Nathaniel + Marinette Valentines

February 4th

I woke up hugging my pillow. The events from yesterday flooded my mind.

*dramatic flashback*

Mari's mom looked at us with a casual face. "Hi honey, what's up?" She asked.

"Th-this m-my b-b..." Mari paused for a moment before speaking again. I squeezed her hand in an attempt to make her feel better. "Boyfriend, Nathaniel Kurtzberg."

Her mom looked at me and then at Mari, flipping back and forth. "Oh my! That's wonderful sweetie!" Her mother excitedly grabbed my hands and looked in my eyes. "Nathaniel, was it? Your eyes are such a lovely teal color! And your red hair is gorgeous! Mari, you have excellent taste!" She praised.

I felt my face burn at the compliments. "Th-thank you, Mrs. Dupain-Cheng. I am very thankful for your kind words." I politely responded.

"He's well-mannered, too! He seems wonderful Marinette." Her mom looked at us with a smile on her face. "HONEY!! COME MEET MARINETTE'S BOY-"

Marinette interrupted her mom. "MOM! Dad, um, could you come here please?" Mari looked nervous.

The large man came in from the bakery kitchen wearing an apron that had lots of flour on it. "What's going on?" He asked wiping his dusty hands on his apron.

"Marinette is going to introduce you to someone very important!" Mari's mom said excitedly.

"T-this is, m-m-my... boyfriend. His name is Nathaniel Kurtzberg." She said a little softer than earlier.

Her dad looked at me, his face was hard to read. He leaned into my face and I felt nervous beads of sweat run down my face.

Suddenly he slapped my back really hard and began laughing. I (unsuccessfully) tried not to flinch at the impact which had caused me to let go of Mari's hand. "He seems alright, maybe you should stay for dinner. We'd like to learn more about you Nathaniel." He suggested.

I looked back at Mari and saw there were some- um.... marks, that I had made on her neck from earlier.

Shiiiiiiit!

I panicked. "Uh-uhm, that's really nice of you- and I'd love to stay, but my mom needs me back home to help her- cook. Yea. Maybe... next time...?" I scratched the back of my head nervously.

There was a short pause, but to me it felt like an eternity of awkward silence.

"That's okay kiddo! There's always next time!" Her dad said, breaking the silence. The bell sounded; someone had walked in the bakery so he went to tend to them.

"You're invited to stay whenever you'd like, Nathaniel. In the meantime, please take care of our daughter!" Mari's mom beamed at us.

I smiled, hopefully it didn't look that strained. It's not that I disliked them, I was just insanely nervous. "I wish I could stay, but I really need to get going. See you tomorrow at school Mari!" I walked over to her mom. "I-it was nice meeting you, say 'goodbye' to your husband for me please. T-thank you for your kindness!" I said nervously.

"See you, Nath." Mari said to me. I could see how happy she was, she had a beautiful smile on her face.

I wasn't ready for that attack. I waved at her and left the bakery to go home with my face burning.