Simply Rejected

Part 1

(little warning. This was written before Kim got a personality so I assumed he was a Jerk and sort of a creeper.)

I walked into the school building with Alya by my side. She happily enthused about the new likes the Ladyblog was getting. Her most recent theories about ladybug and Chat Noir's identities were gaining a lot of traction, although all Alya could do was speculate. I couldn't believe she thought Chat Noir may be a model due to how he could strut. No way!

Alya trailed off at the sound of yelling, our attention drawn to the center of the courtyard. "This has to stop, I am sick of it!" Instantly My eyes found Adrien who was yelling Kim.

A week ago, Nino started a joke to ship Adrien and I. He was aware of my feelings and didn't expect the others to take it so far. At first, I didn't mind. I hoped that Adrien would be pushed to ask me out and on a date. This could be my chance for him to start liking me back! However, Adrien wasn't a fan of "Adrienette". Kim, the biggest supporter, relentlessly teased him about it.

I don't know what could have happened between today and yesterday that made Adrien so mad about it, though.

"Awe, C'mon man It's just a joke, chill out," Kim said, failing to hide his chuckling.

"Sure it was a joke. But it is not anymore. You can't photoshop stuff like that and not expect me to get mad. This is so not okay!" Adrien threw out his hands, face turning red from anger. The look was strange on him, he was usually so soft and kind. What got into him? His face reminded me of Chat Noir. When I get hurt, he sometimes gets all defensive like this.

"Come on- it's just a joke. I bet you like the pictures! Just like Marinette!" Kim replied incredibly snarkily.

I could see it in his body language. Adrien snapped. With the frenzied look in his eye, I almost couldn't recognize him.

"I don't like Marinette in any way. Will you stop with the shipping? It will never happen!" Adrien yelled, loud enough for the whole courtyard to hear. I could feel my heart pounding in my ears. The eyes of the other students shifted from the fight to me, whispers breaking out. 

"Dude," Nino, who was directly beside Adrien, tried and failing to calm him down, "Marinette is right-"

"Nino!" Adrien silenced his friend without even a glance. He glared at Kim averted his eyes, looking right over to me.

I didn't notice I dropped my backpack at first, the ringing in my ears swallowed up the sound. My face was on fire, not cooled in the slightest by the hot tears forming in my eyes. 

The sound drew Adrien's attention, though. His head snapped over, a shocked look overtaking his face at the sight of me. 

I don't want to cry- not in front of Adrien. I started laughing very awkwardly and choking the sadness from my throat. Hot tears slid down my cheek. He said it out of anger, I told myself silently but... Does he really dislike me? Have I been too dense to notice?

"Mari, are you okay?" Alya gently touched my arm. I snapped out of whatever sad laughing fit I was in and ran.