A Hard Curve

Ignorance, Crush, Jealousy

Chapter 12

Everyone was at the boat and we finished playing. Luka looked down and sat on a box. "Where's Marinette? She hasn't shown up lately. Is she alright?", asked Luka, worryingly.

"Yeah. She's just very busy", said Alya.

"She doesn't want to see me after our break up", said Luka.

"That's not true. She's just going to her Aqua Pony classes", lied Rose.

"I get it Rose", said Luka, with a sad smile, as he walked away.

I looked at Zoe and saw her eyes fall. She smiled lightly. "I'll get going", she said, as she walked away.

"We need to fix things between them so they can be friends again", I said.

"Why are you in such a twist, Adrien?", asked Alya, with a smirk.

"Zoe has a crush on Luka", I said. "All this talk about Marinette and Luke will make her heart break even more".

"Oh", said Rose.

"Well, we got to do something that both of them have to attend", said Ivan.

"Like tomorrow. The birthday party", said Mylene.

"Operation: Lukanette friendship", Jay said.

I was walking with Ninoto the car."So are you coming to the Couffaines tomorrow?", asked Nino.

"I need to get them both a present", I said.

"Well, what are you going to get?", asked Nino.

"Well, maybe I can get him a Jagged Stone concert ticket", I said. "But Jagged Stone is his father anyway".

"Well, I'm getting him a Stanley Cup", said Nino. "Without lead. Juleka will get a new purple comb".

"Wow", I said. "What should I get him?".

"Well, Luka's really good with reading people like a book. So why not a diary?", suggested Nino.

"That's a good idea", I said. "I wonder what Zoe's bringing him".

"Why does that matter?", asked Nino.

"Nothing", I quickly mumbled.

Today was the day of Juleka and Luka's birthday. I was walking with my friends down the stairs. Marinette was talking to Juleka about something holding one of her hand made creations. For Juleka, I got a new wristband locket since her old one broke.

I saw Marinette looking at Luka. She must have freaked out because she jumped and ran down the stairs. "I forgot something", she yelled, as she tripped down the stairs.

"Is something wrong with Marinette?", asked Luka.

"Is something wrong Juleka?", asked Rose, as she looked at a tired Juleka.

"I can't", said Juleka, as she ran into the houseboat.

"I get it now. Marinette didn't want me here and Juleka didn't have the heart to tell me", said Luka, as he sat on the bench.

I looked at Zoe as she walked over. "I'm sure it's not like that", she croaked. I heard her voice break as she did her best to cover up.

"You know how Marinette is during awkward situations", I said, remembering all those moments.

"Everyone loves you here", said Nino, as we all gave him a hug.

"Thanks guys", he said.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I watched Zoe walk over to the other side of the deck. She sat down on one of the boxes. I saw Jay approach her and she rested her head on his shoulder. I walked over to them.