Marinette Dupain-Cheng hung her head as she walked the footbridge back towards her family's bakery, her faithful cat trotting at her heels. It had not been a good broom-flying session. She sighed. Why was she so clumsy? It was a beautiful day though, and she paused on the bridge looking down into the crystal clear water. You'll get better, she told herself, you just have to keep practicing. She glanced up at the tree by her parents home, its leaves dressed to impress Autumn. Pulling her brown cloak tighter around her, Marinette marched up the path and walked into the bakery.
"How were flying lessons, honey?" Sabine Cheng, Marinette's mother set a cup of hot chocolate and a muffin in front of her daughter as she boosted herself up onto one of the stools at the counter. "Terrible. I ran into a duck, and nearly crashed into a tree. Cat Noir is great, but he kept popping into my head at the worst times!" she cried.
Cat Noir, her best friend, lived in the woods in a small cabin. Always handsome in his black leather suit and green eyes, she loved Cat very much. But why did he make her thoughts keep straying to him when she should keep her eyes on the sky? Because you have a crush on him, and you just keep trying to deny it. "Mom? Will I ever be good enough to be a delivery girl? You and Papa work so hard."
Though the Dupain-Cheng's had plenty of customers, they had always talked about adding a delivery service once Marinette had gotten her broom license. Unless she got better soon, she may as well scrub the floor and wipe tables for her career. "Don't worry, honey. Finish your snack, then get some fresh air. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
Marinette tucked into her mother's homemade cooking. "Come on, Magic. You can come outside too," Marinette slid off the stool and headed out the back door. Magic meowed happily and prowled off in search of rodents.
Boosting herself onto a red-capped mushroom, Marinette sank into her thoughts. Was the bakery really what she wanted to do? She was a terrific sewer, and she often sold apparel for the bakery.
"Why so glum, Marinette?" Marinette's head sprang up. "Cat Noir! You came out of nowhere!" "You know us cats can be quiet creatures," he said, winking at her. Oh, those green eyes! Already, she could feel herself turning pink. "I was thinking about you during my flying lesson! I nearly crashed into a tree!"
She glared at Cat when he fell off the mushroom, laughing. "Sorry, Princess. I guess I'm your knight in shining leather?" Marinette gave him a hand up, back on to the mushroom, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders.
"Would it be wrong of me to say I have a crush on you? And will you help me with flying lessons?" "Wait, you don't like me only because you want me to teach you how to fly, do you?" "No. I promise on my mother's cauldron," Marinette said, holding up her right hand. "You do know that thing is big enough to be a hot tub. And yes, I can give you a few lessons for one thing in return." "And what would that be? My amazing pumpkin muffins?" Cat nodded, closing his eyes and rubbing his stomach. "So yummy."
Marinette scampered down from the mushroom to get her broom. Trotting back out a moment later, she gestured to Cat to hop on the back. She rose into the air, the cooling wind chilling her cheeks. She liked being up here with the birds. "Keep steady," Cat said, sliding her hands through hers. Cat instructed her to fly a little ways and Marinette happily do so. Concentrate, she told herself sternly. Keep your head out of the clouds! She giggled as she realized how literal the joke was. "Steady, Princess, steady!" A goose honked at her and she whizzed by. I hope that's the same one as earlier.
Soon, they landed at the well of wishes and she came to a gentle stop. "Thanks, Cat!" she hugged him tightly. "I didn't do anything, Princess. That was all you." Marinette swatted at his bell playfully. "Come on, you must of done something." Cat shook his head. "And now you owe me a snack." Marinette shook her head, smiling and took the two cups dunking it into the well water.
Handing one cup to Cat, Marinette drank deeply. I was rewarded when I kept my eyes focused and alert. She looked over at Cat, who was now bathed in a patch of golden sunlight, turning his blonde hair to gold. "Cat?" she walked over to him. "Could I give you something better then a snack?" She was standing so close now, she could smell Cat's breath, a mixture of raspberries and honey. He always a sweet tooth. "Like what?" "A kiss?"
Cat nodded, pulling Marinette to him. His lips were like a golden berry, dipped in sunshine. Her black hat fell off her head, and she backed away, giggling. "Okay, so maybe I am still a little clumsy," she grinned as she sat down in a crunchy pile of leaves. "I happen to like clumsy girls," Cat told her, sitting down next to her, and taking her hand. Marinette nudged him. "Who bake pumpkin muffins and sews and dreams about the future?" Cat leaned forward resting his forehead against Marinette's. "Whatever you do, Marinette, you are truly amazing."
Embarrassed, Marinette pushed Cat into the leaves and toppled backwards herself. Soon, both of them had an array of leaves in their hair, but they didn't mind.
"We should be heading back if your staying for supper," Marinette got up, noting the position of the sun.
When the sun's color
looks like a jar of honey
its time to return home.
So, she still needed some lessons in flying, but with practice and Cat helping her, Marinette would be delivery expert by broom in no time.
