If it weren't for her mother's consistent text messages that made her phone vibrate or the bright sunlight that streamed through the skylight above her bed, Marinette would've been late for class. The warmth of the white sheets longed for her to stay and the heavy weight of her eyelids didn't help. She knew it was her own fault, of course; staying up late working on a new design the night before the new school year wasn't the best idea.

It's not like she could help it though! Inspiration hits at the randomest times. Sometimes it comes from watching the sunset, or other times noticing a flower grow between two bricks on a cobblestone road. Last night's inspiration came from a particular lightning bug who found its way into her room through the window. True motivation only comes around sporadically, so it's a rarity when both inspiration and motivation are present at the same time.

The bluenette girl got dressed quickly and ran down the stairs, figuring she could just eat a croissant once she got to school. Tearing through the bakery past her parents, Marinette nearly tripped as she narrowly avoided colliding with the counter, that seemed to appear out of nowhere, and rushed out the door.

No, Marinette could not hear the ding of the bell above the door as she left, nor could she hear the engines of the cars driving by. It didn't surprise her though. It was normal. As normal as it has been for the past eleven years.

Deaf since the age of four, Marinette had forgotten what the world sounded like. The birds. The music. The people. Mostly everything. Even the sound of her parent's and her own voice were just on the edge of a memory.

Once the doctor gave the news, her parents had been quick to change things for the better. They switched her to a school for deaf and hard of hearing children. Marinette had made a few friends there and it helped her and her family transition to learn sign language and how to adapt to this life changing event.

As she grew older though, Marinette realized that the world would not adapt to her needs as it did in the classroom. So, as a result, she asked to transfer back to her old school so she could learn in a more realistic environment. Her parents, Tom and Sabine, had been reluctant of course, but realized their daughter was right, and it should be her choice.

So, re-entering her old school in 6th grade, she was quickly reunited with her old friend Alya. They had to write on paper to communicate at first, but as their friendship blossomed, she learned sign language out of respect and because it was easier than passing notes in class.

Alya was easily considered Marinette's best friend.

Of course, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. It was more difficult than she thought. The environment was a bit overwhelming and she couldn't always lip-read what everyone was saying. Chloé's name calling and general rudeness didn't help either. She was so rude and mean to Marinette all the time. Just because she couldn't hear didn't mean she was stupid! Quickly though, Marinette got better at lip reading and ignoring Chloé, thanks to Alya's encouragement to not give up.

All in all, life was different, and Marinette had moved on from longing to hear again one day. That kind of wishful thinking was pointless and childish. She knew she would never be able to hear again and she was okay with that. Right?

At least that's what she told herself.

So when she found a small black box waiting for her on her desk, she had no idea it would be the best thing that's ever happened to her.