Chapter Text
Marinette’s POV
The sun rays were hitting my face as I sat on the lush grass. A hint of wind, hitting my face as I peered around the park. Everyone was laughing and having a fantastic time with each other. We all ate Marlena’s food of sandwiches and salads along with Dupain-Cheng bakery goods of pastries and cakes. Overall, it was the perfect day for this picnic. Perfect except for one thing, or someone…
“The castle was so huge. Bigger than fifteen houses combine! I was personally escorted everywhere in the castle by the prince. His majesty couldn’t help but become enchanted with me, but sadly, I refused knowing I couldn’t stay with him. I just have so many other tasks at hand and if I were to get involved with him, it would be painful for the both of us.” Lila described how she “visited” another place she went to.
I rolled my eyes so hard I’m pretty sure it was going to get stuck there eventually. I turned my slightly to the right and saw Adrien sitting next to Lila and everyone else was gathered around her. I chose to separate myself from them preferring the bright colorful flowers near me instead.
“Isn’t that right, Marinette?”
My head snapped to my name as I saw all of them looking at me curiously and suspicious.
“What?” I asked in clarification.
“That it was your idea to have this wonderful picnic,” Rose stated.
“I had help getting it together, but it was my idea originally, yes,” I confirmed nodding my head slowly. “Why?”
“Oh, it’s because Lila said that she contributed to the help, and I figured you would know since you were the one who set this all up,” Rose further explained.
I looked towards Lila and saw her glaring daggers at me. I suppressed a groan as I was brought into this conversation. The whole reason I was sitting away was to avoid this.
“She gave her inputs to the picnic, yes,” I stated dryly.
And by inputs I mean, contradicting me in every suggestion I made and when asked she gave a lame excuse of saying that it was my job to figure it out.
The group quickly returns to Lila stories as I roll my eyes once again. From the corner of my eyes; however, I see Adrien squirming from Lila’s grasp. I frown momentarily before making my decision and losing my courage while I still have it.
“Hey Adrien!” His head snaps my way along with the rest. He was looking at me with puppy, or should I say, kitten eyes. His entire stature was tense and ready to bolt in a second.
“Can you help me something real quick?!” I shout again using my Ladybug confidence.
“Of course!” He bolts out of Lila’s grip faster than what should be considered humanly possible.
“What can I help you with?” He asked with a slight smile.
“Could you help me find this leaf?” I asked with a smile in return.
His head tilted slightly to the right questioning my action, but smiles wider than before.
“Sure.” We both walk away from the group as their eyes trail behind us. Most of them probably think that I am using this as a way to get closer to Adrien, my “crush.” Truth is, I kinda am giving up that crush and it kinda helps with the stuttering and stammering. Don’t get me wrong, I still do it, but it is way better than my first school crush days.
“So, what leaf are you looking for?” He asks as he rolls up his white blazer sleeves.
“I’m not looking for a leaf.” I shrugged my shoulders in a nonchalantly manner.
“But, you asked for my help in finding a leaf?” He repeated questioningly as he looked at me with curious eyes.
“Did I? Or did I ask for your help and you used it as a way to get out of Lila’s tense grip on you.” My smile turned more into a smirk as I stared at Adrien as he returned the smirk back. We both eventually let out a snicker that soon turned into a full blown laugh once we were further away from the group.
“Thanks Marinette.” He was looking at me with his beautiful eyes. Like he was staring into my soul and was drowning me in his.
“Problem no, wait! I mean, no p-problem.” So close, damn it.
“So, what are we supposed to do as our friends listen to Lila?” he asked as we walked in a circle around the park.
“I was t-thinking we could talk with each other? Unless you have a better idea?” I asked hesitantly not knowing if he actually wanted to spend time with me.
“Ummm… what about?”
Oh great! I’m an idiot. He doesn’t want to talk to me. I mean, why would he?! I’m boring, clumsy Marinette!
“Oh! How about Jagged Stone?” Adrien asked.
“His latest album? Or the one where Lila said that she was personally responsible for making that album and was even his muse for the entire thing?” I snorted and looked toward the sun’s horizon.
“The actual album. To be honest, I really haven’t paid attention to Lila’s lies,” he quickly confessed.
“Hmph!” I breathed out. “And here I thought you were this gentlemen, Adrien.” I exaggerated and placed my hand on my forehead further sending into my dramatics.
Adrien decided to play along as he took my hand and used it to swing me around as he knelt down. I knew my face turned red as he looked at me with that devious expression.
“Excuse moi, I happen to be the finest of gentlemen,” and to further the action he lightly kissed my knuckles as he stared into my eyes.
I was like time had frozen and it was just him and me. Something in me just couldn’t help but want to swoon at his words. However, it was interrupted by a car honk.
Both of our heads snapped as we saw it was Adrien’s limo parked out on the curb.
Nathalie stepped out of the limo holding her trusty tablet.
“Adrien, it is time to go,” her voice was cold and formal.
“But, Nathalie, you said this was a free day for me?” Adrien questioned as he walked closer with me still in hand.
“I’m sorry, Adrien, but your father requested you to come back home immediately.” Her voice stayed even but apparently Adrien knew exactly what that meant as his entire being dropped down in disappointment.
“It’s okay, Adrien, maybe next time you can stay longer.” I rub small circles on his shoulders as he turns his head towards mine. I offered him a smile and he returned it but not just as reassuring.
He gives me a quick hug as he whispers into my ear, “thank you.” I smiled at him once more before he walks into the limo and drives off. I start to walk back to my friends until I notice all of them staring at me. I quickly become uncomfortable as I start to slow my walk there.
Once I reached there I quickly gathered my belongings not wanting to stay longer.
“Girl, you just talked to Adrien.” Alya blurted out and I can’t help but tense at the implication.
“Yea… I did.” To be honest, I haven’t been able to talk to Alya as much as I did in the past. Also, with her believing all of Lila’s stories and me trying to call her out on the lies, well, long story short, it has left a strain on our friendship.
“What happened to you?! I thought you were just an inconsolable mess with that boy?!” Ouch, that hurt. Apparently, she noticed and her expression softened a little.
“Sorry, but it’s true. So, how are you now talking with model boy?”
Is she seriously asking me this in front of everyone?! My stance shifts side to side, but I just shrug.
“I just do. Anyway, I am going to leave early. See ya.” I quickly left before I could be stopped. I figured that they would finish the food or take the food home to their own houses.
I walk aimlessly lost in my thoughts on the sidewalks not paying much attention to my surroundings.
That was my first mistake.
I kept close to the alleyways staying away from the roads since I figured I would be safer that way.
That was my second mistake.
I didn’t pay attention to the time nor the phone that was vibrating reminding me to head home.
That was my third and last mistake.
I yelp as I felt my arm yanked into one of the allies I was passing by. My body was ruffly thrown onto the wall, and the arm holding me was making me hover off the ground.
“Listen, girly, I am in need of money, so let’s make this quick and you give me all your valuables. Capeesh?” his voice was gritty and gruff plus it was a strain to hear it.
“No! Let me go! Help! Someone hel- mmph” I was struggling to get out his grip.
“Shut up!” He growled aggressively. He slammed me again into the wall and my head was pounding.
“Mmmmph!”
“Maybe this will teach you a lesson?” He mockingly spoke, and suddenly, I felt something in my arm snap.
It was pure agony as my bone broke from the pressure the man used. I could feel tears welling down my face.
“Now, I’ll ask again. Your valuables.” His hand was removed from my mouth as I panted to keep from screaming in more pain.
“N-no.” I muttered.
“Well, can’t say I didn’t try the nice way.” He viciously smiled as his hands went down straight to my pants.
I was sobbing more, and I thrashed in his grip. He quickly applied pressure on my arm, and it caused me to scream in pain again.
“Lookie here, a wallet and phone.” He held his conquest up proudly presenting his prize.
I knew he was going to look for other items, so I did what I had to do. I kneed him in the groin and he quickly fell to the ground covering his nether regions. I grabbed my belongings and ran as fast as I could away from him.
My breath was getting heavier and the throbbing in my arm became harder to ignore.
I made a sharp turn and quickly took off my earrings and yelled for Tikki.
“Tikki, make sure the earrings are safe.” I commanded.
“But, Marinette! You should turn into Ladybug while you still can!” She pleaded.
“You are dead, girl!” I heard his rage filled scream.
“I can’t with the broken arm, Tikki! Please, just hide until it's over.” I took the earrings off and handed it off to Tikki as she cried.
“Go!” I whisper-shouted as I heard his footsteps coming closer. I saw her retreat with the miraculous.
“Found you!” He quickly kicked my side, and I landed my injured arm. I scream in agony once again, but it wasn’t as loud as he stomped on my foot. The man was wearing thick boots that were pure black so when he stomped on my foot, I knew immediately that it was broken or sprained.
“That was for kicking me! This is for trying to run away, bitch!” He kicked my side once more and it was torture.
“And this was trying to steal back your belongings!” He pressed pressure onto my foot as my face was covered in dirt and tears.
“Hope you die, bitch!” He stormed off as I was left alone. No one to help me and no phone means no one to call me. And I was supposed to spend the night with the gang as a girl sleepover, so my parents won’t worry bring gone from the house. And since I walked away from the picnic, they are going to assume I headed home and will pick up my stuff tomorrow.
“FUCK!” I screamed in agony.
Please, someone, help me.
That was my last thought before I fell unconscious.