{+}{+}{+}
Adrien blankly stared down at the envelope in his hands, brushing his thumb over the smooth surface. A feeling of despair lingered around his being, unable to find a purpose to get over his guilt. He wants—trying—to do the right thing. Yet, that was easier said than done.
Adrien has been trying to find a way to talk with Marinette or even Nino. Heck, he's attempted to talk with the prize girl (he still didn't know her name never getting a chance to have an introduction). Every single time he approaches one of them, he freezes a few feet away.
All the courage he gathered beforehand disperses back to his past self. The words he's continuously gone over in his head to form a worthy apology is always forgotten or never felt right. Then, the "what ifs" start listing questions without getting any answers or he imagined negative reactions.
Dreaded fear filled Adrien's body before he turns in the opposite direction, fleeing like the coward he is. Yet, he wants to make things right...even if he isn't forgiven.
The sound of knocking snaps Adrien out of his thoughts and captures his attention away from the envelope. At the door, Nathalie is leaned up against the doorframe. She gives the shyest of a worrisome smile. Adrien turns back to the letter, asking, "Is there something you want?"
"Your father is home from his trip," Nathalie informed, making the blonde raised an eyebrow at his step-mother.
"He's home earlier than usual," Adrien remarked.
"Would you care to go welcome him home?" Nathalie suggested, urging the teen to stop hiding in his room. Nathalie grew very concerned for Adrien when he came home a few days ago. He looked like herself after watching a sad movie where a dog dies.
Adrien mainly hid away in his room for hours on end for the last couple of days after returning from school. He was so disturbingly quiet, Nathalie checked up on Adrien every once in a while. Nathalie gave the teen his space but it has come to the point where she thought it to be a good time to finally intrude.
The blonde huffed, "Like he'd give me a second of his time to even say "hi."
"Well, it's better than moping around your room and feeling sorry for yourself," Nathalie argued, arms crossed and reading the teen like a book. Adrien winced, letting out a breath of air through his nose.
"Fine," Adrien grumbled, hiding the envelope in between his mattress and bed spring box. He finally stood from his bed, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Nathalie gave Adrien a smile before walking down the hallway to welcome her husband home.
Adrien didn't want to see his father after everything that happened the last few days.
He could easily shut the door, lock it, and not come out for the rest of the night. He could skip school, find the guy that fixes stuff and get the peacock pin restored tomorrow. He could simply sneak the precise item back into his father's vault and pretend like none of this ever happened.
So, easy to avoid getting into any trouble...and running away from another problem.
The coward's way out.
{+}{+}{+}
"Father, can I have a moment of your time?"
Gabriel Agreste lifted his dull gaze away from his work and monotonously stared at his son. Nathalie is sitting on a comfy chair, sipping on some tea she made for the both of them. She received the signal, immediately leaving the room to give father and son some privacy.
"What is it, Adrien? I'm busy right now," Gabriel informed, stoically. Adrien held back an eye roll, hearing that same line many times in the past.
Usually, he would just leave and go do something that'll catch his father's attention. Usually, he wouldn't care and find something to distract himself. Usually, he wouldn't say anything and let his parental figures find out.
Then, he would get a warning. Yet, this was his final warning before paying the price for his many actions (at least, the stuff that his father and step-mother found out about).
This time wasn't one of those usual moments.
If he is ready to pay for the consequences and use up his final warning, he's going to do it the right way.
Adrien Agreste is done being a coward.
"Then, I suggest you be a little less busy and listen to what I have to say," Adrien replied, definitely. Gabriel placed down the paper he was looking at and weaved his fingers together.
"What did you do this time? I swear, if you stole something-"
"Just listen to my side of the story for once!" the blonde cut his father off. Gabriel's face stayed neutral but there is a hint of befuddlement within his features. He stayed silent, deciding to hear out the boy and kept a close eye out for any signs of a lie.
Adrien let out a breathe, walking closer to his father's desk until standing right in front of it. He dug his hand in his jacket's pocket, watchful gray eyes curiously following the movement. Adrien pulled out the pin and placed it on the desk.
Gabriel stared down at the cracked pin, many overwhelming feelings storing within the man. A dormant beast slowly awakening from its long slumber and break out of its cage. The one emotion beginning to surface is his boiling rage, forming a bomb about ready to go off on the teen.
"I...I'm sorry..."
In a snap of a finger, Gabriel's fury settled into mild shock when hearing those words. His intrigued gaze shifted to the guilty-looking Adrien. His gaze dropped to the floor, finding the white titles beneath his feet quite interesting.
"Why did you snoop around my office?" Gabriel asked, monotonously, "I assume you were trying to find money or something expensive to sell. So, you grabbed my most precious item and planned to sell it."
Gabriel stood from his seat t stretch his legs. The pin is still within his hold, gray orbs observing the glimmering shades of blue with traces of purple.
"Yet," he continued, "do to your misfortunate luck, you cracked the pin. You realized what you've done and all of the consequences that will follow once I arrived home. So, you developed some elaborate scheme to get it fixed and return it to me before I returned home. Am I correct?"
Adrien's eyes blew wide open in awe, body growing stiff and feeling exposed. His father could read him like a child's storybook, knowing the plot cover to cover without actually reading it. Adrien kept quiet, answering his father's question.
"You're smarter than this, Adrien. Why would you risk your final warning to sell this pin?" Gabriel asked, giving a hard look at his son.
"You seriously don't get it, do you?" Adrien chuckled, lacking any joy before continuing his explanation, "That thing in your hand...you give it more attention than you ever did with me. The trip you just went on, that was the first time I have ever seen you leave it home. Why is that pin so special to you, anyway?"
Gabriel's face stayed neutral, studying the situation before him as he stared straight into the fiery gaze of green orbs. He let out a breath through his nose, adjusting his glasses.
"I'm surprised you don't recognize it," Gabriel said, earning eyebrow raise from the blonde teen.
"This was your mother's pin," Gabriel answered. Adrien felt his whole perspective do a 180, mouth slightly agape. He slowly raised a shaky hand and pointed towards the pin.
"That's mom's?" Adrien spoke in a quiet voice.
Gabriel nodded in confirmation, fondly brushing his digit over the pin's surface, "She wore this pin every day ever since I gave it to her, rarely took it off. She was very fond of this pin...but I couldn't find it in me to bury it with her. I wanted to keep some part of her alive with me and you."
Adrien watched as his father carefully placed the pin into his pocket and walked around the desk. He stood in front of the teen, placing a hand on the youth's shoulder.
"It was selfish of me not to bury your mother's favorite accessory with her, but I can't find myself regretting it either," Gabriel added.
Adrien could see the sincerity within his father's facial features, not one ounce of lies or deceit swimming around. None of the hairs on the back of his neck stood in warning. Yet, there is still one thing bothering Adrien. He shrugged off the hand on his shoulder and took a step back.
"That doesn't explain why you shut me out—pretend I don't exist in this house. Isn't it sad that the only way I can get a little bit of your time and attention is to get into trouble?" Adrien scoffed.
Much to the blonde's surprise, he watched as a frown settled on his father's lips and guilt wrinkle into his features. This is the first time Adrien has ever seen much to any emotion on his old man's face.
Gabriel always expressed his feelings like a blank-slated block or an erupting volcano. It's like a useless Magikarp only knowing one powerless move until evolving into the red, raging Gyarados. The only difference is that one can return to their first form.
So, seeing this newfound emotion on his father's face...it's unnatural for him (like the forced evolution). Gabriel let out a sigh, shoulders sagging, unlike the stiff posture he holds all the time.
"Aside from all my work and this sounding like an excuse, it's hard to be around you," Gabriel spoke, genuinely honest, "You look and acted so much like your mother—wild and carefree. It was hard to see you change and abuse those endearing traits for insolent trouble. Though, I can't say that I'm any better myself for distancing away from you."
Adrien could see the sincerity still basking within those gray eyes. The way Gabriel let his guard down and let his pent-up regret flow.
"For that, I deeply apologize and will try to be a better father. It will take time but I do hope you can forgive me someday for my wrong-doings. But, I need to know if I can trust you to fix yours as well," Gabriel finished. Adrien looked as if someone had just slapped him in the face without a reason. He is left baffled and stupefied, unsure of what to say to all of that.
So, he nodded.
"This does not mean you won't be punished," Gabriel added, making Adrien wince, "I won't send you to preparatory school...not yet anyway. I'd like to see it for myself that you have changed, then I'll drop the matter of sending you."
"Yes, father," Adrien finally replied, "I understand."
"Good," the man said before studying the pin, "It's too bad we can't get this fixed."
"Actually...I think I know a guy who knows a guy that can fix mom's pin," Adrien spoke, thoughtfully, "but it comes with a hefty price."
Gabriel hummed in thought, an idea slowly emerging from the depths of his brain. He pursed his lips before offering a suggestion.
"That's how you'll prove it," the man confirmed.
"You lost me. What am I proving," Adrien replied.
"Prove that you have changed. If your...contact is reliable and can fix this pin, I want you to earn money to do so," Gabriel said, arms professionally crossed behind his back.
"How exactly am I supposed to earn five-thousand?" The teen question.
Gabriel leaned a little closer, answering, "Get a job."
{+}{+}{+}
Marinettepulled a chair over to her father's bedside and sat down, keeping her poster perfect. Her hands folded on her lap, bluebell eyes fondly watching over the sleeping man on the hospital bed.
The only noise is the annoying yet comforting beeping from the heart monitor. Rays of sunshine seep through the open blinds and bestowed the room in its cheerful blanket of warmth. The city is bustling, birds are chirping, and a gentle breeze makes nature dance a little. A beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky and a blessed reason to smile.
Yet, a smile seemed impossible to reach Marinette's lips. Her father lay disturbingly still for someone with an energetic and spunky personality. Besides the beeping, the room is too quiet for someone who is too loud and proud for his own good.
Someone that would wake her up with a gentle shake and create the most wonderful aroma of pancakes in the morning. Someone that taught her how to make sweets blindfolded and introduced her to video games.
Someone that loves her within the short period of knowing her. Even with flaws and all, she didn't need to be a perfect lady when her father saw her perfectly as herself.
Marinette sniffled, reaching out a hand to hold her father's larger one. She could feel tears streaming down her face before wiping them away.
"I remember when you nearly burned two batches of cookies and macaroons," Marinette wistfully began, "They were for the mayor's wife's birthday. Yet, you risked your well-respected baker's reputation just to help me with one silly homework question I was stuck on."
Marinette giggled, hiccuping and rubbing her watery orbs. She brought her father's hand up and placed a sweet kiss on the knuckle of his hand. This pain she feels is like her heart is being slowly dragged on a rugged road for miles, beaten and bruised. A treacherously long journey until reaching the final destination, heartbreak.
"It was not that I could not solve the question but was unable to concentrate. I had a rough day at school that day and you somehow figured that out. Instead of helping me with my homework though, you dragged me away from the assignment to distract me with baking and almost forgot about your order. In some odd way, it worked."
Marinette squeezed the larger hand, trying hard not to break down. She let out a shaky breathe of air, wiping away newly escaped tears from her cheeks and bit down on her lower lip to stop it from quivering.
"You have done so much for me. I wish there was some way I could repay you for everything...to cure you...but I feel so useless. There is nothing I can do to save you from your demise. I did try to find a way but was a blind, incompetent fool. I am deeply sorry I failed you, papa. You...You deserve a better daughter."
Marinette started to choke up on her words and felt her body tremble from quietly weeping. The bluenette leaned forward to rest her forehead on her father's knuckle, clutching his hand as if it was the last lifeline between their two worlds.
Three knocks on the door made Marinette quickly recover her poster and gently placed her father's hand back on the bed.
"Come in," the class president called, voice slightly raspy and swiftly wiping away any remaining tears. She heard the door creak open and footsteps entering the room. The click of the door latching closed is the last noise from whoever entered the room.
Marinette didn't turn around to see who it is, thinking it is a nurse doing one of their rounds. Yet, that thought flew out the window. The person's footfalls had not made any more noise of moving deeper into the room, probably still standing by the door.
"Uh..." the person began, awkwardly and the sound of a foot scuffling the floor came, "Hi, Marinette."
Marinette immediately recognized the voice of Adrien Agreste. Waves of flaring rage clashed within her, simmering with hate for the very blonde standing a few feet away. She crossed her arms, keeping her blank gaze on the wall ahead and held a composed demeanor.
"If you have the slightest bit of human decency, I suggest you walk out that door right now and stay away from me. I will not fall prey to one of your deluded schemes again," the bluenette seethed. Adrien's shoulders slouch in sorrow before looking down at the envelope in his hands.
"Okay," Adrien agreed, "I'll walk out this room and you won't have to deal with me again. Before I do, I need you to hear me out first."
Marinette stayed silent, allowing Adrien to continue his explanation, "I'll admit, I was going to break our deal and keep all of the money to myself. I thought you were a greedy, know-it-all brat, who needed money for God only knows what that she couldn't get money from her parents or something."
The blonde decided to test the waters and walk closer, fiddling with the envelope in his hands. He gulp down his nerves and continued, "Then, I got to know you better and realized—as clique as this sounds—we're not as different as I thought we were. The only difference is you have better intentions than I ever had. So..."
Adrien stood next to Marinette and extended the envelope towards her. Bluebell eyes locked onto the rectangular mail holder and cautiously shifted her gaze up to a genuinely nice, half-cracked smiling face of Adrien.
"...I'm still breaking the deal but in the right way this time."
Marinette hesitated reaching for the envelope before retracting her hand. Adrien frowned a bit, seeing the distrust. He sighed, setting the envelope on the bedside. He placed his hands into his jacket's pockets.
"Whether you believe me or not, I suggest take a chance and look in this envelope," he said, pointing at the very object, "You may just be surprised, Princess."
He hummed, thoughtfully and said, "I've been wondering why "Princess" was such a fitting nickname for you. At first, I thought it's because you were a spoiled, greedy brat. Now, I see it's cause you're a good leader, someone that'll stand their ground and cares for others."
Adrien made his way towards the door while saying, "Princesses like that...don't hangout with villains like me."
He opened the door and left the room, leaving Marinette unsurely staring at the envelope. It took her a few minutes of debating whether the envelope is a trick or...Adrien was being honest.
"I suppose that their is only one way to find out," Marinette thought, grabbing the envelope and started to open it. She let out a breath of air, unbeknownst of holding it. She managed to raise the flip and peeked inside the small package.
Marinette let out a small gasp, placing a hand over her mouth and stared in shock at the bundle of euros inside. She took the wade of cash out and examined it, making sure it was real. She almost pinched herself to make sure this all wasn't some cruel dream.
"...I'm still breaking the deal..." Adrien's words echoed inside Marinette's head, trying to decode what his riddling words could've meant.
{+}{+}{+}
"What?! He gave you all the money?"
"He did," Marinette confirmed, answering Alya's question, "I counted every euro thrice times and it continued to come out the same amount."
Alya combusted with many questions, wanting to know every detail.
Nino's grip on his alien slushee cup loosened, nearly losing his frosty drink. He never thought he would see the day Adrien Agreste would do something so...noble and unselfish. Nino probably wouldn't have believed the class president if the proof wasn't being held protectively within her grip.
"He...He actually gave you all of the money...without any expectations? Dudette, I don't know if I would trust that," Nino warned, unsure of what to make of this situation.
"None at all," Marinette stated just as surprised as Alya and Nino, "It seemed like he was trying to be...genuinely chivalrous. I tried to recall his speech but heard nothing vile within his voice. He is either a skilled actor or he really is trying to be a good person."
Nino frowned. He's the only one of the three of them that knows Adrien since childhood. The DJ has followed the same winding road Adrien is walking on as his shadow until cutting off his ties. Nino has seen the misfortunes and triumphs the blonde's been through, both good and bad.
If Nino knows any better, someone like Adrien couldn't have changed that quickly.
"Uh...Nino," Alya said, nudging her boyfriend in the side and pointing over at something. Nino snapped out of his thoughts and looked in the very direction Alya gestured to. At the arcade door stood Adrien, his emerald eyes locked onto the small group.
Unsure, Adrien began to approach the small group. Nino kept a blank-slated look on his face, protectively standing in front of the girls.
"Now, what?" Nino asked a little annoyed. Adrien sheepishly scratched the back of his neck, finding the floor particularly interesting. Nino can say that he seemed a little taken aback by this but kept up a defiant look.
"Can I talk with you for a moment...alone?" Adrien asked. Nino raised an eyebrow, looking at Adrien up and down for any signs of trickery. Finding nothing, Nino nodded and followed his ex-best friend somewhere else.
The tension is like a sponge soaking in the two teenagers' angst and growing more the closer they were to talking.
Once finding a somewhat private corner, Nino didn't feel as tense as he thought he would be. He didn't know if it's cause there are witnesses in case Adrien decided to go all "Andre the Giant" on Nino or Adrien looks more awkward than threatening.
"Well?" Nino urged. Adrien grimaced, letting out a long breath of air.
"I haven't been the greatest friend—well, person in general," Adrien continued, "You've seen me at my best and worst. You've stuck by my side through it all, even though I treated you just as terribly as I did others."
Adrien let out a chuckle but there was no joy behind it, "You're right about many things. I'm a selfish idiot, who was looking out for only myself. I am like Chloe. I treated you the same way she does to Sabrina. Honestly, that kinda gives me the willies just thinking about it."
"Your point is?" Nino asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My point is, I know an apology won't cut it—not even a simple sorry will blow away the hurt I put you and other people through. I can't change what I did in the past but I'm going to make it right starting now. I'm not asking for your forgiveness but a chance to start over," Adrien finished.
"You know, this doesn't mean I'm going to throw myself at you and say everything is chill again. If you really are going to change, I want to see it for myself before I decide. Until then, I can't say we're friends just yet," Nino explained.
"I understand. I'd probably be cautious too," the blonde replied. Nino is skeptical but mildly pleased with how this conversation went. He couldn't tell if Adrien is being serious or not. Yet, by the looks of things so far with Marinette, there might be the slimmest of hope that his old best bud is coming around.
{+}{+}{+}
A week and a few days have gone by, reaching a pleasant Saturday morning. Adrien sat on a park bench, watching people walking by and children running around like the little gremlins they are. Yet, Adrien couldn't bring himself to be happy. Not even the hidden hole he dug nearby making people trip and fall couldn't cheer him up.
The blonde let out a sigh, thinking he should probably refill the hole if he's trying to be a better person.
"I'll do it later before I leave," he thought, sagging into the bench, "Maybe, a snotty-nosed brat face planting will raise my spirits a little. I mean, it's not nice but they had it coming."
"I never thought I would find a brooding juvenile on such a lovely day."
Adrien perked up and shot his gaze towards the familiar voice. Marinette stood a few feet away with a small smile on her face and arms crossed behind her back. Adrien blinked before rubbing his eyes to make sure this wasn't some weird figment of his imagination.
"Marinette?" He questioned, "What are you doing here? Wait, shoot! Never mind, I'll lea-"
"Mister Agreste, do shut your mouth and let me speak before jumping to conclusions," Marinette interrupted, sitting on the bench next to the blonde. Adrien did as Marinette requested and sealed his lips together.
"The reason I am here is because I happen to see you from my balcony," she began, pointing to the very top of an apartment above the bakery. Adrien is left slightly astonished Marinette could see him, let alone, recognize him from that far away.
"I needed to talk with you for quite some time," she said to a dumbfounded Adrien, "but my family matters and grades continued to get in the way. Now that I am free and you are here, we can finally reconcile."
"Reconcile? Why? I thought you hated me," Adrien spoke, feeling like a pile of stones weighed him down.
"I will admit, I was...greatly enraged and very confused. I let my emotions block my judgement and fog up any clear thoughts. I suppose, it just comes to show you how much I have complex trust and friend issues," Marinette explained, "I should apologize too. I probably have not been the easiest to deal with either."
Adrien gave a genuinely small smile, "I like a challenge. Besides, I don't blame you for being cautious."
"Then, shall we call this a draw?" The bluenette suggested, reaching out a hand. Adrien grasped her hand and shook it.
"Of course, Princess," he confirmed, retreating his hand back to his side before worriedly asking, "How is your old man doing, anyway?"
"His operation was a complete success. He will be released from the hospital tomorrow afternoon," Marinette answered, happily and full of gratitude, "It is thanks to you that he has finally been cured and will live out a longer life, Mister Agreste."
"No need to thank me unless you wanna reward me with a kiss on the cheek," Adrien smugly said, pointing to his cheek.
"I can think of something better," Marinette replied, making Adrien's face heat up and eyes widen at the sudden forwardness. He could feel drops of sweat rolling down the side of his forehead and gulp to free his tightening throat for a moment. His nerves sky rocketed, his eyes closing shut when Marinette drew near.
"Stay cool, Agreste," he thought, bashful and encouraged himself, "Why are you so nervous? You've flirted with girls before...but never kissed one. Okay, just pretend this isn't your first time and maybe—I don't know! Maybe-"
Adrien's thoughts were cut off when feeling two arms encircle his abdomen. He slowly opened an eye to see Marinette embracing him. Adrien blinked, too stunned to recuperate the hug and processed the position they are in.
"My father taught me this. It's a form of caring for someone or being grateful. Though, I do not remember what he called this," Marinette said, trying to recall the word. Adrien snorted, finally wrapping his arms around the girl.
"It's called a hug," Adrien answered. Marinette gasped, "Oh, yes! That is the correct word! A hug!"
"It's kinda concerning that you didn't know what that is," the blonde teen commented, making Marinette shrug her shoulders and leaned further into Adrien's chest.
"So, which of the two do you consider this hug. A. You caring about me or B. Being grateful?" Adrien teasingly asked.
"Why not C. All of the above?" Marinette answered.
"Okay, you got me there," Adrien said.
A fond smile forming on Marinette's lips, "Thank you, Adrien."
Before Adrien could freak out, a horrendous squeal cut off their moment. The two separated to see a furious Chloe stomping and huffing, walking directly towards them. Sabrina followed a bit behind the simmering blonde girl.
"Excuse me, Adrikins!" Chloe hissed, "I come to the park because daddy hired a professional arteest to paint, yours truly. Yet, the stupid guy is late because of some lowly excuse of "family problems." Then, I see this disgusting peasant forcing you to hug her! Utterly ridiculous!"
"But," she continued, smugly and fluttering her eyes, "you can come hangout with me so you don't have to be around this...thing. What do you say, Adrikins?"
Marinette glared and let out a growl, shooting up to her feet. She rolled up a sleeve, about to punch Chloe in the stomach. Unfortunately, Adrien stopped her by placing an arm in her path. Adrien had an unimpressed look on his face.
"I have a better idea," Adrien said, "How about you take you, Sabrina, and your delusional illusion of a world, where you think people actually like you, back to the spot you came from."
Chloe and Sabrina's jaws dropped so wide, they hit the ground. Marinette seemed equally as surprised but proudly smiled for standing up to Chloe.
The mayor's daughter let out an inhuman, demon-like screech and vigorously ranted, walking away with Sabrina in tow.
The two didn't get very far when Chloe suddenly tripped and face planted into the grass. Sabrina gasped, cupping both of her hands over her mouth before scrambling to help her friend up.
Adrien snickered, thinking, "Well, would you look at that, a snotty-nosed brat did fall into my trap."
"Back to the matter at hand," Marinette began, "would you care to join me in blasting brain-eating corpse's heads off at the arcade?"
Adrien scratched the back of his neck, a sheepish look on his features, "I would love too, Princess, but..."
{+}{+}{+}
Marinette blinked, not knowing what to say once seeing an unhappy Adrien dressed in uniform and standing behind the prize counter.
"When you told me you applied for a job here, I did not think you were actually being serious," Marinette admitted, "I thought it was a joke."
"Nope," Alya answered for Adrien and placed a hat on top of his blonde mane, "It's true but I honestly thought he was joking too. That's until he began filling out the job application."
Marinette seemed impressed with the outcome of Adrien starting to slowly redeem himself. Her heart swelled a little.
"The best part of this, this is baby's first job! Isn't that precious?" Alya cooed, teasingly poking Adrien in the side only for him to shoo the offending hand away.
"Can you please stop it?" Adrien pouted, "I'm brooding, right now, let me brood in peace."
"Whatever you say, prize boy," Alya said. Marinette had to bite down on her lower lip as to not laugh when Adrien glared at a smirking Alya.
"Why did you get a job, Adrien?" The bluenette asked before realizing, "Come to think of it, I suppose I never asked you why you needed the money. I hope it was nothing too important."
Alya nearly dropped an expensive video game controller when hearing Marinette use Adrien's first name. Adrien's mood changed from grumpy to reassuring, the edge of his mouth perking up, "Don't worry, it's nothing I can't handle and it's kinda my fault it happened in the first place."
He dug into his pocket and pulled out the cracked peacock pin, displaying it to the two. Marinette and Alya examined the beautiful pin in awe.
"I need the money to fix this pin," he answered.
"Are these jewels for real? Boy, why would you bring something like this to an arcade? Are you trying to get it robbed?" Alya questioned, looking at Adrien like he is a crazy head. The blonde slipped the pin back into his pocket mysteriously saying, "I have my reasons."
Marinette hummed while Alya's "suspicious reporter" look crinkled her face.
"I'm keeping my eye on you, Agreste," the ombré-haired teen said before excitedly turning to Marinette, practically jumping, "Oh, girl! Do I have news for you!"
"What is your news?" Marinette asked, tilting her head a little to the side.
"I'm being enrolled into Collège Françoise Dupont next semester!" Alya shouted, unable to contain her eagerness. Marinette gasped, stars shimmering within her eyes. Adrien stood with enlarged green orbs, thinking of the mayhem Alya will put him through at school.
"This is thrilling news!" Marinette practically squealed, "I can give you a tour around the school, we can schedule a time to work on homework together, and share snacks the cafeteria lady, Mildred, sometimes gives me for free."
"What? Mildred gives out free handouts! The last time I talked with her, I had sauce in places sauce should never be!" Adrien huffed, crossing his arms, "I think that lady has it out for me."
"You told her the sauce tasted like raw sewage," Marinette blandly said. Adrien looked up at the ceiling, trying to recall the memory before it came spiraling out from the depths of his mind, "...oh, yeah."
Alya and Marinette couldn't hold in their laughter any longer. Adrien rolled his eyes at the cackling girls but smiled, joining in on the laughing.
"What's so funny?" Nino asked, returning with some snacks. He paused for a moment, taking in Adrien's apparel.
"Dude..." Nino began, asking, "...why are you wearing that?"
"I work here now," Adrien answered, receiving a disbelieving look from Nino.
"Right, and I'm King Kong. The lord and savior of all the monkeys," Nino sarcastically replied, taking a sip from his drink and handing Alya the chips she ordered.
"It's true! How else am I going to pay for repairs? Enter another gaming tournament?" Adrien questioned.
"I mean...I do know another tournament you could enter. The prize is a hefty amount of euros but you're going to need to learn how to cook and dodge knifes being thrown from every direction," Nino suggested.
"I think I'd like to keep my vital organs intact and unscathed by flying, sharp metal," the blonde stated.
Nino shrugged with a smirk, "Suit yourself. Are you ready to go, babe?"
"Yep!" Alya said, grabbing her bag before realizing something, "Oh! Adrien, You're going to have to clean the bathrooms before closing time."
"W-What?" Adrien sputtered, but was ignored as Alya said her farewells to Marinette. The couple left the arcade hand in hand, leaving Adrien and Marinette. Adrien groaned, "Great, my first day on the job and I have to scrub toilets."
"A little work will not scathe or hurt you, at least," Marinette tried to reassure the blonde. Adrien appreciated Marinette's optimism. No matter what the circumstances, she looked at the positive side of things even in bleak times. He admired that in the class president.
"It hurts my dignity..." Adrien said before thinking over his words. Maybe, he should try to look on the brighter side of things too, "...but it's true, I guess. There won't be any knives thrown at me in the bathroom."
Marinette's smile grew wider, cheeks tinted a rosy pink. Adrien felt a weird fluttery feeling in his stomach but ignored it, deciding to figure out whatever this feeling is later.
"Well, I best be off. I am helping my mother decorate the bakery for my father's return tomorrow but I will see you at school on Monday," Marinette said, waving goodbye.
"Yeah, I'll see you at school," Adrien sighed, watching her head towards the exit. Once Marinette was out of sight, Adrien dug up the supplies he needs to clean the bathrooms.
"Well, duty calls."
Adrien strolled to the restrooms to start working. Not only starting his first shift at the arcade but a new chapter in his life too.
{+}{+}{+}
28,342 words
Translations:
Latin:
vitiatam mendax: pathological liar
Et caseum fragor: Cheese and crackers
French:
Arteest: Artist
Thank you and I hope you all enjoyed reading A Gamer's Pride! You've been an amazing audience and I couldn't ask for a better one! Have a wonderful rest of your day/night!