...
"Wait-Wait, whose Kaelie?"
"The blonde girl who supposively hated Kristen but was hanging out with her, they even planned a trip to the US together."
"Oh… Whose Kristen?"
"C'mon Adrien! She's the one who shoved me in the hall when I was talking to Michael and Jordan between the my English and Chemistry class. The one who obviously bleaches her hair, and wears padding, she looks like a clown too."
Adrien nodded, having a dramatic brooding look as he stroked his chin contemplating. He sat crossed legged on my couch facing his girlfriend whose side was leaning on the back of the same sofa, her hand propped on an elbow that was embedded on the backing. He was probably imitating the corniest investigating shows he could watch."I see.. I see… And who are these two boys you're talking to without me?"
I placed two bowls of my mom's homemade chicken noodle soup on the coffee table littered with papers. "Jordan is Kristen's brother and Michael is Rose's boyfriend, the ones who told Kristen off when Kaelie had told them she was the reason why Sarah was ignoring Mirielle." I sat down in a huff, adding, "Both in a relationship."
"Thank you Mar, at least someone was listening!" Mireille playfully slapped her boyfriend's arm, and sent a warming smile towards me.
"Hey hey hey, in his defense, he's slow."
"Yeah! Wait, what?" Adrien shifted to dive into his soup, wincing as it was still hot. He definitely has a cat's tongue. "I'm sorry, guys aren't used to drama. We are manly men and we don't have feelings."
"You cried when you watched Marley & Me, and it wasn't even at the saddest part." Mirielle scootched closer to her boyfriend and hooked her arm through his.
"Didn't you cry when your fish died too?" Wincing when my finger slid on the edge of the paper, receiving a nasty paper cut.
"Hu-Wha-Marinette I was like 5."
"More like 15."
He cursed under his breath, "Nino."
Mireille perked an eyebrow and laughed "Aw, Baby! I'm so sorry!"
"Baby is correct." I blew on my soup and sat cross legged on arm chair that faced diagonally towards the sofa.
"Mireille make sure you bundle up, Ice Queen here doesn't have feelings so she won't care if you freeze." He wrapped an arm around Mirielle in a protecting manner, sending me a mischievous grin in which I snorted in return.
"Mhm. Oh, Mirielle do you want something else?"
"Hm, do you have salad, by chance?"
"Yeah, I'll go get some!" Getting up I made my way back to the kitchen, peering through the fridge door to receive a bag of lettuce. A grin creeping on my face as I heard 'Adrien, why are you giggling?' From Mirielle, he was obviously remembering our inside joke. While searching for a fork, I saw a tip of an envelope underneath the assorted cutlery. I pulled it out, slipping it through the drawer's opening. It was a normal sized semi-white envelope, evidence that it was once damp or was outside at least for a while seeing it was still fairly new on some corners. No name, or address, but there was something sealed inside it. My hands found the side of the flap, pulling on the adhesive until Adrien peered behind me. I cursed his soundless ease, slamming the drawer with the envelope along with two fingers. "Ouch!"
"Woah, you okay?"
"Yeah, you scared me." I whispered, bringing my bruised joints to my mouth. Glaring at Adrien who now held Mireille's bowl in one hand, the other one resting in the air right above my shoulder trying to comfort me but thought better of it.
"You were taking a while, kind of like you were in a trance." He peered around me to the counter where the drawer was. "What is it?"
"A spider that I was trying to avoid." I said in a huff, the pain now numbing. I brushed past him, finding my seat by the TV.
"Anyways, how does this look Mar?" Mireille held out a colorful drawing of a rose, of all different shades that were impossible for nature to produce. I brushed my hands on my white wash jeans trying to wipe the pain off unconsciously, tugging on my beige sweater and dark blue floral infinity scarf. Mireille had her bangs french braided behind one ear, mindful of her sitting position as she wore a dark magenta skirt with a tucked in black tank and an open grey button up. Her black knee socks as well as Adrien's on the ground in an effort to cool down. I made a mental note to bring up the heating to my dad later tonight.
"It looks great, for the 7th time Mi." I laughed and pulled my laptop back on my folded knees to finish up the essay. It was already 7 and we were coming to a close on homework. Adrien was busy rummaging through the newly stocked pantry, holding a bag of Donettes. I stopped typing to gawk. "Do you ever stop eating?"
"He's a growing boy." Mireille cooed, as Adrien shoved a donut in his mouth defiantly, sitting down and putting an arm around his girlfriend.
"You should see how much Marinette eats, Mi." Adrien whispered loudly. "She could eat an army of horses."
"'Army of horses' Sounds legit." I puzzled, mocking him. While I got up to shove my hand in the donut bag simply to show him I didn't care, the doorbell rang. Furrowing my eyebrows, I walked around the coffee table hearing Mirielle's whisper 'Really?' and see Adrien mouth dramatically 'So much.' I shot them a daring glare, but a small tug of anxiety preoccupied my thoughts from their jokes. Mom and dad should have their keys… Taking a deep breath, I turned the knob to meet a pair of teal eyes, brighter than mine. "Nate, hey!"
"Hey! I didn't see you today and I..." He twisted to see behind me, right when Mirielle came running up to block his view.
"Oh my god, Nathanael?" She sent a bony nudge into my side with her elbow and a wink.
"Oh, hi Mirielle." Ohh, he was so awkward. My heart clenched in sympathy for the poor kid. I don't think he expected Mirielle to know me much less his own name. "Are you two studying?"
"Three, actually." Adrien towered over the two of us, it must've looked comical to see the short me, the tall Mirielle and gigantic Adrien in a line filling the door.
"Um, wanna come in?" I laughed, relieved that it wasn't anyone else. And that I felt bad I barely saw him at school today. His face was darken with some emotion, must've been the play of light as he lit up at my invitation.
"Yes!" Mireille answered for him, dragging him in and sitting him on the smaller sofa that enclosed the living room, facing the arm chair I occupied and diagonal from the larger couch that Adrien and Mirielle shared. Although, Mirielle sat down on my seat leaving me to choose between Nate or Adrien. Ignoring her challenging expression, I sat by Nate who seemed to crave my company as he wasn't familiar with the other two. Adrien took my laptop to finish the essay with his share of work, making room for Mirielle who changed her seat after I was situated. "So…"
Nate looked like he was shrinking smaller and smaller with Mireille's gaze and Adrien's purposely loud typing. "Want something to eat? I have homemade soup…"
"Please! Yes." He said loudly, coughing once. "Yes, please." In a lower voice. I laughed and made my way back to the kitchen for the thousandth time.
"My brain is fried. Kill me please." Adrien shut the laptop and placed it on a neighboring night stand. Mireille nodded, mirroring his actions and packing up her binders and leaned into her boyfriend once she was done. "Tired?"
"Yeah, but I don't want to go home yet." She looked up, giving him an obvious look that made Nate blush. Adrien thought nothing of it, and actually decided to walk up to bundles of DVDs leaving the whining Mi.
"Hmm… Well horror is out of the question…. Probably no chick flicks but I don't see any…"
"What're you doing?"
"You wanna stay longer, right? Movies are always a great idea." Adrien turned to give a sly look, Mirielle mumbled something in return with an eyeroll. "What's 'Pride & Prejudice?" Now that perked up her mood.
"OMIGOD. YES! PLEASE PLEASE PLEA-"
"It's a good movie," I added, Mireille nodded enthusiastically towards me and then Adrien.
"... Oh god." When he read the back cover of it. "Alright… For you girls. Sorry Nate." He acknowledged the other hopeless guy here.
"I actually liked it." Nate raised his eyebrows, and sent a smile towards me. Adrien had to close his mouth and hide an eye roll before sliding his girlfriend against him.
I stifled a giggle and handed Nate a bowl before sitting on the opposite side of the shared couch, ignoring how the lack of space and Nate's long legs touched my thigh. An hour through I was fighting not to fall asleep, and by the looks of it so was Adrien. I felt a hot wave touch my hand. I whipped my head to see the red Nate take my hand into his, slowly I focused my gaze back to the movie trying to calm the pulsing in my heart that made me just as red. That's right.. Didn't he kiss my cheek before? I must've blacked out because when I stopped being hyper aware of Nate's touch, the movie was over.
"That was awesome, thanks so much for today Mari." Mirielle was already putting her arms through her white puffer jacket. I took the opportunity to get away from Nate's grasp to give her a hug.
"Aw, you're welcome Mi. We'll do it again soon, okay?" I said, inhaling a whiff of her rose perfume that drenched her. So she was the source huh… Adrien came behind our embrace, gripping Mireille's jacket's sleeve to help her put free her arm through it. He looked like he was thinking of something, just staring at the spot I sat with Nate. Nate sent Adrien a suspicious but.. Triumph look? No, I've been staring at a screen too much and it's making me see things. "Bye Adrien! I'll take care of the rest of the essay, okay?" He was reluctant, I saw that he was going to argue but knew I wouldn't let him. He simply nodded and gave me a hug with one hand, the other still had his jacket draped over his arm.
"Coming babe?" Mireille called from the open door, Adrien was still in front of me taking his sweet time to put on his coat, still casting looks at Nate. It was like he was trying to find an excuse to stay.
"Yeah," Adrien said after coughing, straightening himself up and coming back to reality.
"See yeah'." I walked them both out, Mirielle was already down the hill waving at me and then for Adrien to hurry. I heard her muffled call out 'Bye Nate!' in which Nate just groaned at from the living room as a return.
"Um.." Turned towards me from the door, his eyes elsewhere.
"Yeah? You leave anything?" I glanced back to see where he was looking, but saw nothing that looked out of place, nothing that looked like his or Mireille's. Adrien just shifted his weight, also trying to peer through the door but at something particular.
"No, it's nothing." He grinned. "I had a great time, I'll text you."
I nodded. "Alrighty, drive safe okay?" When he still was reluctant to leave, I pointed out the annoyed girl waiting in the passenger's side. "Mi is going to drag you if you don't." He laughed, glancing over his shoulder.
"Okay… Just call me if anything.. Happens.." He eyed Nate more, sending a protective stance that I've often seen as LadyBug.
"I'm a big girl, I can kickass. Okay, byee Adrien." I started closing the door when he started smiling mischievously.
"You sure can, Shorty." The last thing before I shut the door completely was his back.. And his green eyes as he looked over his shoulder for a secret glance.
"So he's your friend now?" Nate called as I strode back, sitting on the sofa where the couple last sat on.
"Yeah, I guess he is."
He nodded, biting his lip. "But he's a dick."
I couldn't help but laugh. "He is, but I'm a bitch. What's this got to do with anything?"
"No, you could never be a, I don't even want to say it. I just hate you to stoop down to.. Their level."
"Their level?" I asked flatly, suddenly annoyed and offended for my friends.
"Oh come on, they're all bleached, snobby, and petty rich kids. Their so much different from us."
"Us?" I tried again. Nate sat back against the couch and draped a hand over his eyes and then waved it in gestures trying to find the words.
"You know, people with souls, actual personalities. It's like talking to bricks with them."
I laughed again, "I'm flattered, Nate, but they are my friends."
"No. I'm your friend, Alya and Nino are your friends. Not those bimbos-"
"Alya and Nino aren't my friends, and frankly, Adrien and Mirielle treat me better than they ever had." I shot back. "Why are you trying to arguing with me?"
"I'm just.. Trying to protect you." He suddenly got up, stumbling over the coffee table to stand infront of me. Not liking the sudden power stance, the thought of me being beneath someone's eyes, I stood up to meet his eyes.
"I don't need protecting. I can handle myself." I put my hands on my hips but he still stood two heads over me, at least I wasn't sitting.
"But you don't know-" He put his hand over his mouth before finishing. Furrowing his eyebrows in pain, it took a while for him to meet my eyes. "Nevermind."
"No, what? What don't I know?"
"It's nothing."
"No! I'm tired of people holding something against me, why Alya suddenly hates me, why Nino tried to kiss me, why you're -"
"Nino tried to kiss you?!" He suddenly grabbed my elbow, maybe to support himself somehow.
"Yes, at Mireille's party, it doesn't matter." His hands slid from my elbow to my cheeks, both of them cupping my face. His thumb circled my cheeks, his eyes searching for something that wasn't there.
"You don't like him, right?" He said in a hushed voice.
"Adrien? No! We're just friends.." He shook his head, closing his eyes before slowly opening them again. "Wait, who?"
"Nino." My eyes almost bulged out, I bent my hand back laughing and away from his embrace.
"God, no, why would you ask that?"
"I'm just.. Eliminating rivals I guess?" He laughed, but I knew that wasn't the full truth.
"Rivals?" He took a deep breath as I held mine. I've been confessed to before… But maybe he was going to do something entirely different!... I hoped.
"Marinette. I love you. God, I've always loved you, ever since middle school. Probably even before that. And I can't hide it anymore…" Nope. He pulled me closer again, his eyes pleading with mine. I swallowed painfully trying to find my answer. Do I like him? Seen him more than a friend?
"I-I didn't know…" I said quietly, gripping his arms to try to pull away.
"Not even for a second?" His voice cracked.
"No.." Before I could say anymore he forced his lips on mine, gripping tightly behind my neck to keep me from moving away. I pounded on his chest, my neck craning to meet his, trying to gasp for air. He mumbled my name against my lips that were glued shut to prevent anymore contact. I tried reasoning with him, letting him get off of me on his own free will but he wasn't taking the opportunity to get out of it unharmed. A nasty hand print welt appeared on his cheek. I took a long time to compose myself before taking my tingling hand from the air to clench it at my side. "What the hell!"
"Is that your answer?" Once he turned his head from the slap's impact back to me.
Oh no, oh no.. I recognized those eyes, the same one Alya has when she now looks at me."Nate.. I'm your friend and I.. You can't just that on force me.."
"I've always been your friend. Always. I've always wanted to be more than that." He sounded like he was breaking down by the end of the sentence. When I didn't reply he took a step back. "I'm leaving." Turning on his heel with balance and determination I've never seen before, he grabbed his jacket from the arm chair and grabbed the handle when I called out to him.
"Nate! Please. I lost Alya, Nino, and I can't lose you… I can't go through that hell again.."
He scoffed. "You seem pretty close to the person who put you through hell."
"Adrien's changed, he's-"
"I'm not talking about him." He said coldly. I took a step back.
"What do you mean?"
He shook his head, opening the door. Taking a audibly loud intake of air, he glanced behind his shoulder. "Could you ever love me?" He changed the subject.
I began to tell him I could, that I could try to love him, but my mouth hung open mutely. After some efforts of opening and closing it, I finally made contact with his eyes that seemed to burn from tears. I knew mine were. Shaking my head, I tried to keep my voice even. "Nate.. I.."
"I thought so." I couldn't read his tone, he already slammed the door shut leaving me in the darkness of my home. Not the months of neglect from my parents or my best friend's absences could compare to the kind of sickening sadness that hit me. Alya, Nino, and Nate have always been there for me. Always. We all shared individual and unique connections, and never once did I think Nate would also leave me. Nate. Awkward, cute, sweet, artistic Nate. My hands went towards my lips that seemed to be scotched by the heat from him.