The Line Between Love And Hate

Chapter 35: Adrien's Gift

~7/9/16: Two Months Before Marinette Leaves~

I left the party a little after Alya went off on Chloe. I didn't mention how she was wrong again. I found it best not to. Alya wouldn't get it.

I didn't tell get a chance to tell Adrien bye. I guess I was just so focused on getting Alya to shut up, that I completely forgot that I was waiting for Adrien to get back from wherever he took off to.

The whole time we walked to my dorm, Alya was trying to convince me to go back. Not for Luka, not for Adrien. But for me. She wanted me to enjoy the party that was thrown for me. A part of me feels bad for leaving. Isn't it kind of rude for the main guest to leave her own party?

I don't know. But rude or not, I had to go. Watching Adrien with her was and is killing me inside. It sucks having to put up a front all the time. I just wish I could grab him by the face and tell him how much I love him. Tell him how much he means to me.

But that's just not meant for us. No matter how much it pains me. No matter how broken I get. I'd rather have him as my friend than not have him at all. Our friendship is too important to me.

Alya walks back into the room with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn. "So what movie are we watching today?" "Love, Rosie!" I reach for the remote and she pulls it away from me.

"Best friends in love with each other, but won't say it? No way. The point is to get your mind off of the blonde boy." "Last time I checked it was my birthday and my dorm. My way or no way." Alya rolls her eyes and hands me the remote.

~~

"We're barely 15 minutes into the movie M. Why are you crying?" I shrug and dip my hand into the popcorn. "Is it because of Adrien?" I nod and she pulls me into her.

"They danced to our song Al. I had to watch him dance with her to our song." "I'm sorry girl."

"This is so frustrating! I don't want to love him. I have a boyfriend who's sweet, and caring, and funny, and who actually feels something for me by the way. So why do I keep thinking about him? What's wrong with me?"

"Nothings wrong with you M. You can't help who you fall for." There's a knock at my door and I get up. "I know. I just wish it didn't have to hurt this much." I open the door and Adrien's standing there with a smile.

His smile fades when he sees me. The crease between his eyebrows shows me he's worried. "What's wrong?" "Oh I was just watching a movie." I let out a breathful laugh and wipe my tears.

"Did you need something?" Adrien looks at Alya and his eyes fall back to mine. "Um you left without saying bye. Did something happen?" I step outside with him and I close the door behind me.

"No I- I just got really tired." I fidget with my earring. He looks at my hand and I drop them at my side. "I looked for you though." I say trying to get his mind off of my tell.

"Is everything okay?" "Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?" He stares at me as if he's studying my features. He's trying to read me. "Mari you know you can tell me anything right?"

No. I can't. I so badly wish I could, but I can't. Not without complicating things between us.

I smile and nod. "Of course I know that." We take a few moments to look at each other.

On my end, I'm filled with love that I've never felt for anyone else.

On his end, he's looking at his best friend. Nothing more nothing less.

"Was there something you needed or?" "Right. Um sorry." He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small box.

"I went to my dorm to get your gift. You were gone by the time I got back." I take the box from him and admire it. The wrapping paper is gorgeous, but it looks expensive.

"I know what you're thinking. Just open it." I open the box, and inside is a gold locket with the date 11-14-12 engraved on it. My heart both sinks and melts.

Remembering the day Emilie vanished is both bitter and sweet. It brought us so much pain, but it also brought us so much closer.

"It's the day my mom went missing." I nod my head. "I remember." "You made that day so much easier for me. If you weren't there- I- I don't know what I would've done. That was the day I realized how important you were to me. When you wrapped your arms around me, it felt like I was able to breathe again. You helped me breathe again."

Tears fill my eyes. "Adrien-" "Open it." I look up at him and his face is so heartfelt. I open the locket and on one side is a picture with me and Emilie from one of our movie nights. I didn't even know this picture existed. On the other side is a picture of me and Adrien from the day after Emilie went missing.

We're holding each other in our sleep. I'm assuming Alya or Nino took this picture.

I break out in tears. "Agreste." I take a moment to collect myself. "This is the best thing anyones ever given me." "Even better than the lucky charm I gave you?" I laugh and wipe a tear. "Way better."

He smiles down at me. "Let me help you put it on." He pulls it out of the box and walks around behind me. I pull my hair out of the way for him.

The coldness of the chain is nothing compared to the warmth of his hands. They lightly brush my neck, creating goosebumps throughout my entire body.

His hands linger behind me for a split second. It was so short I don't know if I imagined it or not.

He clears his throat and comes back in front of me. The second he's in front of me, I jump into his arms. "I love it. I love it I love it I love it." He wraps his arms around me and squeezes me into him.

I didn't think it was possible for my love for him to grow even more. But it is. It did. I know for a fact that Adrien Agreste is the love of my life and no one else can even come close to what I feel for him.

When he places me down I lean up and place a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you so much." He smiles and nods. "Of- Of course."