Tick Tock

Ten

Just a heads up my dudes there will probably be more self-harm in almost every chapter from here on out. Also, this is a short one so sorry for the shotty writing and I'm pretty sure there wont be any more than 5 chapters left of this.

The day went about normal. Which wasn't the best thing but it was better than a bad day. The regular bullying ensued but at least I didn't feel like the world was ending too much. Dare I say even decent? But we can't have nice things here

You don't deserve to be happy

Fat

Ugly

Annoyance

Waste of space

Can't even handle an Akuma without crying to Chat.

Loser.

Just cut yourself already.

What's stopping you? 

The voice in my head was particularly loud today. I just ignored it trying to take notes for the final project of the year when a horrible horrible realization hit. 

I.

Had.

Gym.

Gym where I had uniforms! Gym where I had to wear shorts! Gym was where everyone would see not only old scars but the new ones and the fresh bandages I had put on from last night. This could not be happening. I started planning how to get out of gym without going home. 

There was suddenly a loud blaring over the loudspeaker that I've never been more grateful to hear. "AKUMA ALERT. AKUMA ALERT. AKUMA ALERT."

We were all ushered out of the classrooms as I went to the bathroom to transform.

I brought my stuff because we were being kicked out of school. while I was in there I caught a glance of myself in the mirror. I didn't see a savior of Paris, I didn't see a brave girl all I saw was a failure. The thoughts in my head grew louder as I sobbed. I tried to keep it all together but the voices persisted. The only thing that would ease the pain was in my bag.

I took out a knife a shakily brought it to my forearm.

Adrien's POV

I walked into class and stared at Marinette. She looked beautiful but at the same time looked awful. Not that she's not beautiful of course she's incredible in every way and the most gorgeous person to walk the earth besides maybe ladybug. Not that she and her aren't on the same level, of course, but I digress.

She seemed panicked for whatever reason. Almost like she had a big secret that was about to be found out. The number ticking down over everyone's head didn't help at all either.

tick... tock

Tick... tock....

Tick... Tock

TICK.... TOCK...

The silence was deafening as I had felt I had tried everything to get the number to go up but to no avail. 

An endless scatter of noise I couldn't get to leave. I wanted to see her happy so bad like she was last night but it seemed she wouldn't budge.

Then there was a loud noise that came from the loudspeaker snapping me out of my daydream. 

"AKUMA ALERT. AKUMA ALERT. AKUMA ALERT."

I went to the bathroom to transform after we were all shoved out of the classrooms. when I came out I heard some clattering in the girl's bathroom thinking it was the Akuma I opened the door and was heartbroken when I saw... Marinette.

And she was cutting herself. What could push her to do this? What could force her to take such drastic measures? Was I part of the problem? She was so embarrassed when I ran over to her.

"No, no, no mari why? Why would you do this?"

She didn't answer and just kept sobbing. I looked at her arms to make sure there isn't any fatal damage, but while there was no excessive bleeding there were bruises all along her arms.

"Mari please no what happened?"

"Because Chat! The bullying and the stress and the- the everything! It's all become too much please don't make me a burden on you too!"

"A burden? Princess, you could never be a burden I need you to know that."

"But I am! Look at you right now helping me instead of Paris! Do your job just leave me here! I don't even want to be alive right now this is the only way to relieve the pressure!"

"Marinette. I'm not leaving you here like this understand?"

"Please Chat! Just leave me alone!" She yelled her voice breaking.

"Promise me Marinette that you'll never do this again please."

"I can't."

"Promise me!"

"Okay! I promise," she responded reluctantly

I helped her clean up a bit before going to deal with the Akuma. And as I walked away I prayed it was a promise she could keep.

Marinette's POV

I hurried and transformed to deal with the Akuma.  I jumped across buildings and quickly went to our usual meeting spot. This was a fairly weak Akuma so we quickly dealt with it. A Mr. pigeon kind of situation. 

"Lucky charm!"

As the ladybugs zipped around the city Chat looked worried. "Hey, M'lady?"

"Yes, Chaton?"

"You might want to look behind you."

I turned and all the freaking color drained from my face. "You've got to be kidding me."

It was a bunch of news reporters asking about who this mystery girl Chat was with. A bunch of publicity about him visiting me almost every night. Photos and everything. And wanna know what's worse?

There's a godamn photo of us kissing. Of all the things they had to use they used that? How did that even happen anyway? They just followed Chat to my balcony or something? That is actually a possibility...

"Chat how did this happen?"

"How am I supposed to know?!"

"Well you obviously know her!"

He squirmed at the mention of me.

"It's complicated okay! Why do you care so much anyway?"

"People are freaking following you and invading your life why don't you care about yourself?"

"Of course I care but I care more about her than me!"

"How could you possibly care more about her than yourself?"

"Because I'm not even good enough to help her! That's not just some stupid self hatred thing it's true. I've been trying for months and I seem to only be making things worse,"

I sucked in a quick breath as he let all of this out. I was confused not only why he would want to help me in the first place but why he needs to "save me" or something.

"M'lady I love her."