“No, you can’t visit the room or receive any updates on him without his parent or guardian’s permission” the same nurse scolded. Another passed by and looked at her questionly. Me and Adrien receded to the waiting room’s chairs.

“You go and I’ll wait for you in the hospital's food court.”

“Where is that? I’ve never been.” Adrien asked.

“It’s at the center of the hospital near where you should be so it’s fine, I’ll go to grab something to eat there and you can follow me until you find your way.” I got up and made my way to the cafeteria, Adrien walking next to me. The corridor was long and a painful sight. Seeing the ghosts lining the hall, trying to get someone to notice them, some were hanging onto grieving family and friends. There were ghosts trailing doctors who just couldn’t save them in time, hanging over them in grim reminders.

“Back off!” I heard Adrien growl next to me. I move to see who he’s talking to and find a ghost backing away after attempting to possess me.

“Thanks.” I was surprised.

“Hm?” He looked back at me. “Oh, no problem, I just know that you hate this place because of being possessed.

I hid my blush with my hand. “We-well here’s where we part ways.” I stopped in front of the door to the small hospital cafe.

“Stay safe.”

“Ye-yeah, you too, see you soon, well I’m seeing you right now but you know, like in your body see you.”

“Thanks.” He waved goodbye before walking away to find his hospital room. I got some odd looks from others in the hall but I was too busy mentaly beating myself up for what I said, I sounded so awkward! I’m so embarrassed. I took a few calming breaths before entering the cafe.

“Hey! Marinette!” I turned at my name.

“Iridessa? What are you doing here?”

“I could be asking you the same question, want to sit with me? I’m gonna order something first real quick.”

“Sure, I will too, I’ll pay.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Consider it as thank you for the book recommendation, I chose Moral compass, it was very enjoyable, I’ve been reading it on my way to and from here all week.” We got up to the counter, ordered and I paid. We found an empty table to continue our conversation.

“I’m glad you liked it, on the topic of things you like-”

“Oh no.”

“-How are you and Adrien working out? It’s been too long since I’ve seen either of you.”

“Well, Adrien is currently in a coma here.” I look down at my hot chocolate, brushing my bangs out of my eyes.

Iridessa gasped. “What?! No! What happened?”

I chewed on my lip. “It, it was all my fault.” My voice was as small as I felt at the moment.

“I’m sure it’s not-”

“No, it is!”

“What happened then, I’ll prove it wasn’t your fault.” She leaned back in her seat, ready to prove my points wrong.

“Well, He invited me to go skating with his friends but they ended up being busy.”

“A date!” She squealed.

“Yes, and we were there, and he was teaching me how to skate because I didn’t know how to.” I watched Iridessa fight jumping out of her seat and squeezing me in happiness for the date. “This is where the date went downhill though.” I felt bad as I watched my words visibly crush her joy.

“I was skating on thin ice and there was a crack, Adrien helped me get away from it to safety but fell in instead.” I nervously sipped my chocolate, Iridessa placed her hand over mine.

“I’m so sorry, but stop blaming yourself, he saved you, he didn’t have to but he did. It was his own choice so it’s not your fault. And if you ask me, that seemed pretty romantic of him.”

“Iridessa!” I chastise.

“What? It was!”

“Anyway, now you know why I’m here, what about you?”

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Well, it’s not quite as romantic as your reason, but I’m visiting my mom.” she gripped her cup. “It’s fine really, I’m fine.”

“Well, I’m here for you you know?” We exchanged a smile.

“Anyways, my dad should be here any minute.” She searched the room before her eye catches on a figure entering. “And there he is, hi dad!” she waved him over.

I glanced at who she was waving at and saw the tall man from earlier making his way over. I died a bit inside, how am I going to be able to have a normal conversation much less introduce myself? I literally got Adrien to possess him moments ago!

‘Hello, I’m Marinette, I think I’ve seen you before at my parent’s cafe, oh yeahh! You're that guy I convinced my crush to possess and now you might be able to see ghosts now! Have fun with that!’

“Hi dessie! Who’s your friend here?” He stopped where we were seated.

“This is Marinette, you know? The girl I’ve been talking about!”

“Oh yeah! You’re Adrien Agreste’s girlfriend!”

“Pa-pardon me?” I ask looking between them, Iridessa looking sheepish and her dad like he was completely oblivious to our embarrassment. Thank goodness we didn’t have to wither in the awkwardness for long when I caught sight of Adrien rushing to us only to be thrown back as he tried to enter the cafe.

“That looked like it had to hurt.” her dad commented, I looked up at him, stunned. He caught my stare.

“You can see them too!” I exclaimed.

“Of course, ever since I was 12! I’ve gotta say, I’m surprised to see him here after he possessed me. I shrunk a bit in my seat.

“Dad?”

“Right! Okay, Blond hair, green eyes-.”

“Adrien?” She asked.

“I believe so.”

“I should go to him.” I got up, grabbing my drink that was still warm, and made my way to Adrien.

“What happened?” Iridessa was quick to follow.

“He keeps running into really weird barriers that I don’t understand. The same thing happened back home with my room.”

“Oh, how scandalous!” She teased, her father soon joined and followed us.

“I swear it wasn’t like that!” We exited the cafe.

“Why?! Why me?! That ghost was able to enter! I feel like the universe is personally attacking me!” Adrien kicked the wall. “Oh, hey Marinette.” his mood did a nice 180.

“Time to go, were you not able to enter your body?” I asked.

“No, I decided I preferred being a ghost.” He paused before sighing. “Sorry, yeah, I couldn’t, it’s like the same thing happened just now and at your room.”

My eyes widen, fearful. ‘Is this the doing of scarletmoth? What’s going on?!’ I could faintly hear the man whisper what Adrien said to Iridessa.

“We-well I’m sure everything is going to be alright, we just need to rest up and try again later.” I reassured. “We could try and ask Alya and Emily if they know anything about what's happening tomorrow.”

“Okay, and if we do that, do you mind if we tell Nino? I think it would be useful if we had more people working to figure this out.” Adrien asked.

We started walking. “I don’t know, maybe…” I thought more about it. I had already wanted to tell him because he might actually be helpful, if we had more eyes watching out for scarletmoth, Adrien would be safer. Just because I decided to tell him, doesn't mean I can’t delay it. “Here, I’m willing to try and convince him, whether it works or not, you’ll possess him so he can see ghosts” I bit the inside of my cheek, I just agreed to willingly expose myself to emotional pain.

We got to the lobby to find Chloe asking to visit Adrien using the ‘mayor’s daughter’ card. I sped up immediately but she still caught sight of me.

“Huh, Dupain- cheng, what are you doing here?” I stopped, I’m not going to be rude and stoop to her level by ignoring her.

“Nothing Chloe. Have a good day.” I start to leave again, pushing up my glasses which have been slowly sliding down my nose for a while.

“Look at me when I talk to you! You should be honored that I’m even in the same room as you filthy peasants!” She marched right up to me. “Now, why are you here, hopeful not to see my precious Adrien! After all, it's your fault that he’s here, it should have been you who fell, even better if you drowned.”

“Thanks Chloe for the reminder, but I really must be on my way now.” I met her gaze as she wanted, my glare as cold as the ice I was supposed to fall through a week ago. I stepped around her and made my way out, leaving her behind.

As I left, I could just barely hear her whisper. “You’re going to pay for what you did to him Dupain-cheng.”