"Oh, Marinette. I'm sorry you're hurting," Tikki said, sitting on Marinette's pillow and petting her Chosen's wet cheek.

"I know we weren't meant to be. I know. But it hurts so bad anyways," she sobbed. Why couldn't she have asked Maman to stay home instead of saying she'd be fine? She wanted her mother. She imagined the Chinese lullaby Maman would be humming as she'd be stroking Marinette's hair, and it made her feel a bit better.

"Maybe you should call Alya," Tikki suggested. "I think she can help make you feel better."

"Maybe. I just don't want to hear the obligatory Luka-bashing right now. I only want to lay in bed and cry."

"She might not bash," Tikki defended Alya. "She might call him something like 'emotionally constipated,' but she calls everyone that."

Marinette allowed herself a laugh at the correct characterization of her best friend.

Tikki dragged her phone over. "Come on. Text her. She'll eat that yucky cold stuff you like so much, and she can watch those weird movies with you, and I'll stay right next to you in your blanket where she can't see me."

Marinette giggled. Tikki could always cheer her up, even if the little kwami didn't think so. She nuzzled her little red friend and shot off a quick message to Alya. She received a barrage of texts back

What do you mean?

What happened?

Are you ok?

Did he do something?

WHAT DID THAT ASSHOLE DO?

I hate him, that fucking prick.

I'm coming with ice cream and The Notebook. So we'll both be crying together.

I love you.

Alya was quick in arriving; it was as if she'd dropped whatever she was doing to come to Marinette.

She found her friend laying in bed, where she'd been since Luka left a few hours ago.

"Oh, girl." Alya's words were enough to bring about a fresh wave of tears for Marinette, and Alya climbed up into her loft bed and crawled under the covers with her.

Marinette put her head on Alya's shoulder. "I broke up with him," she answered Alya's unasked question. "He said he never wanted to be married, and you know someday I do."

"Well, that's a dealbreaker if I ever heard one," Alya murmured. "How do you feel about everything?"

"I feel like I made the right choice, but it still hurts. Really bad."

"Did, ah… did you sleep with him?"

"No."

Alya nodded. "The guy was literally the perfect boyfriend. But you know what? Sometimes it's just not meant to be. Not because anyone made a mistake, or did something wrong. Sometimes you are just crossing paths with someone that you think you might like to be with, and it just doesn't work out. And then you get over it. And then you're okay, and you do it all over again if you want. And that's life."

"You're so wise," Marinette said, half joking and half serious.

"Yes, I am, actually. And he was pretty… um… troubled?"

Marinette sighed. "He's had it really rough."

"I'm aware. He needs to speak with someone who can help him sort through it all, honestly," Alya said gently, making sure Marinette knew she was genuine and not at all attacking Luka. She knew Marinette well enough to know bashing him wasn't what she needed, and it wasn't a good look anyway. "You need someone who isn't afraid to feel what you do, and isn't afraid of committing to you in the way you want. That wasn't Luka. But you know who wasn't afraid of commitment?"

"No, who?"

"Noah Calhoun. The ice cream's melting and Ryan Gosling isn't going to watch himself." Alya pulled out her laptop and popped the disc in. "And I brought you presents. My mom brought these back from the hotel."

Marinette smiled at the pile of fashion magazines Alya handed her. Agreste Designs covered almost every single issue.

"What's the deal with Gabriel's?" Alya asked, finally noticing the covers.

"I don't know for sure. There were some really crazy rumors about his missing wife, like he was responsible or something, but I just can't believe it. It looks like a lot of his sponsors are pulling out because of all that."

"Whoa. That's some pretty rough shit. Think Adrien's bothered by it?"

"I'm sure of it. It's probably why he's been so… aggressive lately."

"Huh. Silly me, I thought it was because he hated Luka."

More tears from Marinette, and profound apologies from Alya ensued.

To lighten the mood, Alya began shoveling ice cream into Marinette's mouth, and thankfully that stopped her tears and brought back a bit of laughter for the time being.

"I don't know what I'd do without a friend like you," Marinette said, and curling her hand gently around Tikki under the blanket. "I'd be up here crying to… um, to nobody, I guess."

"I'm here for you, girl. I know you'd do the same for me."

"I would."

They watched Noah and Allie on their first date, get into fights, make up, and do it all over again. They cried through the ending, and Alya ended up staying the night.

Marinette was definitely not looking forward to school. She was not ready to see Luka yet, and she was sure she looked like hell.

And… there was Adrien. She still hadn't sorted through what he said on New Year's Eve. She wasn't sure that she even wanted to. He'd been piss-drunk, and probably didn't even remember that he'd said anything at all. Rationally, there was just no chance he could be Chat Noir. Chat was charismatic, lively, and sarcastic. Adrien was soft-spoken, sweet, and genuine. Oh, not that one couldn't embody the other's characteristics as well, she thought. It was just that their personalities were so different. But then again, so were hers and Ladybug's…

Marinette pushed the thought out of her mind. This was stupid. Adrien wasn't Chat Noir, and what he said was completely coincidental. He must have overheard Chat call her "my lady" himself. Stupid is what it was. Just stupid.

It was odd going into school by herself, and after walking there. She was used to car rides and accompaniment. Tikki winked at her from inside her purse, and she felt like she could conquer the world.

Luka never showed up that week. It was clear he had skipped school, and Juleka wouldn't make eye contact with her. Which was fine with Marinette, actually. She liked Juleka enough, but she was still Luka's twin. Marinette was surprised how easily she fell back into her old routines. It wasn't as if Luka had never been there, because she still felt his absence, and if she were 100% honest with herself she missed him. Even his stupid obsession with Mr. XY.

The following Monday, after an entire week of not seeing Luka, she came face-to-face with him in the hallway. It was if the world stopped. Her heart started beating fast enough to rival Chat Noir escaping a pigeon. He saw her, and gave an awkward wave. He didn't smile, and barely met her eye. She returned the wave in a weird, jerking motion, blushed, and turned in the opposite direction. Her legs were moving so quickly, she was sure she'd make it to Spain by lunchtime if she kept going. The whole ordeal was really very anticlimactic, but it didn't feel that way to Marinette. It felt like her world had split.

"Alya, he's here."

"Of course he's here, he goes to school here. Did you think he'd skip the rest of the year?" Alya asked, slamming her locker shut.

"Well, no, duh. But I sort of got used to him not being here, you know?"

"Did you see him?"

"Yep. It was weird and awkward and I never want to see him again."

Alya barked out a laugh. "Well, I think maybe you need to readjust your expectations, babe."

They walked out into the hallway together, Alya having successfully turned the conversation into happily discussing Marinette's upcoming 18th birthday party.

"So let me get this straight. Your parents are going out of town on your birthday?" Alya asked in disbelief.

"Not really. My birthday is on Thursday, and they're leaving on Saturday. My Nonna is sending them on a cruise for their wedding anniversary."

"Oh, that's nice. So, party! I can't believe our luck!" Alya exclaimed, already calculating the guest list and beverages.

"Oh, uh, I'm not having a party. I just want you and Nino to come and eat some food and maybe have a little wine."

"Nino had plans with Adrien, but I'm sure they can just reschedule. Or! Adrien can just come with us. You sure you don't want a party?"

"Yes. I think I'd really like a nice, quiet birthday with my best friend."

"You got it, girl."