Content Warning: This chapter includes themes of verbal bullying, emotional distress, and social exclusion. There are instances of harsh language and personal insults. Reader discretion is advised for those sensitive to these topics. If you find yourself affected by these themes, please take care of yourself and reach out for support if needed. It's important to remember that it's okay to seek help if you're struggling with similar experiences.

Chapter 2 - Misunderstandings & a Bet

Date: 6th September, 2016

The sun rose over Paris, casting a warm glow over Collège Françoise Dupont as students filtered through the entrance, their voices buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the new school year.

Marinette walked briskly through the crowd, her mind preoccupied with the confrontation from the day before. Determined to clear the air with Adrien Agreste, she hoped her sincere apology would mend the misunderstanding. She had spent the night thinking about Adrien's harsh words and had resolved to approach him with sincerity and kindness. Surely, she thought, if she could just explain herself, he would understand she meant no harm.

As she entered the school courtyard, she spotted Adrien standing near the stairs, his back against the wall, scanning the crowd with a distant look in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Marinette approached him, her steps light but purposeful.

"Hi, Adrien," she began, offering a tentative smile. "I wanted to talk to you about yesterday. I think there was a misunderstanding—"

Adrien's eyes met hers with an unreadable expression. "There's nothing to talk about," he interrupted, his tone icy. "I'm not interested in your apologies or whatever you're trying to play at."

Marinette's smile faltered, but she persisted. "I wasn't playing any games, Adrien. I just wanted to apologize if I came across the wrong way. It wasn't my intention—"

"Save it," Adrien snapped, his gaze cold. "I don't need your pity or explanations. I know how people like you operate—always trying to get close because of who someone is. So just stay out of my way."

The sting of his words left Marinette speechless. She watched as Adrien turned away, his stride brisk and resolute, leaving her amidst the bustling crowd. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. The fresh start she had hoped for seemed increasingly out of reach.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of classes, Marinette remained rooted to the spot, grappling with the weight of Adrien's dismissal. Resolving not to let his cold demeanor ruin her day, she focused on her classes and the supportive presence of her friends.

In the classroom, Alya's animated recounting of her summer adventures barely registered with Marinette. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Adrien, pondering what lay beneath his defensive exterior.

Alya nudged her gently. "Hey, you okay? You seem a little off today."

Marinette forced a smile, her thoughts heavy. "Yeah, just a lot on my mind. It's the second day and all."

Alya's grin was understanding. "If you need to talk about anything—or anyone—I'm here."

Marinette nodded, grateful for Alya's unwavering support. As the teacher called the class to order, Marinette took a deep breath and resolved to face the day with resilience. She might not have succeeded in clearing the air with Adrien today, but she was determined not to let the encounter distract her. Her priority was to focus on her studies and make the most of the new school year. With renewed determination, Marinette opened her notebook, ready to immerse herself in the day's lessons. She knew that each small step would help her grow and succeed, regardless of any misunderstandings that might arise.

The cafeteria buzzed with the chatter of students enjoying their lunch break, the air filled with a cacophony of voices and the clatter of cutlery. Adrien Agreste sat alone at a table in the corner, his lunch tray untouched in front of him. He picked at his food, his mind elsewhere, trying to block out the noise that surrounded him. It was a different world here compared to the silence of his home, but it was a solitude of its own kind.

His thoughts wandered, replaying the earlier encounter with Marinette. Her sincere attempt to apologize had caught him off guard, stirring emotions he preferred to keep buried. He shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. He had learned the hard way to trust no one, especially not someone like Marinette, who appeared to be earnest that it made him suspicious of her motives.

As he sat there, lost in thought, Adrien noticed a familiar face across the room. Ethan, the very same model he had caught with Chloé, sat at a nearby table with another boy. Adrien felt his stomach knot with anger and resentment. He wondered what Ethan was doing at his school, his presence serving as reminder of the betrayal that had cut so deep, leaving scars that hadn't yet healed.

Ethan sat with Leo, a boy known for his cocky demeanour. The two of them seemed to be having a good time, laughing and exchanging jokes. Adrien felt a simmering resentment rise within him. As if sensing Adrien's gaze, Ethan turned and met his eyes. A sly grin spread across Ethan's face, and he whispered something to Leo, who glanced over at Adrien with an amused expression.

Adrien braced himself, hoping they would leave him alone, but it was not to be. Ethan and Leo got up from their seats and sauntered over to Adrien's table, their presence an unwelcome intrusion.

"Well, well, if it isn't Adrien Agreste," Ethan drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Fancy seeing you here all alone. Doesn't the famous Adrien have a fan club to keep him company?"

Adrien looked up, meeting Ethan's gaze with a steely resolve. "Back off, Ethan. I'm not in the mood for your games."

Leo chuckled, leaning in closer. "Aw, come on, Adrien. We're just trying to be friendly. After all, you're new to this school."

"Yeah," Ethan chimed in. "And it's not every day I get to remind you of how Chloé chose me over you. You remember that, right? Good times."

Adrien clenched his jaw, the words hitting their mark. "Whatever you're trying to do, it's not going to work. Just leave me alone."

Ethan smirked, clearly enjoying Adrien's discomfort. "Oh, come on, Adrien. You should know by now that with an attitude like yours, you're never going to get any real friends. Or a girlfriend, for that matter."

Leo nodded, adding fuel to the fire. "Yeah, who'd want to be with someone who acts like he's better than everyone else? Face it, Agreste, with your personality, you'll never have anyone who truly cares about you. People are just going to keep leaving you."

"Ha! Good one Leo. You should take his advice" Ethan bent down to whisper in Adrien's ear.

The words cut deep, reopening wounds that Adrien had worked hard to close. He felt a surge of anger and hurt, memories of betrayal and loneliness crashing over him like a tidal wave. He tried to keep his composure, but his fists clenched involuntarily at his sides.

"You don't know anything about me," Adrien said through gritted teeth, his voice barely audible above the noise of the cafeteria.

Ethan leaned back, clearly satisfied with the effect his words had on Adrien. "Maybe not. But we know enough to see that you're always alone, even when you're surrounded by people. That's gotta suck, huh?"

Adrien felt a tightness in his chest, the weight of their words pressing down on him. He wanted to shout, to make them understand how wrong they were, but he knew it would be pointless. They were just bullies, thriving on the pain of others, and Adrien refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing him break.

"Leave him alone," came a voice from behind them. Marinette had approached, her face set with determination as she stepped in between Adrien and the two bullies. "Haven't you got anything better to do than bother people?"

Ethan and Leo exchanged glances, their smirks fading slightly. Ethan shrugged. "Oh, look who's here. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, playing the hero. We were just having a little fun, you know? But if you say so, we'll leave him alone. For now."

With a final sneer, Ethan and Leo walked away, their laughter echoing behind them. Adrien watched them go, feeling a mixture of relief and irritation. As the cafeteria noise settled back into its usual rhythm, Adrien let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His relief was short-lived as he turned to face Marinette, who had remained standing by his table.

"Why'd you do that?" Adrien's voice was tight, his eyes narrowing with frustration. "I didn't ask for your help."

Marinette's face fell, her concern quickly replaced by hurt. "I just wanted to help. Ethan and Leo tend to bully others and I saw them with you. You seemed uncomfortable and—"

"Yeah, I get it," Adrien cut her off, his tone sharp. "You wanted to show everyone how nice and perfect you are, right? Just another chance to prove that you're the saintly one who comes to the rescue."

Marinette's eyes widened with shock. "That's not what I meant at all. I just thought—"

"Well, maybe you should stop thinking and just stay out of my business!" Adrien snapped, his anger bubbling to the surface. "I don't need your pity or your hero complex. I can handle myself."

The words hung heavily between them, the cafeteria's noise seeming to fade into the background. Marinette stood there, her face flushed with a mix of hurt and confusion. Adrien's harsh response stung, a stark contrast to the sincerity she had hoped to convey.

"Fine," Marinette said quietly, her voice barely audible above the hum of the cafeteria. "If that's how you really feel, then I'll stay out of your way."

As Marinette walked away, Adrien's chest tightened with a mix of anger, frustration, and a deepening sense of loneliness. Her intervention, though seemingly well-intentioned, had only aggravated him further. His pride was bruised, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was simply intruding on his space, trying to play the hero to make herself look better. Adrien sat back down at his table, the remnants of his lunch untouched. The cafeteria buzzed with activity, but to him, it felt distant and muted. The sting of Ethan and Leo's taunts still burned, but now it was overshadowed by the bitter taste of Marinette's meddling. He resented the way she had tried to "rescue" him, seeing it as nothing more than an opportunity for her to show off her perceived superiority and show him his shortcomings.

Adrien's thoughts darkened as he replayed their interaction in his mind. He felt anger simmering beneath his surface, not just at Ethan and Leo, but at Marinette for adding to his frustration. With a heavy heart, a mind racing with thoughts and a scowl on his face, he gathered his things and left the cafeteria. The weight of the day's events pressed heavily on him, but now it was compounded by the irritation he felt towards Marinette. He resolved to focus on his classes, to lose himself in the routine of his day, with a grim determination, he pressed on, carrying the burden of his growing resentment for Marinette along with him.

Marinette walked briskly to the library, the weight of the cafeteria incident still heavy on her shoulders. She needed a distraction and the familiar comfort of Alya and Nino's company seemed like just what she needed.

As she entered the library, she spotted Alya and Nino at their usual table, hunched over a pile of papers. The room was quiet, the atmosphere a welcome contrast to the chaos she had just left behind in the cafeteria.

"Hey, you two," Marinette greeted, trying to sound upbeat as she approached their table.

Alya looked up from her notes, her brow furrowing with concern as she took in Marinette's expression. "Hey, Marinette. You don't look so good. What happened?"

Marinette took a seat beside them and let out a sigh. She paused for a moment, contemplating whether to mention Adrien to Alya and Nino. Deciding against it, she said, "It's Ethan and Leo. They were being their usual annoying selves and bothering me at lunch."

She glanced at her friends, noting their concerned expressions. "You know how they can be," she added, hoping to downplay the situation. She decided it was better not to bring up Adrien, especially since she knew how they already felt about him.

Nino glanced at Alya, his expression one of understanding. "Those guys are just a bunch of jerks. You shouldn't let them get to you."

Alya nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they thrive on making others feel bad. Just ignore them. If you need to vent or anything, we're here for you."

Marinette appreciated their support and nodded. "Thanks. I just needed to get away from it all for a bit."

Alya's eyes lit up with a new energy. "Oh, I almost forgot! Nino and I have something exciting in the works. We're putting together a school play!"

Marinette's curiosity piqued. "Really? What's it about?"

Alya's face lit up with enthusiasm. "It's about two superheroes named Ladybug and Chat Noir. We're still working out the details, but Nino's going to be directing and producing, and I'm writing the script."

Nino nodded, adding, "We're planning to announce it to the class soon so everyone can audition. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Marinette's mood brightened at the news. "That sounds fantastic! I'd love to help out if you need anything."

Alya grinned. "We'll keep you posted on what we need help with, but for now, it's a bit of a secret. Don't tell anyone until we're ready for the big reveal."

Marinette smiled and promised, "I won't say a word." She made a playful gesture of zipping her lips and throwing away the key, emphasizing her commitment to keep the secret.

The three friends chatted about the play, discussing their ideas and plans with increasing excitement. The distraction of their project helped Marinette shift her focus away from the events of the day and lifted her spirits.

As the conversation continued, Marinette felt a renewed sense of hope. Despite the rough start to the day, the camaraderie of her friends and the promise of the upcoming play gave her a sense of purpose and optimism, keeping her focus on the things that truly mattered.

As the final bell of the day rang, the courtyard of Collège Françoise Dupont buzzed with the energy of students heading home. Adrien stood near the main gate, his expression a mixture of impatience and unease as he waited for his driver. The crowd around him seemed to swell, the noise of chattering teens filling the air.

Just as Adrien was lost in thought, Ethan and Leo spotted him from a distance. The two bullies exchanged grins, clearly eager to continue their torment. As they pushed their way through the crowd, Ethan's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"There he is," Ethan said, nudging Leo. "Our favorite target."

Leo chuckled, his gaze fixed on Adrien. "Looks like he's in for another dose of fun."

Ethan approached Adrien with a smirk, his tone dripping with mockery. "Hey, Agreste! Still sulking, huh?"

Adrien's eyes narrowed as he turned to face Ethan. "What do you want now, Ethan?"

"Oh, nothing much," Ethan replied, leaning in closer. "Just thought we'd have a little chat. Heard you got quite the show at lunch."

Adrien's frustration boiled over. "I told you to stay away."

Leo chimed in, "Seems like you're the one who can't take a joke. Maybe you should lighten up."

The argument heated, voices rising above the din of the departing students. Adrien's anger surged, his hands clenched into fists. "I'm not interested in whatever you have to say."

Ethan's eyes darted behind Adrien, catching sight of Marinette and Alya walking down the stairs. A new smirk curled on his lips. "Oh, look who's coming," he said, his tone shifting. "The hero of the hour."

Marinette and Alya were engaged in a lively conversation, their laughter ringing out. Ethan's gaze lingered on Marinette, and his expression changed from amused to intrigued. "Hold on," Ethan said, raising an eyebrow. "I think I might have an idea."

Marinette, caught up in her chat with Alya, hadn't noticed the exchange. Ethan's gaze shifted to her, his interest growing. "Hey, Adrien," he whispered, "That classmate of yours, Marinette, is actually pretty cute, don't you think?"

Adrien frowned, rolling his eyes as he watched Marinette and Alya descend the entrance stairs of Collège Françoise Dupont.

"What's your point, Ethan?"

Ethan's smirk widened. "How about this? I bet you can't make her fall for you."

Adrien's eyes widened in disbelief. "Seriously? Why would I even bother?"

Ethan leaned in closer, his grin widening. "Because it'll be fun. You see, I've never seen you take on a real challenge. Plus, if you win, you get to show everyone you're not just a pushover."

Leo nodded, chiming in. "Sounds like a great ide. Might be your chance to get a pretty girlfriend."

Adrien's expression darkened, his mood souring further. "Who? That Marine girl is not worth the effort. And why would I want to prove myself with her?"

Ethan's eyes sparkled with mischief. "That's exactly why it'll be so fun. Prove us wrong. Show us you can get her to fall for you."

Adrien's face twisted into a look of contempt. "This is so lame. Why would I waste my time on some ridiculous bet?"

As Adrien spoke, he glanced over his shoulder and saw his car pulling up to the curb. The timing was almost too convenient. With a sharp exhale, he turned back to Ethan and Leo. "Look, I don't have time for this bullshit."

Without waiting for a response, Adrien began to walk away, his stride purposeful. He headed down the stairs towards his waiting car, the sound of the engine and the sight of his driver opening the door a welcome distraction from the preposterous challenge laid before him.

Ethan and Leo watched him go, the smirks on their faces fading as Adrien disappeared into the crowd. Ethan's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more, clearly annoyed by Adrien's dismissal of his challenge.

Adrien slid into the backseat of his car, his mind still buzzing with the absurdity of the bet. The car's interior was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the noisy courtyard he'd just left. As the car pulled away, Adrien's thoughts raced. Despite his dismissal, a part of him was irked by the challenge. He knew Ethan's taunts were meant to provoke him, but the idea of proving them wrong—even if the bet itself was trivial—was beginning to gnaw at him.

The car ride was a blur as Adrien struggled to shake off the annoyance. As he glanced out the window at the bustling streets of Paris, he could already hear Ethan's mocking voice in his head, urging him to take on the challenge.

Thanks for reading : )

Chapter 2 published on: 22nd July, 2024