1. Stars

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"I have loved the Stars to fondly to be fearful of The Night"

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"Senior year...," I sighed as I lean over my balcony and look up at the starry night.

"It's been a while since I written in my journal," I mumbled to myself as I flip through the pages of my freshman diary.

"3 years," I whispered.

I noticed from a distance pouring rain.

I hummed lightly.

Suddenly I hear my bedroom door open.

"Marinette?," I turn around hearing my moms voice coming from downstairs.

I huffed nervously and looked down at the small journal in my hands before placing it on the floor.

I hope it gets ruined...

I walk down to my room seeing my mom on my bed.

"Hey," I mumbled.

"Welcome back my baby!," my mom runs up to me and hugs me tightly "why didn't you tell us you landed safely? Why didn't you ask for a ride from the airport? Does Alya know your back?-," she started to bombard me with questions.

"I wanted to surprise you guys with dinner but I got caught up looking at the stars," I giggled.

"You're the same like before, so forgetful," my mom caressed my cheek softly.

I've been gone for a year and a half from France, I moved in with my grandmother to China 2nd semester of sophomore year to study the art of Kung fu, Karate, jujitsu, and many more martial arts to become stronger against Hawk moth.

I left after my grandmother got Akumatized during my 2nd year of high school, I realized that hawk moth has become to strong and after defeating him I realized how it took a toll on me. I almost saw my parents die as well as many people I cared for.

Knowing the fact that I just got lucky that time terrified me, I knew I was weak and I still tried to act tough, which lead to my mental health being completely destroyed. After that day I told my parents who I was, they didn't take it very well after knowing how many times they could've lost me.

They tried to stop me in multiple occasions and tried to explain that Chat Noir had it handled, but I never listened and went either way. After almost getting Akumatized due to my mental state I realized I had to leave. I needed to get away from having to be 2 people at once, get away from school drama, to get away from Adrian and his perfect little world he has just started with Kagami, get away from being Ladybug, to remember who I really am and realize that Marinette is also important.

I met with Chat and he didn't take the news so well, he argued that I could find myself here, that I should stay and protect my people.

However....

Flashback a year and a half ago

"Chat! Don't you understand!?," I yelled lightly at him.

"I'm not doing well!," I can feel my eyes water at my sudden outburst.

"M-my lady-."

"I can't stay here Chat, I need to find myself again, I need to know that I'm just not ladybug but myself as well, this whole breakdown is causing me to lose my focus on protecting the people here. I need to regain control of myself and become stronger," I rubbed my head.

"B-but can't you do it here! Hawk Moth is still out there! What will happen when you're not around? I can't do this all by myself-,"

"I have gotten information that Hawk Moth is working on something big, don't ask how I know but I just found out-."

"Can you trust this information?! Jesus Ladybug can't you see this is a trap! Hawk Moth probably found out about everything you are going through and made up this whole scheme and once you leave he will launch it!," Chat cut me off.

"I have already spoken to Master Fu and he thinks it'll be well for me, he has also said if anything were to happen you'll have back up with the other kwamis-,"

"It won't be the same! Without  you I really have no reason to keep being a hero," I look at him, shock filling my eyes.

"Well maybe you need a reality check Chat, I do not need a partner that thinks that I am a reason for them to be a hero, I want one that thinks of the people and their safety. I didn't agree to become Ladybug to just be with you and have our fun conversations, I became ladybug so I can help and protect lives," I glared at him.

"Maybe when I'm gone you'll also find yourself," I sighed.

I looked at him and frowned, I didn't want our last time seeing each other end in an argument "pound it?," I looked up at him as he stood there with a perplexed face.

End of flashback

I knew when he didn't 'pound it' that our relationship had changed.

I walked off that night thinking he would've called back, he would've at least said a goodbye, but nothing.

I thought I knew Chat till those words came out of his mouth, that's when I truly realized that him and I are complete opposites. I've thought about how I was going to meet up with him since I've arrived, might call him from my ladybug phone, but then I remember how we left off.

"Sweetie what's on your mind?," I snap outta of my daze when my mom starting swinging her hand in front of my face.

"Sorry, it's nothing," I mumbled and softly get out of her grasp.

"Let's go see your Pa he's missed you so much," my mom smiled at me.

"I've missed him to," I laughed lightly.

"Oh he's gonna be upset since he didn't cook you a welcome home dinner, well you'll have it tomorrow, Alya is coming back from New York am I correct?," she asked and I nod.

Alya spent her summer this year with Nino in New York since Nino visited his family there, Alya tagged along for fun and spent most of her time filming and posting about it, which her photos turned out amazing.

Alya and I have kept contact since I've left, I thought our friendship was going to be on the rocks due to different time zones and just our lives moving ahead of us. Lucky us we worked through it and actually became closer than ever.

As for anyone else I would text them occasionally and ask how they were and such stuff.

Luka and his band are actually traveling at the moment, they've become pretty famous since they went on tv. He actually sends me letters from time to time since he liked the excitement when he gets his mail wondering what I wrote back. Our relationship has become very complex after he admitted his feelings, I didn't know what to say or how I felt since I have been to busy becoming stronger.

I have no time for romance.

As for Adrian, we just never spoke to one another again. I'm not upset however; because, he had his own life and I was moving on with mine. I do know that him and Kagami are going through some stuff since Alya told me thinking I still had feelings for him.

Not anymore though.

He just saw me as a very good friend and that's all, I wasn't going to force myself on him if he didn't see me in any other way.

I gave up on my feelings towards him.

"My princess!," I looked up seeing my pa in tears as he runs up and engulfs me in his large arms.

"Dad," I laughed lightly.

Soon I can feel myself losing breath as he hugged me tighter.

"D-dad... c-can't b-b-breathe...," I tried to speak.

"Oh my I'm sorry hun," he quickly let's go of me as I try to catch my breath.

"I just missed you so much," he dabbed his tears away.

"You saw me for Christmas and my birthday," I giggled.

"That's was a month ago though sweetie, not only that you're staying home for good now," my mom said from beside me.

"True," I smiled.

"Well what do you feel like eating-," but before my dad can finish his sentence our front door rings.

"Who can that be-," my mom started.

"MARI IM HOME!," Alya yelled as she opened the door.

I smile brightly and make my way downstairs, as I reach the bottom there stood my best friend with a luggage in her hands with her hair up in a bun and wearing sunglasses.

"It's night why the sunglasses?," I laughed.

"Shut up! And come hug me babe," she ran to me and rapped her arms around me, I can feel myself start to jump happily.

"I missed you so much!," she yelled in my ear.

"Me to," I giggled.

"But wait, who told you I was here? I haven't texted anyone that I've landed," Alya gives me a soft smile and looks at my mom.

"I may have posted about it," she laughed.

"But I didn't even see you on your phone," I mumbled "and you weren't suppose to come until 2 days," I laughed at Alya.

"Well since you were coming tomorrow I wanted to be there as a surprise gift, but seeing how you got here earlier than expected you are now my gift," Alya smiled.

"I missed you," I mumbled and hugged her again.

"I've missed you as well my love, besides that what are you wearing tomorrow?," Alya asked happily.

"Not sure maybe just some tights with a regular black t shirt, I have no reason to dress up," I laughed.

"That's not gonna do babe, we are going shopping now-," I cut her off quickly.

"Stores are closed."

"Ugh you're right how about I lend you one of my dresses?," she smiled.

"I mean if you really want sure."

"Great now let's go to your room and tell me every little detail about your time in China! All the clothing, the blogs, the food, and of course the boyssss," Alya jumped happily as she starts pulling me up to my room.

...

After catching up with Alya she left home to unpack and see her family.

I spoke to my parents a bit longer after she left but they felt pretty tired and went off to sleep.

Tikki has been asleep this entire time due to jet leg.

As I reached my room once again I headed straight to my balcony.

"It's still raining," I mumbled and shrugged lightly before stepping out and relaxing on a chair.

I can feel my clothing start getting soaked, but for once I felt so at ease, I looked down and realized my notebook has gone missing.

"Crap," I grumbled and started searching around the floor.

After a 20 minute past I gave up.

"Well thank god I never wrote my name," I sighed.

"Marinette?," I jump lightly at Tikkis voice and stood up.

"Hm?"

"Why are you outside in the rain you're going to catch a cold."

"I'll be fine, so how was your sleep?"

"It was blank until something strange happened," she sighed.

"What happened?"

"I- don't worry about it it's just a dream," she smiled.

I nod slowly leaving it at that.

"Are you ready for senior year?," Tikki asked.

"As ready as I can be."

"Want to go to the fabric store tomorrow to create a cute outfit for you?," she sat on my shoulder.

"We'll go with Alya after my small welcome party," I smiled.

It went silent for a few minutes till Tikki spoke.

"It's good to be back home," she sighed.

"Yeah..," I mumbled.

"I-I'm just a bit scared about this," I laughed nervously.

"Why are you scared Marinette? You lived here your entire life, you know everyone and-."

"But I let for about 2 years Tikki, everyone has changed and so have I," I cut her off.

"But you're still the sweet and loving Marinette since I first met you," she snuggled into my neck.

"What if no one likes me at school?"

"They will trust me, now let's get inside and wash up," she smiled and pulled on my finger.

"Give me a minute or two yeah?," I mumbled "I want to look at the stars before I sleep."

"You can stare at them tomorrow let's go!," Tikki laughed.

I sighed lightly and let her drag me away.

"They just looked so beautiful today," I whispered.

(Hello everyone this story is on wattpad as well with the art I have drawn of the characters:) same name as this account :) enjoy)