College Lovers

12: Christmas

Marinette, Amber and Thomas were getting ready for the Christmas party in Marinette's room. She talked to Adrien about all her nightmares and stopped hiding them. Everyone could see she was more happier, though not knowing the cause, they were happy that their Marinette returned.

Someone knocked on the door and Tom opened the door to a dressed well Adrien...and Chloe?

"I found Chloe wandering around the bakery so i thought i'd bring her in because it's freezing outside."

Tom smiled and the big man welcomed Adrien and Chloe in his usual big hugs. "Welcome!"

"Tom! You're killing them."

Tom chuckled and put them down. "Marinette is in her room with Amber and Thomas. You know the way."

Adrien nodded, took Chloe by her arm and went straight to Marinette's room. He knocked.

"Come in Adrien, we're dressed."

Adrien opened the floor hatch and entered it with Chloe behind him."

When Marinette saw Chloe, she made a face. "Uh what's she doing here?"

"I saw her wandering around the bakery outside, so i took her with. It's freezing outside. Your parents didn't seem to mind."

"You could've left her to freeze." Marinette said nonchalantly.

"Marinette!" Adrien gave an angry face. "She wanted to enter, but giving that she was hesitant to enter, she obviously didn't have the courage. So let her talk."

He pushed Chloe forwards. She looked over at Amber and Thomas. "Wh- who are these guys?"

"Alright, We're are getting out. We're leaving you two to talk about whatever."

"Wait- Adrien! You're leaving me here with the witch?"

"Marinette, behave."

She groaned and turned to Chloe who was avoiding contact."

"Okay, spill. What are you doing here?"

"I- I wanted to apologize to you."

Marinette scoffed. "For what?"

"For everything i did in high school to you and to the rest. I've realised what a bitch i was. And i know it's too late, because it's been years and i want you to forgive me but if you can't, that's okay. I wouldn't forgive myself either." she paused and finally made eye contact with Marinette. 

Marinette on the other hand couldn't bring out a word. Instead, she walked over to the visibly shaking Chloe and hugged her. "I forgive you." she whispered in Chloe's ear. 

Chloe started crying. She couldn't believe she finally conquered her mom's negative feels off of her. Adrien entered Marinette's room again and saw something he'd never thought he would ever experience. Marinette and Chloe hugging.

"It's a Christmas miracle!"

"Shut it croissant boy."

They broke the hug and Marinette smiled. Chloe smiled back and the 3 of them went down. It smelt incredible. Adrien, who had been getting fed in the meantime, still got amazed by the smell.

"Thank you for letting me in your house even after what I did."

Sabine looked at Chloe, smiled and took her hands. "You're family now."

"Mom, if you could adopt, you'd be adopting all my past classmates."

"And what's so bad about that."

Marinette gestured at the room. "There's no room."

"We'll make room."

"Mom!"

"Stop arguing and let's eat."

They went to the table and enjoyed Christmas together.

_____

"Did you pack everything?"

"I think I left my toothbrush in your mom's room."

"Where's my phone charger."

"I think I left my condom somewhere around here."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to Thomas.

"What?"

"Your condom?" Adrien made a face.

"Hey, Paris is known for beautiful girls. Maybe I needed it."

"You better find that condom before my dad finds it and blames it on me."

Amber looked at the clock. "Our flight is in 6 hours. If you don't find it fast, we lose that flight. And the next flight to New York is in 2 weeks."

Alya barged through, in Marinette's room and hugged her. Marinette, taken by surprise, went in to the hug. "Als? What's this for?"

"I'm sorry. And I couldn't let you leave like that." she turned to Adrien. "You're not staying?"

"I can't. I can't just skip school for a funeral."

Alya was dissapointed but understood and left. Chloe entered the room and hugged Marinette too.

"Is it today, hug Marinette day?"

"I just wanted to see you go before you come back." Marinette smiled. Chloe went back down and let the rest pack.

Adrien looked at Chloe get down the stairs. "Is it just me or is Chloe, I don't know...kinda fruity."

"Wasn't she in a relationship with Luka?"

"Yes, but he broke it off because he still loved you."

"Gosh, that boy."

"I found it!" Thomas, proudly, held up a condom.

"But..why is it used."

Thomas didn't said anything.

"Omg don't tell me you did it in my room with someone."

"Maybe, maybe not.

"Thomas!"

"Hey, I needed to do it with someone. My manly urges came up."

"To hell with your manly urges. This is my room goddammit."

Thomas walked to the bin and threw the condom in. "It's gone now."

"It's gross."

They remained the rest of the time silent as they packed their suitcase. Marinette couldn't look at her room the same. She decided to think about other stuff.

Like being Ladybug. She missed it. She missed everything that came with the suit. But now she had to go back. Back to the reasons of her breakdowns. Happiness.

Back to the place that would change her life.