2: Timebreaker

"Why am I here again?" I ask towards no one in particular.

"Because I invited you," Adrien answers from his place next to me. "If you had something to do, you could have said 'no'," His face now expresses a soft frown.

Ever since I gave him the drawing, Adrien has made his way to always greet me in class and to say 'goodbye'. I reciprocate the sentiments since that would be rude not to, but there was always a little part of me that worried I would reveal his big secret.

Irrational, I know. I've kept secrets just as big as his. Though, my motivation is that if I ever tell, it would cost me my safety, even my life.

Sighing, I gave him a small smile, "No. I didn't have anything urgent to do today." I answered honestly. I have been working on a project, but I still have plenty of time to complete it. Plus, my psychiatrist recommended that I spend more time face to face socializing. "I think it has more to do that I don't really know you all that much."

"Hey, it's okay, dude," Nino jumps in. "That's why you're here. To get to know you, and you get to know about us. A win-win," he grins.

I chuckled, "I guess that's true." Then I was quiet for a few seconds before the question I had put in the back of my mind resurfaced, "Why are we here? And I don't mean in the philosophical way." I smirked at my own joke.

"I'll tell you why," Kim says suddenly as he appears on my other side. "Alix and I are doing a bet to see who is faster and the better athlete. I will be running while she will be rollerblading," he explains with a smug face. "But we all know who is going to win," he then points both thumbs to himself, "me."

I raised an eyebrow, "In a bet, that implies something is won and lost. So what's on the table?"

And that is when Max intervenes, "You're observation is correct, Jolene." He raises his glasses back up, making them glint in the sunlight, "If Kim wins, Alix has to give up her rollerblades and give them to Kim. If Alix wins, then Kim has to stop requesting bets against her for the rest of the school year."

I blinked twice, "Oh, that explains it." Okay, not really, but it doesn't hurt to pretend to understand, right?

Juleka then jumps on the growing bandwagon, "Kim and Alix have a sort of athletic rivalry. But Kim is a sore loser when Alix wins."

"I am not!" Kim blushes.

"Are too," Juleka retorts smoothly as she crosses her arms.

"Am not!"

"Are-"

"-Whatever the case is," I interrupted before the fighting continued, "Thank you for including me."

"It's no problem," Rose smiles sweetly, "You have always been nice to all of us. You even helped me on my English assignment when you saw me struggling! I didn't have to ask, you just knew and you were so patient as you helped me through every step of the way." She finishes.

Immediately, everyone looked at me and I unconsciously blushed at the attention.

The silver-gray wig's long hair tickled my elbows from the twin low ponytails that dance with the passing gust of the wind.

And now I had to use my eyedrops again. The violet contacts are pretty, but sometimes I question why I bother. Then I remembered and I sober up again.

"It was no problem, I'm fluent in English so it was easy to help," I said with a nervous smile. "Anyone would have helped, I'm sure."

Luckily, before anyone could question me about it, Marinette saves the day.

"Hey guys! I brought the banner!" She exclaims as she unfolds it and shows the cute presentation of Alix versus Kim.

Marinette sure is talented with the needle and thread.

I just know how to patch my clothes, when it's not that big of a damage.

I guess I zoned out a little too much because the next thing I know Kim was face planting on the floor while Alix was making her way towards Alya and gave her a silver pocket watch.

Alya was making excuses that she shouldn't be responsible, but Alix left anyway.

Alya then gave it to Marinette, and I couldn't help the sinking feeling in my stomach. Marinette, nice and sweet as she is, she shouldn't be responsible for… delicate items.

Especially if she is already occupied doing something else.

I thought Alya would have better judgment.

Before I could offer my services, Adrien intervenes just in time for the item not to get destroyed.

Then I subtly turned away at Marinette's awkward flirting. If it could even be called flirting.

Poor girl.

I bet Adrien would totally date her if Marinette got the confidence to confess her feelings.

They would be a cute couple.

I moved away so I could pay better attention to the race.

Kim had the advantage on the first lap, but Alix gained speed on the second. And it was clear who the winner was going to be.

The sound of Cholé's raising voice made me look at their way only to silently gape.

Instinctively I went to grab the falling pocket watch.

Alix made it seem that it was important. She went to lengths to keep it safe… though not in the most responsible way.

Unfortunately, my hand didn't reach and I fell into my hands and knees. It stung, but I ignored it as my eyes paid attention to the rolling object.

I gasped audibly as Alix rolled over it, crushing it.

Everyone was silent as Alix figures out why we were all not cheering for her success.

It was just a matter of seconds before she exploded. Alya, Marinette, Adrien and Cholé were all involved, yet I still felt guilty about it.

If I only acted sooner…

"It was a gift from my old man for my birthday!" Alix yells as she cradles her broken watch as she skates away.

Everyone was stunned silent and I heard Alya chew out Cholé and- well, I didn't care for their squabbles.

That watch looked old school, like last century old at least. It must have been a family heirloom. I can't imagine the remorse I would feel if I was partly responsible for destroying something important to the family's history.

"Are you okay?" Adrien's voice cuts me out of my thoughts.

I looked forward and saw the running image of Marinette catching up with Alix.

I just hope Marinette helps her in a way that we currently can't.

"Jolene?"

"Huh? Oh! I'm fine," I then brush my hands against my black skinny jeans, only to wince at the burning sensation.

I look down at the palms of my hands to see the expected angry red skinned marks on it. "I'll be fine," I amended.

Adrien frowns as he helps me stand up by holding the bottom of my elbows, "Are you sure?"

I rolled my eyes playfully as I gave him a lazy smirk, "I'm made of tougher material. This is not as bad as it looks."

"But it still hurts, doesn't it?" He asked worriedly.

I shrugged, "A little pain hasn't killed anyone." Then I look down and see that Adrien is still holding in my elbows… and we were rather close. Barely half a foot apart. "You can let go now. I can stand on my own."

Adrien looked just the slightest bit confused, before he quickly removed his hands off me as he chuckles sheepishly, "Sorry."

"It's fine, you were only trying to help," I waved him off. "I'm heading back home to clean this up," I show him my small injuries. "And then make a birthday drawing for Alix. I just hope it makes her feel better."

"If it is as awesome as you did for mine, I'm sure she'll love it," he smiles encouragingly.

"I just hope it makes her smile," I admitted honestly. I didn't know Alix much either, but after today, I had a better idea.

Just as I was leaving, everyone started to crowd around Adrien. I waved goodbye and was making my way to my apartment, when the tell-tale sounds of rollerblade wheels grabbed my attention.

Actually, it caught everyone's attention.

It was a person heading towards us at top speed, not showing any signs of stopping or redirecting its course.

And once it came closer… I noticed the strange outfit and aura that could only mean one thing in Paris.

An akumatized victim.

"Run!" Adrien yells.

I didn't need to be told twice.

I took a chance to look back to see the akumatized victim touch Kim… who froze mid step. After a couple of seconds of being a human statue, Kim's form was fading.

Adrien… What are you waiting for? Aren't you supposed to appear in times like these and save the day?

I guess I have to be more fair to the guy.

He would need to transform where no one sees him go into 'hero' mode.

Last I saw, some of my classmates were running with him to safety.

I just hope that Ladybug comes to help soon.

I'm such an idiot.

Why didn't I just leave when I had the chance? Alix, or now, Timebreaker, didn't even see me.

Plus, both of Paris' heroes finally had made their appearance and are on their way to save the day.

I should have made the smart decision to scram and run the hell away unnoticed.

But I didn't.

Which is why instead of running away, I'm running towards Timebreaker.

"Run!" My voice screams as I push Cat Noir out of the way from Timebreaker's hand.

My eyes felt close to tears as the fear ran through my system as one hand was in front, trying to push Timebreaker away, but her hand touched my shoulder and I froze in that position.

It felt like when someone abruptly changed my warm shower water to ice cold.

I'm not sure if I heard it right in the fading state I was in. I probably wasn't.

My sight was fading, as well as my other senses, but I swear I heard Cat yell, "Jolene!"

That was the last thing I thought I heard before everything went dark.

Like falling asleep.

...Then it wasn't.

Though I did have a massive headache that lasted for a few seconds before it disappeared like nothing.

But I had a new set of memories…

Two Ladybugs? And two Timebreakers? Now that is definitely something you don't see everyday.

I looked around before I realized that I'm alive and moving!

I smiled softly when I looked down and saw that my hands were healed. Glad to know that the Ladybugs helped.

My legs started their journey back to my apartment before they stopped when someone unexpectedly jumped right in front of me.

"Cat Noir?!" I managed to squeak out.

He just came out of nowhere! I had a right to be startled.

Cat just opened and closed his mouth several times before he scratched the back of his head before giving me a small smile, "I just wanted to say 'thank you'. You saved me from being frozen and that allowed me to save the day with Ladybug."

"...You're welcome," I said hesitantly, "I just reacted really. I know that you are important for Paris, so it only seems right to help you. Since you and Ladybug help out so much."

Cat's lips twitch to a soft frown, "Don't sell yourself short, little lady. I'm sure you have friends and family that are important to you."

His message was sweet and kind. Really it was. But… "Little lady?" I ask unimpressed.

Cat smirked, "Being petite is cute, so don't worry your pretty little head over it." He even patted my head like a dog and I playfully scowled and gently swatted his hand away.

"If you say so," I pout, but my eyes betrayed my mirth.

Cat was about to say something, but a short beeping sound caught his attention. He looked down at his ring and I saw that one pad was left. He then gives me a cocky smile, "As much as I would love to stay and chat, I will have to cut this short, little lady." And with a wink, he quickly fled as he jumped into the rooftops with the help of his staff before disappearing from view.

It wasn't until I finally looked at myself in the mirror of my bedroom that I noticed that I haven't stopped smiling.

No wonder my cheeks hurt.

I haven't smiled for that long for… a very long time.

Almost feels like a lifetime ago.

AN: Thank you to those that followed and/or favorited this story. They made me smile and excited to post again, so I would like to make a big shout out to Going strong, YueHiiro03, BethxAngel, and Pyoni for doing that.