Hello, beautiful people! I'm sooo sorry for the late update! I tried to finish this chapter earlier last week but school caught up to me. Finals are coming up, and it's even more hectic because my school decided to close for break a week early due to COVID-19. On a good note, I will supposedly have two weeks of spring break so maybe I might update faster! I'll also try to update a chapter in my other story and upload another, if I get to it. Anyhow, I apologize for the short chapter, but I promise to update the next chapter quickly, and it will be worth it!
Chapter 10
The lunch break just started, and Marinette couldn't help the deep stretch she performed, relieved that the tests were over. At least for them. Madame Bustier's class lucked out, and they were able to take their tests over two days so they could finish before lunch today on the last day, while other classes still had a few tests left in the afternoon. Marinette looked up to the sky, thankful that despite the chilly breeze, it was nice and sunny.
"Thank god that torture is over," Alya cut into her thoughts, effectively distracting Marinette from observing some birds flying overhead.
"You said it babe, I suggest we do something fun."
"I suggest something fun… as a group," Adrien ammended with a tight smile. "No one wants to see what 'fun' is to you two."
"You're just jealous man, but alright," Nino agreed with Alya nodding.
"That's right. Besides, I'd rather go to an outdoor café on this beautiful day," Alya mentioned while walking up to Marinette, linking their arms together.
"Rather go to a café than be with moi?" Nino tried joking.
"Absolutely," Alya replied while shooting Marinette a wink, causing her to giggle.
"Ouch, I'm hurt babe. Show your man some love."
"I would, if I could see him anywhere," she joked while dramatically looking around, causing Nino to grasp at his heart.
"Ouch, I'm hurt. Next time, show a little mercy on your boyfriend, geez." This response startled a laugh out of all of them, even Adrien who seemed more tense than usual.
"Alright, let's go!" With that, the group set out to wander around Paris. Because their tests are over, they were dismissed for the rest of the day. They decided to ride the monorail across the city to a newer café for lunch, when Alya turned to Marinette. "Hey, what's Anthony doing today?" They missed the flinch from Adrien.
"I don't think he's doing anything. He no longer has jetlag and he's been hanging around with his friends most days, so he might be free," Marinette considered.
"What are you waiting for then? Invite him out, he still needs to meet Adrien."
"I don't want to bother him if he's busy," Adrien tried consoling, not really enthused to meet his love rival at the moment.
"Nonsense, I doubt he'd be busy. Let's call him up!"
"I'm not even sure if he's awake."
"Why wouldn't he be awake?"
"He likes taking naps, he'll take one whenever possible."
"At noon? Girl, no wonder where you get it," Alya jokingly sneered at her friend in a whisper.
"Oh, shut it. I'll just text him." While she was texting him, Adrien peered over her shoulder to see what his contact name would be. He was not being nosy, he was just curious.
Marinette: Hey, dorkasaurus, are you up?
His response was almost instant… and Adrien wasn't happy with what his name was saved as.
Favorite Man 3: Yes I am, Marbear. What's up?
Marinette: Did you change your name in my phone again?
Favorite Man 3: Why yes, yes I did. After all, I AM your favorite man… right?
Marinette: …
Favorite Man 3: Mari?
Marinette: What are you doing right now?
Favorite Man 3: Marinette?! Am I your favorite man? Please tell me I am!
Marinette: You would need to be a man first to be considered my favorite, you know…
A snicker over her shoulder caused her to look up in alarm, only to relax when she noticed it was Alya. "Girl, you are ruthless."
"Someone has to temper down his ego."
"Of course, and despite your sweet demeanor, you sure do have a sharp tongue."
"That's good, then I could cut him down to size," she sassed in return before turning her attention back to her phone, causing Alya to laugh again.
Favorite Man 3: Babe, you wound me. Why do you hurt me so?
Marinette: To cut you down to size.
Favorite Man 3: You still have quite the ways to go, shortie, I'm still quite a bit taller than you.
Marinette: But still not a man. You never corrected me on that.
Favorite Man 3: Hardyhar. Would you believe me if I said I was a god?
Marinette: Nope.
Marinette released her own snicker with how quick she responded to that last text, knowing that he had to be pouting on the other end.
Favorite Man 3: You're mean. You're a bully.
Marinette: Whatever. Again, what are you doing?
Favorite Man 3: Stalking you so I can kick your ass.
Marinette: Rude, and I highly doubt you'd be able to.
Favorite Man 3: I'll like to make a bet on that. No weapons, just wrestling.
Marinette: Deal! Let's wrestle tonight, bet I'll win!
Favorite Man 3: It's a date!
If Marinette wasn't rolling her eyes and snickering at their banter, she would have noticed Adrien's scowl and barely suppressed growl. His Chat Noir was coming out, and he didn't like the feeling that was settling in his system. It felt heavy and hot, almost like molten lava was building in his belly and working its way up.
If it wasn't for Marinette's cute giggle, he was sure he would've tried to hit something. She soothed him and his anger, despite doing so unknowingly. He hated the fact that she was taken, but thankful that she still wouldn't leave her friends behind for him. He knew of several friendships suffering like that because someone would choose a boyfriend or girlfriend over their friends, so he was glad when Nino and Alya weren't like that and neither is Marinette.
The girl in question let out an adorable squeal before turning towards him and Nino, who stood behind them. "Anthony said he'd be able to come! He'll probably get there within a few minutes before us, actually."
"Is he going to reserve a table for our party?" Alya asked.
"Yes, he even will try for a window booth."
"Wow, isn't he a sweetheart?" Alya cooed while fanning herself.
"Uhm, I'm right here babe. If such corny acts makes you swoon, maybe he should be your boyfriend," Nino joked with a half-hearted scowl, trying not to smile.
"Really? Don't mind if I do," Alya teased back before trying to reach for Marinette's phone, causing her to squeal again and stretch her phone in front of her, barely outside of reach.
"What?! Babe, don't do this to me, I can be corny too!" Nino wailed dramatically before throwing himself at her, encompassing her in a tight hug from behind. "Don't leave me!"
"Okay okay, fine! Just stop being a baby!" she complained as he kept whining at her and hugging her, making them spiral into their own little world once again. Adrien dreaded this moment, because either him and Marinette will remain in awkward silence or talk with each other, and it would be awkward for him that way too.
After a long moment of watching their friends, Marinette turned towards Adrien with her megawatt smile, causing her eyes to squint slightly and her dimples to show ever so slightly. "What a couple of weirdos," she giggled at their friends.
"I agree, they have no shame," he tried to joke casually, but he felt like the smile on his face was a little too wide to be genuine.
"That's true, but they're really cute together," she murmured almost in lament.
Adrien caught onto her sadness, and felt his concern grow. "Marinette?" She hummed while turning towards him, her eyes glimmering slightly in suppressed sadness. He still noticed it. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she answered a little too quickly, turning away from him.
"Are… are you happy?" he ended up whispering to her. His question caught her off guard, and as she turned back to him, he felt himself gasp at the look in her eyes. There was so much pain in them, and he felt hopeless because he didn't know the cause. Was it Anthony? I swear, if it was Anthony, I'm going to… going to… I don't know what I'll do, but he'll regret hurting her.
Adrien returned from his spiraling thoughts at the gentle touch on his arm, noticing Marinette giving him another smile, albeit smaller this time. "I wouldn't say I'm as happy as I can be, but I'll be alright."
What did she mean, not as happy as she can be? What happened? I need answers. Just as Adrien opened his mouth to question further, the monorail pulled to a stop at the station just below where the café was supposed to be. Once it stopped, the girls practically ran out, leaving him and Nino behind to practically jog after them. As they reached the top of the stairs, they heard Alya screeching in excitement. "I can't believe we made it! And before the lunch rush too, this is a miracle!"
"What's better, is Anthony waiting at our table," Marinette gasped excitedly beside her. Almost like she summoned him, Anthony turned towards them, waving his arm enthusiastically with a goofy grin on his face. Adrien couldn't stop himself as he rolled his eyes at his antics, and while Nino snickered believing Adrien's action was friendly, it was anything but. Adrien didn't even know this guy, and he was already annoyed with him. But if Anthony made her genuinely happy, then he would have to grin and bear it.
With that in mind, Adrien placed a convincing smile on his face as he prepared to trail his friends across the street, when he heard the thing he dreaded to hear all week. "AKUMA!"