Miraculous Ladybug: Popular
Chapter Seven
It was a peaceful Sunday morning. The sun was blazing but there was a cool breeze. Marinette leaned up against the counter as she usually did, waiting for Adrien to arrive. Adrien working here had to be the highlight of her day. Marinette really didn't have time to hang out with Alya so Adrien was all she had, and she certainly didn't mind that. Alya was dog sitting as her summer job and she refused to work at the bakery because she felt like it wasn't meant for her.
Tom stood next to Marinette and he stared at his daughter.
"Why haven't you told him you liked him? You need to hurry before it's too late." Tom finally said as he placed his big bulky hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"I don't think he likes me back."
Tom shook his head. "You don't know that."
"Well you don't know if he does like me, do you?"
Tom smiled sweetly at his daughter and he chuckled. "I don't know exactly, but I can tell. Either way I can see how attached he is to you and how he trusts you. I'd much rather have the one I love trust me with their life than be their partner."
Marinette tilted her head like a confused puppy as she raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because," Tom began as he grabbed onto his daughters hand and sandwiched it between his two big ones. He patted her hand with his top hand and smiled. "relationships don't last forever, but trust and being attached does. When you're mad at someone and miss them, you always think of them because you're attached. No matter how mad or sad you are, you'll always think of that person because you're so attached to them. Isn't that much more special than having someone fall for you but then get back up?"
Marinette stared blankly at her dad. She blinked a few times and leaned back slightly.
"I never knew you were so deep, dad."
He chucked. "I'm not. Your mom is the wise deep one. She just taught me a lot."
"Mom is the best." Tom nodded in agreement.
"But dad, maybe certain types of love lasts forever? You and mom have lasted this long."
Tom scratched at his chin and nodded. "Well, yes that's true. Love is confusing, and love makes us blind."
Marinette looked down at the counter and sighed. She was about to ask her dad something, but the sound of the door swinging open interrupted her.
Adrien stood there and he awkwardly scratched his arm.
Adrien looked around slowly before finally averting his gaze at Marinette, and his face instantly lit up like a Christmas tree.
Marinette shifted in her stance behind the counter slightly as she felt Adrien's emerald eyes stare into her eyes deeply from afar.
Adrien walked up to the counter and stared at her still. He quickly glanced at Tom and spoke in a low voice.
"May I speak with your daughter?"
Tom smiled and said yes.
"Take all the time you need. I need to go grocery store shopping. You guys are in charge." Tom grabbed his wallet and the keys to the bakery and house. He then scurried out of the bakery, leaving a panicked Marinette behind.
"A-..Adrien? Is there something wrong? Why do we need to talk?"
Adrien grabbed onto Marinette's shoulder from across the counter and he narrowed his eyes at her. He gazed at her face and took note of all her beautiful features. He looked at her freckles and dark lashes and hair and he felt something blossom inside of him. Was this love? Maybe it was, but Adrien knew he was playing a dangerous game already. It was bad enough he lied to his father and needed a girlfriend, but now he was asking Marinette to be his, and he thought it wasn't a big deal, but the fact that he was feeling something and she was completely scared of him was going to make things trickier. And all this wasn't the tip of the iceberg, he promised to protect Ladybug and to always love her ever since he saw her when they first got their miraculous, and obviously if he fell for Marintte, he couldn't devote himself to another girl like Ladybug.
"So, Marinette. Alya told you about what happened. I need more publicity and stuff, and my father is making me do this, and he's not doing this part for me, he said its up to me to pick, so, I'm picking you. So, what I'm trying to say is.. Will you be my girl—"
"ADRIENKINS!"
The sound of the obnoxious shrill voice filled the bakery in an instant and the sound of flats hitting the tile floor echoed in Adrien's ears. The smell of a cheap spray tan and perfume of the highest brand was all he could sense.
Adrien winced still at the sound and he knew who it was. He flinched when he felt someone grab onto his shoulder from behind.
It was Chloé.
Chloé clung to Adrien's arm tightly and she would not let go no matter what. Marinette stared in shock at the sight in front of her, and she didn't like what she was seeing at all.
"Uh, Chloé, what are you doing here? Would you care to explain? The bakery isn't even opened yet! Why would you just walk in? Do you have any respect?" Marinette asked harshly as she crossed her arms and popped her hip out to the side in a sassy manner.
Chloé rolled her eyes and flicked her wrist at Marinette.
"Oh shut up! I'm doing Adrien a favor! He really doesn't want to be with you or work at this low class crappy place."
Adrien furrowed his brow and he tried to gently push Chloé away from him.
"Chloé, you're not nice." Adrien said as he forced the meanest expression he could ever make onto his face.
"Ohoho! Don't make me laugh Adrien honey! Playing games with me as always. You should take a break from your job and be with me." Chloé said as she grabbed onto Adrien harder, pulling him closer to herself so he wouldn't be near Marinette who stood there angrier than a piranha.
Marinette didn't know what to do, and she was so close to snapping, but she was responsible enough to watch herself. She was still conflicted though as to what she should do. Was she supposed to keep scolding the blonde or was she supposed to help Adrien or come up with some elaborate lie so he would be free of Chloé's horrible annoying wrath?
"Chloé, please. Let go." Adrien said calmly with an edge of irritation in his voice. He was trying his best to be polite, but he was finding it hard to when Chloé was constantly around him, clinging to him.
Marinette frowned as she watched the two teens and she bit at her lip.
"Chloé- please, just leave him alone." Marinette said strongly as she walked out from behind the counter.
Adrien nodded in agreement. "Yes. Chloé, please. I need to wor—"
"But Adrien! You should work with me! I'm working as a model in a perfume commercial." Chloé smirked and she stood up straighter to match Adrien with his height, and she giggled to herself and spoke in a low teasing whisper near his ear causing him to blush like crazy.
"Think about all the publicity you'll get if you join me. Think about how proud you'll make your dad."
Adrien's eyes went wide in an instant and he felt sick to his stomach. His insides were doing flips and he couldn't speak or think clearly. Could he really make his father proud for once?
Chloé smiled evilly at his expression and she laughed softly. "So? Is that a yes?"
Adrien said nothing. He couldn't understand. How did Chloé even know he was having money problems? How did she know about the whole publicity thing? How did Chloé even know that he was planning on asking Marinette to be his partner for the photoshoot today at this very time? Why was she doing this? It couldn't of been because she simply liked him. He wanted to ask Chloé all these questions and confront her, but he knew she had too much power, and if he questioned her, it would be ugly.
Marinette stood there in horror as she looked at Adrien's face. He looked terrified and lost, and Chloé looked so happy and evil. Chloé was a lion that just caught her pray, and she wouldn't let her pray go without a fight.
"Chloé! Let go of him and leave him alone, you're making him uncomfortable." Marinette said as she stepped closer.
"I don't care! You don't know anything" Chloé protested as she hugged Adrien from behind. As she hugged him from behind she peeked from behind his shoulder and stuck her tongue out at Marinette who was practically steaming.
"I- you're, you're so rude Chloé! Learn some respect for once!" Marinette yelled as she grabbed onto Adrien's forearm to pull him away from Chloé.
Chloé backed away slightly and reached for Adrien. She was practically using the boy as a shield.
Marinette spoke through gritted teeth as she jabbed her finger into Chloé's chest.
"Learn-" she jabbed. "that he" she jabbed again. "is happy working here and doesn't want to be with you!" Marinette gave Chloé a final jab, which made Chloé shove Marinette back hard, causing her to hit the counter.
"Ow.." Marinette whimpered as she closed her eyes tightly, gritting her teeth again and sucking in air hard.
"Chloé!" Adrien boomed as he stood in front of Marinette with his arms spread out. "That was completely uncalled for? What is wrong with you? I said I didn't want to work with you! No matter what, I want to be here. I want to be here with Marinette and her dad. You have no right to harm Marinette in anyway! I know you're my friend, but you should act like a friend and not hurt one of my friends."
Chloé gasped and lifted her eyebrows in shock. She reached out towards Adrien with a weak grip and she poured.
"Why are you hanging out with this pathetic girl? I swear if I didn't just her my hair done I would punch her in the face! What do you see in her and in this place? They're both plain!"
"CHLOÉ! Enough! Stop treating people this way! I don't want to work with you! Especially after this!"
"But Adrien.."
"No!"
Chloé narrowed her eyes and stepped close to Adrien. So close she was only two inches away from his mouth.
"Let's try this again. You are going to quit this crappy job and be my partner in the commercial, and we'll all be happy. Right?" Chloé said with a shaky angry edge in her voice. Adrien could hear her heavy breathing and he could see the furry in her pale blue eyes.
He knew she was absolutely angry, but he still stood strong. He frowned at Chloé, feeling more irritated than he has ever been with her.
"No. I never want to be with you." Adrien firmly said as he narrowed his eyes back at Chloé.
Chloé said nothing, and she simply stared at her crush. She raised her right hand and pivoted on her left foot and delivered a hard slap on Adrien's clear face.
He flinched hard at the slap, and the impact from her hand to his cheek was incredible. He never thought Chloé hit hard, but the noise of the slap echoed and ringed in his ears and the burning hot sensation spread on his face, leaving a deep crimson color on his cheek.
Chloé said nothing, and she stormed off out of the bakery.
Marinette stood behind Adrien, completely horrified. Adrien almost felt ashamed for yelling at his friend, but he knew he shouldn't be, because friends don't hit each other. Good people don't hurt other people.
He just stood there, not knowing what to do, and Marinette didn't know what to do either. Marinette felt overwhelmed. She's gotten hit hard when she was Ladybug, but just a shove was all it took to make her weak and not be able to prevent from Chloé doing anything bad.
"Adrien.." Mari finally choked out as she hugged him from behind. She sobbed into his red shirt and she whimpered. Adrien stood there. He couldn't define what he was feeling. He was so confused. He's never been hit, and he's never been in a fight.
Adrien turned around and hugged Marinette back.
"Shh, shh. Marinette. It's fine."
Marinette looked up at Adrien angrily with tears pooling out from her half lidded eyes. "But she just hit you! That's not okay! Thats never okay! And she harassed you and was all over you and you were so uncomfortable." Marinette cried some more and coughed on her sobs and she buried her face in his shirt.
Smiling bitterly, Adrien patted Marinette's head and played with her fringe. "It's fine though. I don't know what I'd do if she slapped you."
It had been twenty minutes and the two of them were still recovering. Both of them were glad Tom was out. He texted Marinette saying he'd be gone for another hour or so. Marinette and Adrien were both mentally and physically hurt still and they needed the alone time together, so it was convenient that Tom wouldn't be back.
Adrien had to calm Marinette down through her breakdown, and Marinette had to help Adrien with his wound. Marinette acted so motherly towards Adrien, holding an ice pack to his cheek that was in the shape of a chocolate chip cookie.
"I'm really sorry, Adrien." Marinette said softly as she gently dabbed the ice pack on his now pinkish cheek.
He chucked and closed his eyes, sighing. "It's fine." He had no time or patience to worry about Chloé. He was enjoying the cool feel of the ice pack and the warmth of Marinette being so close to him. (Of course she would have to be close to him to hold the ice pack in place.)
"You may think it's fine, but it isn't for me." Marinette softly mumbled as she gently pulled away the ice pack from Adrien. She gently caressed her thumb against his frozen cheek and she frowned. Marinette was so close to Adrien, but she couldn't even tell. She was too busy thinking of what to do with Chloé.
"Here-" Adrien suddenly said, breaking Marinette out of her thoughts. He grabbed onto the ice pack and patted on the counter, earning Marinette's full attention.
"Sit here and face the other way." The blond ordered kindly.
Marinette felt her anger go away from the sound of Adrien's voice practically dripping with sweetness. It was music to her ears whenever she heard his deep voice sound so kind and gentle.
Marinette obliged without hesitation. She yawned softly and closed her eyes slightly. She crossed her legs too. "What're you gonna do?" She inquired shyly.
"Well, I may have gotten slapped but you got pushed. You're hurt too, so this is my way of returning the favor."
Marinette felt her heart stop for a split second as she listened carefully to everything her crush said.
"Yes.. And?"
"Well, is it okay if I lift up your shirt?"
"WHAT?" Marinette screamed as she grabbed onto the bottom of her shirt, pulling it down more. She felt her face go from pale to fifty shades of red.
Adrien looked at Marinette (well, the back of her) completely dumbfounded. And then the words he said bounced back in his mind and he slowly processed what he said.
"OH MY GOSH! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it like that! Crap crap.. Ugh.. Can I lift up your shirt so I can put the ice pack on the place you got hurt?"
Marinette's blush decreased slightly and she quickly nodded. "Y-yeah! You can. Of course you can.. Just.. You should of said that before." She laughed awkwardly and played with the tips of her hair that was tied up in her twin tails.
"Ok.." Adrien said under his breath as he grabbed onto the back of her hot pink shirt. He slowly lifted it and he felt his face grow warmer and warmer the more he lifted it up, but he made sure not to lift the shirt up too high.
"Aww." Adrien though to himself as he stared at her back. "She has a bruise." It slightly angered and upset Adrien to see a mark like that on Marinette. She had such sensitive pale skin like a doll, and it was shocking how one little shove left a big mark like that.
"Okay, I'm going to put it on. Tell me if it's uncomfortable or too cold." Adrien said to Marinette.
Marinette nodded in response and she remained silent. She wanted to speak but she felt like she wouldn't be able to hear herself anyway. Her heart beat was echoing loudly in her ears and she could feel the rhythmic beating everywhere in her body. She couldn't avoid it.
Adrien inhaled deeply, and he pressed the cool item against her back. He earned a slight gasp from her and his face grew redder.
"Sorry, is it too cold?"
"N-no! It's fine. I was just a little thrown off, y'know?" Marinette said, showing her timid side more than ever.
"Alright." Adrien moved the ice pack up and down the bruise gently and he furrowed his brows, concentrating on the spot. "Anyway. Before Chloé came in, I had something to tell you and ask you."
Marinette's eyes went wide and she looked up at the ceiling. She felt completely dumb for forgetting about that. "Oh yeah.. ask me."
Adrien finally pulled the ice pack away and he tugged down his friend's shirt.
"My father wanted me to find a partner for my photoshoots for the magazines I'm in. So, basically he told me to find a girl, and he said I could pick whoever. And, so, I was wondering, will you be my girlfriend?"