A Miraculous Valentine

Zoe's Crush

Since she arrived in Paris, Zoe had loved making so many new friends and was so grateful to Marinette for helping her to meet so many kind people.

She loved hanging out on the Liberty and just watching all her friends do their favourite things. Arnaka was of the opinion that from messiness comes creation. It was like anything goes on the Liberty. So because of that it became the hangout place of choice.

Alix would love practicing roller hockey as she was very sporty. Marinette would come and sketch new fashion ideas when she could. Ivan and Mylene would hang out and Ivan would practice drums while Mylene listened and cheered him on. Nino and Alya would hang out sometimes and chat, Juleka and Rose would do each others hair and try new braiding techniques. Sometimes they would even use Zoe as a human guinea pig for their new ideas, and they even put a pink streak in her hair soon after she arrived.

Zoe loved it. 'New place, new me!' she would say to herself, wanting to put New York behind her for good and start afresh.

But probably her most favourite thing on board the Liberty was listening to Luka playing his guitar. She found his playing somewhat mesmerising. It seemed to calm down any anxiety she was feeling, especially when memories of her past crept to the front of her mind. It always relaxed her and made her feel happy.

It had been a good six months now since Luka and Juleka's birthday when their parents were akumatised. Zoe had seen Marinette and Luka chatting at the party and Marinette told her afterwards that they had decided to be friends. Zoe was happy to see them getting along again. She loved her new group of friends and loved seeing them happy.

Valentine's Day was coming up and Zoe was beginning to realise that she had a crush on Luka. Marinette noticed her staring at him at a Kitty Section rehearsal and came up to her after rehearsals to talk.

'Hey Zoe!'
'Oh, hey Marinette!'
'So um...Valentine's Day is coming up. Are you going to be giving a Valentine's card to anyone?'
'Uh, no, I don't like anyone in that way!'
'Are you sure?' Marinette teased. 'Not even a certain blue haired guitarist?'
Zoe went beetroot red. 'I have no idea what you're insinuating Marinette' Zoe replied, avoiding eye contact.
'I saw you staring at him earlier at rehearsals, there's no point in denying it!' Marinette smirked.

Zoe sighed. 'Ok, ok, you got me. But there's no way I'm going to write him a Valentine's Day card. He probably doesn't even like me in that way!'

'Never say never Zoe! Besides, you could put from a secret admirer and then he wouldn't know who it's from!' Marinette suggested.

'Mmm, maybe. But I'll only do it if you write one to Adrien!' Zoe smirked in reply.

Marinette blushed and sighed. 'Fine. Let's start now!'

Marinette took some lined paper out of her notebook and two pens so they could practice what they would write in their cards.

Some of their friends came up to them and asked what they were doing but they answered, 'Nothing!' and covered it up.

'Just homework!' Zoe added for good measure. Their friends shrugged and left them be.

Marinette showed Zoe her Valentine to Adrien.

'That sounds amazing Marinette! Are you going to sign it?'

'Here's the deal. I'll only sign mine if you sign yours!'

'Well there's no way that's happening, so I guess from secret admirers it is!' Zoe smiled.

'Have you finished? Lemme see!' Marinette said as she grabbed the paper off Zoe.

'It's not as good as yours' Zoe said shyly.

Marinette read what Zoe wrote.

'Are you kidding? It's 100 times better than mine! You should totally give this to him!'

'Nah, I think I can do better.' Zoe replied as she took the paper and scrunched it up. She threw it in the wastepaper basket beside her but unbeknownst to her, it had bounced out. Marinette shrugged and left her be to continue working on her Valentine.