The phone buzzes by my hand and I pause the video about sewing. "Hello? Hi, Zoe! Yes, we're both here, let me ask him."
I hit the hold button on the phone and call up to Cat who is hanging out on my bed. "Cat? Do you what to go over to Zoe's?" I ask.
Cat's grinning face appears over the banister. "Sounds fun, Princess." "Okay. Yep. See you soon," I say.
Cat comes down the ladder, just in time to see me do a happy twirl in my desk chair. The last few days have been hectic: either there's been a akuma attack, or homework or a sewing project with a due date tag on it.
I pull on a dark blue sweater and stand up. "Ready to go?" I ask, and I'm happy to hear the excitement in my voice. I've been so tired lately, and I need a short break.
After stopping by Starbucks for smoothie and picking up one for Zoe, we walk over the hotel where Zoe lives.
It's funny that I would be coming here, because Zoe's sister Chloe and I do not get along as well. She used to love me as Ladybug, but like the latest fad, as worn off, I'm afraid.
"Hi, Mari! Hi, Cat! Come on in!" Zoe has a smile for everyone, just like her blonde hair with the small pink streak at the front.
"Marinette, do you think Cat would do me a favor?" Zoe giggles, nervously. "Depends on what it is," Cat asks. "You have me curious at least." "Well, I'm volunteering at the children's hospital on Saturday, and I'm painting nails. I need someone to practice on," she explains to me and Cat.
"No problem. Maybe we could even get some photos for the Ladyblog," Cat says, without any hesitation.
Zoe has everything set up, and we stand in front of a large mirror. I look at all the polishes, and brushes and all things to do your nails.
"Who wants to start?" I ask, hoping I can go first. Cat and I look at each other, and he nods. "Ladies, first," he says. He gives me a small bow, and Zoe gives a small "aww," and we both look at her.
"You two are so adorable. Marinette, sometimes you remind me of Ladybug," Zoe says, as I sit down in front of the large mirror.
Though Ladybug and I are the same girl, it always hard for me to think like that. I'm mean the Marinette side of me is shy, and Ladybug will tell you straight what she's thinking. Its almost like she's a different person then me. "How so?" I ask, as Zoe starts to paint my nails a deep blue.
"In the short time I've known you, you've grown more confident. Look at how you stood up to Chloe the other day," she says.
"Oh, I was just helping one of the new girls. It was no big deal," I say, and stare into my lap. I fill in Cat what happened. Chloe wanted the new girl's lunch, and I wouldn't let that happen. I smile softly. The girl I helped was shy like me, but maybe she could be another friend.
Cat pipes up from the corner. "Good job, Princess. I'm proud of you." Now I really start to blush. "Mari might be like Ladybug some days," Cat says, walking closer to us. "But today she reminds me of a bluebird."
Huh. A bluebird. Is he talking about my sweater? "Zoe, this girl makes me happy. Sometimes I think she even gives me good luck," he says, staring sweetly at me.
"Well, you may need luck, Cat Noir. Because your next." I giggle at the look on Cat's face. "Hmm, which color green matches best with your eyes?" Zoe mutters, taking a few minutes to match the exactly the color of Cat's eyes.
As Zoe starts the process, Cat lets out a small purr. I look up in surprise. He normally only does that around me, so he must feel really comfortable around Zoe. Or maybe the polish is smooth and cool, and that it feels good.
I take a look at Zoe's clothes, which today are mostly yellow. "If I'm a bluebird, Zoe, then your a canary!" I grin at her.
"A canary? Mari, I want to be a nurse or an actress, but I'm not that great a singer!" "No, a canary spreads comfort and joy to the ones its around." Zoe giggles as she takes a look at Cat's face. "Well, he's really a happy Kitty right now."
"Cat, did your mother ever do anything like this when you were little?" I ask. I know talking about his Mother can be hard for him sometimes, but he seems pretty happy and relaxed today.
"More like I would do her nails. When she would get headaches her hands would shake. So she was grateful that I learned to do it."
I can see it, in my mind's eye. A small boy that looks like Adrien, painting his mom's nails. Her eyes are closed in tiredness, but there's a happy smile on her face.
I don't know if Cat is Adrien, but they both have blond hair and if I wanted anybody to be Cat, it be Adrien.
After Cat's nails are done, I see Zoe peer at Cat's face. "Why don't you have whiskers?" she asks. Now, that is a great question. I'm surprised I didn't think of that first. I guess the Miraculous skipped that part, just like if I were like a real Ladybug, I would have wings.
"This must be fixed!" Zoe says with determination. She stands up and gets some face paint. She sits down again, and unscrews a jar of black paint.
"You wouldn't draw any wonky whiskers, would you, Zoe?" Cat asks. "I have to meet Ladybug later."
"Don't worry, Kitty. She'll love them."
Carefully, she draws on the whiskers. Cat starts giggling, as do I. When something's funny were terrible at keeping straight faces. "Sit still! Mari, your not helping!" Zoe is struggling not to laugh too, and this is what she does best, giving joy to others.
When we head home later, I reach for Cat's hand. "I think you look very handsome with your whiskers," I smile.
"That was a fun day," Cat tells me. "You girls are good friends, bringing me joy and happiness. I have a new nickname for you and Zoe," he tells me.
"What is it?" I ask. "The canary and the bluebird," he smiles. Later, I text Zoe what Cat says, and she texts back that she loves it.
Its good to have a friend like Zoe, showing me I was right to give her the Bee Miraculous. The Canary and the Bluebird, who would have thought it? And we both have a friend who is currently Mr. Whiskers, otherwise known as my best friend, Cat Noir.
