Moving on with the Bully (Book 2 of the Bullied Series)

Chapter 10

Adrien's POV

The morning of a person's birthday is supposed to be filled with exciteful anticipation. Marinette's birthday was different. Today was both a happy day and a stressful day. When we were at breakfast, she barely touched her food; she just stared at it blankly. 

"Marinette," I called for her attention. She looked up slowly form her plate to look at me. Her usually sparkly eyes looked dull. Her pleasant smile was simply a straight line across her face. 

"Yes," she responded to let me know I had her attention.

I reached into the pocket of my pajama pants. I grabbed the long, velvet case. I put it on the table and pushed it toward her. 

She asked me, "What's this?"

I shook my head. "Marinette, the whole point of getting a present is the surprise of you opening it up and figuring out what it is." 

I chuckled to myself as she opened the jewelry case. Her eyes widened as the latch opened to show her gift. 

"No, Adrien," she refused and pushed the box toward me. "I can't accept this."

I pushed the present back in front of her. "But you can accept it."

"No, I can't," she repeated. 

She continued to rant on about how it looks very expensive, and I should spend my money on myself and not on her. Marinette was so lost in telling me about how she can't accept the gift that she didn't notice me getting up. I moved behind her with the jewelry in hand. I wrapped the chain around her neck, and clasped the back for her. 

I leaned in close and whispered, "It looks amazing on you, so you have to accept it. Happy birthday, Mari."

I watched as the back of her neck grew red; I grew excited at the sight. 

She put the necklace between her fingers to examine it. It was a simple heart shaped diamond along a silver chain. I looked over her shoulder to see her eyes glowing at the sight of the pendent. She turned, sensing my gaze. She turned in her chair, pulled her knees to the bottom of the chair, and enveloped me in a hug.

"Thank you, Adrien," she smiled while still embracing me. "For everything."

LE TIME SKIP 

We had arrived at the courtroom, and Marinette's demeanor had returned to how it was before I gave her her birthday present. She was closed off, and quiet the entire ride. She stared down at her hands, which were being clasped tightly together. When she pulled her hand away to brush some hair out of her face, I saw her hands were trembling. 

Once inside of the building, we were ushered to the spot two rows behind Marinette's sorry excuse for parents. Almost as if they sensed her, they turned around. They made eye contact, and their eyes turned wicked. They waved their cuffed hands toward her. Marinette stiffened from in front of me. I stepped between her and those monsters. 

I put my hands on her shoulders, and gave them a firm squeeze. "Don't look at them. Look at me. They can't hurt you, Marinette. They're trying to hurt you more, but if you don't look at them, they can't hurt me. Look at me, and only me. I'm here with you. It's only you and me." I assured her. 

She couldn't look past me because I was taller than her. She looked at me and the tears were present in her eyes. 

"Marinette, you're not allowed to cry on your birthday," I told her as I wiped away a stray tear. 

She chuckled lightly and nodded. I stepped away, but her eyes didn't leave me. We sat down, and she looked her my lap. I ushered an officer over, and told him to not let her parents look at her. The officer nodded, and went to inform the other people working in the room.