CHAPTER 17 – A CUCKOO IN THE NEST

Félix sat in the back of the car as the Gorilla drove him to school. Nathalie had "broken" the news to him of "Félix's" unconsciousness at breakfast. Félix had pretended to be heartbroken but had been sternly reprimanded when he got up to visit his cousin.

"Your father was not impressed by your latest academic results Adrien. You are going to be late for school, and there is nothing to see, he's just lying there. I'll rearrange your schedule to give you some time with him later. Speaking of which, here is your schedule for the day."

"Cow," thought Félix to himself. "You could have let him visit his cousin." He knew not to argue though and nodded. He looked at Nathalie imploringly: "Please find me some time. He's been through so much and he's all the family I have." Nathalie had nodded while Félix looked down at "his" schedule.

A packed day – school followed by a television interview with Nadia Chemack on what it was like to be a famous teenager, then an appearance at a charity function run by the Agreste Foundation, then a physical exam, an hour of piano practice, dinner, a scheduled meeting with Gabriel and then homework for the rest of the evening.

What kind of father scheduled an appointment with his own son? The schedule didn't look like anything he couldn't handle, though he remembered that Adrien had mentioned the physical over dinner the night before. He didn't sound like it was something he enjoyed, but he had refused to talk about it when Félix asked him why.

Félix's thoughts turned back to his personal objectives for the day. He had identified four people who formed the pillars of Adrien's life – pillars that he needed to erode. The first was obviously Gabriel Agreste. He could wait though.

The second was Chloé Bourgeois – for years Adrien's only friend. Despite her haughty nature she was still of vital importance to Adrien, shown by how he repeatedly forgave her many indiscretions. The third was Nino Lahiffe, Adrien's best friend. Finally there was Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Adrien's "Everyday Ladybug".

Félix thought a bit more. There was a fifth pillar. Alya Césaire wasn't one of Adrien's closest friends, but she was vitally important to Nino and Marinette. She would have to be dealt with too.

"Draw them close, then suffocate them," he thought to himself with a sneer forming on his perfect lips.

-000-

Félix looked suitably depressed when he walked into class. He took Adrien's seat, slouching and looking down with a dejected stare.

"Woah Dude, what's wrong?" asked Nino. "You look like you found out you got drunk and married Chloé."

Félix looked up. "Oh, hi Nino. It's Félix. He's fallen unconscious like his mother. I'm really worried about him."

Most of the class quickly heard his news and soon he was surrounded by his fellow students who offered condolences, comforting words and sympathies. Marinette even got over her nervousness and gave him a friendly hug when she found out. "Thanks Marinette, you're a real friend," he said.

The morning passed quickly. When the lunch bell went Félix prepared to start implementing his plan. Before Marinette could leave he turned around and asked her if he could have a word with her in private.

"You want to private me speaking? Speak to me of privates? Ugghh speak to me in private?" she stammered, glowing bright red. "Ooooh … I love you, I mean I'ld love to be you … Ugh … I'ld love to?"

Félix put his head back and laughed, his hand running through his hair as he did so.

"Don't mess this up girl," he heard Alya whispering to Marinette. "I'll be right outside."

The classroom was empty except for the two of them.

"Marinette, what has been happening to Félix has got me thinking. He was fine a few days ago and now he has lost everything. All in the blink of an eye."

"I know. It's terrible. Is there anything I can do to help?" asked Marinette, looking downcast.

Félix broke into a smile. "Typical Marinette, always thinking of others. You really are my Everyday Ladybug." He put his hand on hers as he spoke, causing her to blush.

"You really are amazing Marinette. No, I don't think there is anything anyone can do for Félix right now, but I've realized that what happened to him could happen to me and that every minute is precious. I've been wasting time chasing shadows without realising what has been in front of me all along." He looked directly into Marinette's bluebell eyes as he spoke.

"Marinette, you have a beautiful heart and beautiful eyes to match. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but I don't even need to look into your eyes to know that your soul is the most pure and precious thing I have ever seen."

Marinette gulped. Félix wondered if she was remembering to breathe.

"I guess what I'm trying to say Marinette is that I think you are the most amazing girl I've ever met and that I've developed feelings for you. Would you … consider … going out with me?"

"Ga ga ga ga" was the only response he could get from her.

"Sorry Marinette, I've sprung this on you out of the blue. Félix looked down, running his hand nervously through his blond locks. "I'm probably nowhere near your league, but please think about it before you answer."

Adrien got up keeping his hand on hers. "You are beautiful, kind, talented and helpful. I do hope you'll say yes."

He then bent over and pecked her on the cheek. It was soft, warm and smelt of freshly baked croissants. "Let me know, please?" he said as he walked to the door.

Alya nearly fell into the classroom when he opened the door. Eavesdropping could be an occupational hazard. "Ever the nosy reporter," thought Félix.

"Alya, do you mind helping Marinette? There's something wrong with her." He was nearly knocked over as Alya raced into the classroom.

He walked down the staircase. He hadn't yet reached the bottom when the sound of Marinette and Alya screaming in joy reached his ears.

"One down, three to go," he thought.

-000-

Alya and Nino were a cinch. Félix was sitting in the school cafeteria when he suddenly found himself enveloped in arms and smothered in a series of kisses on the cheek.

"Adrien Agreste, you've made her soooooo happy!" said Alya, finally breaking off her embrace.

"Way to go, bro!" said Nino, grasping his hand and pulling Adrien's shoulder into his.

"Wh.. what are you talking about?" stammered Adrien.

Alya gave him a sly grin, looking at him over the top of her glasses. "Don't be all bashful now, Marinette told me everything. You two are going to be sooooo cute together."

"Does that mean she says yes?" said Félix, sitting upright and putting on an enthusiastic grin.

"Does that mean she says yes?!" laughed Nino and Alya.

"My dude, you can really be clueless sometimes," said Nino, still chuckling.

"Marinette's being trying to say 'yes" since you first joined our class Adrien, she's just been too shy to ask you out," explained Alya. "I'm sure you'll get your answer soon. But in the meantime, thanks for making my friend so happy."

Alya gave him a final peck on the cheek. "Best think up an amazing first date though, 'cause she's worth it," she said, walking off with Nino, leaving Félix to his thoughts.

"Three down, one to go" thought Félix, smiling slyly to himself.

-000-

Félix was taking some books out of his locker in preparation for his afternoon classes. Lunchtime had been really productive so far. He had managed to charm three his targets and he still had the rest of the day to work on Chloé.

The sudden stamp of angry footsteps entering the locker room broke his chain of thought. He looked up into the mirror at the back of his locker to see Chloé storming towards him. "Hello, target four," he thought. "My my, word does get around quickly".

He quickly fished his phone out of his pocket, set it on video mode and propped the phone up in the locker before turning to face Chloé. He noted with satisfaction that they were alone in the room.

"Adrien Agreste! What have you done! What is this I hear about you and Dupain-Trash? Tell me it isn't me true! We were meant to be! Am I not beautiful? Am I not amazing? Am I not perfect? It's ridiculous, utterly ridicu…."

Chloé's words were cut short as Félix cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her.

The kiss with Marinette had been sweet, short and innocent. The kiss with Chloé was exactly the opposite. It was fierce, passionate and fiery.

Félix opened his mouth slightly, tasting the raspberry chapstick flavor of Chloé's lips. He ran his tongue lightly along her lower lip.

Chloé moaned, slowly sinking to the floor as her legs gave way. Félix slowly closed his mouth, ending the kiss. He held Chloé's forehead to his own, breathing the same air as her, feeling the tremble of her blood beating through her temple. Her scent filled his nostrils.

"Adriki…"

"Hush!" he said placing his finger on her lips. Her sapphire eyes gazed into the deep emerald of his.

"Chloé. That kiss should leave you in no doubt as to the woman that you are. Confident. Beautiful. Sexy. You can turn any man to water. Never doubt your appeal." Chloé nodded.

"But you are so much more than a beautiful woman to me. Chloé, you are my oldest friend. In the eternal loneliness of my youth you were there. We have shared secrets. You know my loneliness … and I know yours. Our love is not meant to be one of fire and passion." He kissed her gently on her cheek but hovered there, allowing his breath to caress her skin.

"That kiss should leave you in no doubt of my love for you, the love of two kindred spirits. The kiss of a brother to his sister, for that is how I think of you."

"Oh … Adrikins!" A single tear ran down her cheek. She crushed Félix to her in a hug. "Do you really think of me as family?"

Félix planted a final kiss on her lips. This time they were as soft as a newborn puppy.

"You know I do. Now sis, will you let me have my shot at happiness?"

Another tear ran down Chloé's face.

"We would have been great together, and I can't believe you are going for Dupain-Trash, but I understand."

Chloé turned and walked from the locker room. At the doorway she turned and waved, trying to hide the tears of joy that filled her eyes. "Goodbye, little brother!"

Félix smiled and waved at Chloé. "Four out of four," he thought.

He turned and retrieved his cellphone from the locker, making sure to save the footage. A most productive lunchtime indeed …