❛𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄❜ ━ 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺

━━ 06

THE ACADEMY TEST STARTS IN A few hours, but my ability still hasn't shown up yet after what had happened before.

I don't think I'm going to be going.

Marinette sauntered around in her living room, anxious about everything going on. She wasn't sure on how to activate her power, if that was even the way it was done. She was afraid she'd get there and her ability would fail her. Whatever test the leaders of the academy were pulling obviously had to have abilities involved. But if she couldn't get her power to act up again, then was she even qualified to try out?

Marinette looked over at the TV screen, where today's morning news was paused in the middle of the female news reporter, Nadja Chamach, speaking about the academy once again. She also mentioned how the Hero Appreciation Party had gone well with everyone leaving satisfied. Marinette hadn't been able to make it to the party as she had gone to visit her father again, afraid and feeling bad that her father would be all alone.

It then pulled out a picture of what the academy looked like. Marinette wasn't at all alarmed to see it was insanely ginormous and gorgeous, after all, it seemed as if every single teenager who had abilities were going. Thinking about that all of a sudden made her stand still.

Of course!

Tons of people were going to be coming. What chance did she even have to pass whatever test there was for them to complete? Ugh! I'm not going to be good enough! Marinette could do nothing but let her insecurities eat her up right there.

Taking a deep breath, she sat down on the couch. Tom had told her there was nothing to be concerned about, and it might take a while before her ability made an appearance again. But it wasn't like she had all day! The test was going to be in just a few hours. She had no practice, no experience and had just gotten her power handed to her a day ago. How could she have ever thought she could pull this off and get in?

“Marinette, are you being negative again?”

Marinette snapped her head over to her mother who'd walked inside, a huge fake smile spreading across her face. “What?! Of course not. I'm so, so excited for the test. I just can't wait! I—”

“Marinette?!”

Marinette let out a loud groan as she slumped back down on the couch with a defeated look. “Okay, fine! You're correct. I am being negative again." She heard her mother walking closer towards her but didn't bother looking up, feeling the need to just hide her face then and cry.

“I don't care what my ability is, but it's already let me down. What am I going to do when I get to the test? Just stand there like a dummy while others do their thing. I don't even know what the test is going to be about, but I can tell it's going to be extremely hard to get in, and I'm scared, Maman. I'm terrified. I'm an inexperienced ability holder!”

“Marinette, I don't want you think like that.” Sabine placed both palms of her hands against Marinette's cheeks, squeezing them a little in a comforting manner. “I believe in you! Your ability still may not have shown up yet, but think about it. You were able to save three lives just by standing there. Imagine how powerful you must be then. Now, let's think. Who do we know have the same power as you, or at least a similar type?” Her mother pretended to think, but soon laughed as she faced her daughter once again. “I haven't heard of any superhero who can do what you did that day, Marinette. You're way more than what you say you are, and you have way more than the amount you think you have! You're going to this test, and you're going to crush it!”

Marinette softly chuckled as she snuggled closer to her mother. “You always manage to make me feel better and convince me otherwise.”

“Of course. That's what a mother is supposed to do! Just. . . remember your promise, okay?” Hearing the words about the promise again, Marinette looked up to her mother's face and nodded her head. “Okay, get up. You better start getting ready, plus you have a few hours left, so maybe take this time to practice a little and try to get that power out.”