Nathaniel + Marinette Valentines

February 3rd

Today was my date with Mari! I was really excited. I actually blow dried my hair this morning in an attempt to look less messy. I put on black jeans and a plain white t shirt. I pulled on a denim jacket and slipped into my usual sneakers.

The school day was a blur, my mind was not on school at all. I want to go on my date with my Flower already!! I impatiently rested my head on my hands and unsuccessfully blew my bangs away from my face.

I hope we can go to her place after school... my face flushed at the thought. When the bell finally rang for the day to be over, I quickly packed up my things and went down to Mari's desk.

"So where do you want to go?" I asked as I lifted her bag and swung it over my shoulder. Mari didn't argue with me over her bag this time. Maybe I look more like a man this way, I hoped.

"I'm good with anywhere," Mari said as she put on her coat. "but since it's cold outside, maybe somewhere we can be cozy is better. Hey we should go to my place and watch some movies..." She tried to finish her sentence but her face turned red.

No way no way no way no way!! "Uh-um, s-sounds good to m-me." I stammered. I wasn't going to let this chance slip by.

"O-o-okay then, let's go then..!" Mari said nervously as she tugged on her pigtails.

I softly took her hand in mine and smiled at her, she was too cute. She silently accepted my hand and we began walking to Mari's house.

When we finally reached her house, she was a little hesitant to let me in. We paused in front of the bakery for a moment.

"Um... is something wro-" before I could finish my sentence, Mari tugged my hand and pulled me inside the bakery.

There was a large man at the register and a short lady with the same black hair as Mari's placing some pastries in a box.

Before I could ask who they were, Mari began speaking very... quickly.

"Hi dad hi mom school was great thanks for asking I'm going to take Nath up to my room so we can hang out so don't bother us please and thank you!" We practically ran up the stairs, I was speechless, I haven't seen her act that way before. Mom? Dad?

At the top of the stairs, she let go of my hand and leaned against the wall as she sighed. "I'm sorry about my parents, they're weird. I'll introduce you to them... before you leave. Is that okay?"

I was still a little shocked, so I just nodded 'yes'. I felt a little tug at my heart. Why doesn't she want me to meet them? Is it because I'm disappointing as a man? Is she ashamed to call me her boyfriend? I shook off those thoughts. We're so affectionate to each other though, there's no way she's ashamed of me. Right? There has to be a good reason as to why she doesn't want to introduce me, but I wasn't going to ask her about it.

I followed Mari down the short hall. She placed her hand on a doorknob but suddenly froze. "Uh-ummm... wait out here for a few moments, okay? I need to take care of something. Quickly. Right now. Before you go in." She said nervously.

"... okay..." I said as I watched a bead of sweat roll down her cheek. Okay, now I was really confused and I felt a little uncomfortable. Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to coming here...

I waited for a few minutes outside her door. I could hear some crashes and a little scream as if something had fallen. I opened the door in a panic.