A/N: I tried doing an AI version of Gwen. 🥰 This is what I pictured for the meantime jeje. What do you think?

Enjoy the chapter!

"Stop it...Stop it, please. Stop it! Stop it! STOP IT!"

Gwen blinked awake, stiffening as she felt a hand nudging her shoulder. It took her a moment to realize that she dozed off, leaning her head on her seat with her hands clenched on top of her thighs. Looking around, she sees the people getting off their seats and grabbing their bags from the overhead bins.

She sniffed and sighed in annoyance as she wiped away the stray tear and looked back out the window. She couldn't see the Eiffel Tower but she could see the busy streets filled with smiling faces.

Paris.

She arrived.

Gwen felt the nudge again harsher this time, turning to the middle seat and finding an old woman scowling at her and urging her to go. Gwen purposefully rolled her eyes hard at the woman and stood up. She could hear the woman gasp in offense behind her but Gwen ignored her.

She refused to give up her seat earlier for the woman who wanted to sit by the window and the woman ended up crying to one of the attendants. The poor lady was not having it and forced them to sit next to each other. And the ride felt long. Correction. It felt long...about 7 hours.

Feeling petty, Gwen made sure to leave the window open. She can't wait to get off the plane already. She couldn't help but lift a satisfying smirk as she could hear the woman cursing at her under her breath.

Gwen chuckled, opening the bin and grabbing her bag before stepping out of the plane. She wasn't sure what she was expecting when she stepped out of the plane. She was half expecting to smell pricey perfume in the air or a warm feeling to take her in. But no...at least it's... never mind. It's another city. No different from the others. At least, that's what she needed to believe.

Swinging her bag over her shoulders, she followed the people who entered the airport and checked in once again. Gwen glanced around, seeing the signs and boards in different languages for the tourists.

"Paris," Gwen deadpanned at the woman in front of her. "I have to go to Paris?"

Trex's eye twitched for a moment, looking at the girl sitting across from her desk. Taking a deep breath, she crossed her hands and put up a gentle smile. "What's not to like about Paris? If anything, I should be jealous to go. But I can't. You get to shop around and find amazing monuments there," Trex tried.

Gwen is stupidly stubborn, hard-headed, and smart. It pisses her off. But time away from New York can help with her attitude. At least a little.

Gwen only deadpanned at the woman in front of her. As always, the woman wore a grey suit that hugged her curves. Gwen could see the distinct black strands poking out of the blond hair. She's so fake. Gwen can't stand the woman.

Gwen sighed, not understanding why she had to go away. After all, her dad won't take long to finally call her back and take her back home. He has to. "Look," Gwen stood up, already heading back outside to meet the kids who were playing soccer. "It's been a few months since I've seen my old man. I think I can go back to him. No more families have to take me in, you know? And you don't have to keep taking care of me. My dad should be calling me anytime–"

"But he hasn't," Trex interrupted her, making Gwen stiffen.

It was the harsh truth. Gwen hasn't received any calls from her dad. Gwen could have called too, but it felt wrong. But at the same time, he's her dad. He should be calling her first, right?

So why does it hurt?

Trex sighed, shaking her head. She pointed to the chair, making Gwen slowly sit back down. "A nice family requested for you to stay with them for a while. They're one of the most popular bakers in Paris, so it should be an honor," Trex looked at her.

Gwen closed her eyes, trying to contain her annoyance. Trex grinned and opened her drawer, placing a book on top of her desk and pushing it towards the girl. Looking down at it, Gwen looked at the French dictionary.

"Your father put you here in the foster system for the time being. He still has to deal with work and the media. He has a lot on his plate," Trex looked back up at the girl, noticing the stoic girl slowly slipping. Her blue eyes dimmed at the mention of the media. "So, for now. It's good to have people out there who want to see and take care of you."

"I can take care of myself," Gwen crossed her arms.

Trex laughed through her nose and nodded to Gwen's chin. "Yeah, I could see that."

Gwen subconsciously raised a hand to her chin, feeling a twinge of pain from it. It was a few months recent, yet she could still feel the cold pain coming from it. Its scar was deep enough to damage and melt through her tissue from the acidic claws, causing it to be darker than her skin.

A flash of desperately feared green eyes appeared in her mind, making her shut her eyes for a moment.

Trex leaned back on her chair and poked the book. "Better get studying. You leave in a month."

"I don't take orders from someone who doesn't know how to wear a wig," Gwen rolled her eyes, making an irk mark appear on Trex's temple.

"Fuck off."

Gwen stepped out, grabbing her suitcase. Walking through the dome-like halls filled with glass windows, she walked towards the exit. Pulling out her phone, she goes to see the directions for the bakery when someone yelling gets her attention.

"Gwendolyn Stacy! Is Gwendolyn Stacy around?!"

Gwen stiffened, turning around and looking in disbelief at a large man waving a banner over his head. The man wore an apron around his waist, and had some flour on him, staining his face. The people around immediately walked away from the man, but he didn't seem bothered by it, just enthusiastically waving his banner and looking around for her.

The banner was decorated with stickers.

"Oh god," Gwen muttered, blushing in embarrassment. She gripped her suitcase and started walking away. She can't deal with that right now.

But fate had other ideas as the man looked around and grinned to find the girl. "Gwendolyn! Over here!"

Gwen walked faster towards the exit. This is the guy Trex expected her to stay with in the meantime? Unfortunately, she wasn't fast enough as the man rushed towards her and stood in front of her, holding the banner to her face.

For such a large, tall man, he sure is fast. And she is supposed to have powers.

"Gwendolyn Stacy, right?" the man smiled, panting from the running.

Gwen's eye twitched, looking back down at the banner. She was able to identify stickers of the Statue of Liberty with the American flag around the banner. Hell, there's even a sticker of Taylor Swift on the board.

Damn. She's still waiting for Reputation, Taylor's version. Does life hate her to remind her that it isn't released yet?

"Oui," Gwen spoke up, looking up at the man. The man's eyes widened, grinning more in excitement. "Ah, so you know French? Comment était voter vol?"

Gwen sweatdropped. She's fucked.

The man couldn't help but laugh, noticing her silence, and patted her shoulder, softly urging her to walk with him. "You don't have to speak French with me or my family. Thankfully, many tourists come to the bakery so we had to learn a little. It takes time to get used to. Oh, my name is Tom Dupain. We heard so much about you."

Gwen looked around, noticing he was the only one there with her. Is his family back home? Doesn't matter much to her. Unfortunately, she will be staying in Paris for a few months. So she has to keep studying French.

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen couldn't help but be amused at Tom. He was so big but he barely fit in the car to drive. Not only that, he talked throughout the road trip, not letting her once to respond to any of his questions before he had another question to add.

But one thing she was able to catch on in the conversation was that he and his wife did work in the most popular bakery in Paris. They have a daughter a year younger than her and she is currently in high school...or did he say middle school? She's not exactly sure how the school system worked in the Collège Françoise Dupont but she knew that she was also going to that school soon.

Gwen let the man talk as she looked out the window, looking at the monuments around the streets. Another beginning to start. Looking back down at her phone, it lit up. A picture of three kids in the park. One of the boys was crying as the blonde girl grinned widely with a peace sign thrown in the air while the third boy tried and failed to calm the crying boy.

Turning off her phone, she looked back up at the streets and saw so many people walking out in the streets without care. Some conversed, some laughed, some walked out of the stores with heavy bags in their arms and some were calmly drinking outside on the tables.

Gwen's eyes glinted with curiosity. She's always wanted to drink their hot chocolates in here...and their wines. Trex doesn't have to know anyway.

The car moved to the side and parked concerningly very close to the car in front of them. Tom happily sighed, turning off the car and stepping out. Gwen followed too, grabbing her suitcase from the backseat and following the man.

"Here we are!" Tom grinned, throwing his arms out to the sign above them.

Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie

Gwen can almost drool at the warm fresh bread from outside. It smells so divine. She was gently pushed forward, making her stiffen and look back. Tom gently smiled at her, nodding her to the door.

It wasn't anything different Gwen could get used to. Just another family who wanted to take care of her. There's nothing different from that. Yet, why is she feeling different in Paris?

Entering the empty bakery, Gwen's eyes widened in awe at the numerous pastries behind the glass windows. They looked so good. The place was huge from the inside, enough to fit a small crowd. But it was empty. Did they close the bakery today?

"Welcome to Paris!" a gentle voice exclaimed from the side.

Gwen turned, seeing a small woman with short dark hair and soft features smiling at her. The woman walked towards her, gently grabbing her hands and patting them. "You must be Gwendolyn Stacy. It's so nice to finally meet you. We've heard so much about you."

Gwen cleared her throat, suddenly nervous all of a sudden. Why should she be nervous? "Just Gwen is fine, ma'am," Gwen spoke.

The woman smiled, waving a hand. "Oh, please. You're making me sound old. Please, call me Sabine." Sabine looked at the girl closely, her eyes softening at the small scar on the girl's jaw. "Wow, you are so pretty. There's no doubt that you are popular with the boys back home, huh?" she teased.

Gwen chuckled, amused at the woman's words. "Not at all."

Sabine pouted, "Well, they don't have taste." She chuckled, happy to see the girl's shoulders loosening up. Looking back at her husband, she could tell the man was excited to meet her too.

They believed they made the right decision. After all, their little girl was very shy and didn't get along with others. The poor girl is mostly on her own with no friends. They could have adopted but knew that it would be a difficult position to be able to afford it. They figured fostering a child would be slightly cheaper, but it did cost them a few more as Gwen was from another country.

Not only that, it would only be temporary as Gwen is waiting for her father to come back to her. She was able to get some information about the young girl but not all. They decided not to pry on Gwen's situation but knew that the girl, at least, wasn't dangerous. Her father was busy with work and had no time to take care of his daughter and put her in the foster system.

That was all she knew.

Gwen was highly intelligent in her science school. She is also great when it comes to learning and gets along with others.

Sabine just knew this girl was special.

The woman crouched and grabbed Gwen's suitcase, grunting softly at the weight. Gwen noticed and gently took it from her hands, easily carrying it. Sabine smiled at her, "My daughter won't take long from school. Why don't you make yourself at home? I'm sure you're excited to get situated and explore Paris. Come, I'll take you to your room."

Tom grinned, turning to the door and flipping the sign, opening the bakery.

Stepping out of the bakery and into the building, they walked up the long stairs. That was when Gwen noticed how the bakery was connected to the apartments. There were some doors as they passed but they only walked higher and higher towards the top floor.

Sabine stopped in front of a door and opened it, letting Gwen inside. She was immediately met with a living room in front of her with a TV in front of it. On her right was the kitchen along with the dining room. It was small but homey. A door was beside her, assuming it was a bedroom.

Sabine stepped inside too and pointed to the stairs. Gwen blinked, thinking that the stairs would lead to an attic. They walked up the stairs and opened the latch. Gwen's eyes widened, seeing soft pink around the room. Walking up to the room, Gwen couldn't help but be intrigued to see so many things in the room.

The girl must really like designing clothes, huh?

"Don't mind the mess," Sabine smiled. "You will be sharing this room with my daughter from now on."

That was when Gwen noticed a twin bed by the window and next to the mannequin model. Looking up a ladder, Gwen saw another bed close to the roof.

"Make yourself at home," Sabine gently grabbed her hand and smiled softly at her. "If you have any questions, feel free to come down to the bakery or come to my daughter. She usually stays cooped up in here. Oh, and you already have my number, right? You can explore Paris but please let us know of anything, okay?"

Sabine stepped back and started walking down the stairs. "Oh!" she popped her head back. "We have a curfew. Be back before 8."

With that, she left. Leaving Gwen on her own. Gwen stood silently in the pink room, taking in her situation. She quietly placed her suitcase beside the twin bed and walked over to the nearest window, catching the Eiffel Tower from where she stood.

Feeling curious, she walked over to the ladder and climbed towards the balcony. Opening the latch, she jumped high and out. Gwen hummed, seeing a small couch and some plants around. Walking over to the balcony, she took in the romantic city.

The city is filled with happy people walking around. It was strange. Even in the most luxurious, popular places on Earth, she still felt alone. Even though back in New York, she has MJ, Gloria, Betty, and Harry. She had to be put in the foster system and away from them and met a few kids in the block. It still felt black and white.

Without him there to paint her light with different colors, it didn't feel the same.

Gwen sighed, reaching her hand to her neck and fiddling with her pearl. It's been three months. She knew that she had to get over it. He was gone.

"And it's all your fault," she murmured to herself, leaning on the rails. Her blue eyes dimmed, sadly smiling as she softly closed her eyes. The warm air was comforting, wrapping its invisible arms around her figure as if assuring her that it was all right.

🕸🕷🕸

A boy sat in the back of his father's car. His green eyes were bright and filled with wonder yet empty as he stared boredly out the window. He had to meet with the principal of the school he would soon be in. His father wasn't able to make it but his assistant was there to accompany him after school ended.

Three days. In three days, it will be the day he will finally be in a public school with other kids. He will finally have friends. He won't be alone studying in his room and away from society.

It didn't have to be this way. After his mother passed away from an illness, the strong bond and connection between him and his father was severed. It was hard on them both. After all, his mother passed away when he was very young but his father knew her for a long time. It took the boy a while but he was able to move on, trying his best to talk to his father. But his father was still mourning the love of his life. He uses his work as a distraction and pulls away from his son.

Adrien removed an earbud, looking back out at the window where the car stopped in front of a bakery. He was familiar with this bakery. Unfortunately, he wasn't allowed to get out much but he has heard so many compliments from his bodyguard and assistant about the fresh baked goods.

Adrien goes to look away but a figure on top of the bakery catches his attention. His eyes were drawn to the girl leaning on the rails. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was dyed with blue tips. Visible piercings adorned her ears and brow. She looked bland as she wore a black shirt with a triangle and jeans.

But all air left his lungs as the girl opened her eyes, revealing her blue eyes. As if she could sense someone watching her, she looked down and met his gaze. They were dimmed...just like his.

She boredly looked away and pulled out a smartie before taking it to her mouth, smoking out the candy. She looks...

She looks intimidating.

Adrien couldn't help but keep looking at her as his chauffeur drove away. He focused ahead as he was finally going to school the next few days. He's probably not going to see that girl again anyway.

Oh, how he was wrong.

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen kept biting on the candy, still staring out to the city. She stopped, feeling a stare on the back of her head. Turning around, she looked down to find a young girl with dark hair peeking her head out from the latch. Her blue-bell eyes were bright and filled with curiosity. Strong and elegant.

The girl flinched, ducking back inside.

She must be the daughter of the bakers. Shrugging her shoulders, Gwen stepped closer to the latch and looked down. The girl was crouching, her legs tucked underneath her as she sat on her bed while she mumbled under her breath.

Gwen dropped to her knees, leaning her body forward and taking in the girl in front of her. The way the girl hid herself away was like a mouse. She was cute too.

The girl finally stopped mumbling to herself and looked up but yelped as her face was close to Gwen's. Gwen smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. Biting the smartie in her mouth, she blew the smoke from the candy on the girl's face. "Name's Gwen. And you?" Gwen introduced herself.

The girl blinked, humming in confusion. Wasn't smoking supposed to smell tar? Why does it sweet like candy? She stopped, realizing the pretty girl above her just asked her a question.

"Um...M-M-Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng. It's really nice to meet you," Marinette stammered, her eyes looking away in embarrassment.

Gwen nodded and dropped her body inside, falling on the bed. She was mindful to raise her feet high to not touch the bed. Getting off, she jumped to the ladder and slid down. Looking back up, she saw that Marinette still had her eyes on her.

She was quiet too...and nervous.

Okay, Gwen mouthed and looked around. "So you're a fashion designer?" she pointed to the colored pages hung on the wall behind the computer, unsure how to talk to the shy girl without making her uncomfortable. "They're really cool."

Marinette's eyes widened, slowly climbing down the ladder and looking back at her designs. It was the first time someone other than her parents complimented her work. It felt nice but Marinette's anxiety told her otherwise.

The girl must be just trying to make conversation with her. She probably doesn't think that but at least she's trying. "Thanks," Marinette mumbled. Gwen came too early she wasn't able to put away the mess. She was already late for school and didn't have time to clean it up.

Marinette took in the girl's appearance. She was taller than her. She wore a similar shirt her grandmother would wear. Pink Floyd if she remembered correctly. It was big on the girl but matched her aesthetic as she wore numerous piercings on her ears and on her left brow.

Despite having bland blonde hair and blue eyes, the girl was so pretty. Unlike her. She's probably confident...unlike her.

Gwen felt awkward for a moment. Marinette only stared at her, silent as a mouse. Gwen looked around, looking back at the topic. "So...um, where do you want to sleep? I don't mind anywhere."

Marinette blinked out of her daze and looked back and forth between the two beds. Thinking logically, Marinette would spend her time designing and needing the space. Gwen should be sleeping up the ladder but what if the girl wants to have more space and decide to sleep down here? How long is she going to be staying with them?

Gwen saw the conflict in the girl's eyes and spoke up. "You seem to want to keep working here, I'll sleep on the top bunk. If you don't mind?"

Marinette nodded, "Yeah, it's fine with me." Marinette took a moment, thinking about what her mother said earlier.

The girl was distracted, as usual, thinking up ideas as she walked back home from school. Thoughts flooded her mind. The school just started, which meant new kids coming to the school. Which also meant that she'll forever be alone. She doesn't mind at all...it's the rumors going on about her that bothered her.

The School's Clutz.

Marinette can't help it. Feeling everyone's stares at her makes her nervous and causes her to do things wrong. It's already difficult to have friends with rumors spreading around, avoiding her like the plague.

"Marinette! You're home!" she heard her mom call, making her look up from her interesting shoes. The entire bakery was busy as always. Plenty of familiar and non-familiar faces walked around and picked their pastries.

"Guess who's here?" Sabine walked over to her daughter and gave her a hug. Marinette hugged her back but frowned, confused about who she was talking about. Her eyes widened, "Grandma?"

Sabine giggled, shaking her head. "No...Gwendolyn finally arrived from New York. Why don't you take her around the city, and help her get situated?"

Marinette's eyes widened in horror. The girl is here?! She's too early! Marinette's not ready to see her!

She felt a nudge, feeling her mother gently pushing her towards their apartment. Marinette can feel the tenseness on her shoulder getting heavier and heavier.

Oh no...

Marinette took a deep breath, unsure how to even start a conversation with the pretty girl in front of her. She hesitantly opened her mouth but stopped as Gwen spoke up.

"You know, I forgot to buy pajamas," Gwen lied, walking over to her suitcase and pulling out her wallet. "I still have to change my money to euros. Do you know the nearest spot to do that?"

Marinette nodded, walking over to her desk and getting her purse. "W-We can go now? Dinner is not going to be done until later."

Gwen nodded and started walking towards the stairs. If she's going to be staying in Paris, she might as well have someone to tag with. Even though it's a small mouse who stammers, she doesn't mind. She could start anew just for a few months.

A new beginning without the thought of New York's harsh media, away from her father, away from her best friend's funeral, and away from Ghost-Spider.

Scratching her wrists where the webbing could come out, she continued to walk down the stairs. She could hear Marinette walking behind her as they silently stepped out of the apartment.

And who knows? Paris is the city of light. A new beginning for everyone. Her eyes burned solemnly, reaching a hand to her pearl and fiddling with it. She doesn't need any distractions like having friends or finding love. She already lost Peter.

She can't go through that again. Never again.

Gwen's lip quirked up a little as she heard a murmur behind her.

"Welcome to Paris."

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Next Episode: Forest Greens_L&C Pt.3 ♥

Published: November 25, 2023

Word Count: 4298