Disclaimer: Don't own and never will.

AN: Written for the Friendship Challenge for sctwilightvampwolfgal on the Miraculous Challenges forum that I run.

Marinette looked over at Rose and bit her lower lip.

Maybe it was her. Maybe she was better off not getting involved. Maybe she should just talk to a teacher or Rose's parents or...well someone better qualified to handle grief.

She looked over at Rose and bit her lower lip once more. The petite blond was crying again. Just sobbing silently as she stared down at her textbook.

She wasn't bawling or screeching. Just quiet, silent tears running down her cheeks. Students dashed past her up the steps into school as the sun shone above them.

"Should we…"Alya's voice trailed off as she gestured to Rose, unsure of what to say. Marinette frowned. As much as she loved Alya, she wasn't sure that Alya was what the petite blond needed right now.

"You go on ahead," she told her friend. "I'll catch up. I think Rose needs a little one on one time."

"Are you sure? Cause Rose is my friend too and-"

"And if she needed defending, you'd be there like a shot. I know," Marinette paused and looked over at the still sobbing blond. "But...too many people, you know?"

Alya looked over at Rose. Then back to Marinette. Then to Rose once more. Then to Marinette. She looked her friend in the eye.

"You're amazing girl. You know that right?" she looked over at Rose once more. "If you need help…"

"I promise, I'll call you," Marinette finished and Alya gave her a hug before walking into the school.

Marinette watched Alya leave with mounting was one thing to say she needed to help. It was another to actually give it. She walked up to Rose and knelt down.

"Hey Rose," she said. Rose looked up at her through tear-streaked eyes.

"Hey M-m-ma-Marinette," she stuttered out. "S-s-s-sorry, I'll b-b-be c-c-c-oming in s-s-s-soon and…" her words trailed off as she gave up trying to speak. Reaching forward, Marinette hugged her.

"It's okay," she said as she pulled Rose into a tight hug. Rose just sobbed into Marinette's arms.

For what felt like an eternity, Rose sobbed and her tears steadily soaked Marinette's top.

Slowly the tears dried up and Rose began to compose herself.

"I'm sorry," she said, looking Marinette in the eye. "It's just...I was walking to school through the park and…" her words dried up. Marinette put her hand on Rose's shoulder.

"I walked past that bench...the one where we had the photos with her...and…" Rose's words trailed off. "I know that I should be...that I should have moved on and…"

"Shhh, it's okay," Marinette said in an understanding tone. "We all miss Juleka. Do you want me to walk you to the nurse's office?"

"No...but...could you sit beside me? Just...just for today? I...don't think that I could handle being alone."

"Of course," Marinette said with a gentle smile. "I'm sure Alya and Miss Bustier will understand."

Rose gave her a watery smile and the two girls walked into class.

AN: For those of you who want to know, yes Juleka is dead. She was hit by a drunk driver who mounted the pavement and was killed instantly. Yeah, I'm being cruel.