A/N: So, ahem... I know it's been like seven months, but, this has been, without hyperbole, the worst year of my life. Even though writing is what brings me joy, I just genuinely had no energy/motivation to write. Especially since my job changed my schedule from weekends to five days a week, so updating on Wednesdays like usual was kind of out. I'll see if I change to Saturday/Sunday updates, or if I can squeeze some time each day in order to keep the schedule I liked best.

Anyway, I'm back! And intending to finish this fic! I feel like the long wait is going to render the rest of it disappointing, but I'm going to do it!

I'm breaking the tradition of responding to reviews this chapter, because I doubt you even remember what you wrote if you reviewed, but I loved every single one of them!

You were all so kind and understanding in your reviews, so thank you all!

Escape The Day

Ch. 8: What's Wrong With Being Confident?

"How do you feel?" Tikki asked worriedly.

Marinette felt herself wince even as she answered, "A little better."

At the very least, she could see clearly and didn't feel like throwing up. When she got up from the bed, she only got a little dizzy. If anything, she felt like she had when she woke up in the hospital. Better than before, but with an ache deep inside and the knowledge that the mysterious fire in her soul would eventually come back.

She took a deep breath before looking at her kwami determinedly, "I'm going to need your help today. I'll try my best to figure out who Blackheart is, but if you can keep an eye out for anyone suspicious, that'd be a great help."

Tikki nodded, "Of course! I won't stand by and let you suffer."

Marinette half-smiled. She knew the kwami couldn't really help her stay alive outside of helping her transform. Tikki was much more serious about hiding from unwelcome eyes than any of the other kwami, to the point that she had already let Marinette die at the party once rather than reveal herself and let her transform. But Marinette didn't feel any bitterness because of it. She understood that Tikki only meant to be responsible, that the power of creation in the wrong hands was a terrible thing. Sometimes, Marinette thought the kwami had problems with anxiety just like she did.

"I know you'll try your best," she patted the kwami's head. "And I thank you for that."

Tikki frowned a bit at her wording, but had no choice but to bite her tongue when Marinette began making her way downstairs.

Things were going to be different, but there were some things she had to anyways.

"Fashionably late as always," Alya smiled teasingly.

Marinette shrugged as uncaringly as she could manage. She knew that by the boxed cupcake in her hands and the braided updo she had taken the extra time to brush her hair into, Alya would assume it was all for Adrien. Well, the cupcake was for Adrien, but nothing else was.

"Nice shirt," the redhead smiled impishly.

"I look good in red," Marinette blushed. He likes me in red, she thought defensively. Technically.

It was probably a waste of time, given everything that was happening to her, but on the upside, if she actually won this time, at least she would look good doing it!

"Yeah, you do," Alya agreed while chortling.

A familiar whizzing reached her ears and Marinette looked up in time to see Hoverboard Kid raise a fist up in greeting. She had very little time to consider her options. He was still one of her suspects, though she couldn't really think of any reason why he would want to attack her. Whether she responded to him or not, Blackheart still happened, so it if he were the akuma, this would not be the moment that caused the akumatization.

And she couldn't for the life of her think of actually interacting with him before.

"Wait a moment," she told Alya before smiling determinedly.

She took off after Hoverboard Kid, gaining on him quickly despite her slow, unsteady gait. "Hey! Y-you!" She didn't know his name, was sure no one but the teachers knew his actual name, and she wasn't sure how well he would take his descriptive nickname. Imagine being best known for your material possessions instead of who you were as a person!

He looked over at her but kept moving steadily forward.

Marinette bit her lip, feeling once more like she was in a mine field. One wrong move, and she could be causing her own doom!

"Um, having a nice day?"

He sighed, and for a moment she thought he might speak, but instead he nodded with an uninterested air.

Okay, that was useless. Wracking her brain for what to say, how to delicately inquire whether he was feeling murderous intent towards her, she came back to his greeting. Why? Why did he care to greet her when he never had before? Why did he greet her whether she was cheerful, fearful, or sickly?

Why did this day matter so much in so many different ways?

"Thanks for greeting me," she found herself saying. "I can't remember you ever greeting me before."

Hoverboard Kid came to a sudden stop. He blinked at her, before looking down bashfully.

"Thanks," he said simply. His voice was so small and quiet, weirdly high pitched, that for a moment she couldn't even register he had spoken. "You're nice."

And just like that, a memory slammed into her. A hazy recollection of just the day before, but also several lifetimes ago, of Tessie hurling insults at a closed door and Fleur dutifully laughing at each one. A small, high-pitched voice Marinette had assumed was a young girl cried out for them to stop from the other side of the door. She had charged at them with the same bullheaded, righteous fury she'd had when she charged at Adrien for the bubblegum debacle. She placed herself firmly between the two mean girls and the door and refused to budge until they left, displeased that their insults had no effect on her.

"Please, you have nothing on Chloé," she had rolled her eyes, knowing that mentioning the blonde would infuriate Tessie further.

When they left, she tried to get their target to come out, but they refused to unlock the door. They didn't even speak, until, disheartened but understanding, she promised she would leave so they could sneak out unseen.

Just as she turned to leave, they said, "Thanks. You're nice."

"Oh," Marinette's mouth dropped open as she stared at Hoverboard Kid.

Well, she thought. At least we can take one name off the suspect list.

Marinette started her list once again, scratching out Flower Shop Girl, Petitioner, and Hoverboard Kid as quickly as she scribbled them.

She smiled gently at the last name, even as she remembered Alya's terrible teasing after she rejoined her best friend. It was nice to know that her impulses, like charging at teenage bullies with more bravado than brains, could have positive results.

Especially considering that she had the strong feeling that one of her impulses was responsible for her suffering.

Her impulses usually were.

She hoped her next impulse would work out just as well. It surprised Marinette that the idea of confessing to Chat Noir caused butterflies to flutter in her stomach in anticipation rather than fear. But maybe it shouldn't. She had sort of received a declaration from him already, technically.

I have absolutely no interest in existing in a world without you.

Heat invaded her cheeks and her smile grew even wider. That certainly seemed like more than just friendship. Marinette would happily die for her friends, but, cold as it sounded, she was capable of living on without them if she had to.

Except, it was easy to impale herself on Blackheart's blade because it felt like she had already died when Chat Noir was stabbed.

Tikki had pouted at that part of the story - especially since this Tikki agreed that any death could be her last - but had only sighed and said she understood.

"It was almost inevitable," the good luck god begrudgingly admitted.

Marinette was grateful that she was too dizzy to do anything but focus on the akuma when Luminescence attacked. If she had been in complete control of her limbs, she might have wrapped Chat Noir in a hug the moment she saw him well and whole and alive.

Which would have complicated her intentions to confess to him as Marinette. Because as sure as she was about his new feelings for her civilian self, she had no doubts he would forget about them if Ladybug confessed first. Which would be good, because it was still her, but it wouldn't be great.

So, it was quite fortunate that her fever was back to full force as she stumbled her way out to the school's courtyard.

"Well, hello there, Princess!"

Marinette smiled at his cheerful voice and she didn't hesitate as she stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She felt him startle, the rest of his usual compliment lost in his surprise. "I can't believe you'd take a sword for me."

"Oh," she could hear the confusion color his voice, but his arms wrapped around her lower back. "Well, yeah, I would."

I know!

She pulled back with a smile, her hands sliding up to cup his face, "Hey, could I kiss you right now?"

His face turned an impressive shade of red and he squeaked out a simple, "Yes."

A bubbling sort of warmth started in her stomach and seemed to sizzle throughout her skin as she cupped his cheek. It somehow seemed to overpower the feverish feeling from her soul as her lips touched his. For a moment, all her problems faded away. She forgot about Blackheart, and her multiple deaths, the fact that they were outside, and whatever was going on with her soul.

Because she was kissing Chat Noir, and he was kissing her back, and purring, and she was in love.

Oh, that's it, she thought dazedly.

"I love you," she found herself mumbling against his lips.

He pulled back suddenly, blinking rapidly as if to shake off a daze, "What was that?"

Marinette blushed cherry red, and stammered, "Oh - that was just - I just - I have to go! Call me!"

She turned and ran back into the school, distantly aware of Alya's shout of "What the heck was that?"

The designer was used to being dizzy by now, but she was still completely incapable of avoiding the small huddle of bodies crowded at the entrance that had never been there before. Of course, she had never kissed Chat Noir in the light of day before, either.

"Seriously, Dupain-Cheng," Chloé's voice broke through her half-embarrassed half-euphoric haze as she shoved her away.

"Sorry," she offered weakly. She wasn't sorry, not one bit, not when she was dizzy because she had sort of managed to confess to a boy today. But she didn't need to be rude.

"Why do you always have to create such a fuss?" Tessie spat at her.

Marinette couldn't help but flinch at the venom in her tone, still a little sensitive from her astral time travel.

"You'd think you could have changed a bit after twelve years!"

The designer cocked her head, "Excuse me? Twelve years?"

Tessie pulled back, her anger being replaced with confusion for a second, before morphing to displeasure and finally rage, "Do you really not remember me?"

Marinette honestly didn't, but there was a voice in the back of her head telling her this moment was dangerous. Twelve years. Something she couldn't remember.

"You should have kept your promise."

"Um," she licked her suddenly dry lips. "No."

"You absolute a-"

Tessie had raised her arm as if to slap Marinette, only for Chloé to quickly grab onto it and dig her fingernails in, "I thought I told you, Dupain-Cheng is mine to torment!"

"Wait." Marinette had watched them arguing nearly a dozen times now, but she had never bothered to learn what it was about. "Have you been arguing about me?"

Chloé scoffed and pushed Tessie's arm down, "Don't flatter yourself, we're arguing about turf."

Marinette frowned, and began stepping around them, "Gee, thanks."

She didn't get far before she felt hands grab her arms from behind. Marinette squeaked despite herself. "Wait!" Chat Noir's voice sounded pleading. "What did you say?"

The tips of her ears turned scarlet as she forced herself to turn to face him with a shy smile. She had already confessed. Sort of. Which was impressive since she had decided she loved him that same day, and it had taken her three years and counting to even seriously consider confessing to Adrien. The worst is behind us, right?

Technically, the worst was Tessie getting akumatized into Blackheart because she was territorial about who she got to torment. And because of something Marinette forgot.

"You should have kept your promise."

Marinette looked over at the brunette only to realize she had stomped off while Marinette ruminated over her romantic woes.

Not that woeful, she thought as she looked at the hopeful gaze Chat Noir was giving her. Not this time.

"I said," she spoke slowly and clearly. "I love you."

The disbelieving look in his eyes was heartbreaking, but the slow, careful smile that quickly morphed into a full grin made her smile widely in return.

"What the heck is going on?" Chloé demanded.

"I have no idea," Alya answered.

Marinette didn't have eyes or ears for either of them. She could only focus on Chat Noir, at the way he licked his lips before speaking.

"I -"

Until a tall shadow appeared directly behind him.

Alya cried out in surprise. Chat Noir turned his head in her direction, but Marinette already knew he wouldn't even see his death coming. Not when Blackheart had already pulled out its sword. So Marinette did the only logical thing.

She pushed him out of the way and let Blackheart plunge his sword into her abdomen.

Alya screamed again, this time in pure terror. Marinette heard a roar, and only realized it was Chat Noir when Blackheart was thrown bodily across the courtyard. There was a crazed look in his eyes. She had seen that look before; during the few times that Ladybug was the one that put herself into harm's way and he thought the love of his life was gone forever. She knew what he was about to do, and he proved her right with a cry of "Cataclysm!"

No! He couldn't! If he destroyed the akuma before it reset the day, she would stay dead! Somehow still on her feet, Marinette managed to push herself forward until she collided into his side. She wrapped her arms around his waist, "Don't."

She didn't have the time or the energy to explain, but fortunately, he seemed to focus on her. His anger petered out, replaced by sadness as he wrapped one arm around her. The other, still with the cataclysm activated, was held carefully over his head.

"Marinette," he whined pitifully.

"I can - I can fix this." Blackheart had gotten her by surprise. This was the earliest it had ever attacked. And right after the latest it had ever attacked. Obviously, using the timeline to her advantage was out the window.

But she didn't need it anymore. Because she knew who it had to be. Even if it made little sense. But it had to be. . !

"Today's the big - eek!"

Tikki had to dodge in a hurry as Marinette leapt out of bed with a roar of "Tessie!"

The kwami fluttered confusedly as her chosen marched down the steps of her loft with an unusual amount of energy for this early in the morning. She had been convinced she would have to tickle the teenager awake, party or no party. But no, there Marinette went with the same sort of bullheaded determination she usually only showed as Ladybug as she yanked her day clothes on.

"I figured it out, Tikki," her voice was a little manic. "And I'm not going to let her kill me this time!"

"Excuse me?"

"Look at my soul, Tikki," Marinette threw over her shoulder with an uncaring, almost tired tone. The kind of tone that one used when they had a conversation a thousand times and didn't want to keep having it. Which was peculiar, given that humans, even Ladybugs, didn't speak about souls all that often.

So, Tikki did, half expecting to find some sort of parasite that was driving her chosen into a tizzy.

Except. . .

"It has to be Tessie that's killing me and bringing me back. Now all I have to do is stop her. Do you think we can stop the akuma from getting to her? Or do we just watch her so we can take her down the moment she transforms? Or -"

"There's nothing wrong with your soul," Tikki interrupted the teenager's babbling.

Marinette finally turned to look at her, mouth open in surprise, "What?"

"There's nothing wrong with your soul. It looks exactly as it did yesterday."

"That's not possible," Marinette insisted. "You said it was on fire. I felt like it -" she stopped mid-sentence, and placed the back of her hand against her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered rapidly. "I don't feel like I'm running a fever." She balanced on one foot, "And I'm not dizzy."

"Er, right," Tikki affirmed, unsure why she was listing her current physical state. "Are you okay?"

"Better than okay," Marinette smiled confidently. "I'm going to live."

Marinette walked up to the school with a bounce in her step and a bright smile on her face. Even her fever was gone and she took that as a sign that she was on the right track! Tikki didn't seem to agree with her theory, but Tikki didn't remember things like she did. The only difference between this loop and any other was that she was now sure that Tessie was Blackheart. The clues spoke for themselves.

Angry at Marinette? Check.

Has some mysterious past connection that Marinette can't remember? Check.

Is a big meanie that enjoys tormenting people? Triple check!

Her fight over 'turf' with Chloé could easily be the moment she was akumatized. Luminescence had just been taken care of so Hawk Moth could have still been watching over the area. He sensed her anger born of malicious possessiveness and boom! Blackheart! Who would be watching over Marinette for the rest of the day until the perfect time to strike.

"That doesn't explain the music box," Tikki had criticized her reasoning.

Which was fair, but Tessie seemed like the type of person that liked music boxes and dramatic flair. Besides, the music box didn't really seem to have a purpose besides adding to the general creepy ambiance. She hadn't even heard it the last time!

Obviously, she could ignore that little peculiarity.

"I just think you should think this through before you do something crazy," the kwami had insisted.

Which was fair, too. Marinette's first plan had been to knock Tessie out with chloroform during the lunch hour so she would hopefully escape Hawk Moth's notice. But Tikki pointed out that if she used the wrong amount of chloroform, she could seriously harm the brunette. And, as angry as Marinette was about the multiple death experiences, she wasn't that angry yet.

So, she came up with Plan B.

"You sure seem happy," Alya smiled as Marinette met up with her at the entrance. "And you sure outdid yourself with the baking," she snorted as she saw the wrapped box in her hand as well as the delivery bag hung over her shoulder. "Way to a man's heart is his stomach, huh?"

Marinette blushed as she wondered at the truth of the phrase. Chat Noir was certainly fond of her parents' bakery, and she had shared cookies more than once during his balcony visits. She certainly couldn't imagine what else had attracted him to her.

"This one is for Adrien," she lifted the box for emphasis. The she gently tapped the bag with one hand, "This one is for somebody else."

Alya's mouth screwed up like she had chewed on a lemon, "I thought you wanted to make him feel special."

"Of course I do! It's his birthday!" Marinette insisted earnestly. Whatever suppressed feelings this day had stirred about, he was still her friend, and her first love besides. It was of the utmost importance that he feel special on his birthday! "But this is important. I'll explain it to you later."

Marinette entered the classroom just long enough to give Adrien his birthday cupcake, before walking out. She wasn't entirely sure which was Tessie's class, but it was easy enough to ask around and get an answer. She lingered at the door, classes already started by the time she arrived, until lunch break.

"Tessie!" She forced cheer into her voice as the brunette stepped out of her class. "Do you have a minute?"

Tessie stared at her as one might stare at some gunk found stuck onto their shoe, "Not for you."

Marinette squeaked as her future murderer walked away, slightly more annoyed than she had been before. "Wait!" She chased after her, "I just want to talk!"

"About what?"

"Do you really not remember me?"

"I know you from somewhere, don't I?" Marinette started carefully, remembering how angry being forgotten had made Tessie the first time.

"You'd think you could have changed a bit after twelve years!"

"From a very long time ago," she continued. She needed to be quick, Luminescence was still waiting to be created, Blackheart or no Blackheart, but she knew trying to rush through this conversation could be just as bad as the chloroform plan. "I wanted to say sorry for not recognizing you sooner."

"Sorry?" Tessie finally stopped and faced her, reproach sharp in her eyes. "You cost me all my friends!"

Well, that was unexpected, "I'm sorry, I can't recall what you're talking about." The same fury that had appeared in Tessie's eyes during the last loop appeared again, and Marinette was quick to pull the delivery bag open and offer the chocolate mousse cake tucked securely in a clear box to her. "But I wanted to apologize for it, anyway."

The brunette frowned, but her fury was replaced perplexion. Still, her words were harsh when she spoke, "Do you think someone with my figure eats chocolate?"

"Everyone's allowed a cheat day," the designer goaded, still holding the box out to be taken.

Tessie gave a long suffering sigh and rolled her eyes, but took the box. "Are you done?"

Not by a long shot, if her tone was any indication. Marinette really wouldn't be able to stop her argument with Chloé, as it seemed to start while Ladybug was busy fighting Luminescence, or too soon after for her interference to make much of a difference. But, if she was already seeing Marinette in a friendlier light, perhaps she wouldn't be akumatized by the argument.

Or maybe she'd focus her argument on another clueless schoolgirl.

Right, Marinette would have to keep an eye on her even if everything went well for her.

"If you don't mind me asking, what did you mean by I cost you all your friends?"

Tessie frowned, but looked abashed when she admitted, "You got our school shut down."

Marinette cocked her head, "Huh?"

She was almost certain she had never gotten a school shut down. She had switched schools halfway through the year when she was four, but it was just because her new école was closer to the bakery than the fancy one her maman had originally wanted her enrolled in.

"The bakery's getting really busy now and I don't have time to walk you there every day," her maman had tried to explain, but Marinette was too young to understand it was a good thing. That her parents were too busy meant that the business was doing really well and that meant good things for her, too. But she was a child and she was upset. She figured she must have had some friends there, too, even if the memories were so hazy she couldn't remember them.

But her old école had still been there when she left it.

"That's what mom says," Tessie continued despite her lack of response. "She said you made a fuss about nothing, and then your mother made such a fuss that there was no choice but to close the school. Then they sent me to boarding school."

There we go, Marinette thought victoriously. Tikki would have said Tessie was displacing her anger towards her parents onto Marinette. She was angry about being sent away, but couldn't go against her parents, so she blamed Marinette because of what she heard her mother say. For whatever reason she had said it.

Sabine Cheng was not a 'let me speak to the manager' type of person, and she wouldn't have gotten a school shut down.

"I'm sorry you were sent away," Marinette offered. "I hope we can get along better from now on."

Tessie scoffed again, but at least she didn't roll her eyes, "What do you want? A hug?"

"Actually," Marinette could feel a metaphorical light bulb turn on over her head. "Your phone number would be enough."

Luminescence was easy to deal with when Ladybug wasn't tripping over her feet. It was so easy that Marinette decided to take the long way to the courtyard to see if she could intervene in Tessie and Chloé's argument, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the usual quartet wasn't facing off like usual.

Things are starting to change! She cheered internally and skipped out to the courtyard.

"Where have you been all day, girl?" Alya asked as a greeting.

"Seizing the day," Marinette grinned. "It feels like today is the start of the rest of my life."

"Is it a special occasion?" Chat Noir asked, a fond smile on his face.

Marinette felt her grin transform into something softer, "You could say that." She clasped her hands behind her back, so that she would not wrap her arms around his shoulders.

There was still the oath to contend with, which meant she still had to confess to Adrien. Even if she would have to change the wording to 'I was in love with you for years and just wanted to let you know,' it would still be a mess if she confessed to Chat Noir now and then to Adrien in a few hours. Especially if someone she knew that liked to document every possible moment put either of those moments online before she could explain everything to Chat Noir.

But she had taken a moment to plan for this, as well, "Could you come see me tonight? I have a party to get to, but maybe you can meet me afterwards."

She was sure she wasn't imagining the hint of a blush peeking out from under his mask. He nodded quickly, "Yes, of course!"

"Same place as always?" She couldn't resist throwing in a flirty wink, and had to stifle her laughter as he nodded even more quickly.

This was supposed to be the start of the rest of her life. Everything was supposed to be easy-peasy. And, okay, maybe she was tempting fate by going down the creepy alley, but she had been texting Tessie on and off since noon and she knew for a fact that she was very much not akumatized at the moment.

But that didn't stop the now familiar tune from the lonesome music box from spreading through the claustrophobic space.

Marinette felt her stomach twist in knots and her eyes burn. "That's not fair," she muttered as she sped up slightly, clutching Adrien's gift like a shield. "It was Tessie."

It had to be her! It had to be! Because if it wasn't then Marinette hadn't changed anything. She had been walking on sunshine all day while her murderer had been watching. Probably amused that she was so happy when they were about to kill her.

The overwhelming feeling of ineptitude was so strong, that she didn't even startle when her phone belted out its usual call of Fire!

"Hey, Marinette!" Adrien's cheerful voice greeted her. "I was just wondering where you were. I thought you'd be at the party before I got here."

Nothing's changed.

She wanted to throw up. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream at the universe for its injustice. She wanted to claw Hawk Moth's stupid mask off for creating the akuma in the first place.

"Marinette?" Concern tinged his voice when she failed to respond.

But what could she say? A nearly silent thump sounded behind her and she inhaled deeply, doing her best to not let herself panic.

"I'm sorry you have to hear this," she said before spinning on her heel and throwing the phone at the center of Blackheart's forehead. She quickly spun once again, this time towards the hotel, running as quickly as she could. She wouldn't quietly accept her death this time. She was going to make it to that hotel and find a place to transform. She was going to fight.

I'm going to live, she insisted stubbornly.

She stepped out of the alleyway and straight into Blackheart.

"How - ?" The rest of her question - how did they get in front of her? - caught in her throat as its sword impaled itself into her abdomen.

It's not Tessie, she thought dazedly.

Marinette could hear shouting and suddenly realized they were in front of the Grand Hotel Paris. Kim must have just been arriving, he must be calling for help. Everyone was going to watch her die again. She didn't want that.

"You should have kept your promise," Blackheart's distorted voice taunted her.

"What - what promise?" She could feel herself slipping away. The strength had left her legs long ago, she was only standing because the akuma was still holding her like a shish kebab. But if she could hold on long enough to get a clue as to why they were doing this, then maybe she would get it right next time. Provided there was a next time.

"You promised me. . . you. . . you promised."

"What?" she demanded as angrily as she could when black spots were dancing in her vision. "What did I promise?"

There was an uproar behind Blackheart and she knew that her friends had reached the ground floor and were watching her die. It had all been for nothing and now she was back to square one. Tessie was the last of the obvious suspects, and she had no idea what angle to investigate now. Not when Blackheart couldn't even give her a straight answer about what they were angry about.

"I hate you," she ground out as the fight left her completely. Right before the darkness claimed her, she could have sworn she heard a shout of, "Plagg, claws out!"

A/N: I was worried this chapter would be short compared to the others but then it got so away from me that I had to cut it in half. Hopefully, that means my muse is back and I can actually finish this fic!

A lot happened in this chapter, including two of the obvious suspects being revealed as red herrings. I honestly had no idea what I was doing with Hoverboard Kid when I started this fic, but Tessie was always going to be a mysterious link to Marinette's past so shame on me for waiting 40k+ words to bring her more into the story.

And once again, the explanation for the whole soul fire thing gets pushed back because the loop got too long, but next chapter for sure! Although the answer is technically in this chapter, Marinette just doesn't realize it.

The chapter's title is from Confident by Demi Lovato which plays in the movie during the campy murder montage.

Please review and let me know what you liked, didn't like, and what could use improvement!

~ Destiny's Sweet Melody