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Marinette is freaking out.
Luka is coming over to her house after school. He is going to meet her parents, Aunt Celine and Tikki. Marinette prayed that they won't do anything embarrassing or weird or constantly intrude to offer snacks.
"Oh, this is going to be a disaster. I need to take a long shower, wear every lucky thing I own and hope my family doesn't annoy him to bits. I just know they will do something. Then, Luka and I will never date! He'll put a restraining order on me to make sure I don't get close and-"
Alya places her hand over her best friend's mouth.
"Girl, deep breaths," the blogger said and Marinette did as she said.
"Good," Alya added, patting Marinette's shoulder, "Just relax and be yourself, think before you stutter, and ask him out to the movies when the time is right."
"Is it really that simple? But, what if-" Marinette was cut off again by Alya's hand.
"No "what if's" about it. Just do as I say and everything will be okay. You just need two words: Hakuna Matata," Alya said, "Trust me, girl. What guy wouldn't want a cutie like you?" Alya pinched Marinette's cheeks and tried to contain her laughter.
"I guess, you're right," Marinette said, calmed down and hugged her friend, "What would I do without you?"
"Well," The redhead said, extending the word.
"Don't answer that!" Marinette said in a playfully stern tone. Alya and Marinette laughed and separated from their hug. The warning bell rang, making the two teens hurry to class. They arrived on time and took their seats. Miss Bustier began to take attendance.
"Raincomprix, Sabrina," the teacher called, nearing the end of her list.
"Present," Sabrina said.
"Rossi, Lila," Miss Bustier called, but when there was no reply, she asked, "Is Lila here today?" The students either began to gossip, glance back at Lila's empty seat or weren't paying attention. Marinette was the only person who didn't care unlike a lot of people in the room.
She turned back to face the front and continued to doodle her first name and Luka's last name together in pretty cursive font with little hearts dotting every "i."
"I wonder where Lila could be," Alya began theorizing, "Maybe...she is with the baby's dad, or she had to use the bathroom or-"
"Or," Marinette cut off her best friend, "She could just be running late."
"Way to take the fun out of it," the redhead replied then eyed her best friend's notebook and grinned. She looked back up at Marinette and wiggled her eyebrows, earning a punch on the arm from the said bluenette.
"Teen pregnancy is not something to joke about," Marinette said, blushing and closing her notebook. Alya rolled her eyes before saying, "I have to do the evening announcements, so I can't encourage you to talk to your boo."
Marinette felt her breath catch inside her throat. She is going to have to face Luka...ALL BY HERSELF once school ends. She looks at the said teal-haired boy that sat in front of her, talking with Nino. The bluenette's thoughts were cut off when the door opened to reveal the Italian girl.
"I'm sorry that I'm late. I was held up by my boyfriend. He had something urgent that I wasn't able to say no too," Lila told Miss Bustier apologetically. Miss Bustier smiled warmly at Lila.
"That's alright, Lila. Just make sure you are on time next time," Miss Bustier said. Lila nodded then headed back to her seat. Alya kept making wild hand gestures at Lila and trying to emphasize her theory. Marinette only shook her head at Alya's crazy assumptions.
"Please, Lila may be a little vixen, but she wouldn't stoop that low to get attention," Marinette clarified. Before Alya could fire back, the teacher started class.
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The bell rang, notifying the staff and students that school was over. Alya is talking into the school's intercoms and read off the evening announcements. Yet, Marinette is nervously waiting outside the school's entrance for her crush.
She watched students and some teachers leaving (sometimes perked up when seeing teal hair but it was never Luka). She fidgeted around, wondering if he somehow forgot or didn't care. The thought dampened her mood a little but tried to stay optimistic. She just has to be patient.
"Sorry, it took me so long."
Marinette jumped and squeaked in surprise. She would've fallen if it wasn't for some strong arms wrapping around the small of her back and catching her. Bluebell eyes blinked in shock as they stared into sea blue.
"Are you okay?" Luka asked, helping her stand back up straight. Marinette soon realized she was still in his arms and stepped back blushing a fierce red.
"Y-Yessiree! N-Never been b-bluer—b-better!" The bluenette stuttered, correcting herself and doing wild hand gestures while smiling weirdly. Luka placed his hands in his pockets and merely smiled brightly at the girl's flustered form.
"That's good to hear," He chirped then asked, "Shall we head over to your house and get started?"
"Y-Yep, sounds like a-a p-plan," Marinette stuttered again, mentally hitting herself. She wanted to find the nearest rock and hide under it.
Although, Luka didn't seem to find her stuttering in any way annoying. His smile only grew and eyes shimmered brighter than Paris at nighttime. His flawless skin glowed within Marinette's mind as if he were an angel.
"Cool," he responded then chirped, "Lead the way!"
"Anything for you, pretty boy," Marinette spoke dreamily before continuing squeakily, "N-Not that I think y-you are a pretty boy! I m-mean—you are. Your p-personality is b-beautiful!"
The bluenette laughed nervously as Luka raised an eyebrow before he happily replied, "You're a funny girl, Marinette. It's really adorable."
Luka began to walk as Marinette stood in her spot frozen and blushing madly. A million thoughts raced around her mind before halting when realizing that her crush had walked off. She shook her head and quickly caught up with Luka.
She is practically skipping next to him, soaring through the air without leaving the ground. Her heart exploded with joy, unicorns, rainbows and all. A rush of happiness spiraled through her chest. She just couldn't find the right words for how much she was head over heels for this wonderful boy walking next to her.
Marinette is still nervous to ask Luka to the movies but has a little bit of confidence to try. He thought of her as adorable (and funny but she was too focused on the "adorable" part to care)! She knew she has a pretty good shot!
The two teens arrived at the front door of the bakery. Marinette prepared herself with whatever pestering or teasing her family was going to throw at her and Luka. The bluenette opened the door and the chiming of a bell rang through the bakery. Sabine looks up from some paperwork and smiled at her daughter.
"Hi, dear," she welcomed then noticed a boy trailing in from behind her daughter. The young bluenette walked around the counter and kissed her mother's cheek.
"Hi, mama," Marinette said then introduced, "T-This is L-Luka. He came t-to help m-me with my c-crushwork—homework!"
Sabine blinked in surprise by her daughters stuttering before smiling warmly at the two. She knew this is the boy Marinette would spend hours going gaga over in her room (and seen a few pictures of his face with hearts hanging on her wall).
"It's very nice to meet you, Luka. My daughter has told me a lot about you," Sabine welcomed. Marinette's cheeks blossomed a cherry red as her mother begun the embarrassment for tonight.
"It's nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Dupain-Cheng. I hope only good things were said," Luka replied. Marinette was the only one that noticed her mother's slight smirk.
"Very much," the baker said then handed a brown paper bag to Marinette, "Here are some snacks while you two work."
"Thanks, mom! We should really get started! Okay? Awesome! Love you! Bye!" Marinette quickly said. She grabbed Luka's wrist and tugged him along up to the house above the bakery. Marinette sighed and tried to calm her flushed face back to its normal color.
Once the two teens stood outside of the apartment's door, Marinette turned and faced Luka.
"S-Sorry about m-my mom. She can b-be a l-little silly at t-times," Marinette apologized.
"No worries at all. Your mom seems really cool," he reassured. The bluenette smiled weirdly then realized that she is still holding his wrist. She wildly detached her hand away and apologized once again. Marinette mentally groaned for acting so crazy and cheered when Luka didn't seem to mind her holding his wrist.
Maybe things aren't going to be so bad after all. The teenage girl opened the door and saw Tikki and Celine doing a puzzle with her dad. All three heads looked up. Marinette knew at that moment, she was screwed when seeing Celine smirk and wiggle her eyebrows.
Before any of Marinette's family members could speak, the girl squeaked, "We'll be in my room doing homework!"
The designer gave them a stern warning glare at Celine before guiding Luka up some more stairs and through a trap door. Marinette immediately shut the door and hesitantly decided to leave it unlocked in case of an emergency.
They sat at Marinette's desk and took out their homework. An hour went by as they moved onto their third assignment, ate snacks and talked in between some questions (well, Marinette mainly stuttering). The bluenette has to practically keep herself from squealing every time Luka would accidentally bump her arm or leg.
"Hey, Marinette. What's under that white sheet?" Luka asked, curiously and jabbing his thumb over at the said sheet. Marinette's bluebell eyes looked away from the assignment to see what Luka is talking about.
"Oh...uh, m-my dress for t-the dance is under i-it. It's n-not ready y-yet and suppose t-to be a s-surprise," Marinette stuttered, shyly twirling a lock of hair. The teal-haired male looked at the designer in astonishment.
"Wait, you're making your own dress?" He asked in wonder. The bluenette blushed and nodded a little.
"Can I see it?" He asked. Marinette bit down on her lip sheepishly before stuttering, "I-It's not done y-yet, and I-I want it t-to be a surprise."
"Oh, alright. I understand and can't wait to see it at the dance. I'm sure you'll look stunning," Luka said, smoothly and making Marinette's heart flutter. This is her chance. She rehearsed what words she is going to use to ask Luka out. It is now or never.
"You got this Dupain-Cheng!" she thought, determination and confidence flowing through her veins.
"H-Hey, Lu-Luka," Marinette began, fiddling with her fingers and getting the musician's attention.
Taking in a deep breath, she looks him in the eyes and asked her question.
"D-Do you want to g-go see a-a meow-vie sometime?"
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