No take-backs

Sound

L: Hey Adrien?
A: Yeah?
L: I...

.......

Adrien's late today. What if he's avoiding me? He's probably avoiding Marinette. Lately they have been distant. It's weird. I feel so drained. Juleka and I sat in our mother's arms for the rest of the night. I never realized how important that boat was to me until it was gone. Hmm.. Science is very uninteresting. Ms. Mendeleiev should teach us the cool stuff. No one wants to know about the reproductive system of a worm! I try so hard not to bang my head against the desk. I take a deep breath in, trying to be my old calm self. I turn up the volume on my headphones, but somehow I still can't get my mind off of Adrien. He's been acting so strange. I don't understand why. His aura has changed so much since the start of school. It's like his life is out of tune.

.......

Just as I say that, Adrien bursts into the room, panting for air. His hair is messy and his eyes are swollen. Has he been up all night? His collar is popped up. Hmm, idiot. I giggle slightly. What? What am I saying? Whatever. At least he didn't skip school today, todays fencing tryouts. And I know how much he likes that. Mostly because it's what he talked about when we were on the boat. He looks up at me, I flinch. Why do I keep doing that?! His gaze caught me off guard, like he knew where I was, like he was.. looking for me.. what am I saying?! Maybe it was the lack of sleep. "Mr agreste. You do know how late you are, don't you?" Ms. Mendeleiev says loudly. He sighs. "Yes Ms. Mendeleiev." He says, trying not to roll his eyes. I giggle, his expression is funny to me. "Good. Now I need you to go sit in the back, you look atrocious. Some people snicker at that. But I can't help myself.

.......

My heart drops and I tense up. He's coming to the back? Wait.. why is that a problem? We're friends. It shouldn't be a problem. Why would it be a problem? God.. I should've really gotten even a little bit of sleep. I watch as Adrien hesitantly walks up the stairs and sits down next to me. Nino sits down next to Lila, but hardly pays her any attention. He looks back to talk to Marinette and Alya, who are chatting about some new designer show. But I wouldn't know, I can only hear my loud heart beat. I can't even hear my own melody. Where's that lonely sound I'm so used to? It's like it changed. I didn't know songs could do that. How would I know? I can hardly pay attention anymore. I think I even held my breath once. What am I doing? Adrien is my friend, I shouldn't be acting this way. I look towards Adrien, who's just as tense as me, "So, how are things with Marinette?"

.......

I see him flinch. "Oh. Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." I say quickly. "No.. sorry. It's okay." He says, fidgeting with his ring. Maybe that wasn't a good question.. as I'm about to speak, he answers. "I don't like Marinette. I told you that." And he relaxes a little bit. He fidgets with his ring a little bit more. I didn't mean to make him uncomfortable. "Yeah, I know. I just.. can never believe you.." I say accidentally. I realize what I say and respond quickly. "N-not that you're and untrustworthy person!" He finally relaxes and chuckles a little bit. "It's fine, really. I'm used to it by now." He says, his face going from a smile to a frown. Does he really not like Marinette? Who else has blue hair and blue eyes? For a split second, my heart skips a beat. A quick thought rushes in my head. Could it be me? I flinch. What? What am I thinking? Of course it isn't! Why would he like ME? "Are you okay?" He asks. I flinch again. Why do I keep doing that? "Yeah.. yeah sorry. I was just thinking about something." "Oh. Okay." He responds. I take a deep breath. "Who.. who do you like?"

.......

(Adrien's POV) My heart drops to my stomach. I can barely hear, I can barely think. "I uh..." I gulp. "W-well.." I look to him, frightened. Don't make it obvious. Don't make it obvious. I think to myself. I gulp again, fidgeting with my ring. "Why do you do that?" He says, and I flinch. "Do what?" "Playing with your ring? Do I make you uncomfortable?" I look to him and I stop fidgeting. "What?! No!- ahem.. I meant.. no." I look to him assuringly. "It's just something I do on instinct.. I've done it ever since my mom.." I look to my feet. "Oh." He says, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry.." he says. "Don't be! It's fine, really." I say, grabbing his hand. I realize and quickly pull away. "Sorry!" "No it's fine." He says, looking unfazed. I sigh, this is so awkward. I hear him laugh. "What?" I ask. "S-sorry" he says through laughs. "Your hair.." he says, holding in another laugh. I feel myself get red. "Hey!" I say, covering my hair. He laughs a little more. "No, no! It's fine I think it's-" he stops himself. What was he going to say? "What? Does it look THAT bad?" I say, trying to fix it. He laughs a little before ruffling my hair. "There, that's better." He says. I feel my cheeks warm up. What was that..? He looks to the board, like nothing ever happened.

.......

(Luka's POV) my heart is beating faster than I can think. Why is this happening NOW? This facade is hard to keep up. I clutch my chest. Calm down Luka, you're overreacting. I think. I look to Adrien, who's staring at me. He quickly looks away. What is going on right now? Why do I feel this way? I hate not knowing things. I reach for my headphones and I put them over my ears. Why did I touch his hair? Why do I want to do it again? No, Luka. Get those thoughts out of your head. His hair isn't THAT soft and delicate and smooth.. it wasn't.. and wasn't shiny and beautiful, no, it wasn't. So stop thinking that stuff.

.......

School went by as it normally was. I didn't speak to Adrien for the rest of the day, well, up until now, when he's sitting right next to me. What are we even supposed to be talking about? I don't know. I just feel comfortable where I am. "You never told me who it is you like, who.. who is it?" I ask, looking at him. He looks to me, then to his feet. "Well... I they're sweet, and understanding... and I feel safe with them.." he says, swinging his feet. "Yeah but... who is it?" I say, biting my lip. Why am I so anxious? "Do I have to say it?" "Well.. no. But it would help to know who it is, so I can help you." I say, leaning a bit closer. He looks down to his feet, then to me. "I-" just as he's about to answer, his phone rings. (Miraculous theme song ring tone.) he reaches for his phone. "Oh.. it's my dad.. hold on." He says, taking a deep sigh. He walks away and answers the phone.

.......

(Adrien POV) "Yes father?" I say, anxiously walking back and forth. "Adrien. Why aren't you at your piano lessons?" He says angrily. I swallow my words and answer; "W-well my tutor let me go early because-" "then you should've come straight home!" He yells. I flinch. "But I thought-" "no excuses, I've sent your bodyguard to go get you. I expect to see you in your by 12pm sharp. Do you understand?!" He yells again. "Yes, father." I say, looking back to Luka, who's tuning his guitar. I hear the phone click and I sigh deeply. Holding back tears. When did he become so cold? No, wait, I know when. When my mother left the world without as much as a goodbye. That was only a year ago, why did he have to change so much..? I walk back to Luka and I sit down next to him. I feel the wind against my face. The sun is so bright today, and the weather... it's all so perfect. I hear a melody, a sound. MY sound. It sounds like.. me. I look to Luka, who's playing his guitar. Has he always looked this focused?

.......

(Luka's POV) I reached for my guitar. Maybe if I play something my heart would slow down. Why am I feeling these things? I feel awful. Adrien deserves a better friend. If it wasn't for that stupid ice cream.. what am I doing again? Right, I'm playing. I'm playing such a beautiful melody. Why haven't I been doing this from the start? Why do I keep refusing it? Whose sound is this? Mine? Adrien's? I want to keep it for myself. Marinette's was beautiful... but this one.. it's calling me. And I'm following. Here's that part. The one that can never fully understand. Why would I ever stop here? "Hmm.. your tune is so relaxing, Adrien. Like you've finally found peace in your life." I say instinctively. I open my eyes in realization. Did I just say that out loud? I look to Adrien, who's looking at me. I DID say that out loud. Dang. "Sorry.." I say. "It's okay. You're right." He smiles warmly. I shouldn't feel this way. I need to stop. "Let's go, my mom's making sushi today." "I uhm.. actually.." he says.

.......

(Adrien's POV) "You're leaving?" Luka says, shocked. "But you just got here!" He says, putting down his guitar. He's acting strangely, what is going on? "Yeah, my father wants me home for dinner. But I'll take some sushi to go!" I say, looking at him kindly. He looks to has hands, clearly upset. He sighs and smiles to me. "Okay, come on, I'll go get you some." He says, grabbing my wrist and dragging me into the kitchen. He packs some sushi in a plastic container and hands it to me. "Wait but what do I do when I finished with it?" I say, not taking it. "It's fine, just give it to me tomorrow." He says, still holding it. "Okay.." I say, hesitantly taking it. We hear a car beep. "Well.. that's my ride.. I say, standing there awkwardly. He looks around, making sure no one else is there. What is he doing? Suddenly, he wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly. "See you later." He says, before releasing me and fleeing to his room. "What..." I say, standing there shocked. The tension is broken once I hear the car beep again. I head up to the top of the boat and I walk down to the car. For the whole ride, I sit there silently, contemplating my day.