Dead

Distractions

I only went down when I was sure Marinette was coming back. Gorilla found me first and let me know in his own way that he had to notify my father, even though I asked him not to. I sighed and nodded.

My father came instantly, stalking towards me with Nathalie at his side.

"Sir, please don't-"

"What ever made you think that would be acceptable?" He demanded, coming up to me, stopping about two feet away. I scowled up at him, crossing my arms across my chest.

"What made you think living in the same house as you would be enough for me?" I demanded. "It's not enough to have your assistant organize my schedules, or to watch a movie with me once. I want a father who can actually spend time with me, who actually loves me." He flinched, as if my words really did get to him.

Like I'll believe that.

I heard a commotion coming from where all the cops were and glanced there, then back at my father before running off to check it out. I heard my father say something and glanced back to find Gorilla following me. I stopped and glared back at him, making him stop. Once I was sure he wouldn't follow me, I kept going.

When I reached the center of where everyone was, I saw Marinette being given a blanket similar to mine and a drink of the same stuff I received. My bad mood instantly vanished and I breathed a long sigh of relief.

I managed to catch her eye and she gave me a soft smile. I walked over to her and gave her a big hug, almost knocking her drink out of her hands. I pulled away long enough to let her set it down and wanted to hug her again but knew I had missed my chance.

"I'm so glad you're safe." I tell her, honestly.

"You know me! I have a tendency to be late." She tells me, smiling sheepishly.

"Where were you? I just woke up a little bit ago but it was pretty awful when I found out you didn't make it to your grandpa's house." I wanted her to know how truly worried I was but I also wanted to know what she told the cops.

"I was walking to my grandpa's when I realized I took a wrong turn on my way there and got turned around. I went into a shop, trying to get directions but before I could, the owner asked for my help with something he messed up. I lost track of time and by the time I got away, I found out it was dark. The man was able to point me in the right direction and it wasn't long before the cops found me and brought me here."

"What was the shop called?" I asked, smirking. "I'll have to give this man a talking to for keeping you so long." Marinette giggles.

"In my haste, I didn't even think to look at the sign." Marinette admits, sheepishly. I nodded, seeing how well she thought this out when I thought of something.

"Your family must have called. Why didn't you answer?" I ask. She looks at me with a look that said, 'Is that really the best you can do?'

"My phone totally died." She complains, pulling it out of her pocket and holding it up. I looked at it and found it really was dead. "I must have forgotten to charge it earlier." I nod in amazement.

Before I could say anything more, Marinette fell forward, tackled from behind. She let out an exclamation of surprise as Alya wrapped her in a tight hug before letting her go long enough to be embraced by her parents. Marinette smiled and assured them she was fine as they began throwing questions at her, left and right.

She started telling them the story she fed me and they didn't let go of her at all during the explanation. I smiled sadly as it would have been nice to be greeted this way, instead of how my father had, all business like. I felt someone swat my back hard and turned to find Alya glaring at me.