Heartbroken Hero

Chapter 9

Marinette was so glad that it was dark in the building. She really didn't want to see Louise's reaction to Adrien holding her hand.

"Adrien, who is that?" Chloe yelled over the music, inching closer to the pair. Her face appeared out of the darkness and Marinette could see her signature icy blue eyes. They widened in surprise.

"Well, sheesh! It's about time you came," Chloe complained. She then coughed, remembering how she was trying to change for the better. And that she needed Marinette's help carrying out her plan.

Adrien laughed and pulled his hand away from Marinette's, telling Chloe the story of how he found her lost and dazed in the darkness of the alley.

And in that moment, the lights snapped on without warning, temporarily blinding everyone. The "party hour" had just ended. Grunts of discomfort erupted from the groups of bowlers as an apologetic voice came over the intercom.

"Sorry," the voice blared, which obviously came from the scrawny boy behind the front desk.

Marinette glanced up at Louise, who was texting on her phone. The longer she looked at Louise, the more jealous she got. The model had sun kissed skin, a crop top that exposed her perfectly toned body, and long flowing brown hair.

No wonder Adrien was in love with her.

"You can bowl first," Louise said, looking up, and Marinette quickly shifted her gaze to the wall just behind Louise.

"Okay," she squeaked, quickly slipping on her bowling shoes and then struggling to pick up a bowling ball. It was incredibly heavy and she was already exhausted from running around.

She grunted as she lifted it up.

Adrien hurried over and grabbed the ball. "Here, let me help you."

"I got it, thanks," Marinette stated, tugging the ball away, her fingers barely brushing his helping hand.

It broke her heart to deny his help, but Louise was shooting darts into Marinette with her eyes.

"Good luck," Chloe yelled, holding up her phone to record any embarrassing moments.

Louise smiled, clapping her hands together. "Yeah, good luck!"

Marinette stepped up to the line. She closed her eyes and breathed out. Firmly gripping the ball in her right hand, she swung her arm back, and unleashed her fury, letting the momentum do the work.

The ball soared down the lane at lightening speed, and in an instant, connected with the pins with a thunderous crash.

They were all knocked over.

"Yes!" Adrien screamed, jumping up and down.

Marinette blinked. Did she really just get a strike?!

"Not bad," Chloe nodded, half smirking.

Adrien raced over to Marinette, holding up his hand for a high five. Marinette slapped his hand with hers triumphantly, cheering.

Louise walked over and nodded, her arms crossed. An impressed smirk played on her lips. "Way to go, Mari. You're awesome at bowling."

Marinette shrugged, smiling graciously. "Um, thanks, I guess? That's honestly the first time I've ever gotten a strike!"

"Beginners luck?" Louise questioned, tilting her head.

"Uh, yeah! I mean, no!" Marinette laughed.

Before Louise could say anything more, Chloe stepped in between them, ending the painfully awkward conversation.