Stay by my Side

Stay by my Side - Chapter Nine

You feline alright, Princess?

Yeah, I'm doing okay

Thanks for checking on me.

Marinette sighed, as she pocketed her phone, and tried to pay more attention to the class, flicking some of her strands of long hair away from her face. Having Chat Noir to talk to whenever she liked was actually really nice, and something she didn't expect. He was more caring than she thought.

With him supporting her, she was able to make it through the day - through Lila and Chloe's insults, Lila's secret physical attacks, and Alya's internal conflict showing in her eyes, without crying. Heroes don't cry. At least... they don't in public anyway.

Nowadays, when Marinette returns home, the first thing she does is cry. She sprints to her room and cries her heart out before her parents bakery closes for the day. She makes sure to stop before the store closes, and cleans her face, before acting like nothing's wrong.

Because nothing is wrong.

Heroes deal with their problems on their own.

Heroes do not cry.

Heroes are not weak.

The only pleasure Marinette took from her civilian life now was...

"Princess?"

"Chat Noir." She sighed, rushing to the window, like a real princess rushing to a knight that was going to rescue her from the evil dragon and monstrous tower holding her prisoner. The relief she always feels when she sees him surrounded her, and almost made her start crying again.

She gave him a warm hug, and leaned in to his touch, craving comfort.

"Are you alright, Marinette?" Chat Noir asked.

"Y - Yeah..." Marinette trailed off and glanced down towards the ground. Even though Chat Noir immediately knew she was lying, he didn't push it - Marinette would tell him when she was ready.

"So... how was your day today, Princess?"

"It was..." Small parts of the day flashed through Marinette's mind.

"Hah! Maritrash just entered the classroom! Don't look at her, or you might get infected." Chloe's words stung like a knife.

"Marinette? We need to TALK." Lila had said, before dragging her to the bathroom. No one stopped her. And for the next half an hour, Lila took great satisfaction in beating her black and blue.

"Crap I touched Marinette! I need to wash my shoulder sometime in the next minute or I'll have caught the Mari disease!" Nino yelled, after brushing against Marinette's shoulder by accident. Alya had glowered at him in disgust but didn't actually stand up for the person who used to be her best friend.

What word could possibly describe the pain she'd been feeling the last few weeks?

What word would she be allowed to say?

"... good." She eventually landed on. Chat Noir sighed, obviously not believing her, and Marinette felt her self-hatred worsen. She couldn't lie. She's never been good at it. But if it stopped the select few who still care about her from worrying then she'll do her best.

"Yeah, it was good! I, umm... had Chemistry in the morning, and I got an 86% on the test we had the week before, which is the highest I've ever had." Marinette made sure not to add that the lack of friends to hang out with made for great extra studying time. "A - And I had some great food during lunch!" Most of it ended up in her hair, after Lila had 'accidentally bumped into her' with enough force to send her head first into her tray of food.

Chat Noir's worried expression lessened slightly, and Marinette felt herself sigh in relief. "Now let's talk about your day, kitty."

She'd tell Chat Noir eventually!

Just... not right now.

New update!

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this new update. We passed 100 views, yay!! :D

I was worried I wouldn't be able to update at all today, since I had work today (I work every Saturday as a part time job) so I'm quite happy to have been able to finish a chapter! *sparkle of determination* XD

Anyways, I'll see you guys again soon!

But for now...

Peachy out! 😊