Masked (Miraculous Ladybug Fan-fiction)

Part 46. Reliable(AdrienPV)

Come on Plagg, time for school" I said as I nudged him with my finger. "Can't we just go tomorrow?" He complained as he rolled lazily to his side. "No, I don't wanna be late" I said firmly as I picked up my bag. "Ffffiinne" he rasped as he got up reluctantly and floated into my bag. The ride to school was quiet like usual. I spent the duration staring blankely out the window.

After I was dropped off, I waited by the gate for Marinette. The knot in my throat tightened when I spotted her walking next to Luka. "Hey..." I greeted coldly. Luka gave me an acknowledging nod. "See you around Ma-Ma-Marinette..." he said just before disappearing around the corner.

"What did he want?" I managed to choke out. She arched an eyebrow curiously. "He just wanted to walk me to school..." she said. "Well be careful, I don't trust him..." I said softly as I glanced at my feet. After a few seconds, I glanced back at her. Her face was pale and she was blinking alot. "Marinette?" I asked as I placed my hands on her shoulders. "Are you okay...?" I asked warily. "Y-yea, I'm fine. We should go inside..." she said with a smile as she motioned for me to follow.

After Ms. Bustier dismissed us, I picked up my stuff and walked over to her. "Would you guys like to have lunch with us?" Alya asked excitedly. I nodded and turned to Marinette, awaiting her response. "Earth to Marinette!" Alya shouted as she waved her hand in front of her face. I noticed that she was gripping the desk shakily. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked as I climbed the last step and stood beside her. My heart sank to my ankles as her eyes rolled back into her head and she collapsed. I managed to catch her before she hit the ground.

"Marinette, Marinette!?" I asked in a near panic as I shook her lightly. Her breathing was hoarse and ragged. I placed my hand lightly on her forehead. "She's burning up" I told Alya who was on the verge of tears with worry. "She's probably just trying to get your attention Adrikins. Stop pretending Mari-brat!" Chloe hissed from a few steps down. "Shut up Chloe! Can't you see she's really sick!?" I snapped angrily. Chloe rolled her eyes and walked out of the classroom.

"I'll call the nurse so she can come get her!" Ms. Bustier said as she unhooked the class phone. "No need, I'll take her..." I said as I picked her up easily. "Very well, I'll notify her parents then!" I nodded as I made my way carefully down the stairs and towards the nurse's office. "Hang in there Mari..." My mind raced as I glanced down at her sleeping face. Her complexion was pallid but her cheeks were flushed from the fever.

When I arrived at the infirmary, they had already prepared a bed for her. After laying her down carefully, I sat on the floor next to her cot. My heart ached with worry and remorse for not noticing sooner. "This is probably why that guy insisted on walking her to school. He probably was afraid something like this would happen. Damn it!" I hissed as I punched the cold linoleum floor. "Calm down kid" Plagg rasped as he hovered out of my bag.

"He's always one step ahead..." I trailed off bitterly. "That Luka kid is older than you isn't he?" I nodded. "That's probably why, he has experience. Experience with girlfriends, with people. This is your first time in an actual school, your first time with a girlfriend. You can't blame yourself for being new to all this..." I glanced back at Marinette when he said that. "I just...wanna be there for her. I wanna protect her, I wanna be someone she can count on..." I trailed off as I glanced back at the floor.

"You already are kid, you're the most reliable and most trustworthy teenager I've ever had the pleasure of working with..." I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. "Thanks Plagg" I said as I pet him with my finger. "Okay, Okay! Enough of that, just try to reign in your emotions from now on okay? Out of all my Cat Noirs, you're also the one most prone to going darkside..." I shook my head. "I would never betray you, or my lady..." I trailed off.

A few minutes afterwards her parents arrived to take her home. After they thanked me for watching over their daughter, Tom picked her up easily and carried her out of the school. "I wish I could go with her..." I said sadly as I watched them drive away. "But I've got fencing and another stupid photoshoot today..." I muttered wearily. "It's okay, she's gotta rest any way. I say you let her sleep for today, then visit her tomorrow after school!" I nodded anxiously. "Yea, I will..." I trailed off just before turning around and making my way back towards the academy.