Marinette POV
Though I never thought I would be able to face the class again after yesterday, with one of Tikki's pep talks, I dragged myself out of bed. I made my way to school with my head down. Ignoring the whispers, I made my way to the classroom. Sitting in my seat, as far away from where Alya normally sat as possible. I grabbed my sketch book and as the class began to fill up, I pretended not to notice them staring and whispering, I pretended I was to caught up in my work to notice when Alya sat down beside me.
I only looked up when the class began, and taking out my book, absorbed my self in the class, writing the most extensive notes I had ever written, but no really understanding them, not really learning, as most of my attention was focused on ignoring the pointed stares and glances cast my way
The day was, to sum up, so far going a lot better than I thought it would.
Then Adrien arrived. I didn't even notice he was missing, which just proves how hard I was trying to ignore everyone around me. He entered through the door, and immediately zeroes in on me, his eyebrows drawn together in worry, and green eyes sparkling.
I just look away. I didn't need to embarrass myself further by staring at him. Though a blush did warm my cheeks. Of course Adrien would care, it was just in his nature.
At lunch I was the first out the door, ignoring the whispers that seemed to follow me everywhere, I went and sat down on my own under neath a tree. The branches fanning our above me hiding the bright blue sky and protecting me from the harsh glares of the sun. I wasn't with Alya, I doubt she wanted to be any where near me after what I had done. I sat with my eyes downcast eating my lunch slowly.
I opened my purse to see Tikki already staring up at me with her big violet eyes mournful.
"I'm such a horrible person Tikki." I whispered, the tears brimming my eyes and threatening to tip over. Tikki flew up into my face.
"No you're not, those people don't know what their talking about, you wouldn't have been chosen as Ladybug if it weren't for the fact that are a great person. None of those other people even got so much as a consideration. You were meant to have ladybug ear rings, you were meant to be ladybug. Without you, half of those people would still be under the influence of Hawk Moth, and whether they know it or not, you were the person that saved them. I am sorry about Alya though, I understand why you feel so bad. Maybe you just need to apologize, i'm sure Alya will understand, Alya's a very understanding person." I smiled at Tikki and cupped her to my face.
"You're always full of good ideas Tikki, I don't know what i'd do with out you."
Tikki just giggled in response. Then the bell rang, and Tikki flew far enough away from me to look into my eyes.
"Now quickly finish your lunch and march back inside with you head held high, show them that their comments don't get to you!" I smiled at Tikki and ushered you back into the purse with her cookies.
I packed up my lunch and did what Tikki said, walking back inside with my head held high, ignoring the whispers that tried to penetrate my calm.
"Look at her, walking in here like she owns the place."
"Did you see her run out crying yesterday?"
"I've never seen her look so sad!"
"I wonder what Chloe said to get her like that?"
"I heard that she slapped Chloe across the face!"
"Marinette slapping Chloe? She would never do that, she's to meek for that."
However the longer I pretended that their comments didn't bother me the easier it became. Soon, it felt natural to walk with my head held high, and I understood that no matter how bad the rumors where, that was all they were, rumors. Soon the news would be old, and everyone would forget it. The calmer I reacted, the less news they had to feed off and the sooner they would go away.
Adrien's POV
My hands were clenched into fists at my side as I walked in to the class room after lunch with Nino and Alya beside me. Alya had been spending the lunches with us since her and Marinette had their fall out. Though I knew she didn't blame Marinette, she didn't know how to apologize for it. I knew however with her sisters funeral approaching though, she and Marinette would make it up to each other. Though she wouldn't admit it, I knew she wanted Marinette by her side at the funeral.
The shade hid the faces of the nameless people who were still whispering about the fight yesterday. Alya didn't even seem to notice, ignoring the whispers that followed her, though I did notice that she held Nino's hand really tightly. I smiled slightly, I wonder how Nino was going to explain that.
However though the occasional whisper was about Alya and Chloe, it seemed that the most of them were about Marinette and I felt angry on her behalf. How dare they.
As we approached the classroom I pretended to check my phone.
"I'm sorry guys, my father just scheduled a last minuet photo shoot. I'll be back as soon as I can. They said their muted good byes and I snuck off to find a place to transform.
I pulled Plagg out of my shirt pocket.
"What do you want at this time of day. Don't you have school to be at." he asked grumpily.
"I need to do something for my friend."
"Does this have something to do with that girl Marinette?"
"Yes, what does that have to do with anything Plagg."
"If you want to woo a girl, I would prefer that you did it without involving me."
My eyes widened at Plagg. He just smirked at me.
"It, it's not like that Plagg." I said, fumbling with my words.
"Sure, so what exactly were you doing last night?"
"Visiting Marinette." I mumbled. Plagg just cackled in response, looking far to self satisfied.
"That doesn't mean anything, I was just helping a friend in need."
"Yeah helping, keep going with that excuse." I shook my head at Plaggs insolence.
"This doesn't have anything to do with it, now come on Plagg, Claws Out!"
He was sucked into my ring, and as the familiar transformation over took me I focused my mind on the task at hand.
I strolled leisurely back into school, winking at the wide eyed groundsmen who blushed erotically.
I walked up the stairs and knocked on the classroom door. It was opened by Miss Bustier, who looked me up and down. Looking slightly shocked and at a lost for words with her mouth hanging slightly open, so I decided to break the awkward silence.
"Excuse me Miss, is Marinette Dupain-Cheng in this class?" of course she was, i already knew that, however I had to play the part of an innocent kitty for the moment.
She moved aside so I could get through the door and then snapped back into reality.
"Of course Chat Noir, is there anything I can do to help you?"
"If I could speak to the class for a moment would that be alright?"
I silently cursed my self, my formal Adrien was coming out.
"Of course." She then turned to the class. "Students, Chat Noir is here to speak with you, I expect you to give him your full attention. Alya, you now the rules no phones in class." I looked to Alya to see her frown and slowly put her phone away. Next to her Marinette had her head in her hands. Shaking her head slightly.
I cleared my throat, unsure of how to start then an idea came to me.
"Yesterday afternoon while on patrol, a police officer approached me asking if i could keep an eye out for a girl, her name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I found the girl of course," I smirked a little here, "but the reason she went missing in the first place was because she had been unfairly bullied. I am here to let you know, it is unfair to compare someone to a superhero, how could they be anything like that superhero? They don't have super powers. So next time be careful what you say, or you just might be getting a house visit form a black cat." I finished and set a dazzling smile on my face and looked to wards Marinette. She however, did not looked pleased in the slightest. instead she looked rather sad, her bright blue eyes lined silver with tears. Did I say something wrong? She looked at me and then looked away her bangs falling in her face. It was almost as if she couldn't bare to look at me.
I left, feeling elated but slightly confused, though I knew no one would dare to bully her again, I didn't understand why she looked so down.
I walked outside the school releasing the transformation, and Plagg just looked at me instead of going for the Camembert like he usually did. I looked at him quizzically.
"What?" I finally asked, and Plagg sighed.
"You call that helping?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe you shouldn't have told her that she isn't as good as Ladybug? You basically just told her what Chloe has been telling her for the past few days except smiling while you did it. You really are stupid. And complicated. This is why you stick to camembert, less things can go wrong." he then held his hand (paw? I don't know what you called a kwamii's hand) out for cheese.
I numbly gave it to him. Then hung my head in my hand.
What had I done?
Marinette POV
No sooner had he left then I put my hand up and excused myself for the bathroom, remaining strong until I heard the door close behind me, then I burst into tears. Knowing I couldn't just sit outside the classroom crying, someone would see me, I made my way to the bathroom, sliding down the wall onto the filthy floor, not even caring if someone came in and saw me there.
Not even my partner thought I was good enough as Marinette, no one did. I couldn't even here Tikki as I stared at the wall across from me. Taking in the graffiti.
Poor little soul. No one appreciates your efforts. I can offer you the ability to show people that you are just as good as Ladybug, if not better, however I will need something in return..
"The Miraculouses, I know."
I see I have an expert, the voice in my head sound slightly amused, go then, go and show them what you can do.
I smiled as the darkness covered me, smothering Tikki's crys.
