Hello, Sapphire reporting for duty! I am thrilled that my story is being favorited, followed and reviewed! Thanks to everyone who did! Miraculousmarvel: I am fairly certain that canon Adrian will not be beaten. Guest: I'm glad you want me to continue this story. I will fulfill your wishes with this next chapter! Trigger warning: Adrian will be hit in this chapter.

Chapter 2: Revelations

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"Marinette! Wake up! You're going to be late for school!" Tikki poked her cheek.

Marinette shot up. "Ag! You're right!" She shot to her closet, threw on her clothes, and sprinted down the stairs. She grabbed a pastry and ran out the door.

Marinette got to Francoise Dupont just as the bell rang. She slid into her seat just as class was starting.

"Good morning, class! Please open your books to page 403," Miss Bustier announced.

As class continued, Alya wrote Marinette a note. Why were you so late?

Marinette sighed. I overslept again, she replied.

Alya shook her head. You've got to get better at waking up on time, she wrote.

I know.

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When lunch time came around again, Celine seemed unsure about where to go. Nino noticed and called out, "Yo, Celine! Come sit with us!"

Celine slid into the spot next to Alya. "Um, I can't remember any of your names, can you remind me?" the new girl asked.

"Sure! I'm Alya, that's my boyfriend, Nino, Sunshine Boy is Adrian, and that's Marinette," Alya reintroduced them all.

"Can you tell us more about your past? Like, how did you tell people about the abuse?" Adrian asked Celine.

"Um, I guess? I just got fed up with it and told my social workers during the weekly check-in. Why?" Celine asked.

"Oh! Just curious, that's all!" Adrian said a little too quickly. Celine narrowed her eyes, but she dropped it.

"What about you guys? Tell me about what you like to do," Celine instructed.

"I'm a reporter, Nino's a DJ. Marinette works in her parent's bakery, and Adrian will do anything he can to get out of his house," Alya informed her.

"Wait, are you that Ladyblogger?" Celine asked Alya.

"Yep! If there is an akuma, just tell me and I'll get footage of it! I am a huge fan of Ladybug and Chat Noir and everything they do for Paris!" Alya exclaimed.

"Yes! I love them! They do so much, with akuma attacks every day AND their daily lives! I can't imagine what it would be like to be one of them," Celine joined in.

Celine noticed that Adrian and Marinette were blushing, and they seemed a little embarrassed. Not to mention the fact that they looked a lot like the 2 superheroes. Celine narrowed her eyes at them, and Alya noticed and leaned in to whisper in Celine's ear.

"Girl, you catch on fast," Alya said so quietly that only Celine could hear her. Celine raised an eyebrow and leaned in to whisper back. "It's really them?" Alya nodded.

"I also love designing and sewing," Marinette piped up.

"I take fencing lessons," Adrian added.

"Could I take you to my house after school? I'd like to introduce my new friends to my parents- that is, if you want to be friends," Celine asked.

"Of course you're our friend! You are pretty amazing to be putting yourself out there after what you've been through," Marinette said.

"I'm sure I can convince Nathalie to let me come," Adrian added.

Alya pulled Celine in for a hug. "I don't know much about you, but you seem awesome. We're all coming."

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After school let out, Adrian went straight to his car to try to convince Nathalie to let him go to Celine's house. "You can go, but know you'll suffer the consequences," she told him.

Adrian shuddered. He knew his father wouldn't be pleased, but he felt obliged to this girl whose own childhood was like his own. He left to meet up with Nino, Alya and Marinette.

"Where's Celine?" Adrian asked.

"She's talking to her parents about us," Alya explained. "Her parents don't have enough space with the 9 other kids in their car."

"I'll see if Nathalie will drive us," Adrian offered, then went back over to his car. He got the okay from her, and Alya texted Celine how they would get to her house.

Celine's house was an average size. It had 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. The living room had a big TV and several board games.

"So, what would you guys like to do?" Celine asked them.

"Could we play Ultimate Mecha Strike 3?" Marinette asked.

"Sure! I bet you can't beat me," Celine challenged.

"Oh, it's on!" Adrian smirked, knowing how good Marinette was at that game.

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"I can't believe you beat me!" Marinette exclaimed.

"I've never seen anyone do that before," Alya said in shock.

Celine smirked. "Hours of practice with nothing else to do."

"Hey, do you dudes want to play Life?" Nino asked.

"Why not?" Adrian replied.

The 5 teens circled around the board. They played for 30 minutes, having fun and replying to what their cars landed on.

"Ha, I have life insurance now!"

"A yacht!? Why would I buy a yacht?"

"Give me the money- GIVE IT!"

"NOOOO! Not my house!"

"What!? But it's not my fault I don't have fire insurance!"

"A million dollars? Yes! Ha, I beat you all!"

As Alya was gloating about her win and Marinette was sulking about ending with a negative amount of money, Celine's mother walked into the room.

"Would you four like to stay for dinner?" she asked.

"Yes, please!" the four teens replied.

"Thanks, Mrs. Leblanc!" Marinette added.

"Oh, my last name is actually Conard, when we adopt Celine her last name will change accordingly. But since being the foster parent of a bunch of kids with different last names is confusing, just call me Marie," Celine's mother corrected.

Marie led them to their kitchen, which had a huge table with 16 seats. "We have a huge table because a lot of friends visit us and stay for dinner. Also, sometimes we'll house a few kids when the system is trying to find relatives to take them in. We do have 10 children who are keepers, and 2 will be going to the university next year," Marie explained.

"Wow. My house is never this full, not even during the holidays," Marinette remarked.

"I wish I could stay here forever," Adrian mumbled. Celine, who was closest, was the only one who heard him. She narrowed her eyes at him, but again let the subject drop.

"Marie! I need your help," an adult male voice called out.

"That's my husband. His name is James. Would you like to help carry dinner from the car to this table?" Marie asked.

"Of course we'll help you. What are we eating?" Marinette asked.

"We're having tacos today," Celine announced. "We always get them from this Mexican restaurant that makes the best food!"

The group made their way outside and got to the car. James noticed the new faces and smiled at Celine. "I see that you've made some new friends. That boy really does look like you," he added while handing her a couple boxes.

Each teen grabbed 2 boxes and went back to the kitchen table, where there were now 9 children and teens sitting. "Wow. That's a lot of people," Nino said.

Several of the members of the family laughed. "You have no idea how many times we've heard that," one of the younger girls, maybe 5, replied.

"Let's eat!" a boy that was about 7 yelled.

Eat they did. The tacos were delicious and having a meal with so many people was fun for everyone there. Alya and the female 17-year-old, Emily started talking about the Ladyblog. Nino, Adrian and the 10-year-old boy, Kallum were discussing whether Ultimate Mecha Strike 3 was okay for a 10-year-old to play. Marinette was entertaining the 2-year-old, Mark and the 3-year-old, Lizzie. Celine was discussing something quietly with her parents that no one else could hear.

Just as they had finished eating, there was a knock at the door. Marie got up to answer the door. It was Nathalie. "I'm here to take Adrian and his friends home," she said. "Alright, goodbye and come back soon!" Marie said to the visitors. "We will!" Alya replied.

Alya, Nino and Marinette were dropped off at their homes. As the car pulled up to the Agreste estate, Adrian felt dread pool in his gut. He knew that his father was going to hit him, but he hoped that it wouldn't be too painful.

Nathalie escorted Adrian through the front door. Gabriel Agreste was waiting for him. Adrian's father grabbed his arm and dragged him to his room.

"Where were you?" Gabriel hissed, twisting Adrian's arm. "I was at a friend's house," he answered. Adrian's legs were swept out from underneath him, and he landed hard on the ground. Adrien felt several more blows over his torso. Gabriel planted his foot on his ribs and hissed, "You will not go to a friend's house without my permission ever again. Do you understand me?" "Yes, Father," Adrian gasped.

Gabriel stalked out of the room. Adrien curled into a small ball. Plagg came out of his hiding space.

"Adrian, just leave. Stop letting him hurt you," Plagg told him.

"If I get caught and brought back here, you know what he'll do, Plagg," Adrian replied.

"That doesn't mean I like this," Plagg snapped.

Adrian forced himself to his feet and staggered over to his bed. He collapsed onto the soft mattress.

He hoped that his father would never get that angry with him again.

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"Are you sure, Celine? If you're wrong, we could get in a huge amount of trouble," Marie told her.

"I'm sure. That boy shows all the signs. I'm sure of it," Celine replied.

OooOOOOooo

OOOOO! I wonder who Celine is talking about (it should be obvious) and what she means by 'the signs!' Please read and review and guess what she means if you feel like it!