Torn In Two

Chapter 1

Marinette

I hum along to the music playing softly in the background as I sketch a dress for prom: a flowy high-low dress, with a deep V, but nothing too crazy. After all, if I end up going, I'd like for my parents to actually let me leave the house. Yes, I said if. Sure, I've had a crush on Adrien since forever and he broke up with Kagami over the summer — but I still feel like it might be too soon.

After all, she's my friend. We promised we'd never let him get in-between us. So, I dropped my Adrien obsession — focusing in on Luka, but... I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a shift after I heard the news. I don't know if I'd say he seems for drawn to me, that might be overstepping — but we've been spending more time together.

Still... Is it the right time? As soon as I told Cat Noir the guy I liked got into a relationship, he made it once again made it a point to win me over. I'll admit, he's sweet — if not a bit arrogant at times, but he'll always be my Kitty. My best friend. We've been partners for years, would it be wrong to even think we could be anything more? Clearly he sees no problem with it.

Though there are still some rules I'm uncertain of. Ever since Master Fu left me in charge of the Miraculous box, it feels like more and more things just keep stacking up.

"Marinette!" Tikki calls, none too quietly. Her tone clearly means that she's been trying to get my attention for quite some time. Oops...

"Sorry Tikki," I say,  eyes drifting back to paper. It's still just the basic outline, none of the extra things I want to add. The dance is still months out, I gave plenty of time — but I can't keep putting this off forever.

"You did it again," she says, her lips pressed in a thin line — scolding me much like a mother would.

I let out a small laugh. "Sorry, I guess I've just been distracted lately."

"Is it Adrien again?" She prods, seemingly knowing the answer before I even respond as she continues. "Is it something else? Someone else? Like Luka?"

Luka, right... My laugh comes out forced as I dismiss my previous thoughts. "Yes, of course! It's just Luka. We've been hanging out all summer, and it feels like things are getting serious a little... fast."

She catches onto my pause at the end. She never misses a beat.

"Marinette, that's great! But... You don't look happy. Is there something going on?"

I grab my bag, more than ready to get the day started as I turn off the music and throw a granola bar in for later.

"Trust me, it's nothing. You know I'd tell you if it was important."

While she doesn't seem completely satisfied with the answer, she stops the questions. For now.