Juleka had been the third wheel of their small friend group for sometime. But now that Ivan and Mylene were officially dating, Juleka was starting to wonder if she should find more friends to include so she wouldn't feel so… single. She looked around the cafeteria for the other members of the Light Music Club, but she couldn't see them anywhere. If she only didn't buy lunch that day, maybe she could look around the school, but they were probably in the club room. Watching Ivan and Mylene sample each other's lunch was starting to get a little much.
"Um, excuse me?"
The trio turned to see Nathaniel, holding a lunch tray. His writing partner was no where in sight.
"Um, could I sit here?"
"Sure," answered Mylene.
Nathaniel smiled and sat down. Finally another single person that Juleka could talk to.
"How's school going for you Nathaniel," asked Mylene?
Or not.
"Uh, good. I'm in the art club since they don't really have a make your own comic club. And I found a writer. But he's sick today."
"I'm sorry, about him being sick, I'm glad you made a friend. Oh, this is my boyfriend Ivan, and my friend Juleka."
Nathaniel slightly waved.
"I met Juleka before."
"Really?"
Mylene looked between Nathaniel and Juleka.
"He's in my art class. He's teaching Alya to draw and got inspiration and poses from our club."
"Fun! How did it go?"
Nathaniel sucked in his bottom lip, "very enlightening."
Mylene smiled and giggled before helping herself to her last bit of food on her tray.
"Excuse me, how do you two know each other?"
"Oh, we were in the same Junior High."
Nathaniel nodded. Juleka looked between the two as they continued chatting, looking over to Ivan who had long since finished his lunch.
"I'm going to go ahead and get ready for the gym. I'll see you later," said Ivan, kissing Mylene on the forehead, the girl giggling in delight at the contact. He waved goodbye, taking his and Mylene's empty lunch trays.
"He seems rather quiet," commented Nathaniel before taking a sip of his water. It looked like he had painted the water thermos in his comic books style.
"Yeah, he communicates better when he's writing. He's written me the loveliest poems before. I just need to come up with something equally nice for Valentine's Day."
Right, Valentine's Day was approaching. Juleka could vaguely remember Alya heavily hinting for Adrien to get Marinette something and vice versa, but she had tuned her senior out when she went on her "Adrienette" rant.
"Are you two going to do anything?"
Juleka raised an eyebrow, and looked over at Nathaniel. The boy looked equally confused as he looked back at her.
"Not for each other," laughed Mylene, "For your writer friend or the Light Music Club."
"We're not like that!"
Juleka gave her friend a dumb founded look as Nathaniel protested. Mylene just rolled her eyes.
"You could do it for appreciation. It doesn't always have to be romantic. Like friendship gifts or something."
"I guess I could draw Marc something."
Juleka moved around the food on her plate, not particularly fond of the peppers. A gift for her light music club seniors. They had helped her come out of her shell a little, and even though she had been teaching Alya guitar, it helped improve her skills. Marinette and Adrien were definitely the more reliable of her seniors. And Nino… he was generally chill and helped the high strung members when they went into panic mode. If he wanted to.
"I guess I could make them a dessert or something."
"Oo, perfect. I could make Ivan homemade chocolate."
Mylene bounced in her seat as she came up with the idea. Juleka looked over to Nathaniel, who seemed to be thinking.
"If you guys want, you can come over before Valentines Day and we could work on our projects," she offered. Mylene and Nathaniel's expressions both lit up.
"Oh that would be wonderful! I've always wanted to see where you live," cheered Mylene, jumping around to give Juleka a hug.
Nathaniel nodded in agreement, "A change of scenery would be good inspiration."
Juleka gave them both an awkward smile, trying to remember if she ever told Mylene she lived on a boat.
"You live on a boat," asked Nathaniel as they climbed up the gangway. Juleka looked back, Nathaniel looking to be almost enjoying himself as he looked around.
"Welcome aboard the Liberty," greeted her mother as she gave her daughter a hug before shaking the hands of her friends.
"I'm Anarka Couffaine, but you can just call me Anarka."
"Thank you for letting us come over Anarka," said Mylene, shifting the grocery bag in her arms. The group had made a quick stop by the grocery store to gather things they would need for their Valentine's gifts. Mylene wanted to try homemade chocolate, Juleka was going to attempt a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. She had seen the Light music club eat chocolate before, but Marinette never brought a chocolate on chocolate cake. It was always things that could be sold individually or cancelled orders.
Nathaniel bought a candy to go with his drawing.
"No trouble at all. To be honest, the Liberty needs more noise. I don't know why Juleka doesn't bring her music club over and play here sometimes."
Anarka waved them to follow her below deck, leading into a kitchen and dinning area.
"Let me know if you need anything," she passed a walkie talkie over to Juleka. "I'll be below doing some maintenance."
The group nodded as Juleka's mother left.
"She's very nice," said Mylene as she set her grocery bag down on the counter, walking around the bar separating the kitchen so they could start.
"Yeah, but she likes things on the loud side. I think that's why she likes that both of us are in a band."
"You should totally have the Light Music Club play here!"
Juleka set her bag down next to Mylene before joining her to wash their hands.
"We talked a little about a spring performance, but I guess it's up to Nino and Marinette."
"Why up to them two?" Nathaniel took a seat at the bar as Juleka started searching the cabinets for things they would need, Mylene looking up instructions online on how to make home-made chocolate.
Juleka shrugged, "They're the president and vice-president, doesn't that make it their decision?"
Nathaniel shrugged, "It should be a group vote. Just because I draw, doesn't mean Marc doesn't give me his input, or vice versa. It's a group effort."
Juleka shook her head from side to side, realizing she would probably need to pull in back. She found one of her mother's head bands lying around, and quickly tied her hair up.
"I guess. And I know that we would talk about it more if someone brought it up while everyone is there. I just don't want to think about making the finally decision."
"You might have to eventually. You're going to be president of the club when they graduate," said Mylene as she set out her items on the counter.
Juleka frowned. Since their failed advertisement at the beginning of the year, she had pushed to the back of her mind that there might not be a music club for her senior year.
"What if there is no light music club," she asked, the room growing quiet. Mylene dropped her things back on the counter before hugging her friend.
"Maybe Marc and I could join you so you still have a club. Make it a Light comic music club," said Nathanael with a small smile.
Juleka snorted, "That's a terrible name."
Nathaniel shrugged, "Still, we can be place holders until you get the light music club going. Plus the art club people are pretty weird. Not really our thing."
Juleka smiled, "Thanks." Nathaniel just nodded as he pulled out his sketch book.
"Alright, enough sappiness. Time to start cooking," announced Mylene, letting go of Juleka to fist bump in the air. Juleka copied her friend, Nathaniel slightly raising his fist before searching his bag for his pencils.
Juleka pulled out her box of chocolate cake mix, the instructions on the side.
"Set the oven to 177 degrees, then prepare two 23 cm pans with baking spray. Baking spray?" Juleka looked up around her kitchen, spotting a bottle of oil.
"Could I use that instead of baking spray," she asked Mylene, who was setting a pot of water to boil.
"Maybe, just wipe it around the pan so it gets everywhere."
Juleka nodded, taking the oil and a paper towel. She poured a bit of oil inside, then smeared it around the walls and floor of her baking pan. She smiled to herself.
This should be a piece of cake.
The cake was in pieces. Well, more like she hadn't put on enough oil, so some of the cake stuck to the pan walls. Which made it difficult to ice, taking off more clumps of cake and mixing it into the frosting. The top of the cake, the only part still intact, was covered in more clumps of cake. Mylene suggested adding sprinkles to help, but the pink and white confections make the lumps pop out more.
"This is a disaster," she whined, thumping her head on the counter next to her creation.
"It could be worse," offered Mylene, looking sadly at her chocolate heart. She had put too much sprinkles on the base layer, and she had accidentally mixed some parts of the sprinkles in with the chocolate, creating patches with or without sprinkles.
At least her heart was in one piece.
Nathaniel chose not to say anything, helping himself to the leftover cake still stuck on Juleka's pans.
"The cakes that Marinette brings in all look so pretty. How is this going to compete with it."
"She comes from a family of professional bakers, they live and breathe cake. No one expects a perfect cake their first time," said Nathaniel as he added some of Mylene's fallen sprinkles to his cake bite.
"How did you know that," asked Juleka as she looked up.
"My family always goes to her family for cakes and things. Plus we went to the same elementary and Junior High school."
Juleka furrowed her brows, looking from Mylene to Nathaniel. Mylene looked equally confused.
"She never mentioned you before."
Nathaniel shrugged, "We're a grade a part, plus she and Nino kept to themselves because of Chloe's bullying. But Marinette was nice to talk to."
Nathaniel's cheeks turned a little pink, hiding his face behind his sketchbook. Juleka smacked her head on the counter again.
"Must every guy have had a crush on Marinette at some point?"
She looked over to Mylene who looked away. Figures since Ivan used to be Marinette's grade he would have had a crush on her at some point too.
"She's a likeable person," Nathaniel defended, "and Nino was pretty cool too. Just Marinette always goes the extra mile."
Juleka sat her head up, thinking of Marinette. She wrote their songs and designed their costumes while keeping up her grades. Marinette had been Juleka's most reliable senior in the club.
"Which is why this cake needs to go the extra mile, like Marinette."
Juleka stood up, pulling out her phone. Surely she could find a way to fix her cake.
Juleka couldn't fix the cake. After reassurance from her friends and mother her seniors would appreciate whatever she made for them; she sealed the cake up and brought it to school.
Apparently the school was in the Valentine's spirit for once, a booth set up for people to buy "Candy-Grams" to deliver to other students during the day. The operation must have been spearheaded by Chloe as she kept the general populace in line as people ordered their deliveries.
"Morning Juleka," Marinette popped in beside her younger classmate, Juleka hurriedly swung the cake to the other side to hide it from Marinette.
"M-morning," said Juleka, hiding her face in her scarf. She then looked around, no sign of the other club members anywhere.
"Oh, Nino is buying candy-grams since he didn't think he needed to bother with anything. I haven't seen Adrien or Alya yet."
Juleka nodded, looking to the line to see Nino arguing with one of the student government people. And Chloe was approaching them.
"And that's my queue," Marinette sighed, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small box and a bag.
"Happy Valentine's Day!"
Juleka could barely call out a thanks as Marinette went to Nino's aid. Marinette fished around in her backpack, pulling out a wallet and forking some money over to Nino.
Juleka continued on her way, opening the small bag. Inside were pink macaron with little jelly hearts decorating the top. She tied back up the bag as she approached her locker, Mylene standing nearby, looking sour.
"Did you give your gift to Ivan yet," asked Juleka as she opened her locker.
"No, I can't, especially after he gave me this."
Mylene held up a poem written on pink stationary. Sealing it up was a new bandana.
Juleka sighed, looking between her bag and Mylene's gift. She tied the bag up and put it in her locker, remembering the box underneath. She opened it up to see a flower clip for her hair. She banged her head against the neighbor's locker.
"Why do they have to be so perfect," she groaned?
"Please don't tell me you two are still going on about that," asked Nathaniel as he walked up with Marc. Marc was holding the candy bar, a piece of paper that was probably the drawing stuck between his notebook.
"What are they going on about," asked Marc, looking between Nathaniel and the girls.
"Marinette got me home-made macarons and a flower clip," answered Juleka.
"And Ivan gave me a poem and a headband."
"So, they put as much care into their gifts as you did yours. It doesn't make yours less because they aren't perfect."
"I'm sure they'll like your gifts. Ivan and Marinette don't seem the type to complain about receiving a gift," added Marc.
Juleka and Mylene sighed, realizing Marc was right. Ivan and Marinette wouldn't complain about the gift. Adrien would probably be happy because it's cake. Nino and Alya would probably be nice as well, despite being spoiled by Marinette treats for three plus years.
"I guess you're right. I'll go give it to Ivan right now," said Mylene as she marched off in determination.
"I think I'll give mine later. For tea time after school," said Juleka, tucking the cake inside her locker.
"I'll hold you to that," challenged Nathaniel, extending his hand to shake. Juleka nodded, accepting his handshake. She just would try not to think about it too hard. It's only Valentine's Day, nothing too serious. Besides, Marinette always went the extra mile, it's not like the other members could top Marinette's gift anyway.
"Juleka!"
Said girl whipped her head around at her name being called. She had stopped by her locker during break, again confronted with the cake when she heard her name. A longer arm waved at her, followed by Adrien moving through the crowds.
"I found you! Nice hair clip."
Juleka reached up to touch the clip she got from Marinette, smiling at the compliment. Adrien grinned as he handed her a box wrapped in red paper.
" I know it's not really necessary, but I just want to thank you for all the help with the light music club, and other things."
Juleka nodded, looking down at the nicely wrapped gift. She looked up to see Adrien still there, waiting for her to open it. Juleka stepped in front of her locker to block Adrien's view of the cake, carefully taking off the wrapping paper. The white box underneath was openable from one side, Juleka pulling the lid to reveal it's contents. Inside the box was a pink tea cup and saucer, with a striped cat head on one side. The cat's striped tail made up the handle.
"Now we all have our own cups! Be sure to bring yours to the clubroom today!" Adrien quickly ran off as the five minute warning bell rang. Juleka examined the adorable cup, packing it back up and setting it in her locker next to the macarons and hair clip box. She looked down to the bag holding her cake.
"Please let the cake still taste good," Juleka whispered before shutting her locker.
By the fourth period, students could hardly pay attention. According to the morning announcements, those who purchased Candy-grams before school and during break, who have their messages passed out. Supposedly it came with a Hersey's kiss, but that was just the room at the moment.
Their sophomore president interrupted Juleka's math class to deliver the Candy-gram's, passing off a basket to their teacher.
The teacher sighed, "Alright, when I call your name, come up to the front. Once we are done, we will continue the lesson. Alright," said their teacher, the students agreeing.
The teacher started calling out the names, several students having to go up more than once. Juleka rested her head on her text book to take a nap.
"Juleka Couffaine," yelled the teacher. Juleka snapped up, a couple students giggling as she walked to the front to receive the Candy-gram. The teacher raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as he passed her the piece of paper and the chocolate. She quickly returned to her seat, the name reading continuing.
Juleka looked at the paper, seeing Mylene lean over to look at it too. It was a message from Nino.
"Thanks for all the hard work! Keep staying awesome!"
"Even Nino," Juleka groaned, laying her head on her book. Mylene pulled back, offering a small smile.
She really hoped he liked her cake.
Juleka slid onto her stool for her final class of the day. Valentine's Day was more tiring than what it was worth.
"Enjoying your Valentine's day," asked Nathaniel, already on his stool and reading a journal.
"Next year I am not leaving my house for Valentine's Day. And I'm dying all my pink and red clothes purple."
Nathaniel smiled, rolling his eyes as he moved an item across the desk. He lifted up his hand to reveal a small drawing of her trying to mix the batter of the cake. It was cheesy, but cute.
"As a thanks for the inspiring thing. And your house boat was really cool."
She looked up, accepting the paper, which she stuck inside the clear film on her school binder.
"So if you're done with Valentine's Day, what are you going to do with the cake?"
"Cake? Did someone bring cake to class?" Alya walked up to her seat, looking around the room for said cake. Nathaniel smirked at Juleka before going back to the journal.
"It's art class, we can't have cake," said Juleka.
"Cake is art. Have you seen the holiday ones at the bakery right now. My mouth is watering thinking about those!"
Juleka said nothing, grabbing her sketchbook for class.
"Oh, before I forget, Happy Valentine's Day," offered Alya, handing over a wrapped gift. Juleka looked up, slowly accepting the package.
"Oh, and something for you, since you're helping me with art and all," continued Alya as she passed Nathaniel a gift. Nathaniel passed her a small piece of paper like Juleka's, Alya squealing when she saw what he drew.
"Look, it's me, in Majestia's costume!" She showed Juleka before pulling it back to herself, bouncing in her seat.
"Thank you for the pencils Alya," said Nathaniel, holding up his gift of art pencils.
"Are those the right one, the lady at the store said it had variety so hopefully there's one good one in there."
"Oh don't worry, sets like these have various uses. It'll be definitely fun to try the ones I don't normally work with."
Alya breathed a sigh of relief. She then jumped in her seat to look at Juleka examining her gift.
"Whatcha think?"
Alya had taken the first club photo they had together (when Ms. Bustier spray painted their hair) and put it in a picture frame. Alya had painted the frame purple, then wrote in nice lettering "Julekat"'
"I wanted to add more, like trying to draw a guitar, but it wasn't looking right," said Alya with an awkward smile. "But at least my writing is pretty so it counts for something."
Juleka smiled up at her senior.
"I love it!"
"Yay! Happy Valentine's Day!" Alya jumped on Juleka in a hug. Juleka's eyes met Nathaniel's who smiled at her.
She could do this. She would give her seniors the cake.
Juleka stood at the head of the table group, trying to alternate the bag handles in her hands as she shifted her feet.
"Happy Valentine's Day."
She held out the bag towards the group, who all watched her politely. The tea had been served in everyone's new cup's from Adrien. Everyone wore a decorative headpiece from Marinette. The Hershey kisses and macarons sat beside the tea cups. It looked like a full Valentine's party.
Alya took the bag from Juleka, setting it down on the center of the table, she pulled it down, lifting the lid of the Tupperware to reveal the cake.
"Cake!" The boys jumped up, ready to dig in.
"Hold on, we need to cut it," cautioned Marinette, the boys bouncing in their seats. Adrien passed over an extra spoon, Marinette using the upside down part to cut the cake.
"Faster," cheered Nino, salivating as Marinette took a piece out and set it on Alya's plate, slightly crumbling.
"It smells so good," moaned Alya as she helped herself to a bite.
Juleka smiled as she watched her seniors eat the cake, everyone praising its deliciousness.
"Seconds please," Adrien and Nino both demanded, their mouths surrounded in chocolate frosting.
"Come one, let Juleka have a bite."
The group looked up to Juleka, who hadn't moved from her spot. She sat down, taking out her cup and saucer from Adrien.
"See Julekat!" Alya raised her hand to high five Adrien, Adrien liking chocolate off his fingers to respond only for Alya to quickly retreat.
"Great cake Juleka," said Marinette, dishing a slice onto Juleka's sauce before answering the boy's demand for more.
Juleka smiled to herself as she took a bite. Definitely an average chocolate cake by all definitions. But above average seniors.
