The Art of Love (Marcaniel Story)

Chapter 5

Nathaniel woke up that morning and realised he had slept through his alarm. Instead of getting up, he just stared at his curtains. He didn't feel like getting up. Actually, scratch that; he didn't feel like doing life. He sighed and forced himself outta bed, slumping around to get ready before heading to the front door of the apartment.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" His mother beamed. Nathaniel turned and flashed a weak smile. "Aren't you gonna have anything to eat?"

"No thanks, Mum... I'm not really hungry and I'm already late enough as it is so I'm just gonna skip."

"Alright then. As long as you have something for lunch I don't mind."

"Where's Nicky?"

"He's gone out with some friends."

"Oh... When will he be home?"

"Not sure, why?"

"I just wanted to talk to him, that's all..."

"Sorry, sweety. He left early so I only just managed to catch him when I got up. Anyways. You should get going. You do t want your teachers to get mad."

"Alright. Love you, mum."

"Love you, Nath."

Nathaniel then left the Kurtzberg family's apartment then the building. When he got closer to the school, he stopped in his tracks and just stared at the building. He want feeling right. He wasn't feeling like socialising or anything. Looking around, he headed in a different direction, deciding to skip school.

Miss Bustier had just finished taking attendance when she got to Nathaniel's name. when he didn't answer, she picked up her phone and gave Mrs. Kurtzberg a call.

"Hello, Rosaline, this is Caline Bustier. I was just calling regarding Nathaniel. He didn't turn up to class and I- Oh...! Alright then. I'll keep an eye out for him. If he turns up I'll let you know. Alright. Thank you." Miss Bustier hung up, put her phone down and started to think.

"Is everything alright, Miss B?" Marinette questioned.

"Not really... Nathaniel didnt turn up and I thought there was a family reason so I called his mother, as you all just saw, but she said he left for school already."

"Maybe there was an akumatized villain that took him?" Sabrina queried.

"We would've gotten an Akuma alert if that was the case." Alix piped up.

"Then where could he be...?!" Rose fretted. "A few of us have known him for years and this is something that doesn't seem like he would do."

"Rose is right." Kim agreed. "Max, Sabrina, Chloe, Juleka, Marinette, her and I have known him the longest and, as Rose said already, this is something way out of Nathan's nature."

"Miss Bustier...?!" Max said suddenly. "Could we go and look for him, please? This change in Nathaniel's personality is concerning."

"Hm... I dont see why not... Alright. For the first few lessons, as you'll have me anyways, we can spend some time to look for Nathaniel."

The class nodded and all stood up, abandoning their classroom to go and look for their friend.
Once they left the school building, they immediately checked the park. As they did, Alix, Marinette, Alya, Adrien and Nino went to the Dupan-Chang bakery in hopes Marinette's parents had seen him. A small bell chimed above the door to signal the arrival of customers.

"Marinette, sweetheart!" her mother, Sabine, smiled as her and Marinette's father, Tom, turned to welcome them. "Why arent you and your friends in school?"

"Nathaniel's skipped school and his mother doesn't know where he is." Marinette explained. "Have you seen him?"

"No we haven't- actually..." Tom thought for a moment. "I did see him out the front of the bakery on his way to school but he stopped for a moment before he turned around and seemingly went back the way he came from."

"Wha-?! Thanks dad! Thank you so much!" Marinette and her friends bid their goodbyes before racing out to join the others and share their new clue.

When they got back to the class, they shared the new information they just received. A few concerned looks were worn within the group. Knowing that he might've gone to his special park, the group headed straight there. When they got there, their faces grew even more concerned as he wasn't there, not sure where else he could be, Miss Bustier guided the class back to the school.

--

That afternoon, Nathaniel returned home but went straight to his room, ignoring both his mother and brother as they tried to talk to him and ask why he skipped. Honestly? Nathaniel didn't even know why he did it himself. He just let his legs take him to where ever they wanted to take him. Apparently not to school.

He lay on his bed and tried to work out why he was like this. Moving his hand to push his fringe away, he stopped when he touched his hearing aids. That's why... He didn't want anyone to know... He didn't want to be ostracized for this new disability. He didn't want to put up with Lila or anyone that thought he was incapable of doing simple tasks.

His phone was suddenly spammed with messages from the group chat the class had made. There were messages from everyone. Even fucking Lila, trying to look sympathetic and worried as to not have anyone see through her lies. Turning off his phone, he placed it, face down, on his bedside table.

His mother called him out for dinner, so he reluctantly complied. They were having spaghetti and meatballs. Usually Nathaniel would be ecstatic to eat it, as it was his favourite meal, but instead slumped down in his chair and played with a meatball by pushing it around with his fork. His mother and brother were watching him the whole time. They didn't know what was going on but they needed to know.

"So, Nathaniel," his mother began. The latter looked up as she continued. "Miss Bustier said you skipped school. Any particular reason why you decided to do so?"

Instead of replying, Nathaniel stood up a d hurried to his room, closing it neither softly not loudly.

"Dont worry, Mum." Nicolas began. "I'll walk him into class tomorrow to make sure that he actually goes."

"Thank you, Nick."

The duo then finished up and cleaned up before settling down for the night.