Reunited (A Miraculous Ladybug Romance)

21: Realization

5/1/18

Marinette never thought that she could get sick of hearing about herself, but here she was, elbow perched atop her desk leaning her head into the palm of her hand ready to kneel over in boredom. Alya had been rambling for hours about the reemergence of Ladybug coming up with theories on her return, lamenting on the trashy article that had beaten her own, and concocting all sorts of ridiculous plans that would hopefully find her face to face with the elusive heroine.

Marinette had tried almost everything to get her friend's mind off of her other persona; she had put on a movie - during which Alya somehow masterfully managed to connect everything to Ladybug; she had tried to play a video game, but Alya only commented on how a Ladybug character would make the game so much better; and she had even tried to offer her friend some wine (in hopes of muddling her mind), but Alya had refused - stating that she needed to stay as sharp as a tack in order to construct an irrefutably well designed plan .

Marinette's phone lit up, showing Adrien's response to her inquiry about Nino. If Alya wasn't going to change what she was talking about, then Marinette would just have to speak with someone else.

[Adrien: Not so great, but thanks to you I think I have an idea.]

The bluenette shifted uncomfortably in her seat. What were those boys up to? Marinette analyzed the message that she had sent. Nothing within those words should have given Adrien an idea. Maybe she was reading too much into things; he possibly could have been referring to something that they had talked about weeks ago. But even then, she still had no idea of what she had said.

[Marinette: I'm glad that I could inspire you, but what exactly is your idea? Please let me in on this before you decide to do something stupid.]

"Why did you ask Adrien about Nino's well being?" Alya blurted, having successfully snuck up behind Marinette. She had been curious as to what had been so important to her friend as to stop listening to her conversation. Her heart jolted within her chest when she had seen her boyfriend's name show up across the screen. Was something wrong with Nino? Was he not feeling well? If that was the case, then why didn't she know? But then she saw the words that filled her spirit with the most unease: still oblivious.

"What are you not telling me, Mare?" Alya's eyes narrowed.

Marinette jerked around to face her friend at the sudden intrusion on her privacy and much longed for change of topic. Alya stood, arms crossed, with daggers in her eyes. Well, this wasn't exactly the change in conversation that Marinette had been hoping for. Why couldn't Alya bring up something simple, like what they were planning to eat?

"I-um," Marinette muttered, unsure of how to answer her question.

"What do you mean I am still oblivious? Oblivious about what?" Alya stomped her foot.

Marinette froze, eyes unblinking, as she tried to think of a way to calm Alya down. She was like a storm catcher, watching, powerless at the edge of the storm. Would the storm intensify, encouraged by the conditions to multiply into a raging swirl? Or would it fizzle down, dissipating into nothingness, leaving no destruction whatsoever in its path?

"Is there something that I am supposed to know? Something that has to do with Nino?" Alya questioned, throwing her hands into the air. "He seemed perfectly fine at the zoo today. We had a great time. We talked, we laughed, and... well I guess he did leave suddenly, but I thought that was because Adrien needed him for something."

"Adrien was just trying to be a good friend," Marinette blurted without even thinking. So much for calming the brewing storm.

Alya placed her hands on her hips, "A good friend? You sound as if he needed some kind of saving. Why would Adrien have to save Nino from me?"