"This Friday night." Alya gave Marinette a piece of paper with the address of the restaurant and some instructions.
"Are you sure you want Me to go?" While Marinette agreed that she should take some time off of her studies and relax she wasn't sure about meeting a stranger. For dinner. While blindfolded... In the dark.
"Don't worry gurl. Apparently he's a sweetie. Very polite Nino says. He's studying business so he's smart. He doesn't seem to get out much. He and Nino go for coffees once in a while and I think he may just be boring."
"Alya!" Marinette giggled and sat on the chaise in her room. While she attended university she was still staying with her parents. It would have cost too much for a private room at school and she didn't want to have to worry about Tikki being seen by a roommate.
Alya sat down beside her. "I would love to go to this place with Nino but I really have to do this interview. It could become a big part of my grade. I thought you might want to have some fun and maybe get your mind off Adrien."
Marinette shrank into herself a little bit. "Alya, I can't help it. I can't get over him." While she could compose herself and talk normally in front of Adrien now, she still loved him. They were better friends, closer friends, but she still loved him deep in her heart.
"And that is why you need to do this. Go have a night of free food and good company. Maybe it will help you work up some courage to either go ask Adrien out, or show you that there are other men out there and you can be happy with one of them." Alya put her arm around Marinette.
It pained Alya that while her friend had gotten better at talking with Adrien by the time they finished high school, she had never really worked up the courage to tell him how she really felt. It was like Mari was purposefully putting herself down by saying that Adrien wouldn't be interested in her that way. And Alya knows Mari is one of the most selfless, caring and giving people out there. She was definitely worthy of Adrien.
"Nino says his friend isn't interested in dating right now. Too much schoolwork. But he wouldn't mind meeting other people at school to hang out with and have coffee with from time to time. No strings, no pressure, just some company." Alya gave Mari a comforting shoulder shake.
"Honestly, the things I do for you." Marinette scolded Alya.
Alya grinned, she knew her bestie would be mad at her later but she was doing this for both of them. If Mari and Adrien didn't get past this awkward 'just friends' phase they seem to be eternally in, then neither of them could be happy. Either with each other or apart. Either Adrien liked Mari or he didn't. He seemed to enjoy her company and treated her as something more than just a friend, but he also seemed to keep her hanging. Like he didn't even realize that he liked her that way. This had to end between them soon!