Adrien
He signed the paperwork, not even caring what it said. He just wanted to go back home, probably to sulk. Marinette had finally found out who he was. Sure, it was awful timing, and he had wanted it to be on their terms, instead of a slip up, but now she knew. And seconds after finding out she fled the scene like he was just some damn axe wielding murderer. His stomach churned at the memory, and he rubbed his face, trying to focus on what his marketing agent was saying. Something about his next photoshoot. He had texted her this morning, but hadn't received a reply. She looked rough when she left. Like she was in shock or something. It couldn't have been that bad, right?
"Adrien?"
He glanced up, his face flushing in embarrassment.
"Yes?"
"What do you think of new commercial idea?"
"It's great, really, astounding. I have to get home, so was that everything we needed to discuss?"
He had no idea what comercial she was talking about, and he didn't care. He was used to doing stupid commercials anyway.
"Yes, is everything alright?"
"Yeah, yeah of course. Just gotta get home for a piano lesson."
He stood, grabbing his bag. She stood with him, walking him to the door.
"Don't let anyone wipe that sweet smile off your face Adrien. It's our best selling point."
He knew she meant well, but he wanted to snap at her. He had other redeeming qualities besides his looks.
"Thanks."
He rushed out the door to his car, finally alone with his thoughts. He hoped she was okay. The urge to go check on her was overwhelming, but he had told her he would give her space. And he meant to. He just hated not knowing.
"You're distracted today."
"Why wouldn't I be? Marinette found out who I was, and literally ran from me."
Plagg sat down in the passenger seat as Adrien started driving, and he passed Plagg the tin of cheese.
"Maybe she just needs time to process."
"Yeah, I completely understand that, but how much time? What if she doesn't want to see me on monday? What if she doesn't want to talk about it? What if she blames me for the blindfold coming off?"
Plagg groaned loudly, his head rolling as he did.
"You humans are insufferable. All I need to be happy is cheese. Why can't you be more like me?"
"Let me explain this in a way you'll understand. Marinette, is my cheese Plagg. What would you do if your cheese suddenly got up and ran away from you?"
Plagg frowned, looking down lovingly at the smelly tin.
"I'd chase it."
But Adrien couldn't chase her. He only had to wait until tomorrow, but this day felt like hell. He wanted her to come back. It had to be on her own terms. If you love someone you're supposed to let them go. Right?
Marinette
She sobbed into her pillow, Tiki sitting next to her. They were both grieving, Tiki for her friend, Marinette for her thoughts. When she decided to give up the Miraculous box, all of her memories will be gone. Her parents. Her friends. Everything is going to disappear. Could she really do it?
"Marinette? Honey, what's the matter?"
She hadn't even heard the door open. Tiki hid beneath the pillows, and Marinette held her breath, trying to keep her sobs silent.
"I'm fine."
"No you're not. What happened?"
She could hear her voice getting closer, until she felt her mother getting on the bed. She buried her face deeper into the pillow, just wanting to disappear. She had to come up with a lie. Fast.
"I'm breaking up with Chat."
That was technically the truth. Her mother shifted next to her, running a hand up and down her back.
"Why?"
"I thought you liked him."
Her father commented from the door, and she couldn't stop another sob. She was going to forget this moment. But with it, she would forget the pain attached to it as well.
"He's... just not who I thought he was."
Which was stupid, because there had been so many signals and signs pointing directly at Adrien, and somehow she had ignored them.
"I brought cookies."
She laughed in spite of everything, looking up from the pillows. He smiled, holding up a tray of chocolate chip cookies, but he looked so worried. She forced herself to smile back, pulling away from her mother to sit up. Yes, she would lose these memories. But her parents were here. She could make new memories with them. Ones not shrouded in lies. Where she wasn't hiding anything, where she was happy. Adrien would never forgive her, but it wouldn't matter, because she wouldn't remember forgetting him in the first place.
"Thanks papa. But I'm not hungry."
She mumbled, looking up at the skylight. She had tacked the cover back over it, in case Chat decided to stop by. She didn't want to see him. How could she? What would she say? They had agreed to talk on Monday, which was tomorrow. She had an entire day to figure out what to say, and so far she had nothing.
"Did he hurt you or something?"
Her mom murmered, and she could sense the protective side almost immediately.
"No Maman. I just... don't want to be with him anymore."
A lie. Lie, lie, lie. One after the other. Did it ever stop? Would she ever be able to tell the truth again? She had lied so much that half of the time they came as naturally as breathing. And she hated it. She hated herself for who she had become. She could feel her eyes stinging again, and she forced a smile at her mother, her heart breaking at the pitying look in her eyes.
"I just want to be alone."
She whispered, and both of her parents seemed to deflate. She knew that they missed her too. The old her, the truthful one. The one who always looked to the positive side. The one who could always make time. They were going to get her back. As soon as she could find a replacement, and she already had someone in mind. Alya.
* * * * *
She pulled on her clothes, exhausted from the night before. She had barely slept, the most she could have possibly gotten would be an hour. Her eyes were puffy and now they had dark circles beneath them. She looked like shit. She grabbed a pair of shades, heading down to the bakery. It was thirty minutes before school even opened, ber first attempt to avoid Adrien.
"You're up early."
"Yeah, just thought I'd get an earlier start today. Love you."
She walked out before her mother could say anything else, heading for the school. She needed to find a good hiding place until they opened, and then until class started. It was barely light out, and yet people were out and about, rushing off to work. She weaved through the crowd, keeping her head down. She wouldn't remember this route. It was heartbreaking, but not enough to persuade her otherwise. It had to be done. Chat's secret had to be kept, and she was willing to throw hers away to keep his. Even if it meant throwing everything else away too. The parking lot was empty, and she walked around to the back of the school, keeping an eye on the time. She was alone. Utterly, and painfully alone. Alya didn't know what was going on, but she would, once Marinette handed over her miraculous and her role as guardian. She just needed to make sure Alya could handle it. She needed someone to get acumatized, and she could call on Rena Rouge. She just needed to figure out a way to give her the Ladybug miraculous, to see how she handled it. If she handled the acuma well, then it was hers. She knew Alya would take care of Tiki. Oh, Tiki. She hadn't really spoken to Marinette since she made the decision, and it hurt, but Marinette didn't have a choice. They say ignorance is bliss, and she wanted that. She wanted to forget all of her pain, and her problems. Her memories were just collateral damage. She checked the time again, and headed to the front of the school, meeting Mr. Damocles as he unlocked the door.
"Good morning Marinette, you're here early."
"I had some work I wanted to get done before class."
Another lie, that she didn't hesitate to tell. It fell from her lips naturally, as if she had been waiting for a cue. She hated it. He let her in, and she headed straight for the library. She could hide there until classes started, her second attempt to avoid Adrien. She sat down at one of the tables, staring into oblivion. Everything was falling apart around her. Her relationships, her job, her classes. Everything was slowly crumbling. Forgetting was the best way to handle it. It would quite literally be a clean slate, and she wanted nothing more than to start over. Her phone started vibrating in her pocket, and she slowly pulled it out, setting it on top of her bookbag. The caller Id was Adrien, and she listened to it ringing. He didn't deserve her silence, but like many other things, it had to be done. She was breaking it off today. She couldn't do it over the phone, she didn't know if she could do it period. The thought of breaking up with him made her want to cry all over again, but she couldn't. She had cried most of the night, and that was all she would allow herself. She reached over, powering her phone off completely. If she didn't, he might've called again, and guilt could make her answer.
"I'm sorry."
She mumbled, tossing her phone into her backpack. Alya was her last hope. She had to be the next Ladybug, Marinette couldn't think of a better option. It had to be her. She spent the next hour hiding in the library, jumping at the smallest of noises, terrified that when she turned around Adrien would be standing there, with enchanting green eyes that would make her forget that she had to forget. If he knew what her plan was, she knew he wouldn't let her do it. Luckily for her, he didn't have a clue. He didn't know who Ladybug was, and by the time he connected the dots it would be too late. The bell rang, signaling the beginning of first period. She slowly gathered her things, wanting to be as late as possible, cutting down the chances that she would bump into Adrien outside of class. He wouldn't cause a scene during class, but outside of them was a different story. She stopped outside of her classroom door, glancing through the glass pane. Grant was at the desk again, flipping through papers. Didn't he have a life? She forced her hand to stop shaking as she opened the door, walking in. Grant motioned her over, and she stopped in front of his desk.
"What's with the glasses? You hungover or something?"
Or something. She didn't answer, and after what felt like forever, he leaned back, motioning for her to get to her seat. She quickly obliged, sitting down next to Alya. Her future savior.
"Where were you?"
"Library."
She mumbled, turning her head when Grant cleared his throat. He motioned for her to take the glasses off, in front of everyone. She hated him. He was someone she wouldn't mind forgetting. She pulled them off, keeping her head facing down. Alya knew though, because she grabbed Marinette's arm.
"What the hell happened to you?"
She pulled her arm away, wishing she could telepathically murder someone, the someone in question being Grant. He was just as bad as the universe, fucking up her life more than it already was.
"Mari, talk to me. What happened?"
She whispered, and Marinette shook her head. She didn't want to talk about anything. She just wanted to get through this day.
"Seriously? You show up looking like you've been crying your eyes out and you can't tell me what's wrong?"
"Because it's not your business."
There was that monotone again, and she was once again thankful for it. Alya huffed, turning away from Marinette to look at the board. Grant was droning on and on about the acuma project, and how well everyone had done on it. Like he was actually a teacher, like he actually cared about their work. What a load of garbage. Someone stepped up next to Alya, and Marinette's heart sank. So much for not making a scene during class.
"Alya, remember the other day when I let you sit beside Nino? I need you to repay that favor."
He whispered, and Alya started grabbing her bag. Marinette grabbed her arm, shaking her head. It was pathetic, to be scared to sit next to him. But she was. Part of avoiding him had been because she was stalling.
"Alya don't."
"Alya please. Move."
Adrien responded, and Alya glanced between the two, before pulling her arm out of Marinette's grip.
"Alya?"
She whispered, staring at her in shock. How could she just abandon her?
"It's not my business, so maybe it's his."
Alya snapped, getting up and heading back to where Adrien sat. She couldn't believe it. That had just backfired, like everything else had lately. Adrien sat down next to her, and she immediately turned her gaze to the board, silently begging him not to say anything. Of course, cats never seemed to listen anyway.
"Marinette, we need to talk."