A Little Bit of Bad Luck

Ch 7: The Burden of Friends

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Marinette was not looking forward to going over to Felix's today. She dreaded the cold, empty mansion, and the chance of running into the man who haunted its halls. Her nightmares hadn't stopped and the mansion only exasperated that feeling of helplessness. She tried to focus on Félix or the project, but her thoughts always wandered back.

"Ah, Marinette," Nathalie eyed her through the security camera at the gate.

Marinette yawned. "Good afternoon, I'm here to work on the project with Félix again." She was too tired to feel flustered.

The gate clicked open.

Nathalie met her at the front door with a cold stare. "I trust you learned your lesson last time."

Marinette nodded. "Yes ma'am." She followed her through the front hallway. It felt more like a museum than a home.

Félix's door was slightly ajar and she could hear him muttering to himself. She knocked.

"Come in," he called out. "That's surprising. I didn't know you could be polite."

She huffed. "I can be polite."

They worked on the project quietly until the sun started the streak colors of reds and oranges through his room. Nino flashed through Marinette's mind and she tried to think of a way to approach the subject thoughtfully.

Marinette fiddled with her fingers. "Say, Félix..."

Félix paused and set his pen down. "This better be about the project." 

"Just listen! I don't know how much leeway your dad gives you, but I think it would mean a lot to Nino if you attempted to hang out with him more. You guys are friends, aren't you?" Marinette let it all spill out without trying to beat around the bush.

Félix picked his pen back up and stared at the paper. "I don't have any friends." His voice was monotone. 

Marinette stood up abruptly. She put her hands on her hips. "You can pretend as much as you want that you enjoy being alone, but I noticed the way you acted when we were together. You enjoy being around Nino."

Félix traced over words he had already written. "It's better for everyone this way."

Marinette pressed her lips together. Better for who? This mansion could steal someone's soul. There's no way someone could survive here emotionally. "Why you are shutting people out!" The words slipped out before she could think twice.

Félix whipped his head towards her and narrowed his eyes. "That's none of your business!"

This was the first time she had seen him react with some sort of passion. She turned to leave, set on storming off to cool her head before she said something that made him hate her. She got to the door and reached for the handle.

In an instant, Félix was standing behind her with his hand against the door, preventing her from opening it. How did he get there so fast? She could feel his breath hit the back of her head.

"Are you really about to run off alone, again?" he asked.

She whipped around to face him. Her lips trembled.