Chapter Text
Plagg said this hasn't happened before, but the kwami also never expected her to be a self-sacrificing idiot.
Marinette could understand her kwami's logic when she found her back to be bleeding after de-transforming in the bathroom. She doesn't regret saving her partner who... has strangely bad luck for a ladybug holder. The bluenette just has to be careful next time. It's not like she's dying...right? Based on what Plagg told her, it's just a scratch wound. Whether or not it's to prevent her panicking like an idiot, Marinette will take Plagg's reassurance and hastily got ready for class. Plagg says he'll try to find a way to heal up fast. Just give him a minute... or longer... Oh and Camembert.
Marinette has an hour left before Miss Mendeleiev defaults her chemistry test to a zero. She has no alibis and she's on thin ice with her parents.
'No alibis today.' Marinette felt a little woozy, but that doesn't stop her from entering the chemistry lab. Although Lila commented she looks pale today (Marinette never understand if Lila sees her as a friend or enemy.), Marinette quickly explained she has no make-up worn today which is true but... Not. She took the test, finding it hard to focus with her wet back and shaky hands. She also can't move her back to lean or crouch. She smells like Camembert too by the way, surprisingly covering the scent of iron. She managed to finish the test within the last forty minutes, ten minutes used to head to the classroom and trying to convince the teacher she's fit to take the test.
"I think it looks better." Plagg told her as she is the last person to leave the chemistry lab, hiding in her jacket because he likes body warmth.
"Nice." Marinette stood up, still feeling kinda dizzy.
"We gotta eat though." Plagg offered, peeking out to see if the coast is clear. He decided to come out and head into her purse where the cheese are. "Replenish your fluids yadayada."
"I got that." Marinette pats her cheek, trying to look alive. Is she really that pale? Marinette hasn't seen herself in the mirror but maybe that is the case. 'Hopefully, I'll look better after eating.'
...
'Did I even do well in chemistry?' Marinette wondered as she entered the cafeteria, ignoring the group as she scanned today's menu. She got a tray and tried to remember what food helps with wound healing. Yogurt with fruits takes care of milk and fruits right? Casserole? It has the meat, cheese and chicken covered.. Apple. Hm... Marinette stares at apple and the cheese. It's all that's left? Marinette huffed. 'The school is facing a scarcity of good food..'
"Gonna sit alone again?" Plagg asked in her purse as Marinette searched for a place to eat.
"Hn." Marinette doesn't want to listen to stories that never happened. It'll mess her memories up. It's embarrassing enough how Marinette failed to embarrass Jagged Stone with Lila's story about the kitten story and it felt even worse when Clara Nightingale wanted to know the full name of this Lila who helped the singer with her choreography. What isn't Lila lying about? Marinette is in thick tar all because she thought Lila is like her but not. To avoid hearing any more of Lila's words and accidentally talk about it to the individual mentioned, Marinette found it best to avoid Lila in general. It's best for both of them. Marinette doesn't want to see a minor get sued or get humiliated in public. Lila's just a teen like everyone else in this school. Like what Plagg said to her himself, 'Lila's just someone who wants friends, get spoiled and be ham popular.'
"Not hungry?" Plagg popped his head as Marinette struggles to finish the dull casserole.
"No I'm not." Marinette already finished everything but this casserole thingy. It's too dull. It's also cold and chewy. Whoever made this must be having a bad day.
"Feed me the cheese." Plagg opened his mouth when Marinette grabbed the cheese she got and dumped it in the cat's mouth. "Urgh! Goat cheese with herbs!"
"Picky." Marinette smiled, taking another scoop of the cheesy meaty meal.
"Am not!" Plagg hissed and Marinette sipped her milk.
"Are too." Marinette watched her classmates. She then gazed at the clock. "Time to go."
"Four hours before we can go home and place ointment on your scratch wound." Plagg corrects, returning back to his chosen's purse.
"Yep." Marinette stood up, carrying her tray to segregate her plates. She can barely crouch without feeling the burning sensation of her skin from the clash of her fabric to her wound.
'Fifteen minutes to spare.' Marinette thought, walking towards the exit. She was too focused on the time, the pain on her back, and the incoming class subjects to notice Rose tripping a feet or so behind her. The sharp stinging sensation was new and a whole new level of pain. Flinching and turning towards the culprit, Marinette might have been a bit hissy when she slapped her best friend's hand. Apparently, blood and citric acid don't mix together.
"Tsk!" Marinette ran, avoiding the ground bathroom (because everyone uses that) and rushes up to the third floor. She can't remove her jacket, not in front of them, without telling a lie. She gritted her teeth, not trusting herself to speak as she pushed a girl out of her way, entering the bathroom and finally removing the jacket.
"Holy...!" Marinette stared at her soiled jacket, dripping an orange-pink hue. Marinette tossed it in the sink, scratching her head. "What am I gonna do?! What the hell am I gonna do?!"
"Calm down, bread. It's not that bad.." Plagg came out from her purse, staring at the blood droplets on the floor and then at orange juice/blood stained girl. "I'll get your bag from the classroom and you use them tissue rolls in the stall."
"But Plagg! We promised not to- Come back...Argh!" Marinette lost sight of her kwami as he slipped through the window. Marinette face palmed, shaking her head. "Why do I bother?"
"Ok. Ok. You can fix this." Marinette grabbed an entire toilet paper roll and started cleaning the floor. She also started removing her shirt, using tissue to wipe the blood. Thankfully, her pink pants isn't touched. Marinette tossed the bloody tissues in a trashcan. "If I wrap it right, the cleaners will think it's a bad case of menstruation."
"Got your bag." Plagg pushed the door with her bag.
"How?" Marinette turned to Plagg, confused.
"Some good ol' distraction." Plagg dropped her bag and Marinette quickly grabbed spare clothes for her.
"Darn. I forgot to pack soap-" Marinette was speaking to Plagg until the kwami hid followed by a scream.
"Mari?! What the heck?! Are you all right?!" Nino called out and Marinette swore today is not her day.
"Don't panic!" Marinette slowly stood up with only her bra to cover her top, smiling. "I'm more surprised a guy's in the girl's bathroom."
"Don't pull your BS on me, dude! You're the girl who constipated in the guy's bathroom back in école." Nino texted on his phone while Marinette huffed. "Hold up. I'm going to tell her."
"Fine. You win this round." Marinette rolled her eyes. For a music-loving introvert, Nino tends to be very dramatic when necessary. As soon as she turned around and sat to pull out clothes from her bag, she hears another loud shout.
"What the F-?!" Nino was interrupted halfway as Marinette turned at his area. That got him to shut up.
"It's a scratch wound." Marinette stated and Nino glared at her. The 'Are you freaking kidding with me?' look. Marinette looked back, staring at her selection. "If you want to be helpful, can you wash my shirt and jacket? I gotta choose something no one will notice me wear."
"Dude....?" Nino took tentative steps and when Marinette chose not to move, the music-lover asked as he took a better look at the wound. "I'm sorry but that. (He's pointing at her back.) That ain't no scratch wound."
"I..." Marinette bit her lower lip. It's that bad huh? Marinette asked her friend, curious what sort of bad. "Really now?"