Simply Rejected

Part 2

Adrien-

My day started with a bad day and a text notification from Kim. 

I reluctantly opened it, only to be faced with a crude, photoshopped image of what was supposed to be of myself and Marinette that disgusted me to no end. I immediately swiped it away and didn't even bother to read the harassing texts Kim had sent afterward. 

To take a fellow classmate- a kind, friendly girl like Marinette and photoshop her in such a compromising way was beyond unacceptable. 

As used to harassment by fans as I am, Marinette is made uncomfortable by Kim's increasingly worse "Shipping" attempts. Every time the subject of her and I together in any capacity was brought up, her face would go all red and she would make an excuse and leave the room. 

I am supposed to be Paris's hero. Chat Noir. Ladybug's partner. To continue to lay down and accept this treatment of a Lady is unacceptable. 

On the other hand, I couldn't imagine what would happen if my father wind of the images on my phone, it just made the pit forming in my stomach to sink deeper. 

The moment I got to school I confronted Kim, only for him to keep it up, his teasing getting all the worse. I could feel bystanders watching as Kim smugly told me I only cared so much because I had a crush on her. 

 So I decided to make it clear that I didn't have any sort of crush on her. She deserved respect regardless if we were friends or not. 

After the cold statement, I heard a loud thud and the sound of papers sliding around. I turned to see Marinette standing halfway across the main school room. She had a fake wavering smile and tears slid down her cheeks.

Instantly, guilt hit me like a hammer. Wait- I didn't mean it like that! I tried to speak, say anything, but nothing came out. Say something! That was so rude and curt, I can't believe I said it!

I watched her run away crying. Darn it! nothing like this happens in my Anime!

The shrewd, judgmental eyes of my classmates all turned toward me, even Kim was shocked by my statement. As Marinette's friends- most of the class- turned away to go after Marinette in an attempt to comfort her I stood, frozen to my spot, trying to conceive what I had said. 

In my breast pocket, Plagg stirred, "Adrien, what if she gets akumatized? I don't want to clean up your mess." He complained quietly as to stay out of sight. I nodded, he had a point. I looked around for a place to transform but got interrupted.

I was spurred into action, only taking a step toward the exit Marinette had ran out of when I was stopped. 

"What do you think you're doing?!" Alya demanded, waving her arms around "How dare you!" she continued.  "How could you say that about Mari in front of everybody! She cared about you a lot and you barely even noticed her!" She growled. 

"I didn't-" I defended, feeling heat rush to my face. I couldn't tell her about the photos, Marinette didn't deserve that, even if Alya is her best friend. "I just wanted Kim to stop, he went over the line. I didn't- I didn't mean to hurt her." 

Alya scowled, setting a glare on me that would make Hawkmoth tremble in his boots. "You better watch your words, Agreste. Go to class and sit your pretty butt down. Don't look at her and don't speak to her. I won't let you hurt my best friend."

I nodded dumbly, cowed.

Thanks for reading!