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Marinette screamed as she ran away.
"Marinette?!" Adrien yelled after her.
"Leave me alone! I need to be by myself and...- Stop pretending to be so nice to me!!" was the last thing she said before she completely disappeared out of sight.
Adrien became worried. He liked Marinette and wanted her to be happy at all costs. He never wanted her to be sad. He heard Kim laugh behind him but that was not his problem at all. Adrien began to chase after Marinette.
He saw Marinette entering a changing room. "Marinette! Stop!" It was too late, Marinette had already locked the door. He found himself knocking on the door, softly, trying not to scare her even more.
"Marinette! Is something wrong?! Please answer!"
He could hear her sobs but he was desperate. He wanted to help Marinette.
"Marinette, whatever situation you're going through right now, I'm sure we both can handle the situation better! I want to help you, I don't want an amazing person like you to be sad!"
"Just- Leave me alone!" Don't leave me alone, help me, please.
Adrien didn't want to leave her all alone, crying by herself. That would be too cruel. Adrien knew that everyone should be with somebody at their hard times, Adrien wanted to be that person for Marinette.
"Marinette... Do you really want to be alone?"
Marinette shook her head but it could not be seen by Adrien.
"Marinette, I want to help you! I would do anything to make you feel better!"
Marinette thought twice before opening the door.
Should I open the door? But what if he is just like Kim? What if he laughs at my face right away after I open the door, and Chloe's behind him, recording? Boom. Life ruined. What if he says that I'm too weak to handle my own emotions and ends our relationship?! Boom. Like ruined. I don't know!
They both were quiet for a while. Marinette wasn't sure if Adrien was still waiting. And then, she thought again.
Adrien is the sweetest boy I've ever met. I'm sure he isn't anything like Chloe. Also, he's against her! I'm sure he won't hurt me! He is kind. Not a jerk.
Some tears were gone when she thought about Adrien's kindness. After that, she pulled herself together. Breathed deeply, and opened the door.
"Sorry to keep you... waiting."
Adrien was glad that she opened the door. He hugged her right away.
"You had me worried! I thought you were gonna do something bad to yourself! Please... don't ever do that again!" Adrien seemed genuine. Marinette smiled.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
"It's alright, but... You're definitely not. What's wrong Marinette, what happened?"
Marinette started to get flashbacks again but she shook them off. Well at least, tried. She couldn't just "shake them off" her head. She felt helpless. Her tears poured out again as she fell down on her knees.
Adrien wasn't even gonna ask if she was fine or not anymore. He just knelt down and looked at her.
"You don't have to talk to me, but if you do, I'll always be here."
Marinette's face was buried with her hands, as small sobs could be heard.
"C-Chloe isn't hiding somewhere and recording, right?!"
What
"W-What do you mean..? Of course not. Does this got something to do with her? Is she the... problem?"
Marinette nodded silently.
"No.. Don't tell me.." as much as he tried to decline that fact, it couldn't be declined. Adrien felt only rage now. He gritted his teeth and clenched both of his fists.
"Of course! Everytime, every SINGLE TIME, Chloe is the problem! She thinks it's so funny to play with people's emotions and ruin their lives!! Wow, just wow. She's a spoiled brat, nothing else. I swear, the reason why so many akumatizations has happened, is because of Chloe. I need to have a talk with her."
Adrien stood up and begun to walk away but Marinette grabbed his wrist.
"Please! Don't! Stay here!"
Adrien looked at Marinette's face. It hurt him to see that kind of face. Normally, Marinette was happy, always put smiles on everybody's faces. But now, it was time that somebody was gonna put a smile on her face.
"If you say so.." Adrien knelt down again. All he could do was hugging her lightly, trying to be careful to not trigger her.
Marinette poured her heart out.
Just when they were about to get comfortable, Ondine came running, panting.
"M-Marinette! Are you okay?! Kim told me everything. What a jerk he was!" Ondine tried to catch her breath.
After letting out countless sobs, Marinette finally replied. "I-It's not his fault! It's all because of Chloe!"
Ondine knelt down too. "I know.. I heard that part too." She put her hand on Marinette's back.
"Was Kim a part of it too?!" Adrien asked, curiously.
"You didn't tell him?"
"N-Not yet."
"Alright, whenever you feel comfortable. If you need something, I'm here. I'll leave you guys alone." Ondine went back as soon as she stood up.
"Would you like to uh... Maybe go to a more private place?"
Marinette was not sobbing anymore. "How about we talk about it over s-some... ice cream?" still stuttering though.
"Sure. André's?"
Marinette nodded.
"André's it is then. I'm gonna change my clothes, I'll be waiting for you in front of your door."
Adrien left. Marinette couldn't help but smile.
After going back into their causal clothes, they left the swimming pool. Adrien stopped for a second.
"Do you want to hold hands?"
"I'm not comfortable right now. I'm sorry."
"That's alright."
They both went to André's usual place.
"Ah! My favorite couple! Cherry flavor for the young lady, and lemon plus mint flavor for the young man!"
"Thanks André!" Adrien left a big tip for him.
After they both got the ice cream, they quickly searched for a bench to sit on, and found one, in the middle of the bridge.
It was already evening, and they could feel the sunset behind them.
Adrien took a small scoop, then asked.
"Are you feeling any better?"
Marinette slightly nodded.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"..."
"Then... Would you like to hang out sometime? I can give you some advices!" Adrien asked supportively.
"I- I... I can't do that!"
"Are you sure?"
It's was not because of what happened in the 8th grade anymore, it was about her ladybug responsibilities. Always having to work, fix everything, being active everytime, having to protect everyone at just 14 years old.
"Adrien, there are a lot of things we're hiding from each other, and... I prefer to keep it this way."
Adrien was mad at this sentence. It was similar to the sentence Ladybug said go him-- as Cat Noir. He hated secrets. Even though, he couldn't be mad at Marinette.
"As you wish, then."
They both gave each other a short smile, then enjoyed their ice cream and laughed till the end of the day.