Can You Keep It A Secret?

Chapter 22: If There Was Ever A Time For Us, It Passed

"So what's next on the list Mari?" Adrien asks as we walk to school together. "I was thinking we can do the star gazing one?" "Yeah we can do it tonight if you want." "Yeah that sounds good." "I can't believe how fast time is going." "I know. Just 3 months ago you found out about my cancer." "It's been 3 months already?" I nod. "I wish time would slow down." He says. "Me too." I say and give him a soft smile.

"Adrikins and Dupain-Cheng?" Chloe says as we walk up the steps of the school. "Chloe?" "I didn't know you guys go to this school?" "What are you doing here?" Adrien asks. I hit his arm. "Ow! I didn't mean it in a rude way Mari." He says as he rubs his arm. "Daddykins made me transfer schools. I have to come here now." "That's great! We can hang out more now." I say excitedly. She smiles and nods her head.

Lunch
"Hey guys Adrien and I are going star gazing tonight do you guys want to join us?" "Yeah that sounds fun." Alya says. "If Alya's going then so am I." All of us turn our heads to look at Chloe waiting for her answer. "You want me to come too?" She asks nervously. "Of course. You're part of our group now Chloe." She smiles. "Count me in." "Great! We'll meet up at my house around 7." Adrien says. We all nod. "Is Luka here today?" I ask. "No, why?" Adrien asks. "If Luka comes it'll be a good opportunity for him and Chloe to get closer." I whisper to him. "I'll text him." He says. I nod.

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"I'm going to Adrien's house now." I tell my parents but I get no reply. I roll my eyes. "Ignoring me as always." I mumble to myself.

I walk out of my house and see Adrien standing outside of his driver's car. "I thought we were meeting at your house?" "We are but I couldn't have you walking. Especially if you're alone." "Agreste-" "Just get in the car it's really cold out here." I giggle and get inside the car.

We get get to his house and walk inside. "Where's your mom?" "She's upstairs." "Did I hear Marinette?" She yells from upstairs. "No!" He yells back. I hit Adrien's arm. "Don't lie to her." "She is here!" She says as she comes down the stairs. "Hi honey." She pulls me into a hug. I smile and hug her back.

Alya and Nino walk into the door. "Inseparable as always." Alya says as she looks at me and Emilie talking. "I guess it's good that Marinette is close with your mom. She'll be super excited to have her as a daughter in law." Nino says. Emilie gasps. "Daughter in law? Are you guys finally dating?" She asks excitedly. "No mom. Nino is just teasing us." "Aw that's a shame." "I agree. They'd make a really cute couple." Chloe says as she walks into the house. "I think the same with you and Luka." I tease. "Me and who?" Luka asks as he walks in the house.

"Nothing!" Chloe quickly says. I giggle. "Are you guys ready to go?" I ask. "You're leaving already Marinette?" Emilie asks. "Yeah but I'll be back soon. I promise." She smiles and nods. "Okay. You all stay safe." She says as we walk out the door.

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We drive up to a spot on the hill and everyone gets out of the car. We set up a few blankets and everyone lays down. I place the basket to the side. "Want to start another operation?" I ask Adrien as he lays beside me. He smiles. "Operation Lukloe?" "How'd you come up with that name so quick?" "I've been thinking about it since the carnival." I giggle. "Operation Lukloe is a go then. It's a good thing they're already laying next to each other."

"You know he's thinking about asking her out." "How do you know?" "He told Nino and I when I was trying to see what he thinks of her." I sit up and hit his chest. "You didn't tell me!" He places his hand where I hit him. "I kind of did. You said you agreed to a triple date and I told you I did too." "But you never said he wanted to personally ask her out." I say and hit him again. Adrien sits up grabs my hand just before it makes contact with his chest.

"I'm getting really tired of you always hitting me Mari." "And I'm getting really tired of you giving me reasons to hit you." He chuckles. "Can you let me go now?" I ask trying to pull my arm out of his grasp. "No, you're just going to hit me again." "I won't." He lets my arm go and I hit him. "Mari!" I giggle. "I never promised." He smiles and starts tickling me.

"Stop it!" I say while laughing. "Apologize first." He says while smiling. I lay back down trying to make distance with his hands. "No!" "Then I'm not stopping." He says as he continues to tickle me. "Agreste!" "Just apologize Mari." "I'm sorry!" I yell in between laughs. He smirks. "I never promised." He continues tickling me. "Adrien Agreste! Stop tickling me!" He laughs and stops. I catch my breath and sit back up.

I hit his arm again. "You know I hate being tickled." "Ow! Stop hitting me." "Stop flirting! We're trying to focus on the sky." Alya shouts. "Alya let them flirt!" Chloe shouts back. They both giggle.

"I forgot we were star gazing." I whisper to Adrien. He chuckles. "I forgot they were here." He whispers back. "Me too." We both start laughing. It's times like this where I really regret turning him down. I want to kiss him so bad but I have to fight the urge. We both know how our relationship will end and 3 months isn't enough time. If there was ever a time for us, it passed.

"Are you cold?" He asks when he notices me shivering. "No I'm fine." "Stubborn as always Mari." He says as he takes off his jacket and places it on me. "What about you?" "A person this hot can't ever get cold." I roll my eyes and rest my head on his shoulder. "Thank you Agreste." "Anytime Mari." Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe 3 months is enough time. I need to think it over.