Nathaniel + Marinette Valentines

February 10th

I was not in a good mood today. The events from yesterday were still in my mind, bouncing around and giving me a headache.

This whole month so far has not been nice to me. Without Mari, I might've possibly stayed home this whole week. I come to school because she does. My grades aren't as important to me as they should be, but I don't need that stuff if I want to be an artist. Besides, I'm not bad at school, I'm just lazy. If I actually tried, I'd be getting higher grades than the C's I have right now.

At school, I put my jacket in my locker before walking to class with Mari.

"Nath, are you sure you're feeling well? You don't look too good... I didn't mean it in a bad way! I just, you seem sick still." Mari asked me worriedly as she waited for me.

I shut my locker closed. "I promise I'm fine, you worry too much." I ruffled her midnight hair.

"Hey!" Mari smirked at me and jumped up to mess up my hair too. "Now we both have messy hair, and it's your fault!" She laughed.

I shook my head, messing up my hair even more. "Joke's on you, my hair is always messy!" I smoothed down Mari's hair.

"Don't mess it up!" She pouted at me.

"I'm fixing it! I'm pretty good with hair, trust me Flower." I assured her. I brushed my hands through her dark hair. "You don't need these." I said as I pulled out her pigtails.

"Why not? I've kinda been wearing them for like, ever now." Mari asked as she looked up st me. Her hair was slightly messy, yet put together; I guess you could call it fashionably messy. Either way, the look surprisingly fit her well and she was so adorable. Her big bluebell eyes looked up at me curiously.

I planted a kiss on her nose. "You look even cuter like this, that's why you shouldn't always tie it up."

Mari blushed and averted her eyes from mine. She turned her back towards me and pulled her hair down with her hands. "W-whatever! Maybe I will keep it like this."

I hugged her from behind. "Whatever my Flower wants."

"Nath! W-we should get to class!" Mari said as she grabbed my arms.

"Okay, but I like this much better." I said reluctantly.

In the classroom, I strategically laid out my art supplies so I could draw without being caught. I had my utensils in my bag, which was laying on my desk, and my sketch paper underneath my notebook. If I really didn't get this, I could always look it up on YouTube. YouTube is probably a better teacher than Ms. Bustier, to be honest.

Once class was over, I heard my phone buzz as I was putting my things in my bag. I felt this weight at the bottom of my stomach before I could even look at the notification.

I picked up my phone, and sure enough, my intuition was accurate.

SheDevil: meet me in the limo as always! Don't forget that you're trying on a tux before work for my party! Be there or you're dead.

I didn't even respond, I just grimaced and shoved my phone back in my bag. That's right, I still haven't told Mari about that dumb party she wants me to go to. How do I even explain all of this? It sound so lame.

What would Mari think of me if I told her Chloé was blackmailing me to make sure I go to her Valentine's Day party? It sounded pathetic. I didn't want Mari to worry or be hurt by this, but I don't want to keep this from her either. I sighed, why does Chloé always make thing complicated?

I felt really creeped out all of a sudden. Then I felt someone grab my arm tightly. "Nath, let's go already! Did you get my message? We don't have time to waste!" Chloé scolded.

I don't have patience for this. I yanked my arm away from her death grip. "Can you give me a minute?" I said sternly.

I grabbed Marinette's hand and kisses it. "I have work again today, I'm sorry Flower."

Mari's face flushed. "I-I know. It's okay, I'll see you tomorrow Nath." She smiled at me and slowly pulled her hand away from mine.

I don't know if I can keep this up, I really hate work and Chloé but I need money for Mari to enjoy Valentine's Day. I followed Chloé to her limo.

Before I could go into the employee locker room to change, Chloé grabbed my bag strap and yanked me into the elevator.

"Where do you think you're going? You have a suit to try on, remember?" She snarled at me.

"I already said I'm not going." I pulled my bag away.

"And I already said you don't have a choice! If you don't come I'll dismiss you right now and I won't pay you!" She waved a paycheck in front of my eyes.

I stiffened. "I can only stay for an hour, I have other things to do on Wednesday."

Chloé eyed me up and down before responding, "Fine, an hour is enough. Just be there!"

I was surprised she agreed, but happy. That should be enough time to pick up my gold rose and get some chocolates for Mari! I smiled.

"Ew, why are you grinning like that? It's creepy, cut it out before you scare someone." Chloé looked down so I couldn't see her face with her arms folded tightly.

I shot her a glare, then turned away so I could face the elevator door. How can a 15 year old be so bratty?

When we reached the top floor, she dragged me to her room again. The view still took my breath away. I dropped my back on the floor and stood still while Chloé rummaged through  her closet. When she emerged, she had a full suit folded.

She held it out to me. "Here, try this on now. In the bathroom. Now."

I took the suit out of her hands. "Fine." I locked the bathroom and began changing. The suit fit me perfectly... which was weird considering I haven't given Chloé my measurements nor my size for clothing. It was a simple black and white tux with a mint blue tie and a white rose brooch.

I came out and shoved my hands in my pockets. "There. Can I change out of this now?" I don't really like formal wear, it feels too stiff and tiring to wear.

Chloé gawked at me. She picked up something from her vanity and walked over to me. "Stand still tomato."

"H-hey! What are you doing?" I asked nervously as she started touching my hair.

"There, you look cleaner now." She said to me.

I looked in the bathroom mirror and saw she had clipped my bangs back with a mint blue barrette. I stared at myself in the mirror and imagined myself at a magnificent party; with Chloé by my side. My heart ached. Marinette, I miss you. I walked out of the bathroom and unclipped the barrette from my hair, my bangs fell and covered my face.

I handed it back to Chloé, hoping she wouldn't notice my mood. "I... I'm going to go change into my work clothes." Before she could answer, I locked myself in the bathroom again and left her room ready to work.

I miss my Flower, work is taking too much time away from us, but I want to do something great for her on Valentine's. I sighed sadly as I tied my hair up for work. Only a few more days, then I quit.