For You

Chapter Two

It was finally the end of the school day, and Marinette couldn't wait to get home.

As the sound of a ringing bell sounded throughout the classroom, the students began packing their bags and headed for the exit.

Just before she disappeared, the teacher called her to her desk.

"Hello, Marinette."

"Uhm... Hello, Ms. Buster... I mean Bustier... Yes?" She mentally face-palmed.

The older woman just gave the teen an unsure expression, "I would just like to talk to you about some of the work that you've missed."

"Uh... Okay, sure?"

"Since you've missed like half the term, there's a few tasks that are advised that you do. If you want, you can ask some of your classmates to assist you? Or perhaps..."

"No, no... That's okay. I think I'll be able to figure it out, but thanks for offering. And if I'm really struggling, I'll ask Alya." She waved her hands in the air as she continued to ramble.

Ms. Bustier simply nodded her head.

With that, Marinette was gone. As she took a long stroll down the school hallway, she reached for her umbrella that lay at the bottom of her bookbag. She struggled to grab it, but she eventually pulled it out of its hiding spot.

The sky was gray, and the wind howled with anger. Just this morning, the sky was so blue, but now it was quite the opposite.

She frowned as she felt a few droplets of rain upon her exposed skin. Luckily her house was nearby, and she would be able to escape the remorseless wrath of the elements within no time.

She stopped a few feet away from the main door. A very familiar head of golden locks had caught her attention.

She felt uneasy, and didn't really want him to see her. His back was turned away from her as he continued to speak on his cellphone.

She wondered who he was talking to. There was lots of yelling, and he seemed very agitated.

Adrien was an interesting character. He was like the stereotypical bad boy, who was once a sweet guy..?

Marinette felt bad as she remembered what Alya had said about the break-up. He must have really loved her... Or perhaps there's more to that story.

Her thoughts were interrupted when emerald green met ocean blue. She froze, and quickly reverted her gaze to the floor.

"Great! Now I have to walk in this rain!" He mumbled under his breath.

The boy rolled his eyes and turned back around. As his call ended, he continued to stare into an emotionless void that rested within the very far distance.

Marinette felt conflicted. She needed to get home, but she didn't want to pass Adrien...

After about two seconds, she made up her mind. She would just have to walk past him, and hopefully he wouldn't say anything.

Even though it was only a few steps, the walk felt excruciating long. Marinette couldn't seem to focus. She kept on worrying about Adrien and what he would possibly say. He was clearly angry, which made her heart beat faster than ever. She tried to ignore it, but it was impossible.

The way his eyes stared daggers into her anxious soul was deadly. She could feel absolutely no warmth radiating from within his being, which sent countless shivers racing down her spine.

She unconsciously hid her face from him. She still felt embarrassed from what happened this morning, and didn't want to be reminded of her past failures.

"I'm sorry!" She unexpectedly apologized.

"For what?" His asked a little annoyed.

She began to stammer as she looked at his irritated face, "Uhm.. You know? For earlier when I... Uhm... Bumped into you?"

Adrien remained silent as he watched the new girl ramble.

"Yeah. Whatever."

He looked away; hoping that she would take a hint and leave him alone. He was tired and really didn't feel like having to partake in any form of communication whatsoever.

Marinette felt hurt again. Even after apologizing for the second time, it was still not good enough. She didn't even deserve his forgiveness!

Did she really mean that little to him?

She looked at the lonely floor as a sad expression rested upon her pale face. She had no idea how to make friends, but whatever she was doing, didn't seem to be working at all.

She felt like a failure, and didn't know what to do.

The storm only seemed to intensity as the timeless moments of unhappiness passed her by. She felt worse than ever, and the weather didn't seem to help either.

As she was about to depart, she gave the blond one final glance. He was standing all alone without an umbrella or a jacket.

She remembered what he had said on the phone, and she instantly felt the slightest hint of guilt raising from within her heart.

She held onto the metal stick before contemplating whether she should offer him her umbrella or not. She lived close to the school, so she wouldn't be in the rain for too long. Maybe Adrien lived far away and needed the umbrella more than she did...

"Uhm... Here."

Adrien glanced over at the girl as she held her umbrella out for him to reach. He gave her a confused look and shook his head.

"I can't take it." He said while pushing it away.

"I didn't mean to pry, but I overheard your conversation... So, I guess what I'm trying to say is... I think you need this more than I do."

She didn't say anything as she gave it to him. She gave him a small smile as their hands gently brushed against each other. A spark was ignited and Adrien couldn't help but remain paralyzed by her very touch.

He was left confused and didn't know what to do. For the first time, he was speechless.

"Uh..." He tried.

But when he looked up, all he could see was a faint outline of the strange girl. The storm had intensified, making it increasingly difficult to see anything, but he was still able to spot her within the depths of the pouring rain.

He held onto her umbrella as he watched her fade away. He could feel something indescribable begin to flow within his viens. He held onto his chest, as he tried to comprehend the strangeness.

It was almost like the times when he was with Kagami.

Could that mean..?

He felt his mind drifting away as he wondered about what had just happened. It was unnatural, and he couldn't quite seem to understand it.

It had been months since he was able to feel anything that intense. As he continued to think, the smallest smile rested upon his lips.

He actually felt something other than emptiness, and that excited him a little.

He continued to grip the metal rod as the wind howled and the storm strengthened. He looked up at the clouds, and sighed.

He needed to get home before his father murdered him.

Without realizing it, the raging storm that immediately gripped his soul, was yet to intensity to the point of no return.

***