Dreams Come True

Chapter 5, Comfort

Alya’s POV: -at the end of class

When the bell rang, Marinette sprinted out of the classroom, far too quickly.

Alya was slightly concerned, so she decided to follow her friend out.

Without offering an explanation or temporary goodbye to her boyfriend sitting next to her, Alya ran out after her friend to the bathroom.

When she got there, Marinette was staring at her reflection in the mirror, with a strained smile on her face. Alya’s heart hurt at the sight of it, but mastering herself, she acted carefree and cool as she walked to her friend.
Standing next to her, leaning on Mari’s shoulder and smiling, Alya spoke, ‘Hey Girl.’

Marinette didn’t reply, so without dropping her mask, Alya said, as though not noticing the lack of communication from her friend, ‘You know, you look really, really nice with your hair down.’ And I cannot express that enough.

Marinette looked down at her hands –not a good sign. ‘What did you mean: “Adrien thinks so too”?’ she asked quietly.

‘Girl, didn’t you see!? Adrien was totally staring at you!’ Alya said, hugging her friend as an attempt to be encouraging.

Marinette looked up at her hopefully, ‘Are-are you sure?’ she stammered.

‘Yes!’ Alya exclaimed and watched in relief as a smile began forming on her face...and then fade as she saw it falter.

‘It doesn’t mean that he likes me,’ she said sadly and looked back down at her hands again. Oh no, Alya thought.

‘Girl, look at me,’ Alya said, and she moved to stand in front of her friend, holding her by the shoulders and bending down so she could see her face clearly. ‘Adrien does like you. He would actually have to be mad to not like you! You need to brighten up; I know what I saw-‘ And what I was told, Alya thought wickedly, ‘-he was staring at you, Mari.’

Marinette looked up at Alya and smiled, then embraced her tightly, ‘Thanks Alya. You’re the best!’

‘I know,’ Alya said smiling happily, and when Marinette finally let go, they walked out of the bathroom together, Alya hanging her arm around her best friend’s shoulders.

Just as she started to feel happy again, Marinette cut through her moment of joy and said seriously, ‘You know I’m still not telling him right?’

Alya removed her arm from Marinette’s shoulder and looked at her friend incredulously and with annoyance. Then, after a moment, she rolled her eyes and shoved her friend playfully as she sighed dramatically. One day...one day, she thought happily.