Falling

Chapter 18

Marinette's POV :

The first few days of school went by on a flash. I had a lot of fun with my friends in class and would message Tim whenever I got the chance. Adrien and I have become better friends because of the fact that I can actually hold conversations with him now and that Alya and Nino show a lot more PDA this year.

Although everything seemed to be going great, a few things weren't as good.

Chloe now feels more threatened by me than before and has decided that it was her job to make my last year of school hell. Whenever she can get me isolated, she reminds me of all of my insecurities and calls me a bitch or a whore. It didn't get to me at first, I actually found it kind of sad that she would do that, but I've started to believe some of the things she says. I know I shouldn't, but when someone is telling you that you have no talent every day, it starts to get inside your head.

The other downside to my life at the moment is that Chat's decided to act like Chloe toward Ladybug. If I miss a shot during an Akuma, if he gets there first, if I'm not doing everything like he wants me to... He hasn't tried anything in a while, but he makes me feel worthless whenever he gets the chance.

I haven't told anyone about the bullying yet. I don't want to worry anyone. I'll handle it on my own at some point.

I only cut myself once since it all started. Chloe had told me that I would never make it as a fashion designer and it happened to have been exactly two months since my suicide attempt. It just hit to close to home and really affected me.

I've finished all of Tim's brothers' suits. His is the only one left.

I want to make it perfect and am struggling to find the right fabric for the finishing touch, a hidden pocket referencing Phooka. I can't seem to find a material that fits... I'll ask Tikki if she has any ideas when I get home from school.

It's the weekend tonight. I'll be able to go to fabric shops tomorrow and maybe find the right fabric for a gown I've designed for myself not that long ago. I don't have a place to wear it to, but I really like the design and need to make it!

As the bell rang and my friends left, I got a note from Chloe telling me to meet her behind the school. The way she looked at me made me shiver. I know it's just Chloe, but she looked at me like she would make me regret it if I didn't show up.

I packed my stuff back into my bag and left the building, going straight to the meet-up point Chloe gave me.

Chloe : Took you long enough dumbass!

She grabs my arm and pulls me to the back of the alley. She's surprisingly strong... She pushes me against a wall with such force that I lose balance and end up on the ground.

She looks at me with a sadistic grin and kicks me in the stomach, which makes me curl up into a ball.

Marinette : Ow! What was that for?!

Chloe keeps kicking me, her grin growing wider and wider every time her foot comes in contact with my body.

Chloe : It's for being a pathetic, fat, ugly, talentless, dumb bitch that can't follow simple orders.

Each word stung, opened up wounds I thought wouldn't, and she said that like it was the most normal thing to say. I mean... She is right. I am pathetic. I am fat. I am ugly. I am dumb. I don't have any talent, my interview for the fashion program is enough proof for that.

Maybe that's why her words hurt. The truth usually does.

She lists everything wrong with me while kicking me and with each word she uttered, I felt like it was tattooed onto my skin. I could tell she was frustrated all day and I guess I'm going to have to pay the price for that.