Things might went well for the others but not me. I sighed and walked to the classroom, repeating the same scene all over again and again. As Nathanael, I personally like Marinette but I realized I won't get her love.

However that doesn't mean I could do anything to her…right?

This morning, I was totally humiliated by none other than Chloe Bourgeois. The most sarcastic-uncool-rude-spoiled brat. I personally hate her and it made me puke to see her over-dramatic make-up.

But I never show that on my face. I could play straight-face if I want to. And I have to say thank you that I have that ability.

I mean, I kissed Marinette. Accidentally. I sometimes got a few throbs of my heart when I glanced at her after that incident.

After that, Marinette asked me to talk—I know what she's trying to talk but I tried to tag along with it—about earlier. About the accidental kiss.

That's when things doesn't went well for me.

I can't control my feelings—and let them control my body—while I'm comforting Marinette in a way that a friend wouldn't do. Marinette looked like she doesn't care though but still, I can't believe myself I did that.

I felt a bit one-sided. Marinette totally likes Adrien, the famous Adrien Agreste. Model and the son of Gabriel Agreste. I don't even care about him as I remembered Marinette's crush about him. Marinette doesn't even get a tint of notice from Adrien. I felt a bit sad for her.

Right after school, Adrien Agreste—Marinette's unrequited crush—talked to me. "Hey, Nathanael. Can we talk for a while somewhere else?" I just nodded and packed all of my books and papers—which secretly I filled with doodles of Marinette.

Adrien waited for me while giving a small smile. I guess, that's what Marinette likes. A shiny guy with a shiny smile. That's probably something I won't achieve. I sighed and gestured Adrien to lead the way.

We walked to a remote part on the school. There Adrien put his bag on the floor and leaned on a nearby wall. "So what is it that you want to talk with me, Adrien?" I asked.

"I realized that you like Marinette." He said.

I widen my eyes, Is that what he wanted to talk? I hummed to myself. "So what's your purpose?"

Adrien looked down. "I don't know… Probably I just wanted to tell you about this." He smiled with a glint of sadness. "I took a liking on Marinette."

I gulped down my saliva, hoping it doesn't get too loud. I tried to keep my cool and said "And…?" slowly.

Adrien looked at me while giving a forced smile. "And when you talked to Marinette, I just couldn't help but felt… I don't know, jealous?" I kept staring at him with the straightest face I could manage.

My head was twirling, filled with… I don't know. Anger, jealous, sadness… Maybe all of it. "Why are you telling me that?" I dared to ask.

"I wanted to have Marinette." He said sternly.

I breathed heavily. What? I silently said under my breath.

"Even if you've kissed each other," He pointed. "Even if you don't allow it, I will take her from your hands."

I stared at him blankly and scoffed. Adrien widen his eyes and asked what was wrong. I laughed afterwards filling myself with excitement. "You're saying that with the wrong person, Adrien." I told him between laughs.

"WH-What do you mean?" Adrien asked with weird hand gestures—which I don't really understand.

I smiled warmly at him, "I never have Marinette on my hands." I honestly said, making him surprised.

"You… You haven't?"

I shook my head. "She already set her eyes on another guy than me." I sighed and leaned on the wall beside him. "My chances on getting her is near zero."

Adrien looked at me silently with mouths still parted due to the surprise. "However," I looked at Adrien. "You might have the chance." I confessed while remembering Marinette squealing over Adrien.

"M-Me?" I nodded. "B-But I'm nothing special. I mean, I'm a model all right but I want her to like me as… Adrien, not Adrien Agreste."

I snorted again. "Adrien, you see," I stopped myself to giggle. "She might like you as Adrien. She might like your personality, your nice smile, and others." I put my palm on my forehead. "Gosh, this feels as if I'm confessing to you. Sorry if it sounds weird."

Adrien broke a laugh, he started to snort as I joined him laughing. "So we're even? Fighting for Marinette with neutral positions?"

"I guess not." I told him honestly brushing off my bangs. "You're a model so you have a plus point than me."

"Ha. You're an artist, you drew well so it's also a plus point for you." Adrien said giving a serious but smiling face.

Silence covered us for a minute.

We put our determined face and looked into each other's eyes. "So what are we going to do, Mr. Beautiful Face?" I joked while throwing some sass to the blonde,

"Well let's say, we're rivals." Adrien said. "And the finish line?" He scoffed as we know it's obvious enough.

"To have Marinette." We said in unison.

After a moment we broke into laughter. We're determined to get Marinette's heart, even if we're two different persons.

I let out a long sigh. "Just to tell you, if one of us win, no hard feelings, okay?"

Adrien took his bag and put the strap on his shoulder. "Of course. No hard feelings." He clenched his fist and lifted it in front of me, "We'll be competing fair and… I don't know, healthfully?"

I clenched my fist and raised it until it was in front of his. "Fair and healthfully then. Isn't it supposed to be fair and square?"

"Like I know." He shrugged and bumped his fist with mine.

I gave him a smile as I adjusted my bag's strap. "It's a deal then." I took a step backwards. "How about we spend our time together after this? Talking about none other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"

Adrien grinned. "Sure, I have no schedule after this. Pick your place, Nathanael. I'll just tag along with you."

"Sure. There's this restaurant I totally recommend." I said as I walked, leaving the corner.

Maybe I still have the chance to get Marinette. We're on neutral positions, Adrien and me.

It's nice to have a rival for something we totally wanted. Makes us motivated and creating the feeling of not wanting to lose.

I just hope Marinette will notice me someday, notice this red-head that always noticed all her movements.

Author notes: GOSH I totally want to write this as Nathanael shout at Adrien about Marinette about his unrequited love and how Adrien ruined it but it turned into a bromance. WT? Ok that's not even legal. Adrien is totally on the bright side but with Marinette's jumbled feelings it's a nice oppurrtinity for Nathanael to bat her and push her into his arms. Well, it's a bonus chapter alright. Positioned around the middle of chapter 1 and 2. Think this as a bonus. I can't really write Nathanael. Sorryyyssss I'm crying. It's OOC but do please review about this total bromance. Thanks for reading!