of their shoulders.

A/N: The song is Silent Scream by Damien Dawn, I just said he wrote it with his friend for creative purposes.

Let me know if you guys have any requests or ideas, I am trying to broaden my horizons.