The Other Side of the Mirror -- genderbend

7: Standing Up For Her

Adrienne had no idea if it was a good idea to try to sneak out again to go to school. She knew her mother would kill her. But she also knew she couldn't ditch her friends, so after some internal debate she grabbed her bag like usual and climbed out the window. In her rush, she slipped and fell the last few feet. Luckily she landed in the bushes, safely on her feet. She ran through the back streets, skidding to a halt in front of the school. She took the stairs three at a time, but stopped short at the sound of a car pulling up. Gulping, she turned around to see her mother getting out of her car.

"Adrienne!" she called.

Adrienne groaned inwardly.

"Get back here!" her mother said firmly, walking up the first few steps.

Adrienne walked forward until she was only about a foot away from her mother, who still managed to look composed despite the anger in her eyes.

Gabriella Agreste. Ever the cold, unfeeling woman she had for a mother.

"I believe I told you not to return to school?" she said icily. "It's dangerous to climb out of windows, and I seem to recall telling you not to do that either."

Adrienne opened her mouth and was about to argue that what she did was her business and not her mother's when a hand settled on her shoulder and a familiar voice said, "Well, Adrienne, this must be your mother, am I right?"

Marin held out a hand. Gabriella did not shake it, instead giving him a cold glare.

"Who are you?" she asked sharply.

"A pleasure to meet you, too. I'm Adrienne's friend. I came out to tell her that class is about to start."

"She will not be attending class today," Gabriella hissed. "Or ever again, for that matter."

Marin sighed.

"Look," he said. "Not to tell you how to be a parent or anything, but your daughter wants to go to school and wants to have friends. And if she has to climb out the window to accomplish those goals, then you should know she's determined to get them. So why don't you do yourself and her a favor by allowing her to come to school?"

Adrienne felt her cheeks go pink. She looked up at Marin, but he was determinedly not looking at her, instead focusing on her mother. Gabriella looked between the two.

"If you cared for her, you would let her go," she finally said.

"If you  cared for her, I wouldn't have to," Marin shot back.

Gabriella studied him for a minute. Adrienne looked back and forth between them, nervous. Then, to her uttermost surprise, her mother smiled.

"High school, and you've already found love," she said, shaking her head. "Very well. Adrienne may continue to attend school. I'll have Nathalie fix the schedule. Her bodyguard will drop her off and pick her up every day."

Adrienne's jaw dropped. She looked up at Marin, then back at her mother, who was descending the steps to the car. Right before she reached it, she turned around.

"If you break her heart, you're going to pay for it," Gabriella warned. Adrienne could sense she wasn't joking.

"Don't worry, I won't," Marin said. Nodding, Gabriella stepped into the car, which sped off.

"T-thanks," Adrienne muttered, suddenly unable to meet Marin's gaze. She felt herself turning red in the face.

"No problem," Marin said, squeezing her shoulder. He guided her into the classroom, where she slid into her seat next to Nina. Behind her, Marin sat down beside Alyo.

"So, you and Marin," Nina said, raising an eyebrow and grinning. She looked like she would say more, but something in Adrienne's face stopped her. "What's up?"

"I--my mother followed me," she said. "She tried to stop me."

"Tried?"

"Tried. Marin came out. He stood up to her...for me."

"No one stands up to your mother," Nina whispered, awed.

"Never. But...he did." She buried her face in her hands. "Oh my God, why does he have to be so nice all the time?!"

"Whoa, girl, chill. Give me the goods. Did he ask you out? Did he kiss you? Did he--"

"You're telling me  to chill?!" Adrienne opened one eye. "We're just friends! Besides, he doesn't even think of me like that!"

"A-a-ah," Nina said, raising a finger. Her smirk was back full force. "Now that's where you're wrong."

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Kitty's in love! She still doesn't know the others' identities, but she will know soon.

-Cassie ✪