Roses

Grilled Cheese

Adrien fiddled with the collar of his shirt nervously. He'd had lunch with his friends before, but they'd never invited him off campus. Come to think of it, he hadn't really seen Marinette go off campus on break before, except when she needed to help her parents at the bakery. It was a new experience for them, and he was determined to enjoy it.

It was a bit odd that Marinette had been the one to invite him. They had gotten closer in the last couple of years by association with Alya and Nino, but she always seemed distant, or afraid of him. She hadn't stammered a bit, which was a surprise, but of course he was happy to accept.

<--->

The four were rounding the corner of fourth and main when Albert's came into view. It was a small, family-owned deli with a bright blue awning, and a potted Hazel sapling near the door.

"So Adrien," Alya began, bringing his attention back to the conversation. "Have you ever been here before?"

"No, I don't think I have," he replied. "But I've heard Nathalie mention it a time or two."

Nino looked surprised at that. "I wouldn't peg Nathalie as the type to go for cold cuts," he laughed. "But I support it!"

Alya smiled. "I think you'll like it here. They have some of the best pasta salad I've ever had, and their potatoes aren't half-bad either!" She trailed off, now talking mostly to Nino.

Adrien noticed that Marinette had stayed behind, looking at the menu. She shook her head, seemingly upset by something, so he wandered over to find out what it was.

"Hey, Marinette," he startled her.

"Oh!" she squeaked. "Hi, Adrien."

"Is something wrong?" he asked. "You seem upset by something."

"Oh, it's nothing," she replied. "I just forgot that they don't make my favorite soup on Fridays."

"What soup is that?"

"Tomato," she responded. "I love coming here to eat it when I'm in a funk. I don't really know why, I guess it just holds some good memories for me."

Adrien smiled. "Tomato soup is my favorite too," he began. "My mom used to make it for me when I was sick, but I've never found someone who makes it the same way."

Marinette smiled a bit. "Oh well, I'm sure you'll find a good dupe someday. I'm just sad it won't be today!"

Adrien winked at her. "We'll see about that."

<--->

The two joined Alya and Nino inside the deli, where they were already ordering. Adrien looked around. There were five or so tables, and four booths, all scattered throughout the main room. The art hung on the walls seemed to be mostly newspaper cutouts, and magazine pages.

Behind the counter, a young woman was perched, ringing Alya and Nino up. She looked tired, but cheerful, and a laugh could be heard when Nino asked for extra ham. "Comme toujours, M. Lahiffe," she answered.

The deli was oddly comforting for Adrien. He was sure he looked out of place there, but he felt as though he had entered a new favorite restaurant.

As Alya and Nino went to sit down, Marinette approached the counter. Adrien jogged over and interrupted her before she could order. "I've got lunch, Marinette," he said.

"You really don't have to-" she started, but he had already struck up a conversation with the woman.

"Bonjour," he began. "Pourrais-je avoir deux tasses de soupe à la tomate?"