𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙨 ♡ 𝙇𝙞𝙡𝙖 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞?

Chapter three: Disconnected

Lila's hands were clenched tightly as the woman, who she presumed to be her mother, pulled her into a hug. She kept her hands rigidly at her sides, refusing to reciprocate the embrace, her eyes locked with Chat's. She noticed him quickly avert his gaze, pretending he hadn't been staring at her.

Why was he staring—

"Oh, Lila! I was so worried when Chat Noir brought you in and you weren't responding. I just–" Lila remained passive as she was drawn into another tight hug, the woman's words becoming a meaningless babble that Lila had no interest in deciphering.

"Right..." Her voice was airy and dismissive, her eyes unfocused. The woman turned to Chat Noir with a look of gratitude, nodding at him. Chat returned the nod, took a bow, and then leaped into the sky.

Lila continued to stare blankly into the distance until the woman cupped her cheeks, causing her to recoil. She stared at the woman, her eyes wide, as the woman mirrored her expression, her hand still hovering where Lila had pulled away. The woman slowly lowered her hands just as her phone began to ring. She hesitated before answering as if she already knew who was on the other end. She cleared her throat and glanced at Lila before answering.

"Hello? Yes, I know— No, I'll be right there." After hanging up, the woman sighed, put away her phone, and turned back to Lila.

"Sweetie, I have to leave now. Why don't you stay home today, okay?" Lila simply nodded in response. She watched as the woman left the house, leaving her alone in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do next.

Alone.

— — — — —

Adrien landed with a grunt in a deserted alleyway, quickly checking his surroundings before detransforming. Seeing no one around, he left the alleyway and hurried towards school.

"Looks like Mr. Perfect Attendance is going to be late for school," Adrien rolled his eyes and glanced down at the pocket of his shirt where his kwami was hiding.

"I'd rather that than deal with another akumatized victim," he sighed, running a hand through his hair in mild stress as he approached the school entrance.

"Dad's going to kill me if he finds out I'm late." He muttered to himself as he entered the building and climbed the stairs. Through the window, he could see Ms. Bustier engrossed in what appeared to be a textbook. He hurried inside and quickly took his seat just as the teacher called his name. He quietly settled into his seat and unpacked his supplies. However, his focus was interrupted when an elbow nudged his upper arm.

"Dude, you're never late, what happened?" Adrien opened his mouth to reply, then paused as he scrambled for an excuse. He scratched the back of his neck.

"The... car! The car wouldn't start for a bit," he lied, laughing nervously. Nino nodded in understanding and turned his attention back to Ms. Bustier, with Adrien doing the same.

— — — — —

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

Ti—

The sound of glass shattering echoed through the room as Lila watched the now broken clock fall to the ground, the ticking finally silenced. She stared at the shattered timepiece for a moment longer before turning away and running her hands through her hair, clutching at it almost desperately. Lila's eyes darted around the unfamiliar room in a frantic search, finally settling on a photo frame perched on a table near a window. The room was filled with an eerie silence, only broken by the occasional curtains rustling. Rising slowly, she approached the picture, her gaze fixed on the image of the woman who had just departed and... herself? It was a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity.

She gently touched her cheek, observing the faint reflection in the glass mimicking her movements. It was like looking at a stranger— No... she was looking at a stranger. Green eyes, brown hair with framing bangs...

She didn't look anything like her old—

"Body snatcher!"

Lila gasps as she drops the picture frame out of fright, watching as it collides with the floor with the sound of glass breaking following it. She stared at the now broken frame, no longer seeing her reflection in the glass. The room suddenly felt too small, too confining.

She needs space.

With a swift turn, she exited through the front door, not bothering to secure it behind her. She let her feet lead the way, destination unknown and unimportant. As she chewed on her nails, a habit she had when her anxiety heightened, she realized she was alone in a city she barely knew.

Inhale, exhale, inhale... exhale...

She repeated the mantra, trying to calm her racing heart.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted what appeared to be a park. It was a small oasis of green. Taking a deep breath, she made her way over and settled on a bench, leaning back and gazing at the clear sky, her hands resting on her lap. Lila remained silent as she stared into the sky, the vast expanse of blue offering a sense of calm.

But the tranquility was short-lived as she bit her lip to stifle a whimper threatening to break free. Tears welled up in her eyes, which she hastily wiped away. She was a stranger in a strange land, and the reality of her situation was beginning to sink in.

"It's you..." Lila gasped, lifting her head to meet the familiar green eyes of another. It was a face she hadn't expected to see, but one she recognized instantly.

"Ah... You," Lila found herself staring at Adrien, who returned her gaze without a word.

— — — — —

Marinette found herself waiting by the school stairs, her gaze fixed on the entrance, anticipating the appearance of a certain blonde who had piqued her interest since the first day of school. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she waited for Adrien to finish his fencing practice.

"Marinette? Why are we just sitting here?" Tikki, the kwami, emerged from Marinette's purse, floating into her line of sight. Marinette's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly scanned the surroundings to ensure they were alone before whispering her response to Tikki.

"I'm waiting for Adrien," she confessed, causing the bug-like kwami to raise an invisible eyebrow and float closer to her.

"But why hide?" Tikki probed further.

"Because—" Marinette's explanation was cut short by a gasp as she ducked suddenly when the school entrance door began to open. Peeking from behind the stairs, she spotted Adrien emerging from the entrance. A glance at her phone confirms her suspicion.

Was he leaving his lessons early?

She continued to observe Adrien, who seemed oblivious to her presence. He looked around cautiously before carefully extracting an unusual book from his bag and opening it. Marinette squinted, trying to discern the details of the book cover, while Tikki gasped at the sight of it. Adrien's head whipped around at the sound, causing Marinette to duck behind the wall, holding her breath and shooting a quick glare at Tikki, who returned a sheepish grin. After a minute or two, Marinette risked another peek, only to see Adrien's retreating back.

"Marinette! The book! We need to get that book!" Tikki's sudden outburst startled Marinette, who waved her hand dismissively, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Adrien.

"Forget about the book, why would Adrien leave his fencing class early?"

"He did mention he had a photoshoot today," Tikki offered, shrugging as she perched on Marinette's shoulder. But Marinette turned to the kwami with narrowed eyes.

"But he doesn't have a photoshoot today, I would have known!" Marinette insisted, her voice filled with stress. She knew Adrien's schedule by heart, and no photo shoot was planned today. Something was off, and she was determined to find out what it was. A sense of unease settled in her heart as she watched Adrien's retreating figure.