A Winter's Tale

Chapter 3- Adrien's lucky break

Adrien was shocked. Marinette, the shy girl that sat behind him and did her best to avoid him, was literally holding his hand. Was his mind playing tricks on him, or was this really happening to him? Did Marinette say he could spend Christmas with her family? Could this day get any better?

Adrien smiled and bit his lip. This had to be his lucky break. Never in his life did he imagine his father allowing him to spend Christmas with a friend, and even less for that friend to be the Marinette Dupain Cheng.

If he was honest, he had spent many minutes of the days wishing Marinette would at least look at him but never did anything about it because of Nino. Nino was his first guy friend, and there was a time he had a crazy crush on Marinette. Yes, he then began dating her best friend Alya, but Adrien wondered if he could go there. The last thing he wanted to do was upset his best pal.

Well, even if he could, it wasn't like Marinette cared for him much. He tried to talk to her during their group hangouts, but Marinette would often stutter and hide. What was so wrong with him? Why did she treat him that way? That was the reason he began to date Kagami. He had to change target, as Kagami once said.

A big mistake. The relationship did not last long. The more Adrien looked back at it, the more he realized that he never felt that way for Kagami.

"Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!" Chloe's shouting brought him back to reality. "Shut up, Dupain Cheng. We all know you are lying. There is no way my Adrikin would spend Christmas with you!"

"Chloe, she is not lying," Adrien responded, defending Marinette. "I asked her this morning, but-" Adrien turned to look at Marinette, not releasing the hold in her hand. "Really? I- I can stay? Your parents said yes?" Adrien asked, feeling hopeful, almost forgetting it was supposed to be an act.

Marinette was confused. She had always known Adrien was a great model and actor, but he sounded genuine and almost hopeful. Was this an act, or did Adrien want to spend Christmas with her?

"U-um, y-yes," she stuttered. "But we should probably them go see, I mean to see them during lunch. Y-you know so they can arrange it with y-you father," Marinette stammered, her hands sweating as she felt her nerves get the best of her.

"Of course!" Adrien responded excitedly, pilling Marinette in for a hug. At that moment, the last thing on Adrien's mind was how this could all be a lie. He was simply too caught up in the moment to think. He had never been this close to the bluenette before, and if he was being honest, he loved it.

But his excitement came crashing down the second Marinette's body stiffened in his hold, reminding him of his harsh reality. Marinette still didn't like him. Her doings were all an act to get him off staying with Chloe.

Releasing his hold on the bluenette's body, Adrien quickly took a step back in shame, mouthing a sorry as he did so. He had messed up again, that much he knew. He had a chance to stay in Paris for Christmas, but he had just ruined it.

How could he hug her like that? What was he thinking? He should have played along, then actually ask her if he could during lunch, but no. He did not do that. He just had to hug her. He had forgotten it was a lie and hugged her.

Marinette was already uncomfortable with him, and instead of earning her trust, he had to freak her out even more. GREAT, JUST GREAT!

"But- But- Adrikins, I-"

"Sorry, Chloe."

"But-"

Thankfully, the lunch bell rang, interrupting his blonde friend.

As the students marched out of the class, Adrien turned to look at Marinette, only to find her frozen in shock. The blonde frowned and shook his head in disappointment. He hoped this could happen for him.