He Was There | Miraculous Ladybug

Chapter Eight: Contemplation

  The flashing lights reflect on Adrien's face as he steps onboard to the houseboat. Luka waves from a distance as he helps Juleka and Rose arrange the band set up. He glances around looking for Marinette frowning realizing he was too early compared to what she would consider to be on time. 

  He sighs walking over to the rest of the group helping with setting the stage. "Adrien, dude! I haven't seen you in so long!" Nino exclaims throwing his fist out towards him to bump. Adrien looks down slowly bumping his fist, "Hey man, yeah sorry it's been a rough few months." He mumbles looking over at Luka.
  Nino nods wrapping his arm across his shoulders comforting him, "I was worried you were going to isolate yourself and not come. I'm glad you turned up!" He smiles pulling him close to him. Adrien laughs awkwardly looking down at the wood panels below their feet. "Have you heard from Marinette by any chance?" He whispers glancing over at Alya who was talking to Juleka while helping hang a banner. 

  Nino shakes his head, "I haven't heard from her since yesterday, neither has Alya." He responds numbly pulling away from Adrien.
  He winces nodding gently, "Yeah, right." He whispers walking away towards the folded chairs in the corner. He reaches out to grab one to attempt to make himself useful. "Want some help?" Kagami inquires walking up behind him. Adrien inhales grabbing a chair, "If it would make me feel somewhat meaningful, sure." He sighs walking the chair over to the stage.
  Kagami sighs following him with two chairs under each arm. Adrien unfolds the chair lining it up with the stage gently. "You know you can talk to me." Kagami demands unfolding the chairs and lining them up almost evenly. 

  Adrien's face began to burn from embarrassment. "I'm making a fool of myself, I know I should be enjoying myself but I can't. Not like this." He mumbles walking back over to the chairs. Adrien stares at the few chairs in front of him listening to the chatter begin to increase from the stage as more of their friends arrived.
  Kagami helps Adrien in complete silence, allowing him to think through what may be going through his head. Adrien sits up the last chair glancing around looking for Marinette again. He sighs, "I don't think she's coming," He whispers mainly to himself taking out his phone seeing a blank screen without any notifications from her. 

  Kagami shakes her head, "I don't think she would flake on you on purpose." She replies placing her hand on Adrien's shoulder gently.
  He cracks a slight smile looking up at her, "I'm the one flaking on her all the time..." He mentions brushing her hand off his shoulder turning away. Adrien shuffles over to the edge of the boat watching the waves rub against the boat. He lays his head down on the railing listening to the water and the distant chatter. 

  Kagami sighs shaking her head turning the opposite direction of him. She walks over to the rest of her acquaintances gathering around a table full of party favors.
  "Have you heard from Marinette?" Kagami states numbly crossing her arms walking up to Luka. His stomach drops, "No, not at all. I don't know where she could be." He mutters tapping his chin, pondering, "and it looks like he hasn't either." He points out motioning over to Adrien staring off the boat.
  Kagami shakes her head, "He's hiding something from her and it's eating him up inside." She states looking up at him. Luka grimaces, "I'll talk to him, try to figure out where Marinette's at. I'm sure her not being here isn't helping him." He whispers looking back over at him leaning against the railing. 

  Luka makes his way over to Adrien in silence. "What's going on?" He starts, startling Adrien in the process almost causing him to lose balance and fall overboard. He inhales regaining his composure looking back at Luka before shrugging. "I don't know, I just feel like I'm going to be sick constantly. Like something is always trying to find its way up my throat." He whispers gripping the railing.
  Luka nods understanding, "Are you feeling guilty... sad... or anything like that? At all?" He inquires watching the water with Adrien beside of him.