"Mama, can I go out at explore?" Young Adrien Agreste asked. His family was in America for a few weeks and they were renting a cabin. The woods beckoned to Adrien, they didn't have forests like this in Paris!
"Yes, but don't wander to far, love," Emile said. "Thank you, Mama!" Adrien shouted and raced out in the winter sunshine. Though it was November, this part of America stayed warm and Adrien raised his face, soaking in the buttery sunshine.
Gobble! Gobble! Adrien turned to see a turkey strutting into the woods. The bird was beautiful, it….it was a turkey right? And didn't the Americans celebrate a special day with this bird? Adrien followed the bird into the woods, quietly, as to not surprise it. However, a chattering noise from a squirrel in a nearby tree startled the bird and it ran off into the forest.
"Wait!" Adrien starting running, hoping to catch up. He tripped over a fallen log and went tumbling into a small stream.
"Are you alright?" Adrien sat up, cold and wet. A girl around his age stood there, looking at him, notebook and pencil in hand. "I think so," Adrien said, getting out the water. "I was following the turkey and it suddenly took off." "So that's the bird that wandered off awhile ago," the girl said. "I was watching a flock of them to get ideas for a dress. I want to be a fashion designer. I'm Marinette, by the way." "Adrien. Adrien Agreste," Adrien stuck out his hand, and when he shook Marinette's hand he felt a warm happy feeling spread throughout his body. "My dad would think that's cool. He's one of the greatest fashion designers in the world. We're on holiday for a few weeks before traveling back to Paris."
"I live in Paris, too! My parents run a bakery there. We-we might even be neighbors!" "I thought I detected a French accent," Adrien told her, grinning. "Well, I really supposed to be picking apples for the Thanksgiving meal we're having tonight but I got distracted." "I could help you if you like," Adrien said. "Mama won't be very happy if I come home wet anyway. My clothes can dry in the sun while we pick apples."
The orchard was unlike anything Adrien had ever since. The trees hung ripe with fruit, balls of red, green, and yellow. "Mama wants the green variety," Marinette said. "Green's a great color," Adrien smiled. Marinette looked at him. "Because of the color of your eyes?" He nodded, and Marinette turned away. She was blushing slightly. His eyes were such a pretty color, but they drew her into their depths. She had never felt such a magnetic pull before.
Adrien held the basket as Marinette carefully picked apples, telling him about her home. "Lately, I've been making dolls clothes," she said, setting another apple in the bin. "I never go anywhere without my sewing kit." "I brought a few stuffed animals along, and there in need of some new outfits. Maybe we could sew some together." "I'd like that. So, do you model as well?" "When I'm not in school. Mother teaches me, or a tutor. She acts as well as models, so time with my family is precious." Adrien shivered suddenly, but the sun was warm on his shoulders, like a comforting shawl. Marinette noticed. "Are you cold?" "Maybe a little." "I think we have an enough apples anyway."
"Marinette, did you get distracted again?" A kind woman asked Marinette when they reached the cabin's front porch. Adrien assumed it was her mother. "Yes, Mama. But I made a new friend. His name is Adrien." "Pleased to meet you."
Adrien could feel the love this woman had. "I'm Sabine. That's my husband, Tom." Tom nodded, reading the paper and drinking a cup of coffee. "Mama, can Adrien's family celebrate Thanksgiving with us?" Marinette asked. "Well, the turkey is certainly big enough. But Adrien will still have to ask."
Adrien clapped his hands with joy as he led his parents through the forest to Marinette's. Sabine had laid the table with all kinds of good food.
Adrien noticed Marinette had changed into a cranberry red dress, with red ribbons in her hair. "You look beautiful, Princess," he whispered, and Marinette gave him a tiny smile.
The day was filled with laughter and cheer, it was hard to say goodbye. But Adrien knew he'd see his new friend soon. They were so lucky to both live in Paris!
Today was a day to feel thankful, and Adrien was thankful for his new friend.