GentleMonster 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒩ℴ𝒾𝓇 𝒳 𝒪𝒸

𝔉𝔯𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔢𝔡 𝔡𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔶

              𝒜𝓈   the final bell rang, signaling the end of another school day, the corridors of the school began to empty, the cheerful echoes of students heading home slowly fading. The sky outside had turned a deep, moody gray, heavy with the threat of snow yet to fall. It was almost six in the evening, and darkness had already blanketed the city.

Ambar stayed behind for an extra class, along with a handful of other students. The quiet hum of the classroom was a stark contrast to the earlier cheer of the day. She sat at her desk, her light brown hair falling over her face as she scribbled notes, her mind slightly distant. She loved learning, but there was an uneasy feeling in her chest tonight.

Outside, Adrien stood at the corner of the school building, his back pressed against the cold brick wall. His black coat was buttoned up tightly, his gloved hands crossed over his chest. His green eyes scanned the darkening sky, lost in thought. Snowflakes were beginning to drift down lazily, melting the moment they touched the ground.

He tilted his head back, exhaling a soft sigh that misted in the frigid air. Why am I still here? he wondered. He had no reason to linger. He’d stayed longer than necessary, but something kept pulling him back. Or rather, someone.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed the faint glow of light coming from one of the classrooms. He didn’t have to guess whose it was. His jaw tightened as his thoughts spiraled. She’s still in there. Sweet, oblivious Ambar. Always so bright, so open. She doesn’t belong in this darkness. And yet… I can’t seem to leave her alone.

Inside the classroom, Ambar’s phone buzzed on her desk, jolting her out of her thoughts. She picked it up, seeing an unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she answered anyway.

“Hello?” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of caution.

“Miss Ambar?” The voice on the other end was unfamiliar—calm but tinged with urgency. “This is Dr. Moreau from the Paris General Hospital.”

Ambar froze, her light brown eyes widening. The room around her seemed to blur, the faint chatter of her classmates fading into the background.

“Yes, this is Ambar,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “What’s… what’s going on?”

“I’m sorry to inform you, but your parents were involved in a serious car accident earlier this evening,” the doctor said gently, but his words hit her like a thunderclap. “They are in critical condition, and we’re doing everything we can to stabilize them. I thought you should know.”

The phone nearly slipped from her hand as her mind reeled. The words echoed in her head, but they didn’t feel real. Critical condition? Her chest tightened, and she suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe.

“No, that can’t be…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “They—they were supposed to be at the shop today. They said—”

“I’m very sorry,” the doctor interrupted gently. “But we need you to come to the hospital as soon as you can. Are you able to get here?”

“Yes, I’ll… I’ll find a way,” she stammered, her voice barely audible.

She ended the call and stared at her phone, her hands trembling. The room felt too small, too bright, too loud. Her heart pounded in her chest, and tears blurred her vision.

Marinette, who had stayed behind to help clean up, noticed her pale face and rushed to her side. “Ambar? What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Ambar couldn’t speak. She could only shake her head, clutching her phone tightly in her hand. The tears finally spilled over, and she quickly wiped them away, trying to keep her composure.