Destruction

Recovery Day 2

Previously on Destruction. . .

"Stay quiet." she waved her phone at him. A rather visual picture of him and her doing the bad things his mind blurred out was on her phone. "If you don't, I'll send this picture to your girlfriend. I'll ruin your life like I ruined Marinette's life."

~~~. 

A lot of people understood what the word 'safe' meant physically. However, it wasn't spoken about often in something like the emotional and mental states of people. There was also a difference between feeling and being safe. Many assumed that feeling and being safe had the same meanings. Such thinking was wrong.

Physical safety could often be seen. An example of physical safety was Ladybug and Chat Noir protecting Paris from akumas.

Emotional safety was something completely different. Emotional safety was establishing trust with another person and feeling safe enough to be open and vulnerable.

For Marinette, sure she felt physically safe with some of her classmates, but for her emotions, she didn't feel emotionally safe.

Lila had really burned a hole into her mind and chest. That rotten girl had wriggled her way into Marinette's life. She crushed the strong mentality she had in place. She crushed the bond she had with her friends. She crushed her self-esteem.

Just take the high road.

The high road?

Marinette never blamed Adrien for his naivety. She never blamed him for saying something like that.

He cared about everyone when it came to negative emotions.

But, what about her? What about her emotions? What about those hurtful words she had gotten from her former friends? From Lila?

"Marinette?"

"Huh?" She had spaced out. "I'm sorry. I didn't hear you."

The nurse gave her a sympathetic smile. "It's alright. I was just letting you know there's going to be some activities throughout the day that may help you. There's one starting in about five minutes if you want to join us."

Being around others could really prove useful. Marinette knew she had been isolating herself for a long very long time. She needed the distraction. "Yeah, sure."

"Excellent! Would you like a list of the activities we're going to do today too?"

"That would be nice. Uhm where's the first activity being held?"

"It's in the main room. I'll be happy to lead you there."

"Thank you." Marinette followed the nurse to the main room.

In the room, there were a handful of other female patients. All of them were wearing scrubs that were free of strings and anything of harm. It was nice to not have to wear a hospital gown. Those were uncomfortable to wear. These scrubs weren't uncomfortable. They weren't revealing.

The bluenette was handed the list of activities and a sheet of paper for the activity starting in less than five minutes. Her eyes searched for an empty seat.

There was one near the other emergency exit across the room. So, she had taken that one.

On the table, there was a scatter of markers. She grabbed a pink marker and skimmed over the activity sheet. Her mind couldn't really grasp it, but she was sure there'd be directions here soon. So, she looked around the room with a scared curiosity. There were a number of different girls in the room with her. All different races, shapes, and sizes. And all she had to think was These girls... are they different from me?

"Alright, ladies. Everyone is here." A nurse announced. She was wearing a dark blue nurse shirt with some matching slacks. Her blonde hair was up in a tight bun. Her hazel eyes were filled with sympathy, but not the kind that appeared forced. It was filled with care as if she wanted these girls, these women to get better and live a happier life. "For today's activity, we'll begin with listing some goals. For the new patients here, these goals aren't long-term. These goals are short-term because you're just focusing on today."

Goals for today? She asked herself. The only kinds of goals she had were long-term. She felt a feeling of embarrassment rise inside her. Her mind was on the goal of making Adrien hers'. But, he wasn't some prize to be won. He was a special individual with feelings.

"These goals can be simple. They don't need to be complex."

Marinette pulled at the marker to expose it to the air. She placed the cap on the end of it. It took her a moment to figure out what to write down. It was only three goals. It wasn't all that too difficult, but, it was.

"You don't have to write down all three goals. You can write down one and work through your day to complete that goal."

I'll smile today. That was something she hadn't done in a while. Not since Lila had threatened to make her life a living nightmare. Not since Lila's threat had come true. I'll get through today.

After a few minutes, the nurse who was leading the activity asked for a couple of other patients to share their goals. All of them were different.

"I made it my goal to get out of here. I have a safe plan in case I feel I need to take my life."

"I've said this yesterday, but I'll focus on today. The past doesn't hurt me and neither will the future."

Marinette slowly raised her hand.

The nurse smiled. "Marinette, did you want to share one of your goals?"

"Y-yeah. My goals aren't as complex as any of yours, b-but my goal for today is to smile again. I-I haven't done that since..." she stopped herself.

"It's alright. You don't need to share with us about why. Later you'll meet up with a psychologist to address your needs. Thank you for sharing."

She felt a happy feeling spread through her body. For once, she felt heard. She felt like she was valid. It was the most wonderful feeling she had felt in almost four months.