Falling in Lust

Chapter 10 - Walking Home

"Do you need me to drive you home?" Chloe asked although it wasn't actually her who'd be driving. Marinette had slept on the couch in her room, and she'd retired to the bed, getting no actual sleep. She couldn't stop focusing on the slumbering form of Marinette and wondering what was wrong with her.

"I think I'll walk," Marinette replied, opting for some fresh air. She hadn't returned to her old room, scared to find everyone still there.

She and Chloe stood in the party room. It was messier than it'd been before, with discarded trash and food strewn across the table and floor. Marinette had offered to help clean up, but Chloe had refused her aid.

"Marinette!" The voice made her freeze, her pulse thrumming wildly. It was Adrien's voice.

She turned, and for the first time since he'd given her that umbrella, her face didn't heat, and she didn't feel herself about to stutter uncontrollably. She looked him up and down, his messy, disheveled hair, wrinkled shirt, sleepy eyes. She'd felt his kisses last night. They'd been pretty much in line with what she'd imagined. The unexpected part was she realized she could live without them. In fact, she would rather be without them.

But he was still staring at her in that way -that dreamy, needing way- that told her the perfume hadn't worn off yet.

"Where have you been?" he asked, swiftly approaching her. Chloe watched the exchange through narrowed eyes. "Are you okay? I woke up and you weren't there."

"Um... fine," Marinette offered feebly. Stepping away when he reached for her. He sighed and dropped his head, averting his eyes. "I'm sorry, Marinette. I just can't help myself."

"It's - it's okay," she sighed, uncomfortable with him and not in the way she'd been before. She wasn't giddy with excitement and lovesick shyness. She was just plain old uncomfortable.

"Are the others awake?" she asked, stepping back again. She watched as he curled his fists and jammed them into his pockets in a desperate attempt to control himself.

"They weren't when I left."

"Okay. Well, I'm gonna walk home now. Chloe's walking me home." She nodded to Chloe, who was standing in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes squinting suspiciously.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take you?" he suggested, his voice kind but strained.

"No. It's fine." She turned to Chloe, her eyes pleading. "Let's go." She walked hastily towards her, and Chloe took her hand, squeezing it protectively.

Chloe slammed the door shut in Adrien's face and hurried down the hall, still clutching Marinette's hand.

"Do you still like him?" Marinette asked randomly. Chloe stopped, faced her, and raised a brow like the question was stupid. But Marinette remembered how she used to fling herself into his arms, screaming "Adrikens!" But when she thought about, Chloe hadn't done that in a long time. She'd stopped even before Adrien started dating Kagami.

"Does it look like I still like him?" Chloe asked sarcastically. "He's such old news. And besides, he's more a pretty face than anything else."

Marinette didn't reply and started walking again. A part of her felt relief, for there was no other way to describe it. She was relieved Chloe didn't like Adrien. But why? Did she have a crush on her?

No. She couldn't. The idea was absurd. And she might like Felix. How was she supposed to have two crushes at once? And on Chloe! Chloe who she used to be enemies with. Chloe who rubbed her richness in her face.

Chloe who was always there for her when others weren't. Chloe that shared her thoughts and opinions with Marinette. Chloe who called her parents to cover her behind. Chloe that had been more than just a good friend.

Her face heated at the thought, and she turned her head in hopes Chloe didn't notice.

"Do you still like Adrien?" Chloe asked, and when she noticed the blush in Marinette's cheeks, her heart sank, not realizing it wasn't for Adrien.

Marinette frowned. "No. I don't think I do." Chloe could only hope it was true.

"Good. We're both over that," she said stiffly. They entered the elevator and Chloe pressed the proper button. It seemed to take forever to descend, the girls standing in uncomfortable silence.

When they were finally out of the hotel, Marinette shot a quick glance over her shoulder, wondering what was happening inside. Was Adrien the only one still affected by the perfume? Were the others still thinking about her? She hoped not. She wanted everything to return to normal, for the crazy thoughts in her head to be sorted.

"You think it'll be awkward at school tomorrow with Alya?" Marinette asked, out of curiosity and to break the silence.

Chloe snorted, even her gate oozing confidence Marinette wished she had. The truth was, by Chloe's side, she felt a little surer of herself, a little more daring. As if Chloe's presence made her strong.

"Not awkward, but tense," she decided. "But don't worry. That backstabbing bitch doesn't scare me."

Marinette felt Chloe calling her old best friend a 'bitch' should at least stir some emotion inside her. It didn't. Alya deserved it. Alya had most definitely earned her title.

"What did you guys even fight about?" Marinette asked, thumbing through possible scenarios in her head. It wasn't very hard to aggravate Chloe, but Marinette couldn't recall her ever getting into an actual fight before.

She smirked and stepped closer. Before she knew what was happening, Chloe was clasping her hand and butterflies erupted in her stomach. "You."

Marinette's cheeks reddened. "Um... what? Why?"

"Alya couldn't stand you getting more attention than her, I guess. Especially Lila's attention."

"But... what does that have to do with you?" Marinette asked and Chloe wondered what did it have to do with her? Why had she protected Marinette like that?

But of course, she knew why. How could she not?

"I'm not going to let that traitor near you if you don't want her to be," Chloe declared, turning abruptly and stepping towards Marinette. She took a few more steps and Marinette found her back pressed against a wall. Her face must have looked like a tomato, and she was tingling all over in excitement and curiosity as to what Chloe would do next.