Author's Note:
I do not own any of these characters.
Alya looked at Nino like he had no understanding of the stakes. "Adrien is Marinette's responsibility right now. If we want to win, we've got to keep going."
Nino bowed his head and whispered to himself, "Sorry dude."
Alya grabbed Nino's arm again and they were off, heading full-speed towards Nino's apartment.
Nino's mom greeted them when they came in. "Oh. I thought you were going to be out later."
"We are, mom. Just stopping in for some supplies."
"Okay. Where's Adrien and Marinette?"
"Probably waiting back at the school," grumbled Alya under her breath.
"What was that?"
"Oh! Alya said they were going to meet us back at the school." Nino smiled nervously.
Nino excused them and they headed into his room. Alya open the backpack and Nino tossed her one of his other hats, Madonna's Like a Virgin CD for something from the 80's... earning a smirk from Alya, and a flashlight. As he was going to get his swimsuit, Alya asked, "Why do you have a flashlight in your room?"
"So I can see behind my equipment and make sure all the cords are hooked up."
"Oh..." Alya replied as she caught Nino's swimsuit and stuffed it into the backpack.
She zipped up the backpack and practically pulled Nino's arm out of socket as she hurried them out of the apartment to their next stop.
Nino's mom looked on with worry, and then just shook her head. She liked that Nino had a girlfriend, but wished she didn't have such a strong personality sometimes.
To go to the recreation center first, jump to Chapter 18: "Lucky Charm Later"
To go to the party supply store first, jump to Chapter 19: "Lucky Charm Now"