Adrien's POV

Racing out the classroom I needed to find Peggy. I had the temptation of staying back for a few minutes to talk to Marilyn, but my sister came first.

I checked the canteen, her classroom the playground and still couldn't find her. That's when I saw two boys towering over someone...a girl.

I strolled over to see what the commotion was and that's when I saw Peggy, small and powerless cowering on the floor tears streaked down her face with two boys maybe a year younger than me laughing and smiling at her terror.

An instant hate I had never felt before rushed into me as the need to hurt or kill those boys became strong and vivid. I had no restraint and no thought of stopping, I lashed out my fists uncontrollably punching those boys, feeling no pain whatsoever.

"Stop please..." Peggy whimpered.

Peggy's voice brought me back to reality as I paused and saw what destruction I had created. I took a step back and grabbed Peggy's hand and ran. I didn't know where I was going but I knew I had to leave the premises before the teachers came.

I saw the toilet sign and the need to wash my hands clean made me feel less like a criminal and dirty. I finally realised I was still holding my sister's hand and was drawing too much attention. I eyed my sister and told her to stay here whilst I cleaned myself up.

Her eyes were full of shock and bewilderment I touched her shoulder and a slight flinch gave away. Hurt by her tremble I went inside the boy's toilet to clean my injured hands. I inspect the damage and see only small marks. There was nothing I could do with my jacket so I took three deep breaths and went outside to see my sister still waiting.

We both walked head down low and I notice a library in which I instruct Peggy to go inside. It should be safe to hide in here for a while I thought so I tell Peggy to walk to the back of the library where we should find some privacy.

Whilst we both sat down looking at each other across the table the longing to hug my sister hit me and I bit my tongue to stop myself from crying. Her eyes were still red from the weeping and there was no comfort I could give her except to apologise for my aggressive behaviour.

"I'm so sorry Peggy... I-I didn't want you to see that." I spoke quietly.

"Oh, Adrien I love... you so much but for my mum's... sake please don't do that again!" Peggy cried pleading with small hiccups in between each word.

"I promise Peggy, do you forgive me?" I said silent tears rolling down my cheeks.

"You silly cat, of course, I do!" She said smiling at me, an inside joke we both shared in which it made me smile.

I wiped my tears and saw her looking at my hands.

"Are you alright?" She said covering up my hands with her own.

"Yeah, I guess I am, I just... didn't know what came over me. You know?" I said trembling.

"Well I'm happy that you saved me from that CATASTROPHE," Peggy said giving an emphasis on the last word.

I laughed and replied "Anything for you, my lady!" Bowing down and kissing my sister's hand.

"Hey, stop it don't use your childish charms over me," Peggy said giggling.

The library door opened and out came Marilyn with her face flushed and her beautiful dark hair tied in a bun. A few hair strands were loose and somehow had made her look even more attractive. Gawking at her, my sister sees to where I was staring.

Marilyn walked past us and seemed to have not seen us. She looked tired and appeared to have something on her mind. I stood up and walked to where she was standing with her back towards me. She was stood up on a ladder, with her eyes closed tracing all the books on the shelf until finally resting her hand on a slim classic book I once read last year "The Miraculous Superheroes".

I didn't understand how it was a classic book but I remembered how boring the book was. Marilyn's fingers were graceful and delicate with a certain elegance to them. It was obvious she loved reading books as years of flipping through pages made her fingers poised and refined.

She came down the ladder and slowly turned around and caught me staring at her.

A deep blush rose her face as she reddened backing away from me in shock. Her left foot got caught on her bag and she screamed.

"AAHHHHHHH!" Her arms went flailing.

"MARI!"

Without thinking my mind took control of me as I rushed towards Marilyn, gripped her gently and held her close. I saved her from hitting the ground. I pulled her up and was still worried if she was stable enough to stand up.

Wow, she was really beautiful up close. Specks of freckles invisible but visible made her look stunning and her embarrassed face made my heart skip a beat. Just looking at her made me want to hold her forever. Wild fanatical thoughts crazily stirred in my head as I tried to focus on Marilyn's dark sea blue eyes.

They shined like sapphires in the light and my mouth turned dry with the urge to stroke her face. She was mumbling and stuttering and it was hard to follow what she was saying and her voice was quiet, however, my interest was on her dark hair that had blue highlights in. Her hair in a bun secured by a red ribbon gently danced in the slight breeze that was given off by the open window. The thought to run my fingers through her hair was strong and clear.

A feeling of Deja Vu hit me as the notion of this same idea was familiar and usual. That's strange, how can I feel so intimate towards a person who I had just met? I thought.

I brushed away the feeling and realised how uncomfortable Marilyn was feeling. Marilyn was still talking but I wasn't listening, it felt as if the universe didn't want me to pay attention to her. She stopped talking and stiffened. I heard the word "Beautiful" said from her but had no idea what she was talking about.

Laughter erupted from behind me as I forgot Peggy was listening. She must have heard what Marilyn said and found it funny. Annoyed at myself I changed the subject by introducing my sister to Marilyn and I was rewarded by a relieved look.

It was when Peggy asked about Ava I knew I shouldn't have taken it too far. Ava was a reminder of what we had before when Dad was still alive and I didn't want Ava to pity us even though I knew she wasn't like that.

I guess I was worried if Peggy told Ava about our situation Ava would tell everyone in class including Marilyn.

"NO PEGGY!"

I never yelled at Peggy before but when Peggy asked to go and look for Ava I was mad at how reckless she could be. I knew my sudden outburst surprised Marilyn as much it did to me but I was tired and lonely which made me want to curl up and cry.

The next thing I know, a sweet enchanting voice takes over and Marilyn who is on her knees holding Peggy's hands tells her that Ava and Nathan are coming, this time I cannot help myself but listen to her.

Peggy smiled towards Marilyn and a fuzzy warm emotion filled up my insides.

Mari stands up still holding the book and looks at me as if waiting for something to happen. I glanced at her book and summoned all my confidence to ask a question even if I knew the answer...I just wanted to hear her voice.

"Do you love to read?" I ask smiling wondering if I could trip her up with words. She peers at the book and then at the bookshelf. Her answer was amazing, it didn't affect her speech, she was almost unbelievable. I wanted to test her again, so I tell her the book she is holding is one of the worst books in history.

I suppose I did go a bit overboard and might have offended her love for books, so I prepare myself for the worst. A burst of laughter filled the room as Marilyn gripped the chair to hold herself up. Her eyes crinkled with laughter and tears streaked down her face. I laughed with her. I laughed at the setting, the situation and the fact that I was in love with her. Thinking it out loud was a chilling feeling but it made me want to tell the whole world my affection towards her.

This is crazy who do I think I am, Romeo? Actually, I don't want to think about the ending to that story! Adrien thought. I heard the door open and out came Nathan and Ava with Peggy running towards them.

I glanced at Marilyn, her flushed face is replaced with a flicker of disappointment but regains her posture as she strolls towards our friends.

Friends, I never imagined the thought of having friends. Marilyn smiles towards Ava and Nathan and I can't help myself but smile as well.

I glanced towards Marilyn whose face once filled with happiness and laughter is now replaced with horror and distraught.

"That's strange why is she staring at me like that?" I thought confused.

I follow her eyes as I notice my hands are bruised and bleeding.
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Author's Note
Hey everyone!!! Okay so I have finally finished writing this chapter.

I mean 🤔 there is nothing for me to say except to just enjoy the story and stay tuned for what comes next.

Please remember to follow, vote or comment on this chapter as it would mean a lot to me. (😂 only if you want to)

Thank you so much for staying with this fanfic so far...I have literally no words 😭

Zara xxx