Chapter 4: Good Days and Bad Days
The following morning, the Miraculous Team had made the headlines, again, praising the heroes for how they handled the Akuma the night before, and how the city of Paris had never been safer from Akuma attacks, thanks to them. Unfortunately, not all the headlines were good. Some were quite awful. Ever since the heroes of Paris first appeared, there were people who supported them and thought that they were what they appeared to be, and then, there were people who did the opposite, and who thought that they had a hidden agenda. And on that morning, as the clock stroke 8 a.m., the Miraculous heroes were going to be the subject of discussion in Nadja Chamack's morning talk show, "Bonjour, Paris". Like always, she was going to have two guests with opposite views on the subject, and they were going to discuss it, while also getting the audience's input on it.
"Good morning, Paris! I am your host Nadja Chamack, and today we have a one-of-a-kind theme, that we will be discussing, with the help of two guests, who will each voice their opinion regarding the theme." -Nadja spoke to the camera and the studio audience. –"And the theme is "Miraculous Team… Superheroes or Menaces?". That has been one of the topics of discussion among most Parisians, ever since they first showed up. And today, to discuss it, let us welcome our guests, who will offer us their views on the matter, Miss Catherine Nardal, and Monseiur Ambroise Delay." -she said, as the guests entered.
Catherine Nardal and Ambroise Delay smiled at Nadja, as they entered. Catherine was a known socialite, who supported numerous beneficence causes, as well as art related projects. As for Ambroise, he was a known online social political commentator, who was better known for his blog, where he posted his controversial opinions on video, regarding all kinds of subjects. Looking at them, they could not be more different. She was a tall, skinny brunette with green eyes, a small nose and thin lips. He was a short, obese man, with practically no hair, grey eyes, a fleshy nose and beard. She was wearing a white turtleneck sweater, a green dress jacket, with matching pants and a pair of red high-heels. He was wearing a black business suit with a periwinkle shirt, a red tie and black shoes.
"Miss Nardal and Monsieur Delay, I must thank you for accepting our invitation to join us in today's debate." -Nadja thanked them, as they sat on the couch in front of Nadja. –"But before we begin, by allowing you to present yourselves to our viewers, I would like to remind them, that they can join us in this debate. Just call the number that is on your screen, and tell us what you think about the Miraculous Team." -she declared.
After she finished speaking, the audience in the studio applauded her for a couple of seconds. Once the applauses died off, Nadja told both her guests to introduce themselves, so the audience knew who they were.
"Once more, thank you both for accepting the invitation from our production team, to be here with us, this morning." -Nadja said.
"It's a pleasure to be here with you, Nadja." -Catherine told Nadja.
"No need to thank me. I felt that it was my civic duty to come to your show and say what I think about the subject in matter." -Ambroise said.
"I see." -Nadja smiled. –"Who in the production had the idea to invite this guy? I've seen some of his videos and he's not the kind of person I would invite for this kind of show. I just hope he doesn't start with one of his insane speeches." -she thought to herself. –"Well, now that the presentations have been made, I think it's time for us to start arguing about today's subject."
"They showed up more than six months ago, and until now, they have saved the city of Paris from more than 35 Akumas, not counting the countless crimes that they have stopped, that range from hot pursuits to bank robberies, and the people they have saved." -Nadja said, while on the screen behind her, photos of the members of the Miraculous Team were displayed. –"Today, it's hard not to think of Paris, without also thinking about the Miraculous Team, who many say have already become a signature landmark of the city, like the Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge or the Arc du Triomphe. In fact, it's not unusual to see them swinging around the city, from time to time, in what some people have already nicknamed "Miraculous Sightings", and where sometimes the heroes take time to pose for photographs and sign autographs." -she said. –"But like so many other things, not everyone agrees that this team of young heroes has been a blessing to Paris. Which leads us to our theme of our debate. Is the Miraculous Team a menace, or not? Let us begin with you Catherine. What do you think? Are Ladybug and her teammates a menace to Paris, or not?"
"Personally, I think that it's unfair for us to call them menaces." -Catherine declared. –"Why should they be called menaces, when the only thing they have done is to protect our city?" -she asked -"They have risked their lives to protect us and this city from numerous kinds of threats, and not even once, they asked for anything in return."
"So, you believe that they are what they appear to be?" -Nadja asked her.
"Undoubtedly." -Catherine said. –"They are heroes." -she declared. –"I never had the chance to talk to one of them, or even to be in their presence, but if there is one thing that I was taught from an early age, to always trust my gut, when it comes to certain matters. And I can safely say that there is no reason for them to be called menaces."
"I see." -Nadja said. –"Well, I know I should be neutral, regarding this debate, and I don't want to brag about it, but I must agree with you." -she said. –"I had the chance to interview them a few times, over these last few months, and I understand what you're saying. I've looked into their eyes and they all transmit serenity and truth. They may be many things, but they are not a menace to anyone, except perhaps Akumas or Hawk Moth himself."
"Exactly what I think. And I think that more people should think like that." -Catherine said. –"Ladybug and the rest of her teammates are constantly risking their lives to save us, and it honestly pains me to see people saying that they are criminals, or that they are affiliated with Hawk Moth, who has tried to kill them, more than once." -she said
As Catherine talked, Ambroise started to laugh. His was a mocking and disdainful laugh, which took only seconds to start annoying Catherine, who interpreted it as a sign of both disrespect and contempt for her words.
"Excuse me, but could you stop that? I'm trying to speak…" -Catherine said.
"I know, why do you think I began to laugh like that?" -Ambroise told her, with a rude voice. –"From the moment I first saw you, I knew that you were one of those people who can't see what's going on in front of your own eyes!" -he exclaimed. –"You've been brainwashed, like most people into believing the things you are speaking about!"
"Excuse me?!" -Catherine asked him, not understanding why he was talking to her like that, or what he was talking about in the first place. –"I haven't been brainwashed." -she declared.
"Yes, you have!" -Ambroise said. –"You've been brainwashed, like people in Paris, as well as around the world." -he said. –"You've been brainwashed to think that these so called heroes are actually heroes! Well, let me tell you what I think about those so called "Miraculous Heroes", Miss Nardal. They're menaces!"
"Menaces?!" -Catherine exclaimed.
"Monsieur Delay, please…" -Nadja tried to interrupt him.
"Quiet, Nadja, I'm talking here." -Ambroise told Nadja, as if he was talking to a child, and not an adult woman.
"Who does this guy think he is?! Telling me to shut up, on my own show?" -Nadja thought to herself, while trying her best not to lose her composure.
"You've heard me… menaces! Those kids, because that's what they are, are a menace, not only to our society, but also to our fair city." -Ambroise declared. –"Tell me, why do you think they do what they do? Please, answer me, why do you think they do what they do?" -he asked Catherine, almost demanding an answer from her.
"Well, I… I suppose they do it, because they were granted powers…" -Catherine tried to answer, not knowing where he was going with that speech of his.
"Exactly, they were granted powers! And who granted them those powers? The Mayor?! The City Hall Council?! Our government?! Do you know? Because I sure don't. For all we know they could be in cohorts with that Hawk Moth psychopath, and the other group of psychos that are always showing up and doing his bidding!" -Ambroise told her.
"That is the most preposterous thing I've ever heard!" -Catherine exclaimed. –"I don't mean to disrespect you, but the way you're talking, you sound like one of those people, who believe that there's a conspiracy behind everything." -she said.
"And maybe those people are right to believe so. You think the world is all black and white, but it's not! It's in shades of grey, some darker than others!" -Ambroise said. –"Just because you don't want to believe that, that doesn't make it any less truthful. These so-called heroes are hiding their faces behind a mask for a reason, and it can't be a good one!" -he told her.
"Have you thought that maybe it's because they all have identities; they need to keep secret from the general public?" -Catherine asked him.
"Secret identities?! Bah! What are you, 6 years old?!" –Ambroise asked her. –"This isn't' a comic book or a movie! This is the real world, and the only people that wear a mask, are thieves, criminals and terrorists! As far as I see it, Ladybug and her friends are all those things, just like that Hawk Moth freak!" -he said.
As the conversation continued, it was clear that Ambroise had no kind of respect for the Miraculous Team, and he was not afraid to show it.
"Next you will be telling us that the heroes are the result of a genetic experiment, run by an evil corporation, whose purpose is to rule the world!" -Catherine shot at him.
"And why not?!" -Ambroise exclaimed, not caring if she was mocking him. To him, just the idea of such a thing being possible, was a serious matter. –"Nowadays, most countries are not run by governments, but by corporations, who have a say on most things that our politics and their governments stand for. It's not difficult to imagine that one such corporation in the field of genetics, and there are a few of them in our country, could have created them, but then, they lost control over them, and one of them, Hawk Moth, decides to lead them all in a campaign to rule over the world, starting with Paris!" -he said.
The way that discussion was heading, Nadja knew that she had to stop it, before something serious happened, but every time she tried to stop Ambroise from talking, he would just tell her to shut up.
"If you followed my blog, you would see just how wrong you are about most things, including this." -Ambroise said. –"I've got more than 18 million followers, who depend on me to tell them the truth about things. I've made my mission to point out what's wrong in today's society, which is exactly what I'm doing here. And I'm telling you, that this Miraculous Team is just as dangerous as that Hawk Moth psychopath, if not even more!" -he practically yelled.
"I've said this before, but I'm going to say it again. That is the most preposterous thing I've ever heard in my life." -Catherine said, sticking to her guns. –"Everything you've said for the past two minutes, sounds like the plot for a sci-fi novel or a film!" -she told him. –"This guy doesn't exist… I mean, who in their right mind would even consider those things?"
"Does it?! Because I don't think there's anything preposterous about what I just said. We've come a long way since cloning a sheep, Miss Nardal. Today's technology would certainly make it easy for someone in a lab with the proper tools for it, to create human beings with the kind of abilities they have! And whether they are genetic experiments that are being controlled by someone, who's pulling the strings from behind the curtain, or not, it doesn't really matter. The fact is that they can do things that nobody else can, and that makes them dangerous! And for all we know, they could be in cohorts with that Hawk Moth terrorist!" -Ambroise said, not giving time to Catherine to properly answer him. –"Think about it! They show up the same day that that crazy psycho, claiming that they are there to stop him and protect our city and the world from him. Now, anyone with half a brain can clearly see that in life, there's no such thing as coincidences. So, if there are no coincidences, then them showing up, minutes apart, tells us that they are all in cohorts!" -he declared.
Hearing the man saying all that nonsense, both Catherine and Nadja wondered where he had gotten such crazy ideas from.
"I'm starting to think that we should have invited someone else for this debate… Someone else with half a brain, instead of just a couple of brain cells!" -Nadja thought to herself. –"In all my years as a journalist, I've seen people acting like crazies and imbeciles, but this guy takes the cake. He's just vomiting everything it comes to his mind; there's just no other way to describe what he's doing." -she thought, before trying to stop him from continuing to talk. –"Monsieur Delay, please, I must insist that you wait your turn. Miss Nardal was speaking…"
"No, I won't wait! And furthermore, I don't even know why you brought this woman to this show, in the first place. The answer to the question of whether the Miraculous Team is dangerous or not, is quite obvious! They are a menace, and you are all too blind to see that!" -Ambroise shot at Nadja, who once more, prevented her from finishing her sentence.
"If they are a menace, then, why would they be fighting the Akumas that attack the city?" -Catherine asked him. –"Furthermore, why would they put themselves in danger, to save any innocent bystander that gets caught in the middle of the battles they are forced to fight against Hawk Moth?" -she asked him. –"Not to mention that they use some kind of magic to put everything back the way it was, before the fight started. Why would they do that, if not to help and protect the city?"
"Because it's all part of a scheme!" -Ambroise yelled at her. –"Don't you see?! They are all trying to get you into a false sense of security, so when they move in for the killing, you won't even see it coming! Throughout History we have seen that happening, and we're seeing it again here. So, you and everyone else better start opening your eyes and see what's truly happening!"
When Ambroise said those words, Nadja signalled the cameras to cut off the transmission. She was not going to give that guy a single more second to spew whatever nonsense was coming out of his mouth. What had started as a debate, had turned into its opposite, in a matter of seconds. Cutting off the transmission, at people's homes, every television screen displayed the message "We're experiencing technical difficulties. Please stand by". But on the studio, the argument continued, with Nadja trying her best to stop it, and the public watching it all happening.
"I don't usually say this, but you sir, you are insane!" -Catherine shot at Ambroise. –"I don't know what kind of political commenter you think you are, but the way you talk, you seem more like a delusional man, who thinks the Moon landing was a hoax." -she told him. –"Next, you will be telling me that the heroes use chemicals to control people, or to make people see things that aren't there."
"You think that's not possible?!" -Ambroise asked her. –"I'm not saying they are doing it, but I'm not saying they aren't either." -he declared.
"You can't be serious." -Catherine said, scandalized by the last remark the man did, while also regretting suggesting such a thing.
"Don't act so surprised! They continue to spray chemicals over our crops, everyday! Who's to say that these heroes, or someone they might have working for, or with them, doesn't do the same and spray chemicals in the air, that keep you from thinking they are a menace, tell me?!" -Ambroise asked her.
More and more, the words that came out of Ambroise's mouth, amounted to a conversation that had no discernible theme, nor sense. But it was not until he began to use foul language, that Nadja Chamack finally managed to shut him up and end that conversation.
"That is enough!" -Nadja yelled at Ambroise, having had enough of his nonsense. –"I'm sorry, Monsieur Delay, but I must ask you to leave. There is no room for that kind of foul language in my show." -she told him, clearly upset, and trying not to stoop to his level, by using the same kind of foul language. –"So, once more, I ask you to leave, before I call security to escort you out of the studio."
When she threatened him, Nadja believed that he was going to insult her, and to refuse to get out. But instead, he stopped talking and got up from the couch, like nothing else had happened.
"I can understand, when I'm not wanted. I'll let myself out, then, Nadja." -Ambroise said, with a voice of a man who did not have a care in the world. –"Though, I must warn you, that by expelling me, you won't make my words be any less truthful. All I'm doing is speaking what most people want to speak, but are too afraid to do so. That's why I do what I do. Someone has to speak up for what truly goes on in the world." -he stated.
Hearing him say that, Nadja wondered if he continued to speak because he honestly believed the things, he was saying were true, even if they were all wrong, or if he just enjoyed hearing the sound of his own voice.
"And let me give you a piece of advice to you, as well as everyone else here." -Ambroise told them. –"You need to open your eyes to the reality of what is going on. These so-called heroes are playing you all like a violin! They are a menace to society! If they don't have anything to hide from the public, then why do they wear masks?! A police officer, or anyone else who upholds the law, doesn't wear a mask. Wearing a mask doesn't make you a hero. It makes you a vigilante, and the last time I checked, vigilantism goes against numerous laws in this, and other civilized countries. Just think about it, before you call those kids heroes, because that's just one more reason not to call them that. They are menaces, and sooner or later, they will show their true colours. Mark my words."
As he left, in the audience, the people who had watched the whole thing unfolding, were wondering if the whole thing had been staged, or not. Some of the people that had recorded it, wasted no time in uploading it online. At the same time, Nadja apologized to Catherine Nardal for what had just happened. She was hoping to have a calm and civilized conversation with both her guests, but ended up witnessing something entirely different.
"I must apologize to you, Miss Nardal." -Nadja apologized.
"There's no need for it." -Catherine told Nadja. –"Unfortunately, there will always be people like him, who rather see the world as a place where there's no place for any kind of solidarity towards the others, and where being good and decent is seen as a weakness. And where there's no place for heroes." -she said. –"That's why we must continue to show our support to Ladybug and her teammates, and let them know, that there are more people out there who believe in them, and what they stand for, than people who do the opposite."
At Collège Françoise Dupont, the clock on the playground signalled that classes would start in 20 minutes, which meant that most students would start showing up, within the next couple of minutes. For those who had arrived, as soon as the janitor opened the school's gate, those that had not taken the time to get a second breakfast at the school's snack bar, or gone to the their lockers to get a book they were going to need for classes that morning, were bidding their time, catching up with one or more of their fellow students, while waiting for classes to begin. Two of them were none other than Rose and Juleka, with the latter arriving, just as Rose sat on a bench and nibbled the cupcake she had bought earlier.
"Good morning!" -Rose chirped, with a smile on her face.
"Good morning…" -Juleka sighed, as she sat next to Rose, who immediately saw that there was something wrong with her girlfriend.
"Jules, is there something wrong?"-Rose asked her. –"I know that you're not a morning person, but your levels of grumpiness aren't usually this high." -she told her in a funny voice, trying to cheer her up a little. –"So, come on, tell me what's wrong, so I can try and cheer you up,"
That morning, Juleka had woken up on the wrong side of her bed. Even after a few hours of sleep, she was still feeling her body had been used as a punching bag. And completely devoided of energy. And on top of it all, Luka had eaten the rest of her favourite breakfast cereal, which meant she was forced to eat a toast for breakfast, and she was not a very big fan of. But the worst part of it all, was what she told Rose that had happened to her, when she got home, after fighting Ifrit.
"Don't tell me your dad caught you, while you were still, you know who?!" -Rose asked her, worried. She did not pronounce Juleka's superhero name, because two other students were passing by them, when she asked her that question.
"No, I had already turned back to normal, when he entered my bedroom." -Juleka told her. –"Unfortunately, because I was caught out of bed, and I had left my laptop running, before I went out last night, he thought that I was still up, talking to someone online." -she sighed. –"And now, I'm grounded until the end of the week. I'm not allowed to go anywhere, except school, and once classes are over, I've to go straight home."
"That's so unfair! No wonder you're a little grumpy this morning." -Rose told her, as she offered her a bite out of her cupcake. –"Here, take a bite, if you want to. The icing is raspberry." -she told her, as she waved the cupcake in front of her. –"It'll make you feel better, I promise."
Smiling, Juleka took the cupcake from Rose's hand and nibbled it. And just like the blonde had told her, she immediately felt a little better. She did not know if it was because of the sweet frosting on the cupcake, or the fact that her girlfriend had decided to share it with her, but Juleka did not mind. If there was one thing she believed, more than anything else, was that Rose had the incredible power to make her feel better, with just a smile or a kind gesture.
"Feeling better?" -Rose asked her.
"Yes, a little." -Juleka smiled.
"Glad I could help." -Rose smiled back at her. –"You know, if your dad knew that you risked your life to save the city last night, he would've never grounded you." -she told her girlfriend.
"Unfortunately, he doesn't know, and I can't tell him, so I might as well accept that I'll be grounded for the rest of the week." -Juleka sighed. –"Guess we won't be able to go to the movies this Saturday." -she told the blonde.
"Don't worry. There will be other opportunities." -Rose told her, trying to cheer her up. –"Besides, he told you that you have to go straight home after school, and that you can't go out. He never said that you couldn't talk to me over the phone." -she smiled. –"We can spend the Saturday talking, all day long."
"That does sound like a good alternative." -Juleka smiled back at her.
"And you know what? It's time for me to cheer you up a little more. I'm going to do something that I'm sure will brighten your mood." -Rose told her.
"And what would that be?" -Juleka asked her, curious.
Without answering her, Rose proceeded to take out of her backpack a pink scrunchy, and then asked her girlfriend to hold still. Quick on her hands, she changed Juleka's hairstyle, giving her a ponytail, while also pulling her purple lock to the side, so one could see both her eyes. Smiling, she felt proud of her accomplishment.
"There. Now I can see both of your eyes. Plus, you look so beautiful with a ponytail." -Rose said, as she showed Juleka her reflection, on her cell phone's screen, using the device's camera.
"I don't dislike it. But how is this going to cheer me up?" -Juleka asked her, slightly puzzled.
"Simple. Seeing you with a different haircut, makes me happy and cheers me up. And because I'm all cheered up, you get cheered up, because you get cheered up, whenever you see me cheered up." -Rose smiled at her. –"Try to say that five times in a row, without your tongue getting stuck." -she playfully challenged the Goth.
"You really are something else, you know that?" -Juleka chuckled. –"But you're right. You did manage to cheer me up with that." -she hugged her, before whispering something to her ear. –"What did I do to deserve a girlfriend like you?"
"What did you do? That's easy, Jules. You were yourself, and that was enough to make me fall in love with you." -Rose whispered to her girlfriend's ear.
"You're incredible." -Juleka said, as they broke the embrace.
"I know. My mom's always saying that." -Rose chuckled as well. –"And she's not the only one. Flint's always telling me that." -she admitted.
"I bet." -Juleka smiled at her. –"By the way, changing the subject, we need to talk to you know who, after class, regarding a certain scarlet object that some of us saw yesterday." -she said, speaking in a way that only the two of them could understand. More and more students were passing by them, and they could not risk anyone hearing what they were really talking about.
"I agree. We need to speak to him about it. If what happened, happened, it could mean that something bad is coming our way." -Rose said.
A few seconds later, they both saw Sabrina entering through the gate, and accompanying her was Nathaniel. After what happened the day before, they were not sure if he would come to school that day. So, when they saw him, they were a little surprised. Waving at them, they waited for them to ger closer to them, before wishing them a good morning.
"Good morning, girls." -Nathaniel greeted them.
"Good morning, Nathaniel. Good morning, Sabrina." Juleka smiled at the two gingers.
"Good morning to you two, as well." -Sabrina said.
"Good morning, guys." -Rose greeted them. –"So, Nathaniel, we weren't expecting tp see you today- How's your grandmother?" -she asked Nathaniel.
"She's better. I was just telling Sabrina here, that according to the doctors, she'll probably be discharged from the hospital tomorrow afternoon." -Nathaniel answered her.
"Those are some good news" -Rose smiled happily.
"They sure are. I'm really happy that everything was just a scare, and nothing else." -Nathaniel said. –"And yeah, I wasn't supposed to come today, because I spent most of the night at the hospital, with my parents. But I decided to come anyways, because after all those hours, waiting, I needed to see some friendly faces." -he told them. –"Has anyone else arrived yet?"
"Mylene and Max arrived at the same time as we did. They're up on the classroom." -Rose said. –"Oh, and Chloe has also arrived. She's upstairs as well." -she added.
"Chloe's already here?" -Sabrina asked them.
"Yeah. Like I said, she's upstairs with Max and Mylene." -Rose said. –"But there was something odd about her." -she added.
"Something odd about her? What do you mean?" -Sabrina asked her, intrigued.
"Oh, it's probably nothing. It's just that, she seemed a little… how should I put it? With her head on the clouds today?" -Rose said, with an inquisitive voice. –"But, it could also be my imagination, I guess." -she giggled.
Upon hearing those words from Rose, Sabrina found it strange that Chloe behaved that way. Even on the days when she woke up not truly feeling like herself, she wasn't the type to walk with her head on the clouds. Telling the others that she had to go and get a book from her locker, before classes started, Sabrina went up the stairs, making her way towards the classroom. When she got there, she found Mylene and Max talking to one another. Greeting them, she asked htm if they had seen Chloe, to which Mylene said that she had placed her things on her desk and told her that she was going to the girls' room.
Suspecting something was not right, Sabrina decided to investigate. Heading towards the girls' room, she was silently begging that there was nothing wrong with Chloe, and that when she opened the door, that she was leaning over one of the sinks, busy, touching her make-up. Stopping in front of the girls' room door, she once more wished that what she had imagined, was what was happening, before turning the knob. Unfortunately, when she opened it and looked inside, there was no trace of Chloe. The girls' room was empty, though she noticed that the door of one of the four cubicles was closed.
"Chloe, are you here?" -Sabrina asked.
There was silence. No one answered. She was about to ask the same question out loud, when she heard something move inside the cubicle.
"Chloe? Is that you?" -Sabrina asked.
"Y-Yes." -Chloe answered, her voice sounding like a murmur.
"Chloe, are you okay?" -Sabrina asked her. Once more, she did not know why, but there was something inside her that was telling her that Chloe was not alright.
"I'm fine." -Chloe answered her.
"No, she's not. That's not her usual voice." -Sabrina thought to herself. More than ever, she knew there was something going on with her. –"Chloe, what's going on? Are you feeling alright?" -Sabrina asked her.
"I said, I'm fine!" -Chloe yelled, her irritated voice echoing inside the girls' room.
With that answer, Chloe had given Sabrina the answer she needed. The redhead knew now that there was something wrong with her best-friend, and she was not going exit there, until finding out what it was.
"Chloe, what's going on? Please, let me in." -Sabrina begged her. She could tell from Chloe's voice that there was something wrong. She just did not know what. –"Please, open the door for me, Chloe!" -she begged, once more.
For what felt like forever, Sabrina waited in silence, for Chloe to open the cubicle's door. When she finally opened it, Sabrina saw that the blonde had been crying. The mascara around her eyes was all blurred, and it felt like she was shaking. Seeing that, Sabrina immediately understood what was happening to Chloe. She was having an anxiety attack. She had seen her having one before, but never one that bad. Not uttering a single word, the redhead placed her arms around her best-friend, holding her as tight as possible, trying her best to give her a sense of comfort and security that she so desperately needed then.
Humming a serene and peaceful melody, Sabrina managed to slow down Chloe's heart, which she could feel beating at an almost uncontrollable speed. Whatever had triggered that anxiety attack on her, she knew it had to be quite serious. She wanted to ask her best-friend what had happened, but she remained silent. She knew that when she felt like talking, she would do it. Right then, Sabrina just wanted Chloe to calm herself.
"It's my mom." -Chloe finally said, with a whimpering voice. –"At breakfast, daddy told me she's coming to visit." -she told her.
"What? When?" -Sabrina asked. –"I should have known. There are only two things in the world that make Chloe have an anxiety attack… seeing a cockroach or any other gross bug, and her mother visiting." -she thought to herself.
"She's arriving tomorrow morning." -Chloe sighed, while trying not to cry again.
Sabrina knew Chloe's relationship with her mother was far from perfect, and ever since she became a miraculous holder and a superheroine, she had begun to have more difficulty to spend time with her, thanks to just how different her way of thinking had become. She did not like to admit it, but the way her mother acted towards others, made her one of the most futile and frivolous people she had ever met in her life.
One could even state, that the status of their relationship could be summarized as "inexistent". A mother is supposed to be that one person who is always there, to comfort a person, when the world is seemingly against it. It is supposed to be that one person who believes with all her heart that her son or daughter is the best thing that ever happened to her in the world. But more importantly, it is supposed to be the person who can heal all kinds of wounds, with a smile and a couple of loving words. And Audrey was neither one of those things.
"I see." -Sabrina said, as she tightened the embrace. –"I wish I knew what to say to comfort her, but everything that comes to my head is not what she needs to hear." -she cursed herself, while continuing to think.
"Tell me, how is it possible for me to love, and at the same time, hate, someone like my mother, Sabrina?" -Chloe asked her.
Right then, Chloe did not know what to feel, much less how she should feel. On one hand, she loved her mother, but on the other, she hated her guts. Audrey was far from being the perfect mother. Because of her career as the editor for one of the most important fashion magazines in the world, Fashion Couture, she spent most of her time in New York City, away from her husband and her daughter. That fact had strained the relationship she had with Chloe, to the point that most of times, Audrey even forgot she had a daughter. Over the years, Chloe had tried her best to bond with her, failing to do so, because Audrey was most of the times busy with something related to her career, or just did not care. It did not take long for Chloe to ask herself if her mom even liked her. Failing over and over, the blonde started to believe the only way to create a bond with her mother, was to imitate her in every aspect, desperately hoping to attract her attention.
From the way Audrey dressed, to the way she acted with everyone that was not her husband, Chloe mimicked her in every way she could. Doing that, she created what some people would perceive as a mask. And when she put it on, she turned into a person different from who she truly was. A person that was just like her mother, in every sense of the word, who only cared about herself, and who gelt good about criticizing, insulting and ridiculing everyone that did not lived up to her standards. In sim, a person that she now hated with every fibre of her being, and that she had vowed to never be again.
"I don't know, Chloe, I don't know." -Sabrina said, as she continued to hug her. –"I wish I knew the answer to that… How long is she going to stay?" -she asked her. –"She rarely stays for very long in Paris… and thank God that happens. The woman is a really bad influence on Chloe."
"I don't know. But I suppose it will be for at least a week." -Chloe told her. –"She's coming over to organize and host a party for her magazine." -she said.
A week, at least. When she heard those words, Sabrina knew that those following days were not going to be easy for Chloe. Part of her just wanted to tell her that she should try, and once more, create a bond with her mother, hoping that this time, it would work, while the other part wanted to tell her that she should stay away from her, for as long as possible, so she would not get hurt. She wanted Chloe to find a way to bond with her mother, but she knew that would be nearly impossible, given just how Audrey was, and she did not want to see Chloe getting hurt. Over the years, Sabrina had seen Audrey Bourgeois behaving like she was the only person in the world who was right about everything, while insulting all she deemed inferior to her. If there was even a single spark of goodness, or sympathy, or even kindness inside her, she had never seen it. She had been taught by her parents that most people possess good and evil inside them, but when it came to Audrey, it was hard for Sabrina to think she had any good inside her.
"I'm trying to think of what to tell you, to advise you and to make you feel a little better, but unfortunately, I can't think of anything. I'm sorry." -Sabrina apologized to Chloe, feeling like she was letting her down, when she needed her the most.
"N-No, it's okay… having you here, hugging me now, is better than any advice you can give me." -Chloe told her. Right then, she just wanted to feel safe.
When Chloe said that, Sabrina caressed her hair, which she knew, was something that always cheered her up a little. She could tell that her best-friend needed some affection more than anything else. Once more, the seconds felt like hours, as Sabrina held Chloe in her arms.
"I don't know why I'm acting like this, Sabrina, but I know it's because of my mom." -Chloe practically whispered at the redhead's ear -"Why is this happening, Sabrina, why?" -she asked her, as she sank her head on Sabrina's chest, trying to withhold her tears.
It broke Sabrina's heart to see Chloe like that. But what broke her heart even more was that she felt that whatever words she could tell her best-friend, they would not alleviate the suffering she was in. Right then, she wished she had the power to pick all the sadness, sorrow, anxiety and fear that were inside Chloe's heart and throw them out the window, so she would feel just like her usual self. Unfortunately, she knew that that was impossible, which made such a wish, meaningless. Still, she was not going to give up. Taking a deep breath, she was determined to get Chloe from out of the dark place her mind had taken her.
"Look, let's try not to think about that now, okay?" -Sabrina said, as she tried to get Chloe to smile again. She hated seeing her like that. –"Your mom isn't here yet. And when she arrives, we'll both figure out what to do about it." –she smiled at her, trying her best to transmit confidence. –"Who knows, maybe one of the others might…"
"No!" -Chloe screamed in panic, as she broke the embrace. –"I don't want them to know about this. Promise me, you won't tell anyone, Sabrina, promise me!" -she practically begged her.
"But, Chloe, why?" -Sabrina asked her.
"Because I don't want them to know." -Chloe told her, her eyes mirroring the fear and the anxiety that had taken her heart hostage.
"But why don't you want them to know? They're your friends, like I am. There's no reason for you to hide this from them, Chloe." -Sabrina said with a calm and caring voice, trying to reason with her.
"I know, but I don't want them to know about this… this utterly ridiculous anxiety attack that I'm having, right now! And I don't want them to know that my mom's coming and that I'm starting to freak out, for no good reason!" -Chloe told her. –"Now, promise me that you won't tell them!" -she begged her.
Listening to her voice, Sabrina could see that she was not thinking straight. The anxiety was clouding her judgement, and she knew that when that happened to someone, the only thing one could do was to wait for the person to calm down a little, so they could try and reason with it. And that was just what she did. She decided to wait until she was calmer, and try to reason with Chloe.
"Okay, I promise I won't tell anyone in our class." -Sabrina promised her, as she placed her hands over the blonde's hands, and squeezed them gently.
"Not even our kwamis, or Miss Bustier, do you hear me?!" -Chloe asked her, covering all bases. All that stress caused by anxiety, was also making her paranoid. –"I want you to swear on your life that you won't tell anyone about this. If anyone finds out about this, I'll know that you broke your promise, and I'll never, ever, speak to you again, you hear me, Sabrina? Swear on your life!" -she exclaimed.
As much as she wanted to, Sabrina could not understand why Chloe did not want anyone to find out about it, not even her kwami. Still, she agreed on doing what she was asked, on one condition.
"Okay, Chloe. I swear on my life, that I won't tell anyone… cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye." -Sabrina promised her. –"But, Chloe, you can't keep this to yourself. It's not healthy for both your heart, and your mind. Please, promise me that you will tell the others about it, when you feel that you're ready. You'll have to tell the others, and you'll also have to tell Pollen. She's your kwami, and even if you don't tell her, she'll figure it out, and we must never hide anything from our kwamis, ever." -she begged her.
Now, it was time for Sabrina to ask Chloe to promise her something. She did not know if Chloe would do it, but she hoped that her words, along with the goodness inside her heart, would help turn that into a reality. There was a moment of silence, before Chloe spoke once more. Looking Sabrina in the eyes, she took a deep breath, before speaking.
"I will tell them… just not yet." -Chloe said, her voice trembling, although this time it was trembling from emotion, and not fear. –"I promise that when I'm ready, I'll tell them… maybe tomorrow." -she told Sabrina.
Embracing each other again, this time Chloe allowed herself to shed a few tears. For a brief moment, she only thought of one thing. Of how lucky she was in having a best-friend like Sabrina, who once again was there for her. Though there were times when she had taken their friendship for granted, Chloe had learned over and over, that their friendship was quite strong, but that could easily break, if they did not work together to strengthen it. She valued all her friendships, but her friendship with Sabrina was special; even more than her friendship with Adrien. When they broke the embrace, Chloe noticed Sabrina had also shed a couple of tears, and for her, that meant that that had been a heartfelt moment for both of them.
"Let me ask you something. Do you want to go shopping, or just window-shopping, after school? We have training at the Garden of the Ancients with the rest of the class, but we can ditch it, by saying we both have plans for this afternoon. Just the two of us. It'll be a way for you to cheer up and unwind a little." -Sabrina suggested to the blonde. –"That way, you'll get your mind off anything related to your mom, and you'll feel better."
Chloe knew Sabrina was not the kind of girl to play hooky, especially when it came to superhero training. She on the other hand, sometimes liked to do it, just for the fun of it, but Sabrina, never. So, when she suggested her that, the blonde was taken by surprise. The idea of going shopping, or just window-shopping seemed too good to be wasted.
"That's probably the best idea I've heard today, and I'm counting my own ideas." -Chloe smiled at Sabrina. –"I'm in, if you're in." -she agreed.
"Great." -Sabrina said. –"Then, I'll text my mom, and tell her that we'll go shopping for new clothes, another day." -she declared.
"Wait, you already have plans with your mom for today?" -Chloe asked her.
"Yeah, but it's no biggie." -Sabrina smiled.
"No, you don't have to cancel them. I'll be fine." -Chloe said, lying about it. She did not want Sabrina to abandon her.
"Maybe, but I won't be, Chloe. I won't be, if I start thinking that you might not be fine." -Sabrina told her. –"What kind of a friend would I be, if I ditched you, when you need me the most?" -she asked her.
"But your mom…" -Chloe said, before she was interrupted by Sabrina.
"We'll reschedule. I'll just tell her that I need to stay in school until a little bit later, because I've got a report I need to do, and that Miss Bustier insists that we use the books in the library to do it, instead of researching for it online." -Sabrina smiled at her. –"If she knew that I was going out with you, to cheer you up, she might oppose it. But if I tell her that I have to study, she will never say no." -she said. –"Besides, I know you would do the same for me. And don't say that you wouldn't, while adding that the old you wouldn't even care, because I don't want to hear about it, and I don't want you think about it. She's not you, and you're not her. You're a different girl, the very same girl who's in front of me, and would do the same for me, in a heartbeat."
Once more, Sabrina's words hit Chloe right in the feelings. She always had that talent, but over the past year, she had gotten even better at it. And the blonde knew it. She knew that if there was one person in the world, who would always know what to say, in order to cheer her up, no matter the situation, it was Sabrina.
"Thanks, Sabrina." -Chloe told her, as a tear rolled down her face. –"You always know what to say." -she said.
"Hey, what are best-friends for, if not to be there when you need the most?" -Sabrina asked her. –"Now, let's wipe those tears and get ready for class. Miss Bustier will be here in a couple of minutes, and we don't want her, or anyone else to see a weeping Chloe Bourgeois, now do we?" -she pointed out, as she checked the time on her cell phone, and took a handkerchief from one of her pockets.
"You're always carrying those handkerchiefs. It's funny, you know? It's like you're always expecting I start crying." -Chloe commented, as Sabrina wiped the tears of her face.
"Not really. I just bring them, because of my allergies. But it's funny that you think of it like that." -Sabrina told her, between chuckles.
Still, something inside Sabrina's mind knew that there was a piece of the puzzle that was yet to be found. She still did not know the reason why Chloe had that anxiety attack, and she knew she was not going to tell her. She knew she would have to be patient, because Chloe would eventually tell her.
"I'm glad I could cheer her up, and stop that anxiety attack of hers. Still, I know that what I did, was just to put a band-aid over an open wound. I still don't know exactly why Chloe is acting this way, but I'll have to figure out, so I can help her out." -Sabrina thought to herself. –"All I know is that it has something to do with her mom, but what could it be exactly? What could be making her to do things, like making me swear on my life that I won't tell anyone what happened here? I'll have to be patient. Though, honestly, I hope that I might found out the answer, this afternoon, because I hate to see Chloe suffering like this." -she thought.
Another chapter finished. This one was a bit hard to write, because it was the chapter where I introduced a new character, this one, an original character of mine... Ambroise Delay, who will become a new adversary of the Miraculous Team. Unlike Hawk Moth, this guy has no powers, but he is a powerful man, when it comes to getting people to listen to him. The idea of having a human adversary for the Miraculous Team was already a little old, but I hadn't find the right one. that's when my fellow artist friend Cupidcomet77, suggested that I create an adversary that criticized Ladybug and the others and labelled them as menaces, who to his eyes were just as bad as Hawk Moth himself. And in the end, Ambroise Delay was born. For his dialogue, I based myself on Donald Trump (I even forced myself to hear some of his speeches, to get into the head of a person who thinks he's so smart, but he's actually a pompous idiot, who has no brain). It wasn't an easy job, but I think I managed to make him sound both eloquent and incredbly stupid at the same time. You'll be the judge of it.
Other than Ambroise's dialogue, which was no piece of cake to write, let me tell you that, the hardest part of this chapter was also making Chloe's anxiety attack seem legit. Because people experience anxiety attacks in different ways, it's never easy to know when you're writing something cliché or not. I tried my best to do it, while using my own experience regarding anxiety and panic attacks.
Anyways, I better get started on the following chapter, because things from here on, are only going to get more chaotic to our heroes. As always, feel free to comment, fav and make suggestions to improve this fic, or the following sequels.
P.S. Oh, and before I forget, this one is for you PopCultureFan101... your idea is good, but I don't knwo if I'll use it, because I don't intend to use any Akumas that show up in the series. Still, I'll place it in my pile of "Cool Ideas to Use", and if in the foreseeble future I find a way to adapt your idea into this AU, I will do it. Thanks for the suggestion, by the way.