You're my dearest lie || Miraculous Adult

Chapter 28

Nocturne - Daniel Paterok

Marinette

That two days ago must definitely have been a dream.

"Okay, tomorrow at seventeen after school for the Baccalaureate organization planning team!" said Rose solemnly, clapping her hands on the dining hall table.

"The only question is who we're meeting at. Our flat is being renovated, so unfortunately we can't do it at my place. How are things with you?"

Was Chat's usual manner just a facade and he wasn't actually an arrogant, self-absorbed puke after all?

"Unfortunately, it's full house at my place," I heard Alya sigh. "Nora is visiting with her fiancé, I don't think we'll get much planning done if Etta and Ella are going to disturb us."

Why couldn't I get his face out of my head? I had known Chat for almost five years, and yet the day before yesterday I had discovered a new side to him. As if his true self had emerged, which had attracted me in a strange way.

A pause followed, which I didn't notice.

"What about you, Marinette?" Rose asked.

I looked up abruptly.

"What?"

"I was wondering if we could meet at your place tomorrow."

They all looked at me, which was too much for me.

I looked down at my plate in concentration and bit my lip.

"Theoretically, we could do it at my place," I mumbled, "but honestly, I'm happy when I don't have to be at home."

I looked around hesitantly, while Alya and Rose looked surprised and worried at the same time, and Juleka wrinkled her nose uncomprehendingly.

"I'm having stress with my parents. They can't keep the bakery for much longer, so we'll probably be moving soon," I added, which reduced Juleka's wrinkles by half.

"Shit, that sucks," Rose replied sadly. "That's understandable, of course."

Alya nodded at me with a meaningful I'm-here-for-you look before looking around skeptically.

"Maybe we can meet up at your place sometime, Juleka."

Silence.

If Juleka was surprised, she covered it up pretty well. Slowly, she lowered her fork again and looked up, suspiciously relaxed.

Rose bit her lips together tensely as she looked back and forth between Alya and her friend.

"Jules, if you don't want to, it's okay, we'll find a solution..."

"Why not?" Juleka replied nonchalantly, carelessly spearing a few noodles with her fork. Even though she didn't say anything against it, her carefree manner intimidated me a little.

"Okay," Ayla said, stretching, "then we'll meet at your place tomorrow after school. You've moved, you don't even live in the houseboat anymore, do you?"

Juleka didn't answer straight away, leaving Alya to fidget during the awkward pause. She calmly chewed her noodles for the first time, as if there was no question asked to her.

"No, we moved in with my step-dad a few years ago, I'll send you the address."

Even though we nodded in agreement, the tense atmosphere didn't leave our table.