Superheroes & Sweethearts

4

Adrien was not joking when he said he'd pay me back. I knew he was serious, but I didn't think he was this serious. 

"Mari take my money already." He shakes the 5 euro bill in front of me.

"No!" I walk away from him. "I told you, you don't need to pay me back."

"But I'm going to anyway! Just take it!"

"Hey gir- uh oh. Am I interrupting something?" Alya comes up beside me. My savior.

"Adrien keeps trying to give me money"

"To pay you back for the water yesterday!"

"I told you I don't want it!" We continue to bicker back and forth, and in a way, it reminds me of chat noir. Adrien and I bicker back and forth until we're inches apart, eyes narrowed and neither of us backing down.

"Okayyy.." Alya steps between us, and I feel the air shift. It goes from charged and electric, then fizzles out into awkwardness. My face turns red.

"I'm not taking your money." I say, determined to get the final word.

Adrien sighs, pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He doesn't fight back though, so I count it as a win. 1 Point for Mari, 0 for Adrien.

School passes in a blur, and before I know it, I'm heading back home.

"Marinette!" I hear the familiar voice behind me. 

I look at Adrien over my shoulder, but he suddenly crashes into me, pulling me into a hug. It's only for a second, but he's grinning like a maniac.

What the hell?

I blink a few times. "Thanks! See you tomorrow!" He turns quickly and heads towards his car.

Okay? That was... odd? I'm still stuck standing frozen, and after a while, I manage to turn back around and finish my walk home.

I drop my bag to the floor and head into my closet to change into more comfortable clothes. As I remove my jeans, I see a 5 euro bill fall from the back pocket and onto the floor. I can't stop the smile from forming as I stare down at the money.

Okay, Adrien Agreste. Challenge accepted.