Chapter Two
If there was one person in the world who wanted to ensure that Adrien Agreste was always happy, it was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. This was something Juleka was well aware of and it was why she had quietly grinned when she'd seen the budding designer.
Given all the scheming Marinette had done in attempt to woo the male model, Juleka was sure that she would rustle up some sort of plot to make Adrien more at ease over whatever it was that was eating at him. Even if it was better not to pry into someone else's business, especially if it was upsetting. Juleka knew it was best to let that person open up on their own.
While Marinette might not be the kind of person to let things lie when it came to Adrien, she was still certain that the girl would do right by the model. With this in mind, Juleka grabbed hold of the blonde's elbow and tugged him around to face Marinette directly. The shorter girl was caught up looking at her phone and hadn't noticed the sudden obstacle in her path. Juleka opened her mouth to give her friend a warning but Adrien had already shifted into motion.
Both of his hands shot out to grip the outside of Marinette's upper arms, bringing her to a halt. The girl looked up in shock, but those blue eyes grew even wider as she registered just who it was that had stopped her.
As if on cue, those cheeks grew rosy. "A-Adrien."
"You almost got me," he joked.
Juleka raised a hand to cover her smile. If only he knew how blissfully happy he'd make Marinette if she did finally get him.
"Y-Yeah," Marinette stuttered while smiling awkwardly.
"Adrien's feeling a bit down," Juleka informed, "I thought you might like to cheer him up."
The haze of ineptness vanished from Marinette's features as she stood taller, seeming to rise to the challenge. "It would be my pleasure," she said with an enthusiastic nod as she tucked her phone into her handbag and curled her fingers into determined fists.
An appreciative smile lifted Adrien's lips and Juleka didn't miss the fondness in the model's expression as he looked at Marinette. There was definitely something there on Adrien's part, it just needed encouragement to grow beyond friendship and into a full-on romance. While it wasn't going to happen overnight, Juleka hoped it would blossom sooner rather than later.
With the potential cute couple busy smiling at each other, Juleka took a step back and allowed them to walk together to physics without her interference.
Marinette had no idea what might be worrying Adrien, so she pushed passed her anxiety at coming across badly in front of her crush and simply asked, "So what's bugging you?"
The corner of Adrien's lips lifted in amusement for a moment. "Bugging, huh? An interesting choice of words," he said with a quiet yet dark chuckle.
"What do you mean?"
Sinking his hands into the pockets of his jeans, the model dropped his chin to shake his head. "It doesn't matter."
"Well it does, because something is clearly bothering you." She insisted.
Letting out a weary sigh, Adrien turned his head to look at Marinette as she walked by his side. "Have you ever been in love?"
The girl suddenly caught the toe of her shoe on the back of her opposite foot and stumbled forward. On impulse, the model flung out his arm across her chest, stopping her from dropping to the ground.
"Are you alright?" he asked with concern.
"Yeah," Marinette answered with an embarrassed puff as she regained her balance. Her cheeks shone bright pink. "Just tripped."
"And you didn't send me a postcard. I feel so unloved."
Those blue eyes darted away from his before glancing back to see his twinkle of humour. Chewing on her bottom lip she quietly spoke. "In response to your earlier question, yes, I have been in love."
"I'm guessing it didn't work out."
Marinette looked at him blankly.
"I just mean you don't have a boyfriend, well not one that I know of, so I'm assuming this love of yours didn't work out. Am I wrong? I'm sorry if I'm wrong."
Good grief, how could she answer him on this? More importantly how did this conversation turn to focus on her? "Um, he uh, he doesn't seem to be aware of how I feel."
"Ouch," Adrien said with compassion, "That's got to be hard. To be honest, I've been in your shoes. But do you know what's worse?"
Marinette looked at him cautiously and shook her head.
"Being shot down, continuously. Knowing that the other person doesn't reciprocate your feelings and yet you hope that something will change their mind. That they'll suddenly realise you're the love of their life too." He let out a heavy breath, "And then you come to the terrible realisation that they will never feel that way, no matter how much you want them to because they cut you down to size rather than build you up."
"Oh Adrien, that's terrible."
He shrugged, "Yeah."
"I can't believe someone would treat you like that." She said while shaking her head.
"Most of the time she's nice to me. I wouldn't be attracted to someone mean. But she always seems to see the worst in me, or perhaps I'm just being a pessimist in my current mood."
Placing a hand on his shoulder, Marinette looked Adrien in the eye. "You deserve someone who loves you back. Who cherishes you. Practically worships the ground you walk on."
The model couldn't help but smile. "That's nice, Marinette, but I know there are fangirls out there who do feel that way, and they are damn scary."
Marinette was taken aback by his comment. Internally analysing her own stalker-like behaviour and winced. Right, desperately determined was not a turn-on facture for her crush. Damn.
"Don't get me wrong, I know where you're coming from but it's hard to find someone genuine when famous, and rich. While this girl I loved broke my heart, she wasn't after me for either of those things and it was so refreshing to be the chaser for a change. Unfortunately, it seems she didn't want to be chased, at least not by me."
Good lord, Marinette wanted to smack this other girl over the head. What idiot would refuse Adrien Agreste's advances? She certainly wouldn't. But before they could converse any further, they'd reached their destination.
And much to Marinette's surprise, Adrien followed her to her desk. "Do you mind if I sit with you today?"
"Not at all," she gasped in pleased surprise.
My apologies for the long time between posts. I had pretty much lost all motivation to write in general. But it's starting to come back to me now. Thank you for your patience and your support.
Please feel free to give some love to the review box, it's always nice to get encouragement :)
