Warped Reality

Chapter Ten

Adrien

He stared up at the celing, the days events running through his mind. So much had happened since he had been here. So much more drama than he was used to, even when he used to be best friends with Chloe. He wasn't too fond of it. He wished he could talk to Plagg. He hoped Felix was taking care of him. He knew his cousin was capable, but he hoped in this world that he was a little easier to deal with. He sighed and climbed out of bed, stretching. Sleep had evaded him once again, cheers. Since he didn't have modeling, or photoshoots, or anything of the kind, he was having to get used to such a lax schedule. It made him incredibly anxious, surprisingly. To go from being so busy, to barely anything at all. He had always thought it would feel like heaven. Movement caught his eye, and he crouched, peering out of his window. A figure was pacing back and forth in his front yard, occasionally reaching a hand up towards their face. He grabbed a baseball bat, slowly edging his window open.

"Ahem. Can I help you?" He cleared his throat, and the figure jumped, turning to look at him.

He gripped the bat tighter as they moved forward, and he noticed this person only appeared to be wearing a hoodie. No shoes, no socks, no pants. Were they homeless? They finally stepped close enough he could see their face, and he dropped the bat. It was Marinette. And she was sobbing.

"Can-can I come in?" She whimpered, and he immediately moved aside, helping her climb through the window.

She turned and quickly shut it, yanking the curtains closed.

"What's wrong?"

"I... Nathaniel, he..."

She wiped at her eyes again, and he leaned forward, pulling her into a hug, trying to ignore the blinding rage he felt. It always came back to that stupid redhead.

"Can I stay here for a little bit?" She asked into his chest, and he squeezed tighter before letting her go.

"You can take the bed again. I know my mother won't mind. She was pretty worried about you when you left."

He had been too, but he wasn't going to say that. She nodded, wiping her face again.

"Ah, you must be freezing. Why aren't you dressed?"

She stopped, looking down at her clothes.

"I didn't have a chance to get dressed." She whispered, and he wondered what that meant.

What exactly had Nathaniel done? He got up, heading towards the door. He was almost positive that his mother would have some kind of pajamas she could borrow. Marinette grabbed his hand, looking at him with watery eyes.

"I don't want to be alone again."
She slowly released his hand, looking down at the floor in embarrassment. He paused, before nodding. He probably had something she could wear. He was a few sizes above her, but maybe he had something with a drawstring. He started searching through the dresser, pushing clothes aside. He finally found a pair of sweatpants, and he held them out to her.

"Thank you."

He nodded, grabbing a shirt for her to put on.

"Do you want me to step into the hall so you can change?"

"Just turn around."

He felt heat flooding into his face as he turned away from her. The thought of her changing right behind him sent his heart racing, and horrible thoughts tumbling into his head. Well, horrible memories. Of Lila. Of abandoned classrooms and make out sessions he wished he could unsee. What the hell was wrong with the other Adrien?