Author's Notes: I TOOK FOREVER TO UPLOAD I'M SORRY! I'm not going to bore you with the details of what happened, but all in all I've been having a rough time lately with my anxiety. I've also had a lot of trouble with procrastination, etc. etc. However, I've finally found it in me so that I was able to finish this chapter. I hope you enjoy it, though I doubt it's that good because I'm still fairly out of it atm. Thanks for reading, and thank you for being patient! I'll do my best to upload again soon~

P.S. I don't own Miraculous Ladybug or any of its characters, for now… *evil XY laughter*

- Chapter 6 -

Marinette

The next day, I once again wake up to Adrien bringing me breakfast. I can't help but smile, for he's just been so kind to me I think my heart will melt into a pile of goo. "So, you ready to go back to school?" Adrien asks, and I stiffen. I can already imagine everyone staring at me, pitying the poor girl who had just lost it all to one stupid car.

"Sc-school? So soon?"

"Yeah… I'm sorry but my father says you have to, but I could probably convince him not to if you wan-"

"No, no! That's alright! You've already done more than enough for me as it is, though… erm… I might need some help with stairs," I say sheepishly.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want a repeat of Saturday," he says with a soft smile. My head perks up as I hear a knock on the door, and Nathalie's voice as she calls for Adrien and I to get ready. "I'll come get you when you're ready," Adrien says before leaving my room and giving me privacy to change.

"Oh, Tikki, what am I going to do?" I say as soon as the door shuts.

"Aw, Marinette… It'll be ok. Hey, look on the bright side, you'll get to see Alya and Nino again!" Tikki offers.

"I-I guess… it's just… I don't want to be that kid, if you know what I mean."

"Marinette, you could never be! You are strong, and we'll get through this together. It's only a little school, that's not so bad!"

"…sure." Letting out a small sigh, I shakily stand before grabbing my crutches and heading over to my dresser. Pulling out a simple outfit, I awkwardly get it on before hobbling over to the bathroom to do my teeth and hair. Brushing my teeth is rather hard, seeing as I only have one hand, but manageable. Hair, on the other hand, proves to be impossible. I let out a cry of frustration as my hair slips out for the billionth time, and end up just throwing the rubber band in anger. "Everything ok in there?" Adrien calls from the hallway.

"I-uh… yeah it's fine. I'm coming!" I shout, before turning and wobbling out into my room. Once I grab my bag, opening it to let Tikki fly in, I head out into the hallway. For a moment, Adrien just stares at me in shock.

"Y-you're hair looks nice," he murmurs. I feel startled, because for once I'm the one getting him tongue-tied. The satisfaction doesn't last long. As a manage to squeak out a thank you, I accidentally shift my weight to my bad leg, shooting pain up it. I bite my lip to keep myself from crying out, but the pain is clearly expressed on my face. Instantly, Adrien is by my side, helping to steady me before anything too bad can happen.

"Are you ok?" he asks, letting me lean on him.

"Y-yeah. Yeah, I'm ok. I just need to get used to walking again," I say, wincing.

"Well, if you're sure…" Adrien starts, looking uncertain. "If you want you can stay home, I can always convince my dad-"

"No no no, don't do that! It's ok! Really, I'm fine!" I say hurriedly.

"I-if you're sure," he responds.

"I'm sure!" I practically shout, and to prove it I start crutching past him down to the stairs. I'm about halfway there when Adrien catches my arm. Turning to face him, I'm caught off guard by his expression. It's full of worry and fear.

"Marinette, you don't need to do this," he pleads. "I… I can't see you get hurt more-" his voice breaks, and he looks away.

I feel my heart squeeze, and I carefully reach out to touch his arm reassuringly. "Adrien, it's alright. I'll be ok, I'm tougher than you think," the brief image of me swinging through Paris flashes through my head, "but if it helps, the moment I need to you can take me ba-home. Yeah, home." I fumble on the last word, feeling foreign in my mouth.

I can tell he doesn't like it, but he nods anyway and releases me so I can continue. As we reach the top of the stairs, I feel my chest tighten with fear. What if I really can't do this? I think. What if I fall, what if something goes wrong, what if… what if…

I shake my head, clearing those dark thoughts. Steeling my resolve, I take the first step down the stairs. Feeling nothing wrong, I continue cautiously. I can tell Adrien is hovering nearby, ready to catch me if I fall, and I feel gratitude flood through me. He has been so kind and supportive through this, and I feel all the closer to him for it. With each step down the stairs, I feel a piece of my confidence return with it. By the time we reach the bottom, I'm grinning widely.

"I did it!" I exclaim happily.

Adrien returns my smile easily. "Yeah, you did."

…

When we arrive at school, Adrien graciously holds the car door open for me. I flash him a grateful smile as I clamber out of the car.

"Thanks," I say while leaning against the door so I can pull out my crutches.

"No problem, I'm at you're service!" he replies, pulling into a mock bow.

I can't help but laugh at his silly antics, and he grins up at me in response. "Alright, we should get to school before we're late again," I note, still smiling.

Without missing a beat, Adrien shuts the car door and waves his bodyguard goodbye before coming up to escort me inside. However, as we're going up the stairs, Chloe comes in and promptly attaches herself to Adrien, shoving me aside in the process. I stumble, losing my balance, and feel myself starting to fall. My breath hitches as fear courses through me, and I involuntarily close my eyes. However, instead of being met with cold, hard cement, I'm cradled by warm and caring arms. "Are you alright?"

I tentatively open my eyes, and find myself staring up at Adrien. I nod shakily, and he helps me back on my feet, pulling my crutches into a better position so I can stand by myself. As soon as he's sure I'm alright, he whirls to face Chloe. "Chloe, you've got to be more careful! You could've hurt Marinette more, or worse! You can't just be so careless, so selfish!"

Chloe visibly flinches backwards at the word, and pouts at him. "Aw, Adrikin's I didn't mean to! I just didn't see her, that's all!"

I strain to hear as Adrien mutters under his breath, then turns back to me. "Ignore her. Let's just go to class, ok? It'd be best to not be late again."

I nod, and hobble past as quickly as I can, though I can hear Chloe snickering at my expense. Adrien silences her with a look. I ignore her, and just continue to class. I feel more of my confidence return as I'm able to make it up all the stairs with minimal issues, and eventually make it into the classroom. As I walk in with Adrien behind me, I can feel people staring at me. Blushing self-consciously, I look away. However, I feel a soft hand on my cheek, and when I look up Adrien is meeting my eyes. I blush even harder. "Hey, don't worry. You'll be fine. If it helps, you can sit with me today," he offers.

"S-s-sure!" I sputter out.

"Miss, Marinette needs to sit with me today," Adrien quickly explains to the teacher. "She's been through a lot of trauma, and I think it would really just help her stay calm."

"Of course Marinette can sit with you. I hope she gets better soon! Speaking of, class, please welcome back Marinette!"

I'm horrified. Now I know the class is staring at me, all of it, if they weren't before. Alya, of course, is clapping loudly along with Juleka, Rose, Alix, and Mylene while the rest of the class claps politely. I feel gratitude, and warm knowing people actually care. I know it's silly to think they wouldn't, but when I walked in… When I look around the classroom more, though, I can see a few people who aren't clapping. Chloe, for one, and… Lila. I can't stand that girl. I swear she's the devil reincarnated to make my life a living hell. I awkwardly shuffle into Nino's normal spot after that torture is over, and Adrien slides in gracefully next to me. I know Alya and Nino won't mind, they love sitting together anyway, so I feel nothing but happiness as I look at the boy next to me. My eyes glaze over, and I drift off into some far away fantasy realm. Here, Adrien and I are married with three kids - Emma, Hugo, and Louis - as well as our pet hamster and- "AKUMA!" someone screeches.

I'm jerked back to reality harshly at this, one where I'm not married to Adrien, have no kids, no pet. Sighing, I get up to run off and transform when I very quickly realize I still have some trouble moving faster that a slug. I hobble as fast as I can, but I don't even make it to the door when a loud BAM! sounds nearby. I look up to see the wall to outside has been shattered, and there, standing in the opening, is the Akuma.

Chapter 6 End