Shadowteer

Chapter 6

"Um... repeat that? I didn't hear you." She took a deep breath.

"I said, why do you hate me?" He took in a sharp breath.

"I... I don't hate you Manon."

"You hesitated."

"Dang it." She giggled.

"You don't have to lie to me. I know you hate me. Why?"

"Um... well, it's not like I'm the only one that hates you so why are you cornering me? I should be the last person you ask, being a 'walk on' character and all." She shot up.

"Wait, there are others?" He stared at her. Is she seriously that naive? Is she in some sort of blind dream where she only sees the world like she wants it, some sort of friendship factory? Wake up, cupcake. Of course people don't like you.

"Wh-what?"

"Did I say all that out loud?" She nodded. "Oh. Of course I did. Sorry. I honestly didn't mean to-"

"It's... it's okay. You really think that many people don't like me?"

"Uh... can we change the subject?" She smirked.

"Sure why don't you like me-"

"Something else?"

"Come on, it had to come out at some point." He sighed.

"You don't remember me, but I remember you. And if you only knew who I was, well, I doubt you would remember either way. It happened too long ago. It's still fresh in my memory though."

"Well? Spit it out! What did I do?"

"Something."

"Which was..."

"Like I said. Something."

"Ugh! Quit being so mysterious and tell me."

"Why?"

"I want to fix it and make it right." He chuckled dryly.

"You can't fix everything Miss Unicorn."

"Well, I can certainly try." He scowled.

"No. You can't. Besides, even if I could tell you, I won't. My therapist tells me not to think of it. It's the reason I got akumatised in the first place and with all the akuma attacks that happened a few years ago, it's best not to." She opened her mouth to ask why he had a therapist but shut it.

"We can't get akumatised again. Hawkmoth is in jail." He shrugged. "Also, you were akumatised? Really? That means you must have lived in Paris then!"

"Before I left. And I left because of you." Her face crumpled.

"Was it that bad?" He shrugged, pushing off the memories.

"In a word, yes. It was that bad."

"Then you have that therapist because of me?" He facepalmed.

"I didn't realise I mentioned it. Ugh. And no. Maybe a little but just partially. You're not like the main reason or anything so you can stop looking like you want to cry a flood of tears to drown yourself in." She leaned against the bleachers and breathed in and out slowly.

"Whatever I did must have caused you a lot of heartbreak Chris. I'm really sorry."

"Don't apologise. Your sorry won't change a thing. On the bright side, I lost my already dwindling faith in humanity that day so now I don't let anyone get close enough to me to crush me again!" He seemed genuinely happy about it. She just looked horrified. "What's with the face? It's good not to trust anyone. Made life easy over the years."

"Not even your friends? Or family?"

"I've never had any. Most wanted me because of my brother's fame or money and so staying away proved useful. As for family, all I have is my brother."

"Really?"

"He's the only family I need anyway. My father is dead-" she hugged him immediately, tears springing in her eyes. He froze.

"Oh Chris, I know exactly how that feels. My dad-" he shoved her away and stood up.

"I mean dead to us. My father is dead to us."

"Oh."

"Don't get all sappy on me now woman. This is a no cry zone." She smiled.

"Oh hush. What about your mom?"

"What about her?" She giggled.

"You are so darn mysterious."

"Part of the package I'm afraid." He bowed with a small grin and walked away. Dozens of questions ran through his head. He felt so angry with himself. Mysterious? Seriously? I practically told her everything about me! What is wrong with my mind. How did she... What kind of witchcraft did she... She is definitely strange. A good strange. He glanced at her talking to her friends and smiled. She's messing up my head with her... Manonness. Better stay away before she claims my soul.

He was so deep in thought he didn't notice her heading straight for him.

"CHRIS!"

"What the-"