Behind the Mask (Book One)

Chapter 6

(Adrien's POV)
I got dressed in my usual outfit, this time rolling my sleeves down to cover both my self-inflicted scars and the burn scars from my father. The scar on my cheek was fading and barely visible, so I decided not to cover it today.

I was still sore from yesterday's beatings. I opened the door and stepped out of my room, trying not to show that I was in pain (both physically and emotionally). I make my way down the stairs, careful not to lose my balance.

"Adrien, your bodyguard is waiting outside," Nathalie says, calmly rushing me.

"Oh yeah, sorry," I say and quickly get to the bottom of the stairs.

I say goodbye to Nathalie (and father...) Before making my way out the door and into the car.

I swear to god there better not be an akuma attack today.

(Marinette's POV)
I didn't get a chance to talk to Adrien yesterday, but maybe today I can.

He stepped out of his car. His sleeves, which are usually rolled up above his elbows, were rolled down today. Not only that, but there was a small cut on his cheek (almost faded, but I still noticed it). Kind of like Chat Noir, but I'll worry about Chat Noir another time.

"Adrien," I say, looking at him with worry.

"Hi, Marinette!" His mouth forms a big smile, but once again, his eyes remained dull. There were also purple bags under his eyes.

"Umm, can we talk?" I ask quietly.

"Sure"

Adrien and I walk around the school where nobody could see us.

"What's up?" He asks, still smiling.

My voice got serious, "Are you okay?"

He grew quiet and his smile faded as he looked down.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask softly.

He shook his head and his smile came back as he looked at me, "It's nothing. I just haven't been getting a lot of sleep lately"

"Adrien," I didn't fall for his lie, "I know there's something bothering you. You can talk to me, it's okay"

"I'm just going through a hard time," he sighed, "Don't worry about it"

"But-"

He interrupts me, "We should head to class"

I nod and walk to class with him. I'm even more worried about him now...

(Adrien's POV)
Madame Mendeleiev was talking about periodic trends today in chemistry. Not gonna lie, out of all my classes, chemistry stresses me out the most.

I found myself lost in thought. Ladybug noticed something was wrong. Marinette noticed, too. I wish I could tell them. But how do you tell someone that you don't want to live? How do tell someone what's going on in your head when you don't even know how to explain it? It's like I'm drowning. Like I'm ten feet below the surface and there are arms pulling me down further.

"Adrien!"

My thoughts were interrupted when Madame called on me.

"Yes?"

"Which element has lower ionization energy: potassium or copper?"

Right after she asked the question, I heard a loud crash outside. Shit, that sounds like an akuma.

"Potassium," I answer quickly and stand up, "Can I go to the bathroom?"

I don't wait for her to answer and run out of the classroom to transform.

I'm really not in the shape or mood for fighting, but hey, at least I can get out of chemistry.