Don't You See?

Chapter 9: Apprehensive Thoughts Run Amok

Chloe's POV

In my esteemed opinion, I would say Maribug and I have rotten luck. As in black cat type of absolutely horrid luck.

For the first time since the emergence of Hawkmoth, he finally decided to be good for a few days. If he chose to go on a vacation a year ago, I would have celebrated. Shouted it out on the rooftop of Papa's hotel to the world. However, all I am is concerned. What if he decides to go weeks without an appearance at some point and creates some grand plan for his reemergence?

Not to mention, if dear Hawkmoth decides to show his infuriating face, I could tell Maribug the news of our pending school trip face-to-face. We could create a game plan on how to handle the she-devil and her rowdy bunch of lackeys together. However, here I am. Sitting at the tip-top of the Eiffel Tower on patrol, stressing about possible scenarios and catastrophes as though I have any control over them whatsoever. 

How did the demented class even manage to score a class trip to Gotham anyhow? Maribug was the one who would plan all the trips and events when she still went to our school, regardless of how she was treated by our classmates at the time. Now that she was gone though, there's really no way to be sure. They all share a singular brain cell and are overtly self-conceited about it. Could Maribug have made plans before she was unenrolled or did the impossible happen? Did the Akuma class win some sort of competition from Bruce Wayne's company or the like? Surely the famous Bruce Wayne could not have selected such an assumed ostentatious essay from the Akuma class.

And yet, somehow we're going.

Once the trip was announced, Luka, Kagami, and I began discussing our plans for Gotham. We need to set plans in place for how to find Mari, prevent her from meeting the class, and hopefully handle any aftermath that follows in the event of failure. If Ladybug's luck is on our side, we may be able to rescue her from more emotional, mental, and physical trauma. Well, one can dream.

___

The morning came sooner than I would have liked. While there were no Akumas last night, or rather early this morning, I couldn't seem to shut my thoughts off. I was never the nicest to Maribug until Lila had shown up in our class one day, but so many things began to change my mind over time. Seeing how Maribug responded to Lila and then how the class responded to that began to show me how truly fake everyone here is. Yet, then Maribug was acting genuinely nice towards me when she saw how hard it can be at home with the tension between my parents and extramarital relationships. It just all...it just all changed my perspective. 

Now, I feel like I should be protective of her. 

So once I made it back into my room, I just laid on my bed and stared at my ceiling. I wasn't sure when it happened, but my eyes shut and moments later I heard my alarm blaring in my ears. 

Both Kagami and Luka are supposed to be here soon, hopefully in the next ten minutes or so. I stared at my phone while waiting. 

Should I text her about our visit? 

Should I call her? 

What if she already knows? 

What if she panics and has nobody physically there with her to help?

There are tons of ways this could go awry. If anything, maybe I can find a way to contact the Wayne boys. She may not have told them about Paris considering how she always wants to appear strong, but they might be able to get her to open up. Did she even talk to the Waynes yet though?

My thoughts continue to spiral. I didn't know how much time passed until I looked up to see both Luka and Kagami staring at me, concerned. I just sighed.

"Hey, guys," I said simply.

"Hi. So what's up with the random call? I can't stay for long." Luka responded. Kagami just nodded.

To be honest, I was a little frustrated. I knew that Luka and Kagami both cared for Maribug, but how could they be so nonchalant about the situation at hand? "We still haven't told Maribug. Something should be planned to meet up with her to at least tell her our activity schedule. Or just that we'll be in Gotham."

We all just looked at each other.

"Chlo. Everything will be okay. After we land in Gotham, we will give Melody a call to see where she is. We will tell her that we are in the city. If need be, we will go find her." Luka calmly stated.

"Agreed. In that case, we will be able to reach her as soon as possible. Also, we will be visiting W.E. the day after we land. We can try to talk to one of the Waynes to see if they have met her yet." Kagami added.

Sometimes, both of them were just creepy at being calm. Like how can they keep a cool head but get akumatized because of anger?

"Fine. But we need to find a way to keep her as far from the class as possible." I sighed once more.

At least we had a plan now. We will see you soon Maribug.