DJWiFi

Chapter 3 - The Quarrel

Nino couldn't help but think about his brother and his mother. How was he going to help Chris? He couldn't just live like that forever. It was Ms. Bustier that told him what exactly it was. He described it to her and she told him the name. PTSD. He still didn't understand completely but it sounded serious. He didn't want to ask either because by the look of her face she thought it was him and she looked really worried. It was better to just keep shut.

And his mother. Jamie? That was her name? The woman who left him with his useless sack of a father instead of taking him? Did she even love him? He had so many questions. Why would she leave him? Why did she even marry her father in the first place? He wondered how she looked and imagined a dark woman with black afro hair dancing to a beat. He couldn't help but smile at his imagination. But it wasn't actually her... It would never b-

He crashed into someone and fell on the ground with a grunt. He looked up to see Mireille Caquet, winner of that KIDZ+ thing back when he was sixteen. He facepalmed. Seriously Nino? He turned to her, still on the ground to help her up but she got up and ran away. He frowned.

"Nice work Lahiffe. Why don't you blow up puppies while you're at it. That would definitely up your street cred." He rolled his eyes and accepted the hand.

"Nice to see you too Alya."

"You okay Nino?" He huffed in amusement despite himself, thinking about his brother.

"Yeah. I am." She realised they were still holding hands and removed her hand from his grip. His smile faltered.

"Come on, class is started. Let's go!" She grabbed his hand and tugged him to who knows were. As he entered and saw the topic on the board he realised it was the subject he had been avoiding. He began to lag behind. Alya rolled her eyes.

"Come on dude, it's not like you didn't do your homework... right?"

"Uh... no? Is that the right answer?" She frowned. It wasn't like Nino to forget his homework but he had been doing it a lot for the past two years. It still felt as unnatural as the first day.

"Again?"

"Yeah... sorry."

"It's... it's okay." She hated hiding how angry she was but there was a reason. This was Nino for goodness sake! There had to be! She kept her mouth shut and dragged him into class as he mumbled protests. They entered the class quietly, forgetting that they were holding hands.

Ms. Bustier coughed and nodded towards their hands. They slowly let go of each other. Alya sat down. Nino was about to when Ms. Bustier called him.

"Nino, have you done your homework?" He coughed and shook his head. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Why not?" And he thought Ms. Baker was scary when she was angry. You do not mess with a mad Bustier.

"Um... I... forgot...?" She looked at him. He saw something pass her eyes. It was understanding. He couldn't help but feel a bit tense.

"Come meet me after this class." He nodded while some idiots said 'ooooooooh'. He sat down.

"Are you okay Nino?"

"I'm fine dudette."

"You sure buddy? You've been a bit... uh..."

"What?" He stared straight at Adrien.

"Distant. For a while."

"We want you back Nino. Where are you?" Alya put her hand on his shoulder.

"Right here." He turned around. She stared into his eyes and shook her head.

"Lies." He shrugged off her hand and tried to concentrate while three of the four most important people in his life burned holes through him with their eyes.

At the end of the class he walked up to Ms. Bustier.

"Nino, we need to talk about your problem." Wow. Ms. Bustier and her bluntness. At least she got straight to the point instead of making him wait.

"Um... problem?"

"Yes. Some years ago you asked me about something. And I never forgot. I've been watching you. So now I have to ask you and do not lie Mr. Lahiffe. Do you have PTSD?" He blinked.

"I... I don't know what you are talking abou-"

"Nino. Be honest." He swallowed. He worked up the courage and opened his mouth.

"Yes. But I'm managing. I can handle it-"

"Tell me everything." He spilled everything Chris' problem but in his point of view. She was really sorry for him at the end. "It will be okay. I once had PTSD. I had a lot of... don't worry." She saw the look of discomfort on his face and smiled. "It will get better. But please don't hold it in..." Alya had heard everything. Okay not everything. Actually once he said yes she zipped away.

PTSD?! Seriously Alya?! How couldn't you have noticed this before?! She scolded herself and walked to the cafeteria, an angry look on her face. She grabbed Nino by the shirt. He got up.

"Um... yeah?"

"Why didn't you tell me- us?"

"Huh?"

"We could have on ve helped you Nino! Not like I know how but-"

"Alya-"

"No Nino, listen to-"

"You listen to me! Did you eavesdrop?"

"Well... I wouldn't call it eavesdropping more like secretly gathering information. And I'm glad I did you jerk!"

"I... so you know?" She nodded. "SERIOUSLY ALYA?! CAN'T YOU JUST GIVE ME MY PRIVACY AND LET ME GO IN PEACE?! CAN ALL OF YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE AND STOP ASKING IF I'M OKAY?!"

"ARE YOU NINO?! ARE YOU-"

"NO I AM NOT BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD... I'm not okay okay? Just... just leave me alone. ESPECIALLY YOU-"

"EXCUSE ME?! FINE! YOU DON'T WANT HELP I WON'T HELP YOU! GOOD LUCK WITH MANAGING ON YOUR OWN!"

"FINE!"

"FINE!"

"GOOD!"

"GOOD!"

"Good..." they walked away from each other with depressed looks on their faces. The cafeteria wad dead silent. The tension was too thick to just snip through. After some minutes, Marinette and Adrien turned to each other in confusion.

"What just happened?"