Sorry, this is one of the shorter ones
Also, I may or may not have gotten slightly sidetracked with writing this because my stupid brain gave me yet another freaking idea for an awesome and cool story (not even including what I'm writing for Félix right now, me and my friend made a count of all the books I want to write for my stories, and it's a whopping 20, and that's not even counting the spinoffs and extras I have planned for them! I even have three different docs full of story ideas that I'm too lazy to try and develop now because I have too many ideas floating around in my head and can't get to them right now)
Quick count (including this story I'm doing), I have Félix's story (1). 1 for another story, (2) after that I was thinking of writing either the 4 book one (6) or the one that's 5 books (11), after that another story will probably have 2-3 books (13-14), then let's see, pretty sure I had a graphic novel planned that'll be three books (16-17), after that I have another three books to do about a cat that can shapeshift (19-20) OH I CAN'T BELIEVE I ALMOST FORGOT!! There's a novel I already wrote for NaNoWriMo and I'm making some illustrations for it and am currently trying to figure out the publishing process (20-21) and now I suddenly have another story I really want to do, and remember that first story I mentioned after Félix's, well as far as a spinoff series go, I'm already up to like 4 books, and that's not counting an extra book that explains all the world lore and history (yeah that story doesn't even take place on earth, it's an alternate earth with a different name, different continents- I'm just going to shut up now and let you read Chapter 14 wow I'm sorry for rambling O_o)
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Paws and Nino were doing their homework in the library under my tutelage. Mme Dubois had tried to make me go home after the fire that happened yesterday. I told her I needed to keep my mind busy on other things and she seemed to accept that answer.
Truth be told, I felt like I had to be as far away as possible from my mom and Claude while they deal with insurances and other such matters. Fuko's bad luck was likely still in effect. At least at the school, Paws' ring could absorb some of it.
"Hey Félix," Paws asked me while I slowly filed away books. "How many years did the hundred year war actually last again?"
I pushed the book onto the shelf, "One hundred sixteen."
"Thanks!"
"Dude, where do you keep all of this information?" Nino asked.
I grabbed another book from the cart and ignored his question.
Nino fidgeted in his seat, "Something wrong dude? That was like primo opportunity to make fun of me."
Before I could angrily snap back at him, Paws elbowed his friend warningly and whispered in his ear. Nino's eyes widened slightly and he immediately went back to his homework, nervously glancing at me.
Paws gave me a reassuring smile and leaned over his homework too.
The library doors opened and in entered the black haired girl with pigtails. Marinette right? Eh who cares, I wasn't about to greet her. I wasn't on desk duty right now.
When she turned, her eyes widened at the sight of Paws. Marinette immediately tripped and fell flat on her face.
"You okay Marinette?" Paws asked. Clearly, Paws and Nino had noticed and were looking at her concerned.
"Forget to tie shoes this morning?" I asked her dryly.
She smiled sheepishly at me and immediately got back up, "Uh, what?! No! I'm fine!! Actually," Marinette glanced down, "I don't think I wear shoelaces."
"Embarrassing," I scoffed, then pushed my cart further along the aisle.
"So what are you doing here Marinette?" Nino asked.
"I wanted to check out a library before the book closed," she replied, "No wait! I mean check out a book before the library closed!" Marinette laughed sheepishly. She kept glancing at Paws nervously.
"What kind of book?" Paws asked, "I'm sure Félix could help you," he gestured at me.
"Oh! Sure! Um..." Marinette scratched her head thoughtfully, "I forgot...?"
"Come find me when you've found where you dropped your head," I told her and moved onto the next aisle. I only had a couple books left to file away.
"Is he always like this?" I heard Marinette ask Paws and Nino.
By Paws' tone, I could tell he was smiling, "Yeah, kind of. You kind of have to learn what he's actually saying and not get too offended by it." He laughed slightly.
Mme Dubois approached me with my bag, "Here Félix," she handed it to me, "today's just a half day, and me and Théo can close up. Go ahead an leave early," she smiled at me.
I accepted the bag, but then looked her straight in the eye, "I will only accept this special treatment today," I warned her.
Mme Dubois patted my shoulder then went back to the desk.
I went to Paws' table with Nino and Marinette, "I'm heading out," I told them.
Paws looked at me, "Aww already?" he asked.
"Sorry Paws, just not feeling it today," I told him with my brother's jacket slung over my shoulder.
"Paws?" Marinette looked at me confused.
"Will you come to the Trocadero tomorrow for the race at least?" Paws asked tilting his head, "I'd love to see you there!"
I gave him a warm pat, "Sure, so long nothing bad happens," I promised, even giving him a small smile.
Fuko hovered near my shoulder as I walked down the stairs. I was glad she had been keeping silent for most of today. I didn't have much patience to deal with her antics enough as it is, and right now, it was practically a negative amount.
I sighed as I headed towards Claude's apartment. It wasn't necessarily further away, but it wasn't in the same direction either. I had to learn a whole new walking route from there to the school.
I looked at my phone screen, reading my mom's messages again. I reread her request for me to join her and Claude at a café to meet up with Claude's friends. With everything that was going on and had happened, I didn't want to be around anyone right now.
Plus, who knows what would happen. I was certain Fuko's sandwich bad luck was still running, waiting to strike again. It was safer to either be around a super-hero that absorbed that bad luck or as far away from people as possible.
I walked up the stairs wearily. I couldn't wait until I sat down and just let my mind wander off reading some good books.
Claude had been kind enough to lend me one of his spare keys. Honestly, if it weren't for Claude I have no idea how me and my mom would be getting through this right now. I was grateful to him. Not that you'd ever hear me say that.
I unlocked his door, then when I was pushing the door open to enter a piece of paper came loose in my hand, as if it had been attached to the door.
Fuko peered over my shoulder, "What's that?" she asked.
"Dunno..." I unfolded it and read it. Fuko hovered next to my hand, reading it herself.
My hand trembled for a moment before I crumpled the note in it. I spun around and stormed away from the front door of Claude's apartment and began climbing down the stairs faster than would've been considered safe.
"Félix wait," Fuko flew in front of me trying to get me to stop, "Calm down, there are more rational ways to deal with this!"
I brushed her aside, "I'm through being rational!" I snapped. First the fire and now this, there was no end to it! I went immediately to the café that my mom had mentioned. I wasn't going to go originally but now things had changed.
Yes, I had checked out where it was on the map, and it had been conveniently close the the apartment. (My mom said I had no reason not to go with such a close location). I reached the place within a matter of seconds due to my furious fast-paced walking that was borderline sprinting.
Upon entering the café, I found Claude sitting with a group of his friends in the corner.
As I approached them, Claude noticed me, "Oh Félix! What a pleasant surprise! I invited your mother to meet my friends, but I hadn't dared hope you would join us!" he stood up to greet me. Clearly, he had no idea what had just happened. I balled my fists up in anger.
When he was coming in for the hug greeting, I dealt him and uppercut to the stomach with my right hand, not caring at my burn wound's complaints or the fact that my ring dug in my finger when I did that.
Claude's eyes bulged slightly and he doubled over with and "Ouf!" His friends at the table stood up immediately, clearly alarmed.
Taking advantage of his head's lowered position, I delivered a left hook to it. Claude staggered sideways.
One of his friends tried grabbing me from behind. It had been years since I last threw someone, but apparently my muscle memory was still there because I utterly floored him. The rest of Claude's friends took a step away from me.
I grabbed Claude by his collar and pinned him against the wall, "You Oedipus Rex!!" I yelled at him, "This is all your fault!!" My voice was an odd mix of bitterness and crazy.
"Forraskinna guyya hit hard..." Claude muttered dazed. Then he shook himself, "Wait, my fault?!"
"Yes! Your fault! If you hadn't gone off prattling and babbling to whoever would listen that you thought I was Chat Noir, she wouldn't have gotten kidnapped!!" I yelled at him, losing my composure with each word. My voice was getting gradually wilder, and raspier, "GUESS WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR RANSOM?! CHAT NOIR'S RING!!! WELL GUESS WHAT I'M NOT CHAT NOIR!!!!" I know I was sounding pretty hysterical, but I no longer cared. "I don't have the ring!" my voice cracked as I shoved him against the wall.
The friend I had thrown earlier, gently placed a hand on my shoulder, "Calm down, maybe we can help you."
I slapped his hand away, "You do get it don't you?! Claude!!" I hissed at him, now trembling uncontrollably, "I'm about to lose the only family I've got left!"
"Félix-," Claude tried talking to me.
"AND YOU'RE IN HERE SIPPING COFFEE AND EATING PASTRIES WITH YOUR FRIENDS!!! HOW DELIGHTFUL!"
"Félix get a hold of yourself!" Claude grabbed both my shoulders and gave me a small shake.
I could do nothing but pant and glare at him. When my anger faded, I let go of his shirt and my hands dropped limply to my side. My gaze drifted downwards. Although, my heart was still pounding wildly in my chest, rattling my bones and organs.
I felt Claude's eyes resting on the top of my head. All of his friends were also staring at me.
"Félix-," Claude tried to talk, "Félix I...." he sighed, giving up on words.
I know he could feel me trembling because he was trying to steady me.
Claude pulled me towards him into a hug, "I'm sorry Félix," he apologized, "Look, I get it alright? You lost everything but her once and you don't want to lose her too," it sounded like he was trying his best not to freak out for my sake. His voice was extremely strained. Claude pulled out of the hug and looked at me, although I avoided meeting his gaze. "I hope you understand that I care about your mother too. Now that I know what happened, I swear, I will help get her back."
I just kept looking down, "You've done enough," I said quietly, voice cracking again. I turned to leave, breaking away from Claude's arms.
"Félix wait, let's be rational," Claude came after me.
"Leave me alone."
"Félix, you're only nineteen," Claude tried reminding me gently.
"And I'm still smarter than you!" I snapped angrily. "Leave me alone!"
Fuko tried licking my hair appeasingly.
I aggressively slapped her away, "Don't touch me! I'm mad at you too!" There was only one thing I could do now.