Wolves

Ch 4

On my bed, I unplugged one of my ears and listened to  the busy shop downstairs. My parents were still working, I don’t think they even had a clue I was gone. I took them both out, climbed down to my desk and started sketching. I heard the school bell signaling the end of lunch and that everyone should be in class now. The bell was quieter from here but still pretty ear splitting loud. I’m sure I could get used to the noise after a while.
I finished my drawing I started yesterday before I was expelled, doing my best to calm down and push the threat from my mind. Studying the drawing, I envisioned the perfect colours for the dress, I started to reach for one of the greens before stopping my hand. I squinted at the colours and found what could be the lime green. I held up the pencil and studied it, looking for the words that told the colour's name.
Mint. How did I grab mint? It’s got more of a blueish colour than lime. I sighed and started picking through the colours, looking at the labels until I found the one I wanted. The good news was that the black was much more distincted and easier to find. I started filling in the colours, the shading was a bit difficult with my new sight, but Tikki was here to help find the right colours to shade.
Soon enough, I heard a tapping at my trapdoor at sundown. Tikki rushed to a hiding spot. I walked over to my window to poke my head out and see Chat pacing,seemed to be debating on whether or not to leave if I wasn’t here. He looked to have made his decision when I didn’t open the trap door and was preparing to leave when I cleared my throat.
Startled, he almost fell off the balcony when he caught sight of me in the window.
“Sorry.” He apologised not moving from his spot and just rubbing the back of his neck, visibly nervous. “I wasn’t sure if you were home or if you were awake and I didn’t want to just let myself in, that would be creepy, but I also figured it would be a bit weird if I’m seen turning up at your front door everyday unprompted. I also know that you don’t want your parents to know about last night so I thought this would be best but if you want to meet up another way that's okay too.” He rambled on. “I just don’t want you to feel alone like that again, you’re a special person Marinette and-”
“Thanks Chat, would you like me to come up? I’m sorry for doing that in the first place but I wanted to make sure it was you first.” I giggled trying not to show panic, the man from earlier really got under my skin.
“If that's alright with you purrincess.” I shrunk back inside and closed the window and made my way to the balcony. There was a light breeze up there. I found Chat wringing his hands.
“My apologies, I didn’t intrude on anything did I?” He asked.
“No, I was just working on a new design.”
“May I see it?” He tilted his head curious.
“Not yet.” I smiled slightly as I leaned onto the railing, careful of my arm, staring out at the colourful, sunset sky. My smile wavering slightly, I missed seeing the sharp colours, now everything is dull and mixing together. I wanted to see the individual colours as they swim through the sky until the sun disappears for the moon and takes the colours with it. I could get that back, but that would mean hurting someone and giving T away. I could never do that to someone. I guess that in one month, there’s only one thing waiting for me, I’m going to die for everyone's safety and happiness.
“Are you alright Marinette?” Chat asked coming over to lean on the railing, side by side with me. Our shoulders brushed ever so slightly when he came over.
“Yes, I’m sorry, I got lost in thought.” the mood felt like it was spiraling downwards. I attempted to bring it back up. “Good news though, I’m going back to school!”
“Great job! I believed in you! What happened?” He asked with a sincere, bright, big smile gracing his face.
“Well, me and my family were called in to school along with Lila and her mom. Lila’s mom confirmed that her necklace wasn’t an heirloom and that her leg was fine. Because those lies were seen through, Lila’s mom believed that I didn’t steal either the necklace or the test. They did a fingerprint test on the test answers and there were only Lila’s finger prints on them and none of mine.” I told the story. “They asked if we wanted to press charges for being framed or if we thought Lila being expelled would be a suitable punishment.”
“So what happened next?”
“Well, I didn’t think she deserved being expelled and I refused to press charges, instead, she’s suspended. I don’t want her to miss out on an education in a school where she’s made friends, it didn’t feel right. Sure she lied to them, but I like to think that everyone has good in them and that maybe it just takes a little longer for some people for it to come out.”
“Those are words to live by, you’re a very good person Marinette, I aspire to be like you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, turning to him. “You save Paris on a regular basis and are even taking time out of your day to visit me to make sure I know I always have a friend.”
“Yes, but you always seem to be positive and put others before yourself, you almost died yesterday and the next day, you go and argue to let the girl who got you expelled the morning prior, stay in that same school all while hiding a major arm injury.” he explained with a baffled look on his face. “While I fight crime to keep people safe, you do something more important, you make sure everyone feels like they’re someone and help prevent Akumas.” I inwardly wince thinking about the akumas I helped create because of misunderstanding but I wasn’t about to correct him.
“That’s very kind of you Chat, how about we agree that we’re equally important?”
“I can agree to that.” he grinned. We stood there in comfortable silence, shoulder to shoulder. After a moment, Chat straightened up.
“Well, it’s getting late, I best be on my way purrincess, have a pawsome evening.” he bowed.
“Good night, get home safely.” I waved.
“Until tomorrow.” waved back before leaping off into the night. I watched him until he disappeared behind a building. I guess there are some perks of my new vision, I can see far distances and in the dark.
Even after he was gone and the sun had set, I stayed there. Tikki phased through the ceiling to keep me company.
“Tikki? Should I tell him I’m a werewolf? I mean, around the time I’ll be making my first werewolf transformation, I’ll be dead not long after so it wouldn’t really matter.”
“Don’t say that Marinette! We can get through this.”
“Thanks Tikki. Listen, when you go to Kagami, stay with her, if I die, I want her to be your new holder, okay?”
“No Marinette, I won’t leave you, you're the best holder I’ve ever had!” Tears started to well up in her eyes.
“And I cherished every moment being your holder, but I don’t think I can do much if I'm dead. I will try to stay alive, but I’m not sure.”
“I believe in you Marinette.”
“Thank you.” We stay for a while, despair in the air around our area. Finally we go back inside, warmth enveloping us.
“Tikki, let’s assume that I do only have one month left to live.”
“Marinette!-”
“One second, let’s just assume, can we try and make this the best month ever? Could you help me think up some things I’d like to do?” I smiled sitting down in my spinny chair, holding back tears. “And even if I don’t die at the end of the month, I would have still gotten to do those things.”
Tikki took a moment. “Of course Marinette.” I pulled out an empty notebook and Tikki brought over a pencil. I scribbled the words ‘Bucket List’ at the top of the paper. “What are some things you want to do?”
“This might sound really obvious and cheesy, but I’ve always wanted to experience a first date.” I blushed as I furiously jotted it down, partly hoping that if I write it fast enough, it will disappear out of slight embarrassment at the young dream.
“It doesn't sound that bad, it’s understandable that you might want to experience that.”
“Thanks.” I moved down a line. “What next?” I tapped the paper, pondering what next.
“Confess to Adrien?” Tikki offered.
“What!? No! I can’t do that! What if he rejects me, then the month will spiral down hill!”
“I’m sorry Marinette.”
“It’s okay Tikki, I understand, I didn’t mean to blow up, but let’s save that for after I survive the month.”
“Good plan Marinette! What else have you written?”
“Well, I want my parents to teach me to make my favorite quiche, and I want to see the beach. I guess I could try and get us to vacation there so I don’t die, but the man would still be here when we get back and I can’t force my family to move without reason.” I thought aloud. “And even if we did move away, how would I explain being a werewolf?” I slumped in my chair, exhausted over worrying about what’s going to happen next month.
I started absentmindedly gnawing on the inside of my cheek. “Maybe I should just go to bed, I’ve got school tomorrow.” I switched of the lights and crawled up into my bed, cozy under the covers. “Good night Tikki.”
“Good night Marinette.”