Falling: A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic

Chapter 2: Hiding the Fall

Waking up was a chore. The bed was full of warmth and safety, and Marinette could not get up. The sound of the alarm clock haunted her, and it was only Tikki and her well-being that woke the girl up. The kwami laid in her small bed, looking a tiny bit better. The color had returned to her face, but Tikki still looked exhausted. There was a little red...

"Blood? Tikki, are you bleeding?!" Marinette shouted.

"No, we kwamis only lose energy, not blood. I think- I think it's yours. Are you alright Marinette?" Tikki asked, a concerned look engulfing her face. Marinette looked down at her bandages. There was only dried blood, and a painful bunch of broken ribs. It still hurt. But what hurt more was the girl's unanswered questions.

"What is happening? My suit, and the lucky charm?"

Tikki glanced down, her face full of worry. "Later. It's time for school."

Marinette groaned. "Fine. Let's get through the day."

O o O

School was awful. Marinette's chest still stung, and walking caused little jolts of pain. It hurt when she breathed. "Yo, girl, you okay?" Alya's voice rang out.

Marinette put on her best smile. "Yeah. Totally. Her best friend didn't look convinced, but didn't press any further. Is it that obvious? My injuries? The girl worried, avoiding eye contact. "Hey, I'm going to go to the bathroom before class starts." Alya shrugged.

Walking as fast as Marinette could, she glimpsed at her reflection in the mirror. It wasn't Marinette staring back. Her bright bluebell eyes were dull and faded, with purple bags under their them. Her midnight blue hair was frizzy and disheveled, with a pale complexion. She looked so fragile, as if anyone could break her with a few words. Speaking of whom...

"Marinette. You look uglier than before. I guess we see your true look after all!" Chloe snickered, her designer clothing and bright blue eyeshadow glaring at the superheroine.

Marinette rolled her eyes and sighed. She said nothing. "Bit quiet today aren't we? What's wrong with you?"

The midnight bluette uttered four words: "Maybe I don't care." Chloe's eyes widened.

"Well..I don't care. You're...you're" The superheroine left before Chloe could finish. The pain was getting worse, and a headache was beginning to haunt Marinette's head. She opened her purse, and found Tikki looking back at her.

"How are you doing Tikki?" Marinette asked, with a voice full of concern.

"I'm fine. I'll be better when we go to the Master Fu. How are you?" Tikki murmured.

"I'll be fine. I just have to get through the day." Marinette retorted. "We'll go-" She was cut off by...

"Adrien! What are you doing here?!" Her cheeks were bright red.

The boy smiled, "I overheard talking, and came to investigate." He held a suspicious look, "What are you doing?"

"I was just talking to my-myself. I-"

"Woah. Are you okay? You look sort of..." Adrien interrupted, his green eyes full of concern for his friend.

"Great? Ugly? What? I'm fine. Really." Marinette replied, getting annoyed from that question and the pain.

Same as Alya, Adrien didn't look convinced. He shrugged, "Okay. See you later." He waved, and Marinette could feel her face burning. The girl still got flustered around Adrien, but she was beginning to move on. He was a silly crush, and Marinette knew nothing about him. The bell rang across the school, and it took 2 minutes for Marinette to walk, with the pain on her chest. Her broken ribs were becoming too much, and the superheroine could feel tears streaming down her face. She managed to find her seat before the dreaded bell sounded.

"Hey, girl, are you crying?" Alya questioned.

Marinette quickly rubbed her eyes. "What? No."

Nino and Adrien peered back at the superheroine. "Woah. You look so not cool." Nino pointed out.

"Thanks Nino. I just didn't get that much sleep last night." Not a total lie. After patrol, the pain kept Marinette up all night. She got at least 4 hours of sleep.

'"Really? You look like you've been hit by a truck." Alya said, while Marinette sighed. I have such good friends. She thought sarcastically, a little wince of pain in her chest.

Mrs. Bustier walked in, her bright red hair put in a neat bun. "Good Morning Class." The teacher bellowed. A faint groan was heard from the class. "Now, I hope that you know that we will have a project coming up. This project will count for 50 points, and..."

Marinette couldn't hear her anymore. She was more focused on the injury corrupting her mind. The girl hoped Tikki was alright. What is happening? I need answers, and I need them soon. What about my injury? Who can heal it? All these questions haunted Marinette and it was only Alya who woke her up from her train of thought.

"Mariette," Alya beckoned to the teacher, who was patiently waiting. "Answer the question."

Marinette jolted with a hint of pain from her ribs, "Yes?"

Mrs. Bustier sighed. "I asked if you are feeling okay. Are you?"

"I'm-I'm okay." The girl squeaked. She murmured to herself, "Why does everyone keep asking that?"

"Mrs. Dupain-Cheng, are you sure? You look very unwell."

Marinette tugged at her bandages. The pain was awful, her breath carrying a small stab in her chest. She wanted to go home. She wanted to find out what is happening. But the lie was so easy as it slipped through her tongue. "Yeah. I'm fine."

The day was long, and the pain seemed to increase each hour. Finally, the glorious sound of school bell arrived. Marinette sighed with relief, and walked slowly out of the school building. "Yo, girl, wait up!" Alya yelled to her friend. The superheroine glanced back, and her shoulders drooped. She needed to find the Grand Master and get answers.

"Ready to go?" Alya asked. Both of them were going to walk around Paris.

Marinette yawned. "Hey, I'm sort of tired. I need some sleep. Can we do this tomorrow?"

"Yeah, you look exhausted. Go to bed girl." As soon as Alya was out of sight, Marinette painfully sauntered down the streets of Paris. She quickly glanced at Tikki, who was sound asleep. Soon, the superheroine would get some answers.