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Marinette's P.O.V

   During the early morning hours, the police found Shadow...after she robbed a jewelry shop and chased her for a few miles.

   I just woke up an hour ago and feeling better from last night's sickness. Yet, I also find the kitchen empty.

At first, I was confused since dad is usually up to make a quick breakfast before heading down to the bakery. I hadn't realized the situation until finding a note on the counter. Dad explained in the note the situation and went to the station.

   "I can't believe this..." I trailed off in disbelief, "I know she is a major brat...but stealing from a jewelry shop? That's a bit much."

  "Good morning, Marinette! H-"

   "Is she so desperate for attention that she'll go to any length to get it?" I continued to ramble on.

   "Ha-"

   "Next thing you know, she'll murder somebody," I exclaimed, "and that somebody will probably be me!"

   "Marinette!"

   I seal my lips shut and pause pacing the floor. Tikki is floating at my eye level with a raised eyebrow.

   "Don't you think you're over-exaggerating a little bit?" She questioned me.

   "I don't know. Give me a second to think," I sarcastically said, putting on a "thinking" face before answering her question a second later, "Nope! Not at all! She hates my guts, Tikki. I wouldn't be surprised if she stuck a knife in my back, literally."

"Don't worry, that'll never happen. I'll always watch your back," Tikki chirped, making me smile a little, "Besides, I highly doubt she'd do anything as drastic as that. She may be cruel but I wouldn't say she's a killer."

I can see where Tikki is going with this. She's right on the part of Shadow not being a murdering type (though she is psychotic) and maybe, I am being a bit over the top as usual. Still, it doesn't take the fact away from everything Shadow has done to me since her arrival. Being a brat, burning one of my designs and almost a family picture, harsh words, threats, and more.

"I wish I had the answers to help solve all of your problems, Marinette, but even I don't have all the universe's answers. The only one who can do that is your dad and sister," Tikki wistfully spoke.

"I know," I replied, "It doesn't seem like anyone is willing to give them is the real problem."

"I'm sure the truth will eventually come out," Tikki reassured before perking up, "Wait here for a second! I'll be right back!"

My Kwami shot off back into my bedroom. I blink, tilting my head in wonder at what Tikki is doing. I didn't have to wait too long when she returned at a slower pace, struggling to carry something white and rectangular in her arms. I immediately grabbed it, releasing the heavyweight from her grasp.

My eyes are drawn down to a folded piece of paper. Curiously, I opened the paper. A soft smile couldn't help spreading across my cheeks. A homemade birthday card with Tikki and Plagg's signatures.

"Have a miraculous birthday, Marinette!" The card read with some stickers plastered around the words. Even if the card didn't solve my problems, it did cheer me up a little bit.

   "Aww! Thank you, Tikki! That was very sweet of you to make me a card for my birthday," I genuinely expressed my gratitude. Suddenly, my words hit me with realization of what today is. My eyes blow wide, probably bulging out of my head.

   "Wait! Today's my birthday!" I said, dumbstruck, "I can't believe it's already here! It feels like yesterday Alya and I was talking about it when it was pretty much a week ago! Where did the time go?"

   "A lot has happened the past few days," Tikki explained, "Your birthday was probably the last thing on your mind."

   "I guess so..." I replied. Then, I continued with a sour feeling constricting my heart, "This'll be the first time I'm sharing a birthday with a crazy twin sister I recently found out about and...without mom."

   This will be one of many firsts and some once-in-a-lifetime moments mom will be missing and it doesn't get any easier thinking about it. She'll miss my graduation. She'll miss watching me get married. She'll miss me debuting my first line of clothesline. She'll miss holding her first grandchild.

   So many things she'll miss and empty seats she should have sat in will be filled in by other people.

   I can feel tears begin to well up and try to rub them away.

  "Come on! Stop crying. Stop crying!" I thought. The feeling of tears slowly dries, leaving the outer part of my eyes damp. I know it's going to sting and hurt.

There's always going to be phantom pains in the hole mama used to fill in my heart every once in a while, but her spirit still lingers there to ease it. She may not be physically here anymore but she will be nearby in my memories. I just need to remember her. She'll live on through those who know her and are still here.

"Don't forget," I thought.

"Are you sure you're not already forgetting?"

I gasp. I finally open my eyes, spotting a worried Tikki floating nearby.

"Are you okay? I tried calling out to you but you weren't responding," Tikki asked in a distressed voice.

"Oh...sorry. I'm fine now," I lied. Tikki gave me a look of disbelief, seeing straight through my fib. I've always been terrible at lying (don't ask me how I've managed to hide my secret identity for this long), especially with the people who know me. I'm like glass, transparent enough to see through my lies. It makes me wonder how Lila had and Shadow can do it so easily without any struggles.

   I quickly change the topic. If I hold onto this conversation any longer, Tikki will start asking questions I don't want to answer.

"I need to get ready for school before I'm-" I looked at the clock and screech out in a panic, "-LATE! OH NO! I'M LATE! I'M LATE! I'M LATE!"

I throw on some clothes and grab my purse. I pull the purse's lips open. Tikki immediately shoots inside before I practically race out through the house. On my way out the door, I snatch two croissants. Before I know it, I'm standing outside my classroom and trying to think up an excuse for why I'm so late.

"Maybe, I can sneak in?" I thought, knowing it won't work.

   "Marinette," Tikki whispered from my purse.

   "Not too loud. Someone might hear you," I whispered back.

   "I think you forgot your book bag in your rush," she replied, making me freeze. I frantically search for my school bag and see it is missing. I let out a muffled, frustrated growl into my hands.

   "This birthday is turning out to be a great start," I thought, taking some calming breaths, "I'll just have to try and survive the day without it...somehow."

   I turn to the door and slowly push it open. I wince at the sound of the door creaking softly. So much for sneaking into the room. Maybe nobody heard that?

   "It's nice of you to join our class today, Marinette," Miss Bustier teased me, turning away from the board for a moment. I nervously smile and push the door further open. My hand found its way to the back of my neck and began scratching it.

   "Sorry, Miss Bustier," I apologized, seeing as an excuse would make me look worse than I'm already am.

   "It's alright," she said, placing the chalk down, "In fact, you made it just on time."

   Suddenly, the entire classroom burst out in joyous cheer (except for Chloe who is still oddly quiet), "Happy birthday, Marinette!"

   Rose somehow snuck up to my side and threw some confetti above my head. The colorful paper dances in the air and down to my feet (some sticking in my hair and on my clothes). Miss Bustier brought out a tray of cupcakes from hiding behind her desk.

My frustration, nervousness, and dejected state vanishes. A warmth fills my chest and lifts the heaviness like a hot air balloon. What was once lying deflated on the ground is now floating in the sky, away from the negativity from below. This is a very nice pick-me-up and a good distraction from...recent events.

What's even better, I can see Adrien is finally back in school! He's sitting in his usual seat next to Nino. Yet, he seems...off. I can tell he's forcing that smile and seems more sleep-deprived since I last saw him. He tried his best to brighten his smile when he noticed I was looking at him but it looked more like a grimace.

I didn't get a chance to think on it much longer when Rose spoke up.

"Where's Mallorie? Isn't her birthday too?" she asked, confusingly looking for my twin sister, "Did something happen to her? Oh, I hope she's okay!"

I scrunch my face up seeing a sympathetic and concerned look in Rose's eyes. Right, everyone at school still thinks she is an angel. What was I supposed to say? She ran away from me after the akuma fight and never returned home. The police were on a manhunt around Paris searching for her only to find her after she robbed a jewelry shop.

They'd never believe me.

"That's right. None of them will believe you. It'll be like Lila never left and they're still believing her lies," that terrible voice spoke.

As much as I want to believe this voice is wrong and I shouldn't listen to it no matter how many times it tries to drag me down, it isn't wrong. It's the truth. Nobody will believe me. Nobody at all.

It'll be just like with Lila all over again.

"Marinette, are you okay?" Alya asked, suddenly in front of me and comforting squeezed my hands. I stumbled back, pulling my hands out from her grasp like her hold was burning my skin. The ombré-haired teen blinked in shock at my movement. Her face became neutral but there is a clear sign of hurt and understanding in her caramel gaze.

I scanned all the faces in the silent classroom, each one displaying concern and worry.

"Marinette?" Miss Bustier spoke up, earning my attention. Her face softens as she grows closer to the three of us.

"Can we talk out in the hallway for a moment?" she asked. I stare at her for a moment then nod my head in agreement. Oh no, I'm in trouble. Aren't I? Why wouldn't I be for the way I've been acting?

"Alya and Rose, can you please go back to your seats," she asked my friends, getting reluctant nods before telling her class, "I'll only be a few minutes. While you're waiting, work on your family projects."

I winced at the mention of that cursed project. I can't even remember the last time I've worked on that. Probably the day I read my mom's obituary. As much as I don't want to work on it, I'll have to keep my grade up.

Miss Bustier guided me out the door and shut it behind her. We only walked a few feet away so no one would be able to eavesdrop on us from inside the room. I clutch my forearms, hugging myself and preparing to get yelled at.

   "I'm in trouble. Aren't I?" I feebly said, staring at the ground, feeling the heaviness return.

   "Trouble?" Miss Bustier questioned, kneeling to my level, "You're not in trouble, Marinette. I just wanted to talk with you."

   "Why do you want to talk?" I asked, confused. How am I not in trouble? Actually...what trouble did I even cause? I must have done something to upset everyone...right?

   Miss Bustier gave me a kind smile and placed her hands on my shoulder, "Because I'm worried about you, just like all your friends in that classroom. I told you before I'll be here whenever you need help. That's why I'm here now and why I want to talk with you."

   I slightly gape at my teacher, stunned by her endless kindness. She really is the best teacher in the world. I'm so lucky to have her.

   "If you are comfortable enough, can you tell me what's going on?" she asked. I just stare at her for a minute. I feel like she's the first person who is trying to help me solve my problems rather than asking if I'm okay. She decided not to ask that question since it's clear enough to know I'm not.

   And it feels really nice.

   My eyes grow misty and my breathing is starting to go unsteady. Miss Bustier's smile saddens before pulling me into a hug. I quietly weep into her shoulder with occasional sniffling, leaning into her comfort. Fresh tears slid down my cheeks. Miss Bustier rubs my back, not saying a word.

   "Why am I still crying? It's dumb with how much crying I've been doing," I said.

   "Honey, it's okay to cry. So long as they're not fake, no matter how much you do it or the reason why you're doing it. It's better to release tears than let it drown you within," she said. I sniffle, mesmerized by her wise words. How is she not a therapist?

   "Okay," I said, pulling away, "I think I'm ready to talk."

   And I explained everything that happened after yesterday's akuma attack to this point in time (obviously leaving out any parts of me being Ladybug and Tikki if there were any). It felt really good to rant. I don't know if it was a good idea to tell Miss Bustier about my sister stealing jewelry.

Surprisingly, she didn't seem phased and kept a calm stature.

"It sounds like Mallorie is...a little lost in this world," Miss Bustier explained, "She needs people who she can rely on to help guide her through it. People who she can trust and prove that she is cared for. People like you and your father."

   "You really think so?" I asked. I honestly don't think it will work but...Miss Bustier might be onto something. I have tried multiple times to show that I care. Haven't I?

   Though, now that I really think about it...I've only ever shown that I cared more about answers than for my sister. I thought interrogating answers out of her would help me solve whatever dispute is between us. Yet, it has only been proven in enlarging the gap between us.

   "I...I think I understand," I replied.

   She stood off from the ground and urges me back to the classroom.

   "Let's not let them wait any longer. They've planned this birthday party for you and did a last-minute squeeze-in for Mallorie," Miss Bustier explained.

   "I'd hate to ruin all their hard work," I said.

   I'm going to try and do better. With Shadow—no, Mallorie. With Chat Noir and whoever is under the mask. I want to be the person they feel comfortable with. I want to be the shoulder they can lean on. I don't know why either of them is keeping secrets from me but it doesn't matter.

   They don't need an interrogator, they need someone who cares.

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A bit of a weird place to stop but eh. I didn't really know how to end this chapter.

Hope y'all have a wonderful day/night!