Accident of the Evening

Natural Element

Adrien liked seeing Marinette in one of her natural environments. He was sure the place she was most comfortable would be her parent's bakery, another would be wherever she liked to design and the dance class was another. Alya was right, Marinette had some moves.

She had Nino dancing like he had been doing it for more than a day and his confidence was already sky rocketing. Adrien was impressed with the way she had taught Nino, she was patient and kind, and helped him understand how to move with the music and understand the beat of the genre.

He was annoyed at Chloé for tripping Marinette, but he was glad he got a chance to sit with her. She was different in the studio. She didn't blush or stammer like she usually did around him, instead he saw the same girl he had met on Saturday before she found out who he was. Maybe that's why she was so uncomfortable around him.

"Sorry about Chloé," Adrien sighed after a moment. They had shifted so they could watch the class follow the rest of the dance and were resting their backs on the wall, trying to subtly eat gummy worms without being caught.

"Don't be, Adrien. I told you she and I don't get along and I meant it," Marinette shrugged and Adrien saw something in her eyes. Something sad.

"Why? I mean, if you don't mind me asking."

"Well that's the thing," Marinette sighed. "I don't know. She's just always disliked me. All through high school and even now. I don't know if I did anything or what, but she just hates me."

"Oh," Adrien was all he could say.

"It's okay. I've accepted it, you know? You can't be friends with everyone. It used to be worse, I mean, I used to just take it and never stood up for myself. When I met Alya, she told me 'All that is needed for the triumph of evil, is for good people to do nothing' and I don't know, I just realised she was right. I stood up to her, and just like that, it didn't bother me anymore." Marinette stared out at the class as they twirled and stepped perfectly to the music.

"The triumph of evil?" Adrien repeated with a small smile.

"Oh Alya used to be big on superheroes. I got dragged to every Marvel and DC movie released until she and Nino started dating. Then it was his turn," she smiled and met his eyes.

"Mari-" Adrien began but was cut off by a shrill "Adrikins!"

Chloé made her way over to them in the middle of the dance but Madame Bustier just shot a glare and continued instructing the class.

"Adrikins, I need a competent partner, Kim can't lift me right and keeps messing up steps," she complained, pulling Adrien's hand. He saw the tall jock standing to the side of the group and looking kind of clueless.

"We should get back," Marinette nodded, picking up their drink bottles and hiding the gummy worms from the others. "I'll put this back, you go dance with her," Marinette told him before walking off.

Adrien felt his lips tug into a frown, but was quick to shake it off so he didn't offend his childhood friend. He stood and let her lead him to the dance floor, watching as Marinette returned and joined Kim beside them, falling into step with the rest of the class.

It was hard to concentrate with Chloé gripping him tightly and practically pushing her body into his, but it was also hard to concentrate when all he wanted to do was watch Marinette. He could see her move elegantly to the music and the way she smiled a little when she was lifted. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but he was envious of Kim, wishing things could go back to before.

"And that's all for today. Well done class! I'd like to see you all tomorrow afternoon," Madame Bustier announced with a clap of her hands. She looked like she wanted to say something else but instead turned and started talking to students who had approached her.