Chloe glared at the scone on her plate.

Sabrina stared at hers, glancing slightly at Chloe.

Adrien, sitting on a nearby table in a disguise Plagg had told him made him unrecognizable, glanced over the menu to look at Chloe.

Rose smiled pleasantly.

Juleka did not.

"Thank you for inviting us," Chloe said.

"You're welcome," Rose said with a smile. "This is one of my favorite cafes."

Someone talking on the phone loudly in English at a nearby table drew their attention.

"A bit of a tourist trap," Chloe said.

Adrien sighed.

Rose didn't take it as an insult. "Well of course. It's so fascinating to see all these people come to our home as a holiday from their own. And a romantic holiday for some."

"Wait," Chloe said. "Is this supposed to be a double date?"

That got a reaction. Sabrina choked on the pastry she was eating as she turned to stare at Chloe before looking at the two girls who shook their heads.

"What? No. This is just a girl's outing." Rose said. "You know, just us gals being pals."

Chloe raised an eyebrow and made to comment when she got a message on her phone. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at it.

'Stop asking them about their relationship. Make different small talk.'

She stared at Adrien's message before looking back up. "So Juleka… you seem to like the whole… Vampire look."

Adrien facepalmed.

Juleka looked suspicious. "I dress in clothes I like. It makes me feel strong."

"You must hate Rose's clothes." The words had barely left Chloe's mouth before she winced in pain. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Sabrina, who was nodding along to what Chloe said, turned and stared at her, shocked at the apology.

Juleka blinked as the reaction Chloe's first line had ignited was put out. "No, I think it suits her. It's… cute."

Chloe glanced at the other blonde and considered her response. Would saying she looked like bubblegum be insulting?

"It is cute," Sabrina said. "I love the color."

"Thanks," Rose said. Then she looked at Chloe. "What about your clothes? They're your mom's design right?"

Chloe froze and stared at nothing. Then she looked back at Rose. "Yes," she replied in a clipped tone.

Rose wisely backed up. "What about you Sabrina?"

"Me?" Sabrina asked. "Well, to be honest, these clothes make me feel smart."

Chloe opened her mouth to respond, shut it, and thought about what she was about to say. Sabrina wanted to look smart, so telling her she succeeded would be a complement right.

"Mission accomplished; you look like a real bookworm."

Silence descended on the table.

Adrien pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Y-you don't like it?" Sabrina asked.

Chloe realized she'd made a mistake. "No, I mean, well… you said you wanted to look smart. It was a complement."

"Oh."

Chloe stuck her fork into the scone and began eating it angrily.

"Well, I think it's nice to hang out," Rose said, trying to salvage the situation. "Just some friends at a café."

"You think we're friends?" Chloe asked.

A few days ago, Rose and Juleka might have perceived that as an insult, but now…

"I think we can be," Rose said, "If you want to."

For the first time since Rose had invited her to the café, Chloe smiled.

/

"Success!" Chloe said with a smile as she walked into her room. Then she turned to Adrien. "And what the heck are you wearing?"

"Uh… my disguise?"

Chloe looked at the "Made In The USA" logo on Adrien's shirt. Then she looked at his gaudy red wig. Then she stared at the cargo shorts. Then she took a deep breath. "I'm not even mad. No, that's a lie. But let's move on. I made friends with Rose and Juleka!"

Adrien smiled. "Wow, I didn't think I'd see the day you'd celebrate that."

"I mean yeah their fashion senses are… eccentric. And weird."

"Why did you use the polite version and then call them weird anyway?" Adrien's question was ignored.

"But I guess it suits them. And it's an interesting love story, the goth and the sentient piece of bubblegum."

"You are aware Juleka and Rose aren't dating right?"

Chloe gave him an incredulous look and kept going. "And you know what? Sure they're band name leaves a bit to be desired, but I'm sure they're music is passable."

"I don't think it's to your taste."

"And Rose was surprisingly interesting. And I had no idea Sabrina played the flute. I mean, it's…"

Adrien smiled as he watched Chloe tell him about the conversation he had been listening in on. It was nice to see her talk so much about something besides herself. His quest to help her was already paying off. Maybe there'd even be less drama in the class.

"And I can totally help them get over themselves and finally get into that relationship they both clearly want to be in. And of course, you're going to help me."

Adrien felt foolish for imagining a world where Chloe didn't thrive on drama.

/

I'm back and I'd say Chloe's doing pretty well for herself. She's as blunt as a hammer, but she's trying.

And she's appointed herself matchmaker. That should be fun.

Follow me on twitter at WriterImmigrant.