It was probably a good thing the Akumatized villain was just Mr. Pigeon again. Her focus had been off for the entire fight. She really hoped Chat Noir hadn't noticed how weird she was acting, because she couldn't tell him why. Even if she could, she wasn't sure she would be able to get the words out.
"Do you think he noticed, Tikki?"
whispered Marinette from the janitor's closet where she'd hidden to transform back. Her kwami hesitated, choosing her response carefully.
"I don't think you gave anything away. He seemed like he had a lot on his mind too."
Come to think of it, Chat Noir had been acting sort of strange. It was almost like he was stalling to drag the mission out. But that was just him joking around as usual, right? She was probably reading too much into it.
Marinette really was planning to go straight back to class, but she heard a quiet sigh coming from around the corner followed by a whisper she couldn't make out. Something told her she needed to investigate, so she rounded the corner in the opposite direction of the classroom.
There was Adrien sitting by himself on a bench. Before she could think about what she was doing, she sat down next to him.
He jumped several inches and she was embarrassed to realize she'd startled him. After a moment, Adrien settled back onto the bench and looked up nervously. "How... How long have you been standing there?"
"I just got here." Wait, was everyone else back in class already? Did she need an excuse to be out here? "I went looking for you after..."
Her voice trailed off. It didn't feel like an excuse usually did. If that Akuma hadn't shown up she really would have been looking for Adrien. "Are you okay?"
Adrien shifted in his seat. "Not really." He sighed. "I thought I could put off telling anyone if I just didn't wear white to school, but..." His voice trailed off.
Without quite realizing, Marinette put her hand over Adrien's. "We would have been there for you, Adrien. You shouldn't have to face this alone."
Adrien looked down at the floor. "I really didn't want anyone else to know. It wasn't public yet and I just... didn't want anyone to treat me differently."
He hesitated, but then exhaled deeply. "My father's doing this in memory of my mother... She—"
Adrien's voice cracked slightly, and he took another breath before he could say more. Marinette waited, not wanting to push him any more. When he finally continued, his voice was even softer.
"She was always so kind. My father said it was what she would have wanted, but... I think the truth is that I just remind him of her too much."
Marinette reached out and held his hand. "You're not alone."
Adrien softly squeezed her hand. "Thanks, Marinette. You're the best friend I could ever ask for."
YOU ARE READING
is there a word for bad miracles
FanfictionThings are not right... Things are not how they should be... There is the possibility that two young heroes could set things right. Save everyone they've ever known. But the world is determined to tear them apart, one way or another. And before they...
