Criminal

XIV

Marinette stared at her phone screen, her mind empty. She just told someone her real name. The first person to know her name. And the reason? Because she loved him. She had never had feelings for anyone in that way before. People had for her but she could never return them.

5 years before...

"Felix!"
Marinette ran up to her best friend and wrapped him in a warm embrace.
"Hey LB. You're early for school for once," he said with a chuckle.
"Well that's true. But they're doing class president elections today! I didn't wanna miss that, especially when my best friend is participating," she said with a chuckle.
"And you will be my Vice President and make all the decisions because I never wanted to do this," he said with an eye roll.
"Oh come on. Everyone would vote you though. Everyone adores you," she whined playfully.
"Really?" he asked, a slight shade of pink forming on his cheeks.
"Of course! Plus, Alya has already convinced half the class too," she said with a proud smile and a wink. "Besides, you're like an everyday superhero. Always attending to people's needs."
"I guess that would make you my partner then. You're exactly the same," he said with a soft chuckle, the blush expanding and brightening in colour.
"Aww thank you," she said with a smile.

"I have a question LB," he said as they began walking up the stairs to the entrance of the building.
"Fire away," she said.
"What's your real name?" he asked. This made her stop in her tracks so he stopped and looked back at her.
"M-my real name?" she repeated.
"Yeah. I mean... we are best friends. I was just curious. You don't have to answer," he said with a nervous chuckle, realising he struck a nerve.
"No no. It's okay. I know you're curious. You're the person I trust the most... I am just not ready for people to know my name," she said slowly.
"Why?" he asked.
"It was my sisters name. She died at the age of 3... when my mum was pregnant with me. She named me the exact same name... as if to replace her. I never met her but I knew I could never do that to my big sister. So I refuse to call myself by that name as respect for her. I wasn't told this until my first year of middle school," she explained sadly.
"I see. I won't press the matter further," he said, holding his hands up in surrender. Marinette smiled.
"Race you to class?" she asked.
"Sure."

Marinette ran up the stairs, across the basketball court, up some more stairs and to her seat, whereas Felix just took his time and walked up the stairs at a normal pace.
"I forgot... you're not the athletic type," she said with a pout.
"I am too! I play basketball and I can fence and do karate. I just wanted to let you win," he said with a shrug as he took his seat in front of her and got out his book and began reading.
"Whatcha reading?" she asked playfully. He groaned and turned back to look at her.
"You'll laugh," he mumbled.
"Pinky promise I won't," she said.
"You're such a child. I'm reading Romeo and Juliet," he answered with a sigh.
"Wow... I never thought you'd be into that stuff," she admitted. He blushed a crimson red.
"I'm not!" protested Felix. "It's just my cousin lost his mother this year and he asked me to read it because he wouldn't and his mother loved it."
"Wow. You're such a sweet cousin. My cousin and I barely ever talk," she said with a smile.
"Who's your cousin?"
"Her names Bridgette. I only ever see her at family reunions once in a blue moon," she said with an eye roll.

Their class mates began entering the class room.
"Can I talk to you after class please?" he asked.
"Sure. Meet me at the park," she said with a smile.

The day went by slowly as Felix kept an eye on the time. He used to be considered the rich boy who hated everyone and life. He'd always have his nose stuck in a book and would never talk to anyone. He was the serious kind. And then he met Marinette. He hated her at first. But she warmed up to him and they became the best of friends. Alya would sometimes hang out with them but she mainly preferred to hang out with Marinette on her own.

As class ended, Felix made his way to the park. He took a seat on a bench and began reading Romeo and Juliet.
"Felix?" He looked up and saw Marinette with a smile. He blushed as he realised her hair was down... he had never seen her hair down before. He took in her sight so that the image of her like that would be engraved in his mind
forever.

Now was his time. He shut the book and placed it next to him. He stood up and cleared his throat.
"L-Ladybug," he said with a smile. She continued to keep the smile on her face. "I have something to confess... I-I l-like you L-Ladybug. I h-have for a while now."

Her face fell. She had guys ask her out all the time but she never thought Felix would be the one to make her feel bad. He was her best friend and she didn't want to ruin their friendship, but at the same time she didn't want to be in a relationship she wouldn't be happy in. Her eyes lowered to the floor.
"I'm sorry Felix. I wish I could but I can't return those feelings. It's-it's just that you're my best friend and I don't want to ruin that but also that I have never felt the feelings you feel for me for anyone at all. I'm sorry Felix. Can we still be friends?"

She looked up and he was gone. The only thing that remained behind was his book. She sighed.

The next day, she found out that he had transferred schools and she never saw him again.

Marinette let a tear fall loose.
"She hasn't stopped crying. She won't show up to work," whispered Tikki from outside on Marinette's helipad.
"I'm sure she'll be fine sugarcube. For now, we need to give her her space," said Plagg with a sigh as the two entered their work helicopter and flew back to the agency.