My Lady

Chapter 6: Marinette

Two weeks ago:
      "Okay. We got two outs on them with a runner on third, and we're ahead by one. We have to pull this off," said Ivan to a class of P.E. students. They were playing softball.
      Kim stepped up to bat looking rigid strong. Knees bent and arms flat, he was ready for the first pitch. He swung, fouling it past right field where Marinette was after she tried to fumble for it. She awkwardly tossed it back into play.
      "If he hits it to her, we're gonna lose for sure," said Nino discouraged. He was playing shortstop.
      "Go easy on her. We can't all be all-stars. She probably never wore a glove before Monday, and she's not the only one," said Adrien. He was playing third.
      Kim reset for the next pitch. This time, he was even more stiff with his hands further back. His swing was faster and more powerful than before. He hit it to right field again, still going foul, but not by much. Marinette went to retrieve the ball, but tripped on her way to it.
      Last pitch.
      Kim was as serious as ever. He pulled his shoulders back, then spun his body around for a hard swing. It went to right field at a high arc. Marinette stared at it for a few seconds, then tried moving to the ball. She held her glove up in the air. The ball was still coming down. She stretched her arm out further and started covering her face with her free hand and turned her upper body away from the glove scared. It was a catch.
      The field exploded with energy. Marinette looked around confused seeing half of the class ran on the field celebratingwhile the others were trudging angrily. She realized once agin she had a glove in the air and lowered her arm in front of her face. She saw a large, bright yellow ball fully seated in the net of her glove.
Joy replaced the shock on her face. She threw the ball in not aiming and started cheering as her team ran to her in excitement. Adrien was the first one there. He pulled her into a bear hug and started rocking back and forth with her in his arms.
      "I knew you could do it, Marinette!"

One week ago:
      "Okay class. Remember, whichever group has the best presentation on their project today gets the class Biology award which will be displayed in the science hall for the rest of the year."
Marinette looked down the list posted on the board. In bold, black letters was the order of presentations.

Monday:
Sabrina and Chloé
Nino and Alya
Rose and Juleka
Marinette and Adrien

      She stopped reading after that. Marinette was beginning to quietly panic. Adrien wasn't at school yet. Yet. Will he come to school? Sabrina and Chloé were first. Their topic was a modified version of Chloé's original idea which was which animal has the cutest pelt. Thanks to Sabrina, it was changed to Why are These Animals Threatened.
      Marinette wasn't paying attention, and instead started worrying about something more urgent in her head.
      "What am I going to do? I don't have Adrien, and we have to present today. I've done all the research, but I'll look stupid if I do it on my own. I guess I have no choice."

Two days later:
      "Marinette, I am so sorry I left you alone. My dad scheduled me to do a photo shoot during the day and- I really shouldn't be making excuses right now. I'll talk to Mrs-"
      "I-It's fine Adrien. I did some research for the whole project including the parts you were supposed to cover."
      Adrien stared at Marinette like he couldn't believe what he just heard.
      "You did all that by yourself?"
      "Y-yeah, w-we-"
      "That's impressive. I wish I had my shit together as well as you."
Marinette started giggling. Adrien looked down at his feet.
      "N-n-n-no. I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at what you said about me."
      Marinette started to chuckle again, then Adrien joined in. Adrien began to realize how long it's been since he's has someone to laugh with, let loose and be open with. He always found himself comfortable with her. He never had many friends like her, so he can't stand to let her down. He can't stand being rejected and ridiculed. He can't stand losing a friend like Marinette. He can't stand losing Marinette.
      The classroom door opened silencing Marinette and Adrien's laughter.
      "Alright class. After seeing all of the presentations, I have to say I was impressed, disappointed, and confused. That aside, I will announce the two runner-ups and the ultimate winner of the Biology award. In third place was Nino and Alya with How Diverse Ecosystems Effect an Economy."
      "Alright!" hollered Nino as he reached over to give Alya a high five.
      "Second place goes to Max and Kim with Evolutionary Patterns of Predators."
      Max rolled his eyes while Kim scowled at the window. Neither were too happy with second place.
      "Finally, first place and the Biology award go to Marinette and Adrien with How the Genome Project can Effect Modern Medicine."
      Adrien ran to Marinette and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his body. He started laughing as he spun her around a few times. He put her down, set his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye with a smile on his face. Marinette turned ref and stared back with wide eyes.
      Adrien started giggling again. He found himself comfortable, happy, and free again.
      "I knew you could do it, Marinette!"

Today:
      "Mari, no!"