꧁ • 𝗹𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲 ​​ • ꧂

✧ • ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ • ✧

the struggles of a peculiar gift 

Biology has always been a thorn in my side. Chemistry isn't much better, though it's a slight improvement over biology. These subjects bore me to tears. I understand that they might be essential for others, but my interests lie elsewhere. Perhaps it's because I have abilities that set me apart, unlike typical students. You see, I'm not entirely human, and my powers are anything but ordinary. I've been grappling with my strange abilities, which seem more like a curse than a gift. At first, I thought it was some form of poison my well-meaning but misguided parents inadvertently exposed me to. But after overhearing a conversation between Nathalie and my parents, I learned that it's not a poison but a form of control. I can manipulate objects, though not with the precision I'd hoped for. It's not like controlling gravity by altering its friction, but more like having an internal struggle with an uncontrollable force. I wonder if I was designed to defy the laws of physics, but I also fear that I might accidentally harm someone with it. I can't bear the thought of being a danger to others, and gloves—while practical—seem like a mere temporary fix.As my thoughts spiraled, I found it hard to focus on the class. I was so lost in my musings that a piece of chalk, flung from a careless motion, landed squarely on my head."Ouch!" I yelped."Miss Agrest! Pay attention! This isn't your luxury mansion where you can wander about!" the teacher barked.

"Interesting point, Miss. So why do we have homework if it's meant to be done at home? Isn't it just an extension of our schoolwork?" I asked, hoping to be clever. Instead of receiving praise for my insight, I was promptly sent to detention. Imagine getting detention on your very first day at school. I sighed and accepted the punishment, but my predicament only worsened. I had no idea where the detention room was—or the principal's office, for that matter. With exactly 36 minutes and 45 seconds remaining in biology class, I decided to explore the school. My wandering led me to a deserted classroom where I leaned against the wall, trying to collect my thoughts.

Suddenly, the intercom crackled to life: "Attention all teachers, students, and staff! An attack has been reported near the school. Please evacuate the building and head to your homes for safety."Great. Just what I needed. A day that started with mundane irritations was now turning into a full-blown emergency. I glanced around as students scattered in panic. With no other viable option, I gripped the balcony railing and jumped down to the football field, landing smoothly without injury. (I've had plenty of practice sneaking out of the mansion and climbing walls.) There, amidst the chaos, I spotted Adrien darting about. He saw me, his eyes wide with a mix of relief and frustration. Without a word, he grabbed my hand and began pulling me toward the exit."I never asked you to touch me," I protested."And I didn't ask you to jump off the balcony," Adrien retorted. "But let's not argue right now. We need to get out of here and go home!"It was a side of Adrien I wasn't used to seeing—a blend of urgency and concern. It reminded me that despite our differences, we had each other's backs.*****

Back at home, my room was cloaked in shadows, save for a sliver of sunlight that dared to peek through. I sat on my bed, my left hand glowing with a luminous purple hue. My frustration manifested physically as I hurled a burst of energy at a flower vase across the room, shattering it into pieces. The strain of using my abilities left me weak, and I was soon coughing up dark red liquid—blood.

"Damn it," I muttered as the blood pooled around me on the floor. I had always hated how using my powers left me feeling so fragile, like I was losing a part of myself with every exertion. I wiped the blood from my mouth, feeling the sharp sting of pain and weakness.With a groan, I staggered to the bathroom, washing the blood from my face and coat. I gazed at my reflection—my greyish-purple vest stained and torn. I felt like a ghost of myself, drained and exhausted. After removing the vest, I threw it aside and donned a plain white shirt with rolled-up sleeves.Returning to my room, I covered the bloodstains with a rug and stormed out, determined to find Adrien. When I reached his room, I was taken aback by the sight before me. Adrien was frantically chasing something—or someone—around the room. What on earth was going on?