Shadowteer

Chapter 21

The gang walked into Chris' room and gasped at the sight they saw. Never in a  billion years did they ever imagine they would see Chris and Manon... cuddling. I mean, it was a real shocker. Meera broke the stunned silence with an excited squeal, giddy when she saw her OTP doing so well. Manon woke up first to see them all talking and glancing at them with smug looks on their faces. That was when she noticed Chris' arms wrapped around her waist. She struggled to get out of them but he just pulled her closer and snuggled into her small frame. She stopped panicking and held his face between her hands softly, causing him to stir.

"Hey Chris... um... I can totally explain this-" he jumped off quickly and comported himself. Manon being Manon tried to get up but fell to the floor. She facepalmed. Clutz as usual. Way to go me. She got up and stretched slightly, her cheeks burning when her friends laughed at her. Yeah. Not with her. At her. She would never admit it but she hated it when they did that. She smiled softly and rubbed her arm, mortified. She could hardly look at Chris. Alya, Nino, Adrien and Marinette entered.

"Ooh, what's going on here?" She wanted to sink through the floor as Alya wiggled her eyebrows vigorously. The twins joined their sister and soon everyone was doing it. Chris wished the floor would swallow him whole. "Please tell me one of you got a picture or video of that." They all rose their hands simultaneously and stuck out their phones. Alya looked like she couldn't be more proud of the gang. Everyone was throwing questions at the two, Manon getting more and more anxious. She was insulting herself non-stop internally for being such an idiot. Chris noticed it and tried to smile at her, as awkward as he felt but she barely noticed him. She focused on her dark thoughts and let them consume her, successfully hiding a few stray tears and doubting anyone would even notice.

"Would everyone..." Chris swallowed, his throat going dry as he tried to stammer out a sentence. He clenched his fists and glanced at Manon. He wanted to hug the girl so badly. She knew how to hide her emotions so well but he could tell something was wrong so he did something he rarely ever did. "EVERYONE SHUT UP!"

The room went quiet. All eyes were  on the boy in the black hoodie, shifting his weight from between his two feet. He kept his head down and spoke. "L-look... I'm sorry I spoke. We didn't do anything. She was helping me study because this genius sixteen year old is the youngest in our class but she's one of the smartest. Stop it. You're making Manon uncomfortable. You alright Manon? I'm sorry about saying all that you just looked pale and I got worried. I sound stupid, don't I?" She grabbed his shoulders and nodded so fast he laughed. He wrapped his arm around her and took in her scent and body heat.

"Are they still looking at us?"

"Yep. We should probably let go now." She nodded. They pulled away from each other. She sighed when Alya and Marinette pulled her in one direction, watching him get dragged away by Nino and Adrien in another. Oh boy. She let out a fake yawn and folded her arms, an eyebrow up.

"Yes mother?" Alya squealed.

"Girl I am so proud of you! I can't believe after all these years your love still stood the test of time and-"

"Love? Okay, that's a bit much. Please don't go that far. Eesh!" Alya was about to get back to ranting when Marinette nudged her. Her face straightened up immediately.

"Manon, I'm happy you and Chris are hitting it off so well." She waited to hear the next thing she would say impatiently. "I just want you to be careful around him okay?" Manon shrugged it off, not in the mood. Marinette sighed. "I just... you know how things have been with your past relationships. Chris is a nice boy, he really is but-"

"But what?! Oh, welcome back Marinette. Still ready to babysit me after all these years. I don't need this. I'm going back inside." Marinette stood up as Manon did, her face grim.

"Manon, please wait. You just need to try and understand. You know I didn't mean anything by it. It's the truth. The sooner you learn to accept it, the better it'll be for you. I'm trying to help you." Alya blocked the door. She folded her arms.

"After all your holidays and honeymoons and vacations with your sweet Adrien of course you would. You've always been helpful. I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's. I've survived all on my own without anyone to help me and I know how to keep my gaurd up if that's what you're implying. Nothing. Happened. I made one or two silly mistakes when I was younger. I'm over it now!"

"One or two? I was there, Manon. Your preteen years were not pretty. If only you had listened to me... I tried to warn you but-"

"Same old speech. Like I said. I don't need help. Or anyone."

"Your mother must be a lot of help though. You can't say you don't need her." Manon grunted and laughed.

"Fine. I won't say it."

"Nadia Chamack is an amazing mother. I watched her look at you with that love in her eyes, the love that made you who you are today. A beautiful, intelligent sixteen year old."

"Alya, can I please go in now?" Alya glanced at Marinette who nodded, exhausted. Manon had always been a handful as a child. In her preteen years, she went a little... wild. Marinette was just glad she was safe. She didn't want the girl hurt again. She loved her like a little sister. "And Marinette? You're not my mother. I lost my mother a long time ago and I don't need or want a replacement, thanks." She left the room and saw Chris already seated. He let her sit next to him.

"You were in there a while. You okay?"

"Yeah. Sure. So gang, what exactly are you all doing here?"

"We don't know. Kemen wanted us all together. Could've just done a bloody group chat and made this easy-"

"Ahem. Quit whining Frederick. Try watching your YouTube videos earlier then maybe you won't be such a sour puss." Fred scowled. "Guys, let's go on a camping trip after our exams! It'll be lots of fun." The others nodded in agreement.

"That's actually not a half bad idea. Let's get started with the arrangements. This is gonna be epic!" Chris smiled along with the rest of them but his mind was clouded. He glanced at Manon and thought about Papillon. He had to keep her safe.