One week later, Marinette is home by now.  She returns to school, but barely says much to Adrien.  She just runs into the classroom in a hurry to get away from him.  She figures it is better this way, right?  It is not like he cares about her anyway.  It is not like he loves her because he cares for ladybug.  So, she sits down without a word to Adrien.  She is just sad.  

     Marinette feels like she can never confess to Adrien.  At this point, what is the use?  She already knows he only sees her as a silly fan girl and a best friend. This hurts, it really does more than she could ever imagine.  At least now, she will have to hear him say it.  This helps a little, to know he will not have to tell her that he does not love her.  

    Alya and Nino sit behind Marinette in class. The two of them notice, Marinette seems sad, but she will not speak to either of them about it.  The lovebirds figure, perhaps she just needs her space to deal with whatever troubles her.  Neither of them guess, that the bluenette in front of them loves the blonde haired model, Adrien Agreste.  That is Alya does not need to guess about this because Marinette told her years ago about it and Nino well it is best if he remains oblivious forever if that is what it takes to avoid a broken promise Alya made to Marinette.   Both Nino and Alya thinks, poor Marinette is so down. Too bad there is nothing we can do to fix it.

    Adrien sits down next to Marinette. He notices she does even look at him. He is sad. He thinks, so this is it, huh?  Marinette will never speak to me again.  I should have known the roses would not help.  I only wish, I could help her.  How?   I mean I can not help who I love anymore than anyone else can.  He sighs.  

   Lila smirks when she sees how Marinette ignores Adrien.  Well, well it looks like Adrien will be mine in no time, she thinks to herself.  Little does she know how wrong she is both now and always.  Not only this, but she does not know any of the back story to why Marinette refuses to look at Adrien or talk to him.  She just thinks, the bluenette either hates the boy, or perhaps she came to her senses and gave up on him.  After all, everyone knows Adrien does not love Marinette. Wow, that is bound to hurt!  No wonder, she looks so down today.  Lila is just happy the pig tails girl is not happy.  Why not?  Marinette is her rival since they both love Adrien!  Chloe is her rival too, but at least Chole is less weird and awkward about it all.  Marinette is just to stupid.  No wonder Adrien does not care about her!  

      Kagami sees Marinette and Adrien. She thinks, goodness what  happened to them?  I mean it.  it is obvious Marinette loves Adrien!  As for Adrien, I am sure he has no idea how he really feels about her.  I know he tries to deny any feelings towards her, but the way he walks off at the skate rink to check on her proves he cares about her more than he admits.  Then there is the fact he always stands up for her,  I heard she was in the hospital after she passes out in the park a week ago, and he visits her with roses.   If that does not prove he likes her, I do not know what else does!  I  hate to see them like this.  What can I do about it though?  It is not like I could help fix whatever took place to make Marinette ignore Adrien.   Well, anyway, I wonder if Luka has any ideas what it is that bothers those too.  I mean they are best friends after all!  Personally, I just want to see Adrien happy no matter who he ends up with at this point!  I do know he does not like me not when he looks at Marinette the way he does.  I can tell he cares about her.  Why even I can see he loves her!  

      Later the bell rings, and Marinette goes home.  Alya does not try to stop her.  She decides to let her best friend be for the moment.  Nino does the same and heads out with Alya by his side.  Kagami just shrugs her shoulders and thinks, poor Marinette!  Poor Adrien!  The sooner they figure out their feelings for the other, the sooner they can be happy!   Lila laughs at it all.  Chloe thinks, good grief, Agreste even I can see you love this Marinette girl, so why not just confess already?    Rose feels sorry for Marinette. She thinks, Adrien why can not just forget about Ladybug and love Marinette instead?  It is obvious she is crazy about you.   I mean everyone knows this.  Everyone I mean other than you.  

       Marinette goes straight to her room. She does not even stop to greet her parents. She is really not in the mood.  She does her homework.  Then, she writes in her diary, when she finishes this, she locks it back up and sighs.  She sits on the edge of her bed with tears in her eyes. 

      Adrien wonders, what makes his best friend, Marinette so sad?  He thinks, what could it be?  I mean I hate to see her like this. She will not talk to me.  I do not get it.  Why not?   I mean usually, she is so happy to talk to me. I know she stutters, but so what?  It is kinda cute!  Wait,what?  Marinette cute!  Since when have I thought of her in this way?     I mean Ladybug is my love, and my girl!   I  shake my head.  I  do my homework.  When I finish, I decide to  go see Marinette!  

     "Come on Plagg, lets go see my princess!"  Adrien says.

    "What about cheese?"  Plagg protest.

    "Good grief, I will give you two pieces later."  Adrien says.

     "In that case, lets go now!"  Plagg says.

     "Thanks, Plagg!  Plagg, claws out!"  Adrien says and transforms. He exits his room through the open window and goes to visit Marinette.

     A few minutes later...  Marinette hears  a thud on her balcony. She thinks, not now Chat!  Please not now, not ever!  Please go away!  She cries and thinks, I am better without you here.  I mean it.  

      Chat taps on her window.  The window to his princess. He smiles when he sees her.  He notices the tears in her eyes, and starts to frown.  Who made her cry?   Whoever they are will pay for this?  He taps on the window again, this time more loudly than before!  

      Marinette opens the window.  She sits back down without a word to him.  She can not think of anything to say.  She just knows she wishes he would forget about her.  She rather he not come anymore.  Everything was so much easier before she knew who he really was!  Now, she is just can not face him not as Marinette again!  Not now, not ever!  Not as Adrien or Chat!  It is hard enough to face him as Ladybug when he only sees her as one half to a whole.  He does not see her as Marinette. 

     Chat enters the room. He walks over to Marinette.  He does not say a word.  He just hugs her and when she does respond he sighs. 

    "Mari, look I know it has been a bit awkward since you found out it is me, but I want you to know that I am still here for you.  I mean it. "  Chat says.

      "Chat, why even bother?   I  know you do not love me.  It is okay though because everyone else loves Ladybug too.  It figures you would love her!"  Marinette says.

     "Mari, are you jealous of Ladybug?" Chat says.

     "Yes, I am jealous of her!  Okay, it is not bad enough you love her as Chat, but now I know you are A-Adrien behind the m-mask, I know y-you l-love L-Ladybug t-too!"  Marinette says with tears in her eyes.

     Chat destransforms.  He looks at her in shock.  He is not sure what to say.  What he can say?  It is not like he can deny it.  He knows what she says to be true.  So, why then does he feel sad that Marinette is so upset?  Why can he not just leave?  

     "Mari?"  Adrien says.

     "A-Adrien, please go!  I  do not want to see you ever again!  Not as Adrien, or Chat!" Marinette says.

    "Okay, I will go!  If that is what you really want."  Adrien says. 

    "It  is.  I am sorry, it is just I can not be friends with you anymore.  It is just too painful.  So goodbye, A-Adrien!  Good bye, Ch-Chat!"  Marinette says.

     "What?  Mari, you can not mean it! "   Adrien protest. He thinks, what will I do without her in my life?  

      "Oh, but I do mean it."  Marinette says.  

      "I am sorry, Mari!  I never meant to hurt you."  Adrien says.  

     "Plagg, claws out!"  Adrien transforms back.

     "I know, but you did." Marinette says. 

      "Mari!"  Chat says. He cries, and thinks, I never meant for this to happen. How could I have hurt her in this way.  He hugs her one last time. He feels like he will never be the same again.

      Chat releases her.  He has tears in his own eyes. He looks into her eyes and thinks, Mari!  I am so confused.  He leans in, brushes away a tear and kisses her on the forehead.  He sees her blush, and thinks, so long my beautiful, sweet friend.  He sighs and leaves before he change his mind.

     Marinette just stands there.  She is too upset to speak. She thinks, why?  why did he kiss my forehead?  Why did he have to let me love him?  Why did ever give that stupid umbrella in the first place?   Why do I have to love him so much?  why?  why?

     Chat goes home. He destransforms and gives Plagg the two slices of Camembert as he promises.   He sighs.  He thinks, Mari!  Mari!  Mari, I do not understand, why did you say what you do?  why?  I never said this is what I want?  Did I ever do or say something to make her think I did not want her in my life?   She is my best friend.  No she was, but now.  Now, she hates me.  She hates me and for the life of me, I can not figure out why?

     Adrien's  POV:  Mari, I miss you!  I do not know why, but somehow, a small part of me feels happier when you are around!  I do not know what this means.  I am sorry.  I just wish that you would let me explain.  I am not sure how I can face you at school when you do not wish to remain my best friend. Why?  I never knew.  I never knew you liked me.  How could I have been so blind?  Now it is too late, I lost you for good.  Mari, you were my first real friend.  Good bye, then!  Good bye,Mari!  Good bye all the good times we had together, and mostly good bye to my happiness.   "...Without you  I am half of a whole...without you,I'm just a sad song..."  -quote from Sad Song by We The Kings ft.  Elena Coats.  

*Note from the author the link to the video available on you tube of the song, Sad Song with lyrics included by We The Kings f. Elena Coats is included above.  Just figure this suits this part of the story. -Summer Cheng*

      to be continued in the Epilogue: Broken ?