Back to Back 2

Provocation

The students left the building when the school day was over. Adrien had Marinette firmly within his grasp as they walked hand-in-hand. When they reached the sidewalk, he stopped to speak with her.

"So, I know this is crazy, but Amelie wants you to bring your sketches over. She seems to think that if Gabriel checks your designs, you two will become best friends or something."

"She's just trying to bring us all together," Marinette sighed. "I think it's nice that she cares so much."

"Yeah, I guess. So, what do you think? Should we stop by your house to get them?"

Confused, Marinette tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

Now Adrien was confused. "What do you mean, what do I mean?"

"Why would I get my sketches now? Aren't you grounded?"

"Oh, Amelie actually said that you can still come over," he explained with a smile. "I'm not allowed to go out for anything besides school, but people can visit us at the house. I know it's strange, but that's what Amelie said."

"Huh, that is strange," she murmured, finally understanding. "But I don't think I should come over today. Gabriel just saw me in my Ladybug costume, and he probably blames me for you and Felix getting into a fight. So I think it's a good idea if I stay away for a while."

That made Adrien's smile fall. "But I want you to come over. You know I can't go all evening without seeing you."

"I'm sorry, but it's really not..."

"Hey Marinette," Felix interrupted, stepping up to them. "You're coming over to our house for dinner, right?"

Adrien pushed Marinette back and moved in between her and Felix. "Get lost. You're not welcome here."

"You don't own the sidewalk," Felix reminded him. "And you're blocking the path to the car. Where else am I supposed to go?"

He replied by clenching his fists, but didn't get to say anything.

"I'm not coming over today," Marinette said to answer the original question and defuse the situation. "Gabriel is probably mad at me about yesterday. So I've decided that I'm going to stay away for a few days."

"You don't have to worry about Gabriel," Felix insisted. "You know I'll protect you from..."

"I'll protect her," Adrien seethed. "You stay away from her."

Once again, Marinette had to step in. "Adrien," she said gently. "Please stop. You two are cousins, and you live in the same house and go to the same school. You have to get over what happened. He already apologized, so everything is fine."

No, everything was not fine. Why couldn't Marinette see what Felix was doing? He was going to try and explain it to her, but Felix ended up speaking first.

"It's okay," Felix said to Marinette. "Adrien's reaction is completely understandable. If I had a beautiful girlfriend like you, and someone asked her out while we were still dating, I'd be upset too. I mean, just look at you. You're absolutely gorgeous. It's no wonder why he's going crazy at the thought of losing you."

Now it felt like his blood was boiling. He couldn't believe that Felix was flirting with Marinette right in front of him.

"Yesterday was completely my fault," Felix continued. "And I feel horrible that I caused this huge problem between you two. I overstepped boundaries, and I'm really sorry," he added, finally looking at Adrien. Not even a second later, he turned back to Marinette. "And I'm even more sorry that I upset you. I hope that you can forgive me someday, My Lady."