Miraculous Mermaids (discontinued, but check the last chapter for extra info!)

4

I've always wondered why Marinette never wanted to do any water activities with me, Alya, and Nino. The more I think about it, the more suspcious I get. Get-together at the pool? Marinette's busy at the bakery. Group vacation to the beach? Marinette's sick. Trip to the waterpark just because? Marinette's doing something that day. Pool party? Marinette stays as far from the water as possible. In fact, the hot tub was the only time Marinette got in the water in front of us and even then she looked uncomfortable. Was she hydrophobic? I have to ask her later. 
"Mare, get out of the tub! It's time for cake!" Alya calls out to Mari.
"In a sec!" she says."You guys go without me."
"...Ok." Alya replies tentatively before closing the door. "C'mon, Adrien." Alya says. Lets get some cake. We need to talk anyways."
Talk? About what? Alya has a serious look on her face so I know it isn't something minor like the Ladyblog or the amount of times Nino has looked at her. So what could she possibly talk to me about that is so serious?
"Ok...?" I walk over to the table and get a slice of chocolate cake. The moment I grab my fork and napkin, Alya drags me to the couch.
"Sit."
I obey with a worried look.
"Now, WHAT IS UP WITH ALL THIS 'MARI' BUSINESS?" Alya practically shrieks.
"What do you mean?"
"The new nickname you gave her?"
It takes me a while to process this. "Oh! That! I don't know, it just kind of slipped out?"
"Mmhmm." Alya hums.
"Honestly! Why? Should I not call her that?"
"Ha! As if! Oh, here she comes. Act natural, pretty boy."
Marinette walks over to us wobbling a little.
"Hey guyyYYS!" Mari starts before tripping. Instantly, i'm on my feet catching her between my arms.
"Are you ok, Mari?" I ask.
"Uh...I'm.. F-fine! Thanks, Haha!" Marinette says with a light blush forming on her cheeks. In the corner of my eye I see Alya smirk to herself."I-i guess my legs fell asleep?"
"Oh, well, are you ok?" I say setting her down on the couch.
"Uh...yeah!" At this, Alya gets up.
"Hey, chocolate or vanilla cake Mare?" she asked.
"Um..."
"Vanilla cake it is!" Alya grins before marching off leaving Marinette and I alone.
"So...Mari..." I begin
"Yes?" she squeaks.
"Are you hydrophobic?" I blurt out.
"Excuse me?" Marinette says turning a darker shade of pink.
"Hydrophobic. Y'know, a fear of water? Are you afraid of water?"
"Oh! Uh...um...ah...n-no, wh-why would y-you ask that?" She stammers her blush going from pink to red.
"Oh, well it's just because whenever there's a water-related activity, you never seem to want to show up."
"O-oh well, you see--" Marinette is cut off by Alya who placed a huge piece of vanilla cake in Marinette's lap.
"Here ya go!" she smirks.
"A-alya, I can't finish this!"
"I know."
"So why did you give me such a big piece?"
"So you can give me what you don't finish!" Alya laughs.
"Alya!" Marinette giggles.
"What? Like i'm ever gonna pass up a chance on some awesome cakes made by my bff?"
"Wait. Marinette, you made both of these cakes?" I cut in.
"She sure did!" Alya said hugging a now red Marinette.
"You have a lot of talent, Mari. Fashion and baking? Wow."
"I-it's nothing compared to you! Modeling plus the endless work that school puts on you? It takes real talent to pull that off and still pass as sane." Marinette says.
"Ok! Time for gifts!" Mrs. Cesaire says before I can reply.
"We better head to the table." I state.
"Yeah." Mari replies. "Let's go."