Set to Love

Chapter 1

"I'm just so bummed out! The timing couldn't be worse!" Nino complained, attempting to bang his head on the cafe table, only to be swiftly intercepted by Alya's hand.

"Babe, take it easy. It's okay to be upset, but I will not stand by any self-inflicted head injuries. You might end up on the waitlist again if you keep this up," Alya responded, her hand gently holding his forehead.

Nino shifted his weight off Alya's hand, muttering, "I'm such a horrible friend."

"No, you're not. This UCL docu course has always been your dream. It's a major opportunity. Your friend will understand, and he can find other cinematographers to fill in for you," Alya reasoned, nudging some rocket off her plate towards Nino's.

"Hey! My love, you need to eat your greens. I'm a bit concerned for your gut health. What will you do when I'm in London for the term?" Nino reacted to her movement.

Alya retorted, "It's fine, I'll just eat them vicariously through you," rolling her eyes playfully.

"That's not how it works, babe."

"And thankfully, you don't make the rules, love." Alya looked over across the table. "Mari, how are we supposed to eat when you're not? Come on, order something."

Marinette, absorbed in her phone and stressed, replied, "I-I'm not that hungry, I've got a croissant in my bag; I'll just eat that," pulling out a half-nibbled-on croissant (which she knew was Tiki's doing) and bit into it as she went back to looking down at her phone, frantically refreshing her emails.

"Seriously Mari, you did that last week. Crêpes salées here are only six euros - let me shout you one," Alya insisted, her face frowning.

Marinette sucked in a breath, "It's fine, Alya. I'm not in a food poverty situation or anything. Maman and Papa wouldn't let that happen - as long as the bakery doesn't close up anytime soon."

"And we know that won't happen - especially with the influx of Swifties driving up their sales ever since their idol mentioned the bakery during her concert last year," Alya finished Marinette's thought.

She sunk into her chair, sighing, "It's great for the finances but hard on my parents. They've had to hire five more full-time employees and they've gone through who-knows-how-many casuals. They're doing so much more management work now - which they hate."

"I mean, the expansion to the Dupain-Chang Bakery is long overdue though," Alya added.

"True that," Nino agreed, turning to Marinette, he asked, "Probably a stupid question but: why not get paid for the times you help out at the bakery? They couldn't have trouble paying you."

"Just cause they want to pay me doesn't mean I want them to. I've been dependent on them for too long," Marinette replied, still glued to her phone and finger refreshing the screen robotically.

Alya sighed, "Yeah. Okay, girl, I'm buying you that Crêpes salées."

"What? No, Alya, really- it's fine," Marinette protested.

"You've been glued to your inbox and stressed out of your mind recently. It's ridiculous! You got high distinctions throughout your fashion degree and a whole year of work experience in New York! Why on earth aren't you being hired?" Alya complained.

Nino chimed in, "Yeah, Mari, look - I have a friend who works in modelling - I don't remember the company, but I'm sure he could pull a few strings..."

"Thank you, Nino, but I doubt your friend could pull strings with HR. He's just a model- I don't see that happening," Marinette replied.

"Is this the same friend who offered you the cinematography job? The one you're stressing about rejecting?" Alya questioned.

Nino confirmed, "Yep, same guy. I don't know how much everyday models make, but he can't be 'just' a model, cause my guy has his entire amateur production loaded as if it were funded by the CNC."

"What's CNC?" Marinette questioned.

Nino explained, "National Centre for Film and Moving Images. It funds French films. But my bud's one is going to be filmed in Shanghai and in English - so it's not French or European 'enough' to qualify."

"Damn that's rough," Alya commented.

Marinette mumbled under her breath, "I haven't been to Shanghai since lycée."

"Oh, yeah, Marinette - um, since you're hopelessly unemployed nowadays - I have an opportun... wait no. Can I ask you a favour?" Nino led on.

"What is it?" She looked over at him.

"I have to have to break the news to my friend that I can't be on the cinematography team, but maybe it would lessen that blow if I could put you forward..."

Marinette shook her head, "Wait, no - besides product photos from my Etsy store phase, I have no idea how to use a camera!"

Alya interjected, "Hey! Don't you remember that I took those photos! You didn't even touch the camera!"

"True, why would I take photos myself when the famous Ladyblogger is my BFF? She's got skills to follow the heroes around and still take clear, in-focus photos," Marinette laughed.

Nino refocused, "Don't worry, I'm not gonna put you forward for that role. They're actually looking for more members in the art department. Apparently, some stuff went down in pre-production and the art direction is going to have to be way more complex than initially expected. With your hands-on experience in fashion, I'm sure..."

Marinette jumped up, her phone falling off the table onto the floor, "OHmygosh—YES!" She bent down to pick up her phone, "I-I-mean, yes Nino that would be great. I'd love to give it a go. But - um, they will cover the flights, right? And it is a paid role, right?"

"Yes, it's paid, and all expenses accounted for," Nino confirmed, "So, I can put your name down?"

"Yes, please do, Nino- Thank you," Marinette said eagerly.

Nino reached for his phone, "Great, I'll message him now."

A waiter approached their table and placed a crèpe complète in front of Marinette and yet another café noir in front of Alya, "So, here's to Marinette's new gig!" She cheered, lifting her cup.

Marinette lifted her plate to clink it against Alya's cup, saying, "Thanks Als" with a smile across her lips.

Hopefully, this gig will serve her well.