The summer had been unusually quiet for Juleka. After Summer Rock Fest, the Light Music Club had gone eerily quiet on their group chat. The most Juleka had heard from was Marinette, who had asked her help to model some of their old costumes for her portfolio along with Adrien.

Marinette had started an internship at Gabriel's, working at their main office. With permission from her supervisor, she scheduled a photo shoot of their band costumes in a white wall set, their only props their keyboard and guitar. When Juleka had asked about Nino and Alya not participating, Marinette said they were busy. Adrien didn't know either why the other two didn't show up, but he didn't stay for long as he had honors classes homework and was starting work on college applications.

Other than the brief modeling moment, the group was silent.

Juleka sat on the top deck of the boat, debating whether or not to retreat indoors less her tan not go away for the new school semester. She strummed to herself, thinking of what the club could do for their promotion at the beginning of the year.

The club had talked about it at the end of the year about their concert briefly (all attention had been on the Summer Rock Fest for the last two weeks of school). Nino managed to reserve the theater again, and they decided the song list. Whether or not Marinette would have time for new outfits between now and then was debatable. But the other costumes were cool so Juleka wouldn't mind a repeat.

"Delivery!"

The familiar voice broke Juleka's thoughts. She set down her guitar to see her brother unloading a pizza box from the back of his bike.

"Food," Juleka moaned as she motioned for her brother to bring the pizza over. He had gotten a part time job for the summer working at a pizza place. Luka would be returning back to school in a week, so today was his last day on the job.

"Is mom up here," Luka asked as he set down the box, Juleka digging into the supreme pizza. She shook her head no, Luka wandering around the boat calling for his mother.

Juleka already finished her first slice when Luka returned with their mother.

"Perfect, just what I need," their mother praised as she patted her eldest before helping herself.

"How many more stops until your shift ends," asked Juleka as her brother helped himself to a slice.

"A couple more. The Dupain-Chengs are next if you want to see Marinette."

Juleka raised an eyebrow, but nodded her head as she finished her second slice. It was odd for the Dupain-Chengs to order out, as far as Juleka knew. Nino bragged about Marinette's family recipes, claiming they were the best since his mother only ever ordered take out due to her time demanding job.

Juleka wiped her hands before following her brother.

"Save us some for when we come back," she called out to her mother, who waved her children off. Luka passed his sister a helmet before climbing on his bike, his sister sitting on the book rack behind him. He pedaled away from their boat, and down the street towards Marinette's house.

The bakery looked closed for business, but Juleka could still see Marinette and her family in the kitchen. Luka and Juleka got off the bike, then Luka grabbed a couple pizza boxes. They walked up to the store door and knocked.

Marinette noticed them immediately as frosting exploded on her face. As Marinette left the store to clean up her mess, her mother opened the door.

"Hello Juleka. I didn't know you got a part time job." Mrs. Cheng looked between Luka and Juleka as she took the boxes from Luka.

"This is my older brother, Luka. He has the part time job. He said he was stopping by so I thought I would say hi."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Luka. Would you come in for a moment to say hi to Marinette?" She opened the door more for the siblings. They shuffled inside as Marinette reappeared, frosting free.

"Juleka! Luka!" Marinette practically jumped them in a hug. Only to remember she was wearing an apron covered in flour.

"Oops, sorry, I just haven't seen much of anyone this summer, so …" Marinette trailed off, looking shyly at the ground.

"Even Adrien," Juleka asked. If anything she expected Marinette and Adrien to be secretly hanging out without telling anyone. Again.

Marinette shook her head no.

"Adrien's really been going all out researching what he wants to do now that he's chosen science. Apparently there's a lot of fields he could go into, or he could get a masters or PhD and become a professor. He doesn't know yet. He just calls when he can."

"So are you and Adrien dating finally?"

Marinette turned bright red, "Um, why would you think that? Me and Adrien dating? Heheh."

"Your song changed when you talked about him," commented Luka. Juleka looked to Marinette for confirmation. The girl awkwardly smiled, still bright red in the face, but said nothing.

"Thank you so much for bringing this," Mrs. Cheng came up to Luka, passing him a generous tip. "I think Tom was about to go on a hunger strike if he didn't get food soon."

The group looked at Marinette's father, already digging into one of the pizza boxes.

"You seem busy tonight," said Juleka. The kitchen looked like a hurricane of baking hit, but the storefront was clean.

"Marinette's grandfather usually has a bread stall at the Farmer's Market. But he threw out his back, not too serious, but he wouldn't be able to run the stall. Tom volunteered for us to take the stall for the day."

"That sounds fun," said Luka.

"Would you need any help," offered Juleka.

Marinette's shocked face went to pure joy at Juleka's volunteering.

"Would you really? My parents would handle the early morning, but you and I could work later. Oo, what if we got the whole club to join! This could be so much fun!"

Marinette hugged Juleka again, before remembering the flour.

"Oops."

"Thank you for offering Juleka. If you could come to the store between 8-9, Marinette and you can walk over together."

Juleka nodded, Marinette jumping up and down and trying hard not to hug people.

"Well, thank you for the tip Mrs. Cheng. I hope you have a production night," wished Luka, nudging his sister out the door. The Dupain-Cheng women waved, Juleka waving back until she got to the bike.

"Oh right, you have more deliveries," said Juleka, looking at the remaining pizza boxes.

"Yeah, will you be able to get home ok, or do you need a ride?"

"I can walk."

Luka nodded as Juleka heard her phone ping. She waved her brother off before walking away from the bakery, opening her phone. Marinette had texted the group.

"Hey my family is working a stall at the farmer's market tomorrow. Juleka offered to help, wanted to see if anyone else would be able to meet?"

Nino was the first to respond, "Sounds fun! I probably need a break anyway. What time?"

Marinette: "Meet at the bakery between 8-9."

Nino: "Let's try 8?"

Marinette: "Wow, someone waking up early on their own volition."

Nino: "Hahaha"

Adrien joined the chat. "I can make it, but I couldn't stay late."

Marinette: "No worries! Farmer's Markets ends around 3-ish"

Nino: "Dude, where have you been all summer?"

Adrien: "Where have you been?"

Nino: "Researching?"

Adrien: "Did we leave the real Nino at Summer Rock Fest? He never wakes up early or does his own research."

Nino: "Hahaha, you two are so funny."

Alya joined the chat "Perfect timing! I'm so down!"

Marinette: "Alright, so everyone meet at the bakery at 8."

Alya: "Sounds good."

Juleka: "Great."

Nino: "Light Music Club reunites!"

Adrien: "See everyone tomorrow!"


"I missed everyone so much," Adrien pulled everyone into a group hug in front of the bakery, the group eager to return the hug.

"Why did everyone have a growth spurt but me," groaned Marinette, who was stuck in the middle. Juleka looked around the group. Everyone else had grown. Juleka and Alya developed more mature feminine features. Adrien looked like he had hit the gym over the summer to lose his childish features; Nino finally caught up to Adrien's height and started growing facial hair. To be honest, Juleka could believe Marinette was a high school freshman rather than a senior.

"Because the world knows we still need our smol Marinette," teased Nino, earning a whack on his cap. Or attempted whack because Marinette could barely reach the lid.

"Look on the bright side, when we look forty, you'll probably look twenty," offered Adrien as he let go of the group.

Marinette pouted but didn't argue.

"Come on, we need to head over to the Farmer's Market."

The group cheered, letting Marinette and Nino lead the way.

"So, I've been doing a lot of thinking this summer, and I finally decided to go to college," announced Nino.

"You weren't going to go to college," asked Alya? She looked to Marinette for confirmation, the girl shrugging.

"I just didn't know what I wanted to do, and thought I could just jump into some job after high school. Colleges aren't necessary to get a basic job. You either go for a difficult trade or the connections, like Adrien with the science school or Marinette with the fashion school."

Marinette nodded in agreement.

Alya frowned, crossing her arms.

"So, what did you decide," asked Marinette, stepping a little closer to her long time friend.

"I want to be an audio engineer. Work at live shows like Summer Rock Fest."

Marinette giggled, jumping on Nino in a hug. "That's so awesome. You could even work for Jagged. Oh wait, we still don't have his number."

Nino shrugged as Marinette let go," Once I let Caly know, maybe she could put in a word with Penny. Maybe I could intern at their studio or something."

"This is so exciting! We all have our dreams lining up!"

"Have you started applying yet," asked Juleka. Marinette turned around.

"Not yet, we're all in the same College prep class though this semester which will help us write our essays then prepare for entrance exams. But I love seeing everything lined up. Oh, have you thought about what colleges you'll go to yet?" Marinette turned back to Nino

"I found a few here in Paris. I'm going to stay local for the sake of living expenses."

"Same! It might not be the same school, but at least we'll all be local," Marinette cheered, Nino echoing her sentiments. Juleka looked back to Adrien and Alya, who both were oddly quiet.

"Maman! Papa!"

Juleka snapped back around to see they had entered a street lined with pop-up stalls filled with local goods and produce. Marinette's parents had a display of baked goods on display near the beginning of the street.

Marinette gave her parents a hug, followed by Nino. The three others tried to get by with a wave, only for Mr. Dupain to pull them into a hug, followed by a hug from Mrs. Cheng.

"Thank you everyone for helping with this," said Sabine, the group swapping spots with the adults.

"No worries, we're happy to help," answered Adrien, pulling those closest to him, which ended up being Marinette and Alya.

"Marinette and Nino both know how to operate the till. Otherwise, just have fun, and try not to eat everything," teased Mr. Dupain as he led his wife away, the teenagers waving goodbye.

"So, how exactly does it work," Adrien spun the girls around so Marinette could show him the cashbox. Marinette opened it up to show the group.

"Well, these small squares are for the euro coins, the rest is divided between 5, 10 and 20 notes. We don't accept anything over 20 for today, and we always check with this pen the 20 Euro to make sure it's legitimate." Marinette pulled a pen that was resting in one of the spaces for euro notes while showing off a 20 euro. The others nodded in agreement. "Maman and Papa left a list of what is selling for how much, otherwise, just ask Nino or me."

"So, if I pay, say 20 euros, I can have assorted pastries throughout the day," teased Adrien, waggling his eyebrows. Marinette scowled as Nino's hand gestured to the pastries.

"What would you like today good sir?"

Adrien immediately grabbed several pastries before handing Nino a 20 euro note. With a check from the pen, Nino gave him the thumbs up he was good to go.

"Thank you sir, please come again."

Juleka and Alya tried to hold in their laughter at the boys' display, Marinette just frowning.

"Fine but save your snacks for later."

Adrien gasped, "but, we're bakers for today! How could you not expect bakers to try what they make?"

"If they tried everything they made, there wouldn't be anything left to sell."

Adrien sighed, setting his desserts down on a chair before covering them with his over shirt.

Adrien would quickly learn he wouldn't have time to eat as the stand was soon overflowing with customers.


Marinette's parents returned around 12, allowing the teenagers to walk around the market in search of lunch. Unfortunately, Adrien only moved a couple stalls over to buy jam to go along with his baked goods.

"None of those would even go good with jam," Marinette complained as Adrien pulled out a pastry then unscrewed the lid of his jam.

"Don't knock it until you try it." With a plastic knife, he lathered some jam on a chocolate chip muffin before taking a bite. The entire group looked at him in disgust.

"Anyway…" Nino redirected everyone back into the crowd as Adrien tried to put more jam on his muffin before catching up.

"If I remember right, they usually have food trucks between the arts and craft area and the food area," finished Nino once Adrien caught up to the group.

The group nodded, continuing down the walk in silence. Juleka couldn't determine if it was comfortable or strained. Something felt slightly off since that morning, but no one had bothered saying anything. Or everyone was just ignoring the unease.

"Do we want to meet up one more time before school starts to practice for the welcoming show," Juleka asked?

The group immediately lit up.

"That's right! We need to get you new members for the club," Alya announced, smacking her fist to her palm.

"Should we just reuse the flyers from last year," Nino looked back at Adrien, who nodded.

"I can easily change the date and print more."

"Or I could print them so it won't disrupt your studying. I already have the costumes done. Whenever I had free time at my internship I worked on those. So printing flyers should be no problem so long as my supervisor gives me permission."

Juleka looked back at Adrien, who looked mildly uncomfortable as he swallowed the last bite of his muffin.

"I don't mind printing. I need a break anyway."

"Alright." Marinette shrugged before turning back around. Then Nino started asking her about her internship; apologizing for not being available to show up to the model shoot when she needed help.

"It's fine, Juleka and Adrien were excellent models, even though it would probably be Adrien's last modeling gig," Marinette giggled.

The two talked about their choice schools, Alya and Adrien oddly quiet. They stopped in an open area with tables, surrounded by various food trucks.

"I have my snacks, I can save us a table," offered Adrien before walking to a recently available table.

"Ok… does Adrien seem off to you," Nino leaned down to Marinette.

"Sort of, we haven't talked much over summer. He probably just has a lot of school things on his mind."

The duo nodded in agreement before wandering towards the food trucks. Alya looked around the circle before getting in one of the lines. Juleka started with Alya's truck before moving around in a circle to pick out what she wanted. She eventually settled for street tacos.

Juleka arrived second to the table after Alya, Nino and Marinette still debating over their food choices and the line lengths.

"Everything alright," Juleka asked before taking a bite of her taco.

Alya and Adrien both opened their mouths to say something, then looked at each other before looking away. Juleka frowned.

"And I take it you both know what's wrong with each other," she guessed. Her seniors looked surprised but nodded.

Alya couldn't keep a secret for the life of her, as far as Juleka knew. Any tidbit about Marinette and Adrien being "friends waiting for a relationship" had been slipped to the Adrienette club, who were still relentless in their shipping. So Alya keeping Adrien's secret was a surprise, especially since Marinette didn't seem to know.

Juleka turned to Adrien, "whatever it is, you really should tell Marinette."

Alya looked over at Adrien, eyebrow raised.

"I'm just scared of what will happen when she finds out."

"When who will find out," asked Nino as he sat down. He came alone as Marinette was still waiting for her order.

Adrien took a big bite out of another pastry to avoid talking, so Nino and Juleka looked to Alya.

"I don't think I'll be staying in Paris for University," mumbled Alya before taking a bite of her food.

"Really, how come," Nino asked as he unwrapped his falafel?

"I was doing some research, and all the best journalism schools are in New York. So I'll be applying for schools there. I just got back from a trip with my older sister touring the schools there."

Nino raised his eyebrows, letting out a low whistle.

"Should have sent pictures," her grumbled as he took a bite.

"That's your only complaint? None of the, 'we won't be together for university' stuff or friendships drifting apart?"

"Friendships drift apart if you let them. And in case you haven't noticed, I try to do my best keeping my friendships," her jerked a thumb back to Marinette, who was trying to add ketchup to her order, only for it to squirt on the cashier.

"So be sure to email us pictures, try not to be a stranger if you're in town for vacations, and invite us to play at your wedding for whatever person wants to marry you."

Alya snorted, trying to keep her food in her mouth.

"Thank you for your vote of confidence I can find someone to marry me. What if I don't want to get married?"

Nino shrugged, "Then I'll tell my children about their crazy aunt Alya who has a pet guitar and travels the world searching for the biggest romance or news scope."

The two laughed, Juleka giggling at their jesting. She glanced over at Adrien who was picking the blueberries out of his second muffin and eating them separately.

"What's so funny," asked Marinette as she walked up with her lunch.

"I'm going to school in New York, or at least applying to journalism schools," answered Alya with a smile, then looked like she regretted saying it.

Marinette jumped around to the other side of the table, trying not to cry as she held her friend.

"I'm going to miss you so much! We need to do reunion concerts every time you come home."

"Or we finally get Jagged Stone's number and have him get us into rock fest every year," added Nino!
Alya hugged her friend back, "It's ok, I'm only an email away. And I'll be sure to come back just to cover your rise to the top of the fashion ladder."
"You'd better, because I need everyone there with me!" Marinette let go of the hug to reach across to Nino and Juleka across the table, her other arm behind Alya and reaching for Adrien.

"Adrien, grab my hand," she demanded, trying to reach his shirt sleeve.

"Dude, just join the group hug," urged Nino.

Adrien stopped picking off the blueberry, setting it back in its spot.

"I decided on my major."

The group kept their eyes on Adrien, none of them letting go of the hug.

"I want to do Nanoengineering."

"That's great, you were really having a hard time deciding between micro or nanoengineering" said Marinette.

"There's a difference," asked Alya, to which Marinette nodded.

"Did you pick a school yet? Or are you joining Alya in New York," asked Juleka? It would make sense the reason Alya knew is because they would be going to the same school.

Marinette slowly let go of Adrien as he declined to respond.

"The top three schools are in Singapore, China, or Georgia in the US. I haven't decided between a masters or doctorate yet, but working in the field could take up to more than 10 years."

He looked over to Marinette, as did the rest of the group.

"And there weren't any schools closer? London or New York?"

Adrien shook his head no, "Georgia's not as far as the other two. MIT was number 9 on the list, but most of the other top schools were in China."

"I see." Marinette reached over, pulling her plate to her spot next to Alya. The group remained silent as Marinette started eating, giving the group permission to keep eating. Although, to be honest, Juleka wasn't sure they were hungry anymore.

Juleka watched as Adrien started at his muffin before eventually putting it away. Everyone only finished half of their meals before they stopped eating all together.

"Well, we will just have to make the most of our last year together then," said Nino.

Something seemed to snap as Marinette suddenly stood up.

"I'm going to go help maman and papa. Thanks everyone for helping today," she said, effectively dismissing the group. She then sharply turned around and walked away, her speed increasing until she was running back to her family's stall.

The group looked at Adrien to see if he would chase after her, only for the boy's head to hit the table. Alya rubbed circles on his back, grimacing.

"You both knew you would be leaving," guessed Nino, "And waited until now to tell us."

"I didn't mean to keep it from you guys. I just started researching, and one thing led to another," trailed Alya.

"You don't have to explain your choices. You both are going for fields you're passionate about, and I wish you both the best. I'm sure Marinette does too."

Alya nodded, looking down to Adrien, his shoulders shaking and not from Alya's comfort..

"You were right in thinking she would be upset," she murmured, looking back to the other two.

"Yeah, Marinette does get pretty attached. She cried the first time I went to Morocco for a summer vacation."

Alya and Juleka both looked to Nino, as if to say he wasn't helping.

"Still," Adrien lifted his head, using his wrists to wipe away the remaining tears, but more continued to fall. "I probably should have talked to her, but she always says she'll support me no matter what I choose."

"And she will," echoed Nino.

"Yeah, but what if not anymore in the capacity I want her to?"

Alya and Nino looked at each other, then looked to Juleka. Their younger sighed, reaching a hand over to Adrien.

"Maybe it's best if you explain now."

Adrien looked up to Juleka, nodding before taking a deep breath.

"Marinette and I have been dating."

Alya and Nino gasped, ready to ask questions, but Juleka quickly covered their mouths.

"Not boyfriend girlfriend dating. Just going on dates, getting to know each and our families better."

Juleka felt something wet on her hand covering Alya's mouth, snapping her hand away to wipe it on her pants. Alya turned her attention towards Juleka.

"And you knew?!"

Juleka shrugged, "My brother and I caught them at the movies with Adrien's father. It was some old indie film my brother wanted to see."

"Solitude, my mother was the leading actress so I wanted Marinette and my father to see it."

"And neither of you thought to tell us?! Your best friends?"

"We were going to tell you…" Adrien trailed off, staring at the remaining desserts on the table, "We were going to make it official this year since I'm still in the public eye, so Marinette dating me wouldn't be seen as gain since I am taking no part in father's company. Plus the Adrienette club made everything about public dating weird. But now…"

Adrien shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"So everything you all told Nino and I was technically correct," surmised Alya.

"But not the whole truth," finished Nino.

Adrien and Juleka nodded.

"But it doesn't matter anymore, I don't think Marinette would want to wait that long for us."

The group frowned, all looking at their half eaten food.

Nino then suddenly stood up.

"I'm going to go check on Marinette."

Without waiting for a response, Nino took his place to the trash and walked back towards the stalls.

Juleka looked over to Adrien, who had started packing up the remains of his blueberry muffin. Then looked over to Alya who was deep in thought.

"Not a word to the Adrienette Club," warned Juleka, Alya absently nodded.

"We just need to help Marinette see you are just as committed to your potential relationship despite the long distance. And enjoy the time you both have together."

Alya smacked the table, startling the remaining persons. She turned to Adrien.

"We're going to write another song!"