Chapter 8: Blackout

I am eating lunch with Alya, Nino, and Adrien. They are currently carrying a conversation, but thanks to my projects I am not paying attention. I am having a bit more trouble concentrating. I should have stayed at the mansion today. My hand slips and I stab myself on accident. I feel a hand take hold of my hand. I look and see Alya standing there. Her mouth is moving but I can't hear her. In fact, everything is starting to disappear from my vision. Suddenly my world goes black. Crap, not here. Not now.

As my world becomes bright, I realize I am no longer in the cafeteria. Nathalie, Gabriel, Alya, Nino, and Adrien are sitting over in the corner.

"Dude, I hope that she will be okay," Nino says.

"Hope, she needs to be okay. This girl has potential," Gabriel states.

"Treating her like she is a tool isn't going to be good, Father," Adrien almost yells. "No wonder she feels like she must skip on her sleep. How could you do this?"

"Son, I wasn't doing that."

"Don't worry about me, sir. It isn't uncommon for me at all. I have troubles sleeping anyways," I say getting up from the bed. I grab a hold of my project and return to sewing. "Plus, I am ahead of schedule. I will get this done."

"Marinette," Alya whispers softly. She knows that I am telling the truth, "this doesn't mean you should make it worse."

"You can't stop her," Maman surprises us as she walks in with Papa. "She will still do it. You just have to watch her, and support her."

"Thanks, Maman," I say and she smiles towards me.

"I guess your projects are why you haven't come over for a croissant or a macaroon. I figured as much, so I brought some for you."

"Just stop working yourself to death, Marinette," Papa commands. I nod a yes. My parents and I share a laugh.

They sit next to Alya and explain more to Gabriel. I finish the last outfit for prom and Alya watches as I switch to the prototype of Adrien's second suit.

"My guess is that you are ready for final fittings," Alya assumes even though she pretty much knows the truth. I just nod. I really need to concentrate now, these next two are going to be very difficult. "Then I will get everyone to come over tomorrow for final fittings."

I don't answer. I can feel everyone except Maman and Papa's eyes on me waiting for the answer.

"She must have a difficult design for the rest. She does this when she needs to concentrate. Don't worry, she hears you still," Papa finally says to break the tension. I hear a couple of chairs move and feel a small half hug surround my shoulders. Then when they disappear, the door opens and I hear a couple people leave. I smile, I know that they aren't as worried as everyone else. They know the truth as well as Mr. Damocles and Miss Bustier. They know about all my issues. Now, I guess I need to explain to Nathalie and Gabriel. I hope that they can be just as understanding.

"Is it just me or is her parents just as calm as Mr. Damocles and Miss Bustier?" Nino asks. I am pretty sure that they all nodded because no one said another word. I get up and head out the door, my face still in my project. I run into someone.

"Who are you?" A woman, that looks similar to Adrien's mother, questions. A boy who looks just like Adrien not far behind.

"This is my intern, Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Gabriel says through the just opening door. "I see that you brought Felix along as well."

"Yes, I brought my son," The woman must be related to Adrien somehow, and Adrien is about to give me an answer to my wondering mind.

"Hello, Aunt Amelie. How was your trip?" He asks, a twinge of something hinting in his voice.

"Great, my dear boy. Felix, how about you and Adrien catch up," The woman, Adrien's aunt, demands.

I continue up to my room, quickly getting immersed in my project once again. I her voices follow and a total of four people coming up behind me. Alya, Nino, and Adrien ask if they can come in and I just nod. The fourth person just walks in. While my friends talk, he walks around snooping into everything. I almost tell him to stop, but the three get to it first. I pretty much just ignore everything around except the Felix kid. I don't trust him. The suit that I designed for Adrien takes about four hours, luckily he is still in the room. Sadly, so is Felix.

"Adrien," I gently ask. He looks over, "can you try this on?"

Felix laughs, "You think you can impress Gabriel Agreste with that trash."

"Of course, Marinette. Please ignore him, I think it looks amazing," Adrien says glaring over at Felix. He walks over to the bathroom and looks at me for approval. I just nod.

"You really believe that will satisfy Gabriel Agreste, a world famous designer. I can't believe someone like you is trying to be a designer, you aren't good enough," Felix says proudly when Adrien walks into the bathroom.

"Let me tell you, Felix," I harshly announce. "I don't care what you think. You can think I am bad but I already know that I am good enough. I am a head of the schedule and I was asked by Gabriel Agreste to intern him, not the other way around. I am not inexperienced, I have done many projects already."

Adrien walks out of the bathroom, "It is almost perfect, but it is a bit tight on the collar of the shirt."

"Alright, stand right here," Pointing right next to me and stand up. My hands start to shake but I force them to stop. "I will try to fix this to fit right now, is that okay?"

"Yeah," His voice shakes a little. "You have done this before, haven't you?"

"Of course," I say. I quickly cut a bit that I had hand sewn and started to loosen the collar, "Just tell me when it is just right."

I continue to loosen slowly then Adrien says that it is perfect. I sew it together. Felix smirks.

"Thank you, Marinette. It is amazing," Adrien compliments.

"He is only trying to make you feel good," Felix states.

"Well, it worked," I decide to just let it slide. A knock hits my door. I walk over and open the door. Nathalie and Gabriel is standing there.

"Wow, what is Adrien wearing? It is amazing," Nathalie comments.

"That is the suit for the fashion show," I answer.

"You have done a fabulous job," Gabriel states. Felix frowns over in the corner. "I hope yours looks just as amazing if not more, but please try not to lose to much sleep on it."

"Thank you sir, and I shall try," I turn to my desk and Adrien returns to the bathroom to take of the clothes. After he comes out, I tell him to gently set it on the table in the corner. Then I ask him and Felix to leave. Adrien understands and makes Felix follow him. I get up and lock the door behind them. I continue on my dress, knowing tomorrow I have everyone coming over for their final fittings.