To Fall For a Shadow

A Figure in the Shadows

Alya Cesaire was many things, but a matchmaker she was definitely not. Marinette Dupain-Cheng sat next to the ombre haired girl, watching as she swiped down dating websites. They had been sitting there on the couch for the past three hours, looking at possible bachelors for Mari to try her luck with. It had been forever since she had been romantically involved with someone, she desperately craved that kind of companionship. Of course Alya's methods to hook her up with people weren't always preferable. Although she craved companionship, she maintained that she was happy being single. Marinette wanted to focus on her career and schoolwork, and dating somebody would only cause distractions, and prevent her from achieving her goals. The blogger was determined to set her best friend up with someone. Ever since her and one of their friends, Nino, had gotten togther, she hadn't left the subject alone. It was annoying, the blue girl had to admit, but it was also nice she was looking out for her.

"Girl, what about this one? He's a college student, just like you..." She felt her best friend nudge her in the ribs, eagerly awaiting for a response, and as Marinette's head turned to face her, the ombre haired girl offered a wink.

"Alya," she groaned in reply, rolling her eyes and moving away so she couldn't hurt her ribs again. This was starting to get even more irritating. Why couldn't she just leave this subject alone?

"Fine, fine, I'll keep looking. I'm sorry girl, but I ain't resting until I find you a man, because who's gonna take care of my little Mari after I die?" she raised her eyebrow, grinning deviously. She turned her focus back to her phone and continued to scroll down the dating page with the wicked grin still sprawled across her face.

"Are you planning on it or something?" Mari raised an eyebrow with concern .

"Of course not. But you never know. Nino might murder me in my sleep for snoring, I might drop dead of exhaustion from work, and then there's always dangerous criminals that could drag me into an alleyway and murder me right then and there.  There's always a possibility, girl, no matter how slight the chance is."

"Thats just your obsessive paranoia. And you're totally not exaggerating at all..." Alya ignored the underlying tone of sarcasm.

"Never."

Marinette shook her head in disbelief, she couldnt believe her best friend was going this far. But then she was hit with the realisation that she really shouldn't have been surprised, she could be pretty melodramatic whenever it came to situations like these. The raven haired girl glanced at the clock that was hung up on the wall just above Alya's bookshelf. Crap... it was past midnight and she had work at 9. With haste, she got up and walked over to the dining table, where her jacket was resting beside her keys and purse. She grabbed them quickly and slipped on her jacket as she made her way to the door.

"Alya, it's getting late, I should get home," Mari shouted at her from the kitchen. As if on que, Alya was up and over within the time frame of about three milliseconds. Her arms wrapped around her before she could process what was happening. Her body was warm, and she could feel the rising and falling of her chest as she breathing. Mari offered a grin as she pulled away and turned the handle slowly, preparing herself for the shock of the midnight atmosphere.

"Thanks for dinner, and for keeping me company," the blue haired girl smiled one last time as she opened it and stepped outside. The instant cool of the night air hit her like a slap to the face, as she knew it most certainly would.

"Have a safe trip home, keep the pepper spray at the ready!" She waved goodbye.

"I'm not gonna get attacked, I'm literally walking two blocks away." She glared at her. "Besides I can protect myself." and to this, Alya snorted with laughter.