The Goodbye Kiss (A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

A high-pitched whining echoed from our classroom. The unpleasant noise could be heard from all the way across school. Huffing, I trudged into the classroom. Mrs. Bustier was having a hushed, but not so hushed, conversation with Chloe. Fake tears welled in Chloe's eyes as she turned to face Adrien, obviously trying to gain his pity. From what exactly? I didn't know.

Adrien had his eyes fixed on the ceiling, it almost seemed that he didn't even know she was there. As I shuffled past him, my eyes met his and his daze disappeared and a smile played on his lips. A subtle blush made its way to my cheeks and I rushed to my seat. Why am I blushing? 

"But it's so unfair! My daddy didn't care! He said it was normal but I'M the only one who can kiss him!"

"Chloe, it is  normal to kiss goodbye. Don't take it personally! It does not matter." Mrs. Bustier whispered. I could tell that she was getting quite annoyed with Chloe's drama so her comment was louder than what I would have preferred. Now a deep red blush established itself on my cheeks and I concealed my face with my backpack. Seriously? She  HAD to be whining about  THIS in front of everyone?  A muffled groan slipped out of my mouth as Chloe continued with her rant. Someone patted me on the back, trying to comfort me. I jumped, not expecting the contact and glanced over to see Alya inspecting my red cheeks. I hadn't even noticed she had come in the door. 

"Come on girl, it's okay. Chloe is just being dramatic, there's no need to worry about anything." She read me like a book. I wondered how many people could do that. Maybe everyone... except Adrien...

"I should have thought about who all was there!" I whimpered.

"Girl, it'll be fine!" I glanced up at my friend with curly hair and glasses, her smile was contagious. She was a lot like Tikki; I had never realized that. Very bubbly and encouraging. A bit more extroverted though. She leaned over and whispered into my ear, "I'm very proud of you."

I grinned and class began. I turned my eyes toward an exasperated teacher, and a quick motion from a cute blond caught my attention. Had he been... looking at me?

Adrien's POV

"Dude, what was that about?" Nino and I had already packed up our bags and were exiting the classroom. He raised his eyebrows at me a few times, trying to prod and answer out of me with his eyes.

"What was what about?" I asked, as we entered the hallway full of kids rushing to their next class.

"Dude, you were staring at Marinette a lot before class. If you thought you were being subtle at all, you were wrong. I mean she's right behind you. You'd have to turn all the way around to see her. I was trying to talk to you before class but got no response at all." He chuckled at this, "You sure she's 'just a friend'?"

"Nino!" Laughing, I ran my hand through my hair, "I'm sorry I ignored you during class. I guess I'm just out of it today with the way Chloe is acting..."  We reached class and sat down.

"I'm not going to deal with this anymore Marinette! You have always been rude to me and you have humiliated me in front of everyone! Especially Adrien! If I'm being honest, I thought what Adrien said was nice but I don't agree with it at all now! You've never been like Ladybug and you never will! You have never been helpful! You are just annoying, rude, and don't care what others feel!"

Peeking through the classroom door, I could see Chloe standing in front of Marinette, not letting her pass to the classroom. Marinette's eyes trailed on the tiles of the hallway floor and Alya stood next to Marinette; I wouldn't have been surprised if she had lasers searing from her eyes by the way she was glowering at her. Wait... when had I gotten up?

"Chloe, Marinette has done many things for all of us. She helped-"

"Can you name a time that she's ever done something for me?"

"She... she's done-..."

"Alya, she's right." a tiny voice uttered. This hurt me. Marinette met Chloe's gaze with big sad eyes. "I'm sorry Chloe. I didn't mean to hurt you. I will try to do better. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go to class." Her voice seemed empty, melancholy, lost. Chloe stared at her, wide-eyed. She obviously had no idea how to comprehend Marinette's calm, sad tone. Alya had a similar expression as Marinette gave a guan smile to her and drifted to class. Her bluebell eyes met my stare and she quickened her pace, shuffling into her seat.