miraculous | applyfic

ONE

MIRACULOUS, CHAPTER ONE
LADYBUG AND CO, PART ONE

CERISE KIL-MOREAU WAS an early riser. She was always up faster than anyone. That was just the way she was. If the sky was awake, so was she. It was no surprise when she was awake at the crack of dawn, making her lunch for school. She never really ate breakfast, just a slice of toast. It was never really important to her.

"I can't believe you're up this early", echoed a woman's voice, causing Rhys, as she preferred to be called, to jump. She was so used to being home alone. Not even the maids were around this early, as they knew her schedule. There was no point coming into work early if you were looking after someone who didn't need you anymore.

"Jesus, mom, you gave me a heart attack", Rhys sighed, placing a hand over her still racing heart. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Surprise! I took off work so I could be here for your first day of school!", Elodie exclaimed cheerfully, clasping her hands together. "I used to do this every year, remember? I know you're in college now and all, but I can still be here!" There was no need for Rhys to live in a dorm. She lived in walking distance, after all.

Rhys furrowed her thin brows, as if trying to figure out the best way to break it to her mother. "That's... great, maman", she said hesitantly. "But my first day of school was yesterday."

Elodie's face fell. She looked deeply disappointed, running her hand through the dirty blonde locks that matched her daughter's so well. "Oh. I see", she said softly. "It must have slipped my mind."

"It's alright, mom", Rhys reassured. Her phone lit up with a notification in that moment. Elodie glanced at the phone with a raised brow, taking in the Lock Screen that hadn't been changed in well over a year. (Three years, to be exact.)