NOTES: Not much else to say here... other than how much I appreciate everyone reading and reviewing. You're all awesome. :)
CHAPTER 3: That Which Came Before, Part 2
Across the city, in a very beautiful manor, a boy of the same age was texting his friend back and forth on his cell phone.
Adrien Agreste, son of the famous fashion mogul Gabriel Agreste, was lying on his bed and furiously texting away on his smartphone. He was supposed to be asleep as per his strict schedule, but he was discreetly texting his best friend before he really did go to bed.
His friend had texted him first: So, are you looking forward to tomorrow, Adrien?
He texted back to her: You bet I am, Chlo-Chlo!
Ugh, I thought we were past the childish nicknames, ADRIKINS.
Sorry, Chloé. He added a winking emoticon to that little apology.
I forgive you. A bright and cheerful smiley face emoticon accompanied that. And then she added: As if I couldn't handle a little name-calling.
Not that she could see it, but right now, Adrien was giving a smile which could match that emoticon. In Adrien's mind, Chloé wasn't afraid of anything.
Anyway, I assume you've already got a plan? She texted him.
Of course I do! If the warden won't let me out on parole, then I'll just have to escape. And then, because he couldn't resist a good old-fashioned movie reference, he added: Even if I have to do it with my rock hammer which I'll wear down all the way to the nub.
Her reply was instantaneous: Dork. And then before he could think of a clever reply to that, she added: And I suppose you have some place on the coast of Mexico picked out?
He stifled a laugh. Of course she'd seen that movie too.
Finally, he said: One step at a time.
She replied: Sound wisdom.
And then, because he just couldn't help himself, he added: Besides, if I get shipped off to some place with a name like "Devil's Island" then I can just ask for help from a man with a butterfly tattoo.
Her reply: Wow, are you determined to quote every jailbreak movie or what?
Him: Nah, I think I've hit my quota for the day.
Her: What a relief. (This was following by another winking emoticon.)
Feeling some excitement, he then asked her: Do you think anyone I know will be there?
Her reply: Do you mean in our class or in the school in general?
Either/or.
Some of my friends and classmates will be there. Especially Marinette.
Oh good, I like her.
Really? You do?
Yeah, as a friend.
OK, if you say so.
Adrien read the words again, feeling like he was missing something but he wasn't sure just what.
It was just as well, because her next message saved him from any further awkwardness.
It's getting late, but I'll see you tomorrow, Adrien. Get some sleep.
Good night, Chloé.
And with that, he set the alarm on his smartphone for an earlier-than-usual time to wake up and put it aside on his bedside dresser.
It was good to know that he could still rely on his first and oldest friend, Chloé. Especially lately, he didn't know who else he could rely upon.
In the past several months since his mother's disappearance, his father had only grown more controlling and — dare he say it — paranoid. Adrien didn't know how far his father's power reached, but somehow it wouldn't have surprised him if his father could monitor whatever he was doing on his cell phone. And so he and Chloé had decided to play it safe by speaking in code, in a way.
Adrien was so grateful to Chloé for helping him out; sometimes his childhood friend was also like the loving and caring older sister he'd never had.
Sometimes Adrien felt bad that he couldn't comfort Chloé and look out for her the way she had for him. Especially after "that time" a couple of years ago when she'd woken up one morning and acted so different after that. Now Chloé acted like someone who had a lot more on her mind these days, even if she'd mostly returned to her normal state before that little episode.
His thoughts darkened a little to when his own mother Emilie had disappeared several months ago; Chloé had literally dropped everything to come over to his house and comfort him. She was a real comfort to him… at least until his own father asked (read: ordered) her to leave the Agreste household less than an hour later.
Adrien still remembered that. The way Chloé had firmly stood her ground at first, looking Gabriel Agreste dead in the eye. First there was that newfound death glare of hers which unnerved not only Adrien's father but also Nathalie as well as the Gorilla. But then after a moment, she finally relented and instead smirked at the adults, as if to say: I'm not afraid of you, but I'm only acquiescing because you asked me so nicely.
Even after she left, all three adults still looked a little rattled.
Adrien's thoughts darkened a little more at the thought of his father. Adrien knew that his father was upset over the disappearance of his wife and Adrien's mother, and Adrien understood that his father wanted what was best for him… but darn it, would it have killed the great and powerful Gabriel Agreste to actually act like a father to his own son? Especially in a time of crisis like this, when his mother was still missing? Weren't families supposed to band together in situations like this?
What really confounded Adrien was how his father's reaction to this situation had been to keep his son a virtual prisoner in his own home. Adrien knew he wasn't really a prisoner in the literal sense… although the way the sunlight cast shadows from the windowpanes in a shape like prison bars certainly did nothing to dispel that illusion.
Honestly, it was times like this that he actually hated his nice big bedroom. Sure, it had all these cool things, all these cool things and an entire collection of games to go along with his personal library, but what good was it if he couldn't share it with anyone? He couldn't even remember the last time he used the skateboard ramp or the rock-climbing wall. If anything, he was sure that Chloé, ever the daredevil herself, had used those things in her combined visits more than he ever did in his entire life so far.
At least Chloé had been there for them. Even if she couldn't be there for him in person, she was still available for him by telephone and through the Internet. In her own words: "I owe you and your family so much. I especially owe your mother: If it hadn't been for a few people in my life like Aunt Emilie, I'd have still been a spoiled brat and have grown up to be an even worse person."
Aunt Emilie — Adrien smiled at the thought of Chloé's pet name for his own mom.
Hopefully, they would find Emilie Agreste again, and very soon.
Maybe then, when they were whole as a family again, things could finally go back to normal.
Maybe then, Gabriel Agreste would finally act like a normal father again.
And in the meantime, he had his first day of school tomorrow.
"Can't wait to make some new friends tomorrow," he remarked to himself with a smile.
And with that, he allowed himself to relax and drift off to sleep.
A/N: Up next is Chloé, then the first day back at school...
