...why? (COMPLETE)

Afraid

Thinking about it still scared me. I knew it was over, but I still couldn't help the empty feeling it left behind. I felt small. Helpless. Afraid.

         Why do things have to be that way? I couldn't believe I lost him. My partner. And the love of my life. How was I supposed to handle this? It wasn't fair!
          The thing that scared me most was that I lost him so easily. Who knows how soon it will be before I loose all my friends? Rena Rouge? Queen Bee? Carapace? What if I'm the only one left...
          The next day, I was feeling better, so I tried to go to school, but no matter how hard I tried, the plaster I used to put on my smile wouldn't stick. I could hardly focus in class, because I spent the whole time staring at the empty seat in front of me.
          After class, everyone was a mess. Questions about Adrien were rippling through the crowd.
           "Where's Adrien?"
           "Is he sick?"
           "Does Adrien have a photo shoot today?"
           "Why isn't he at school today? He never misses school!"
          I couldn't hold myself back.
          "BECAUSE HE'S DEAD!!" I let it slip.
          "Wha-what?" Mylène said, all color draining from her face.
          "He's gone!" I tried to sound strong, but the tears wouldn't hold back, "A-adrien's...gone." ((Big Hero 6 anyone?))
         "She's just joking!" Sabrina looked at me, "Right?"
         "I-I really hate to be the one to tell you all this, but..." I stuttered, "An akuma knocked a building down on top of him. They were aiming for me...he saved my life. If I had just been more careful! This is all my fault!" I didn't try to stop the tears this time. There wouldn't be any point anyways. They rolled down my cheeks freely and I backed up to the wall and slunk down to the floor, burying my head in my knees.
          "Girl, of course it's not your fault," Alya comforted, hugging me.
          "There was nothing you could do," Nino said, "It was an accident." That was when I heard the last voice I would've expected.
           "It's okay, Marinette," Chloe actually hugged me too, "Please, don't blame yourself."
            When they saw Chloe feeling sorry, everyone else gathered around in one giant huddle group hug. Kim, Alix, Max, Ivan, Juleka, Rose, Nathaniel, Myléne, Sabrina-everyone.
Everyone but Adrien, I thought.
               No. I pushed the feeling away. I had friends who cared about me through all of it. And then I realized.
                I wasn't afraid anymore.