Chapter 28 – It Is What It Looks Like

Peeking from the confines of Adrien's crisp white over-shirt, Marinette eyed her school nemesis yet couldn't do more than let out a sigh. She was still riding high on the elation of having Adrien sing to her, confessing his feelings and love so openly in front of all their friends. And those she deemed beyond the realms of friendship, at least for the most part.

Chloe's hands were balled into tight fists, her eyes were blazing with indignity while a muscle under her eye twitched in a way which was most unattractive. She was the living embodiment of a kettle about to boil. Heck, Marinette found herself scrutinising the brat's ears for escaping steam.

But before Chloe could explode into a barrage of verbal shrapnel, Lila pushed passed her and began to laugh. "Oh, this is the best prank ever! Well done, everyone."

Marinette's gaze crept up to Adrien's as her stomach seemed to bottom out. But the look of utter affection in his green peepers left no doubt to his feelings. This was no prank. In fact, Adrien dipped down to steal another peck from her lips before turning back to Lila. "This is real, Lila. The truth. I love Marinette Dupain-Cheng with all my heart."

Lila's mouth dropped open but it was the spoilt fury which was Chloe Bourgeois behind her that went all harpy. "RIDICULOUS! UTTERLY RIDICULOUS! THIS IS NOT HAPPENING! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME, ADRIEN!"

Having endured a straining lifelong friendship with Chloe, Adrien merely shrugged. "The heart wants what the heart wants." Again, his beaming attention returned to Marinette as he stole yet another peck.

A low guttural growl, which sounded suspiciously like a constipated bear, escaped from Chloe's clenched teeth. Neither paid her any mind. Nor did they listen to Lila, laughing hysterically as she attempted to convince everyone else that this was indeed a prank. However, the pair of annoying brats received no acknowledgement from their peers. Instead they watched as Adrien Agreste caressed Marinette Dupain-Cheng's cheek with the back of his fingers, mesmerised as they leaned towards each other for a tender kiss which left no doubt that this was indeed true love on display for all to see.

Rose was dabbing her eyes with the corner of her pretty pink hanky. "This is so beautiful."

Mylene was pushing up on her toes, trying to see Alya's phone screen. "Tell me you got all that recorded."

Alya grinned, "You bet I did."

Alix rubbed her hands together. "Post it on Instagram now and make sure you tag Chloe."

A smile stretched across Marinette's lips as she overheard that final comment, but her mouth was still blissfully in contact with Adrien's, meaning she was unable to share the sentiment. Besides, what really mattered was right her before her. A boy she had yearned for with hopeless abandon, having no clue that he felt the same because of their alter egos. It was a relationship with four sides yet now those pieces seemed to click together as if they were always meant to mesh.

In this moment, everything seemed perfect. But as life would have it, Ms Mendeleiv walked in a minute later and sent everyone packing. Plus, Marinette and Adrien got detention for inappropriate displays of physical affection on school grounds. Neither really cared.

I hope that got you laughing. I figure we've only got a chapter or two left to go. Yep, we're at the pointy end of the story now.

Sadly, 'Chloe Explodes in a Puff of Confetti' was too long of a chapter title for the dropdown box *sigh*

Sorry for the delay in updates. As always, thanks for reading and I hope you're staying safe.