The Line Between Love And Hate

Chapter 16: One Memorable Day

"What- What are you trying to say?" "We haven't spoken in months. I'm not sure you can even qualify us as friends." "And who's fault is that? Huh? I reached out to you everyday! You were the one that never replied. And if you did it was rarely ever!"

"Don't blame me. It is not my fault. You should know what happened." "No! I don't know what happened! You never told me." A moment of silence washes over us. "You left..."

~Marinette~
"My parents?" He nods. "No way. I can do that on my own. I'll just update you." "Update me? We're partners Mari. We need to do this together. I'm going with you." "No you're not."

"You can't stop me. I know where their bakery is." "I don't want you to go." "Why not?" "I don't want you to see my parents." "This is for business." "Yeah but-" "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way of our job. We're in this together princess. Like it or not, I'm going with you." I roll my eyes and grab the papers.

~~

The cab ride was quiet. I didn't bother saying a word to him. I'm a little nervous for him to see my parents again. They always ask me about him and if they get a chance to talk to him again the questions won't ever stop. I don't think I'll be able to deal with all their questions.

The taxi pulls in front of the bakery. I get out as Adrien pays. I take these few moments to go inside and warn my parents what's about to happen.

"Marinette!" My dad says excitedly and walks up to me. My mom pops out from the back and rushes over to pull me in a hug. "We've missed you honey." "What bring you here? Let me guess. Croissants?" I smile and shake my head. "I'm actually here because-"

The bell chimes and their gaze goes to the door. I watch as their faces light up. "Adrien!" They rush over to him and pull him into a hug. "How are you son?" "I'm good Mr. Dupain." "We've gone over this plenty of times, call me Tom." Adrien laughs.

My mom grabs Adrien's wrist and pulls him towards the counter. "We were wondering when you were going to come around again." "Again?" I ask. "We've been making your favorite." Adrien's smile grows wider. "Chouquettes?" They nod as my dad places a plate in front of him. Just as Adrien grabs one and brings it to his mouth I clear my throat to get their attention.

"Sorry Marinette. What'd you say you needed?" "Um actually we're here for business." "The two of you?" My mom motions between us. I nod. "You can together?" My dad smiles. Adrien nods as he puts another chouquette in his mouth.

"Yes! We've been waiting for this day to come!" My mom jumps excitedly. "What?" "They're reunited Sabine!" "No no no-" "No- It's- We're-" "So the two of you didn't come together?" "Yes, but not in that way." Adrien says. "Like I said. We're here for business." My mom sighs and pulls the plate from Adrien. "Sabine-" "Don't play with my emotions."

"He'll have a hard time trying not to." I mumble. "What was that?" "What was what?" "You mumbled something." "No I didn't." "Yes you did."

"Why does it matter if I mumbled something?" "If you have something to say, say it with your chest." "What if it wasn't meant for you to hear?" "Then don't say it." "Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do?"

"Enough!" We turn towards my parents. "What are you here for?" "Right! Um- on Tuesday around 8:00pm a customer came in here and paid with money that wasn't theirs. Is there anyway we can get the security footage?" My dad grabs the plate and sneaks it back to Adrien.

"I'm sorry honey. Our security cameras were down Tuesday." "Just our luck." Adrien says with a mouthful of chouquettes. "Do you remember who came in that day?" She shakes her head. "I don't even remember who came in this morning."

"We hit our first dead end Mari." "So what now? We just wait?" "That's all we can do." "There has to be something else. Something we're missing." My eyes land on the school across the street.

"There." "Francois Dupont?" "They have cameras right?" Adrien nods. "I'm sure theres at least one camera that could show us the bakery?" "You really think they'd have a camera pointed here?" "We just need a small glimpse. That's it." "Okay." Adrien stands up and hugs my parents. "See you next week."

~Adrien~
We walk out of the bakery and wait for the light to give us the go ahead. This isn't going to be awkward at all. Going into a school where I had some of the best memories with the girl I currently can't stand.

We cross the street and walk up the steps of the school. "Do you think Fu still works here?" I ask. Marinette shrugs before walking in. I follow after her.

"It's-" "Exactly how I remembered it." I finish her sentence and she looks up at me. "Exactly." There's trainees everywhere I look. There's a group eating at the tables, a group chatting, and one girl is sitting under a tree studying. Just like Marinette used to.

"Agreste." I look up and see Marinette standing over me. "You're in my spot." I smile. "I just wanted to see what the hype was about." "And do you see it?" "Nope. Want to explain it to me?" She laughs as she sits beside me. She rests her head on my shoulder. "If you don't get it now you never will."

"Are you going to look over the case again?" "I think I already solved it." "Then why'd you come here? You only visit the tree when you need to study or think." "Or I guess when I need to find you now. Do you know how many places I had to go before I found you." I laugh. "Why didn't you just text me?"

"I did! But knowing you, you either lost your phone or forgot to charge it." I feel my pockets and pull it out. "Dead." "Told you."

"So who did it?" "The dad. He had connections to a camera company. He got them to shut off their cameras so he can sneak in and kill her." "How can someone do that?" She sighs. "I don't know. Who would want to murder the woman their son loves." "A cruel person."

"Adrien!" I turn away from the tree and look at Marinette. "I've been trying to get your attention for 5 minutes." "Oh. Sorry." She rolls her eyes. "I'm going to go upstairs to look for someone to help us. You look down here." I nod and she walks off.

This is going to be one memorable day.

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A/N: I was too lazy to proofread this chapter so if there is any spelling or grammars mistakes i'm sorry! Feel free to let me know if you spot any!