Song: "How Does It Feel?" By Anna Blue

A/n- Thanks for 1k on this story!! <3 <3 There are three more chapters after this! :)

**

"Once again," Chloe griped. "I don't get why people keep invading my personal space! Get out of my way!" She shoved Nathanael to the side as she walked into the classroom.

"Can we please just get rid of Chloe?" Alex groaned.

"I know, right," Juleka agreed, rolling her eyes.

"You losers couldn't get rid of me if your lives depended on it!" She snapped.

"Good thing they don't!"

Mme. Bustier walked in, and the class went silent. But instead of smiling or saying good morning, she only looked at the class, distraught.

"Kim leaned over to whisper to Max. "What's up with her?" The nerd only shrugged.

"Class," she began, her voice not holding the usual energy as it usually did. "Today is not going to be a normal learning day. For those of you who don't already know, Marinette Dupain-Cheng is in the hospital."

A collective gasp cane from the class.

"What?!" Alya's eye's widened. "What happened?!"

"Well, she..." Mme. Bustier began, voice trembling. "She tried to commit suicide last night."

Everybody in the room gasped. Adrien's heart skipped a beat. "No," he whispered, unwilling to believe it.

"Oh my god..." Alya whispered, holding a hand over her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. "W-wait, w-we have to see her! I-I have to see her!" She immediately stood up from her desk, running out of the classroom. Adrien and Nino quickly followed behind her.

Mme. Bustier ignored the three students running out, knowing that they were her friends. She then turned to her class. "According to Marinette's parents, Marinette had been bullied. And it was so severely, that she felt that she needed to kill herself." Hearing this, Chloe sunk in her seat, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Now I don't know who exactly did this, or if it was more than one person," the teacher continued. "But bullying is not tolerated in this classroom at all. If you started this, you know you are, and I hope you feel sorry. Imagine if it was you who went through this."

Chloe covered her mouth with her hand to keep from crying. I mean, if I were you, I'd just kill myself. Her own words replayed and replayed in her mind. Oh my gosh...why did I say that?

"I don't want to see or even hear about anyone bullying anyone in this class or in this school ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes m'am," The class nodded, heads down.

"Good," Mme. Bustier finished firmly, tears forming in her eyes. Marinette was one of the sweetest students she ever had, and she knew very well that something had been going on by how her parents were acting. They didn't give any specific names, only saying she was being bullied. She couldn't believe that she hadn't seen all the signs. And even if she did feel the slightest bit of concern, she chose to push those thoughts into the back of her mind.

**

Alya, Nino, and Adrien had gotten to the hospital by taxi. As soon as they arrived, they rushed to the front desk. "Hey," The reporter said, nearly out of breath. "We're here to see Marinette Dupain-Cheng!"

"I need to see your IDs, please," the lady said.

"But...we don't have any," Alya replied. "We're only fourteen."

"Then I can't let you guys in."

Adrien growled angrily. Under normal circumstances, he would never do this. But this was an emergency. "Do you know who I am?" He retorted. Alya and Nino exchanged weird glances. "I'm Adrien Agreste, son of Gabriel Agreste-the biggest and richest fashion designer in Paris! If you don't let us in, I'll tell my dad. and he'll sue this whole place!"

The front desk lady's eyes widened in shock. "She's...in room 22A."

"Thank you," the model said with his usual sweet smile.

"Dude," Nino started as they headed down the hallway. "What was that?"

"Don't ever tell anyone I did this, ok?" He whispered. "I really hate when people use my father's money for these kinds of things. I just...I need to see her."

The four friends frantically searched for the room Marinette was in, and after what seemed like forever, they had finally found it. Alya's heart dropped to her stomach. What if she hates me and never wants to see me again? "Uh...Nino, w-why don't you go in first?"

"M-me?" Her boyfriend said, voice shaking. "I-I don't know about that...Adrien?" He was already peeking through the door window.

Adrien saw Marinette's parents sitting on two chairs beside the hospital bed, talking to her. It looked like she had woke up not too long ago. He saw her smile. That gorgeous smile. And then she laughed. His heart fluttered in happiness. Although she looked super tired, she looked...better. Better than she was the last time he saw her. And he had never been more relived in his life. Not wanting to ruin the family moment, he began backing away, when Tom turned around and saw him. His face lit up, and he immediately opened the door, then closed it behind him.

"Adrien," he beamed. "We're so glad you're here. Oh, and Alya and Nino?" The pair nodded, looks of guilt on their faces. "You all are welcome to come in here, but we suggest it be one at a time. She just woke up this morning and she's still a little woozy. I'll go ask her who she wants to see first." He turned and went back into the room.

The three friends were silent, shuffling their feet nervously on the tile floor. A couple moments later, her father came back out. "Marinette said that she would like to see Alya first." The ombré haired girl's eyes widened.

"M-me?" He nodded. "A-alright..." Alya's heart pounded as she walked to the door with her shaking hands. She's going to hate me. No, she already DOES hate me! When she opened the door, she didn't expect Marinette to look so calm. Especially after what she went through.

When the bluenette saw her friend, she smiled. "Hey."

Alya adverted her eyes down in shame. My best friend is in the hospital after trying to kill herself, and I was apart of the reason why. Her eyes burned with tears, and before anyone could say anything else, she let them fall. "Mari...I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to act so mean. I-if I would've known what you would try to do, I-I would've-oh my gosh!" She couldn't stop crying.

"Alya, no," she said firmly, her own eyes watering. "Stop crying, please. I don't want you to feel bad about this. It wasn't even your fault."

"Yes it was!" She nearly yelled. "Don't you see, Marinette? I didn't even give your feelings a second thought, and I assumed the worst. You're my friend, and I should've trusted you. I should've..." she choked. "I should've built you up. But all I did was bring you down when that was the last thing you needed!"

"Alya," she repeated, her voice a bit softer this time. "Can...we just start over?" Her friend nodded quickly, wiping her tears.

"S-sure."

"Alright. Now come here and give me a hug, girl!" Marinette said, her arms opened wide. Slowly, the ombré haired girl walked closer and bent down, hugging her. It felt so nice to have her friend back.

"I...I don't deserve your friendship," Alya whispered behind her shoulder, then pulled out.

"Hey," she smiled. "I said we were starting over, didn't I?" Alya only nodded. "And don't feel bad. I already forgave you." The spectacled girl smiled back. Thank you.

After catching up with each other, Alya came out, and her face was tear stained. "You ok, babe?" Nino asked, a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah," she nodded, a bright smile on her face. "I'm more than ok now. By the way, she asked for you next." The DJ gulped, but went in.

"H-hey dudette-I mean, Marinette." He rocked back and forth on his heels, looking at the ground.

"Hey Nino," she said, surprising him. Her voice sounded so carefree. So much more happy than the last time her heard it.

"Are you...mad at me?" He cursed himself after asking. That's such a stupid question! Of course she's mad at you! But Marinette shook her head.

"No. It's ok. If I were in your place, I probably would've been mad too. You...know I didn't kiss you purpose, right?" He nodded.

"Yeah...I don't know why I believed Sabrina. I was already having a terrible day and I guess I just snapped. But that's no excuse for why I acted that way towards you."

"Yeah, but...you're here, and...I'd like to start over. I'm starting over with everyone because...the stuff that happened before...this; none of that matters anymore."

"Well...I-it should, Mari. I mean, we caused all of this!"

"You didn't," She shook her head. "It's fine, Nino. I'm not mad at you, and I'm still wanna be friends."

"Why are you...so kind? After everything we did to you-"

"That's why I said none of that matters anymore. What matters is that I'm still here." The DJ's lips formed into a smile. She was right. It didn't help anything to go back and visit the many mistakes that were made before.

"Thanks, dudette."

"No problem," she laughed.

"Uh...I think I should go. There's someone who probably wants to see you more than any of us right now." He turned and opened the door.

Marinette blushed at the mention of someone. She knew perfectly well who was out there, thanks to her dad. She wondered what he'd say to her...what he'd think of her.

Before any other worries could fill her mind, the door opened, revealing Adrien. For a moment, the two just sat there, staring at each other, anxious anticipation in her eyes, worried relief in his.

Suddenly, the boy walked up to the hospital bed, and simply leaned down, wrapping her in a warm embrace. Marinette's cheeks heated up like never before. She could smell his cologne all over his clothes, touch his soft, blonde hair, and feel his arms tighten around her, as if she were his lifeline. Once her heart slowed to a much slower pace, she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes and let out a content hum. She was sure nothing would ever feel as good as this.

"Don't," she heard Adrien's trembling voice. "Ever do that again."

"I-I won't," she choked out. Then the tears came. She cried into his shoulder as he began rubbing her back and running his fingers through her hair.

When Marinette woke up that morning, she realized that she never truly wanted to die. The doctors explained that it was an 'of the moment' thing. And it made since. If she wouldn't have tried that last night, she probably would've been glad she didn't the next day. She was just happy that she could start over.

Once Adrien and her pulled out of their hug, she caught her breath, looking up at the handsome boy she had loved-and would never stop loving-no matter what. "Th-thank you, Adrien...for standing up for me."

"Marinette," he replied softly. Just the sound of his voice gave her chills. "I'll always stand up for you." He leaned back down, giving her a small peck on the forehead. Her face was on fire. Did he just... she could've melted right there. Her life would've actually been over.

"Uh..." was all that came out of the bluentte's mouth. "Th-thank you again," she squeaked.

"No problem," he chuckled lightly. Then he leaned down again and whispered. "By the way, I really hope you finished your dress because I'm still taking you to the dance."