Helpless (Marichat)

III. A Growing Friendship

On a chilly Friday night, I landed softly on a balcony that I knew far too well. I lightly tapped on the trapdoor that led inside. A young girl about my age opened it and greeted me.

"Hey, Chat Noir, what's up?" Marinettte smiled up at me.

"Can't a friend visit another friend?"

"Yeah, but they usually don't knock on their balcony trapdoor at 10 pm."

"Well, I'm not the usual friend."

"You're not wrong there."

"So, how's life going for ya?"

"Not any different that normal. School, a lot of homework. I hang out with my friends, you included. My crush doesn't notice me. The usual?"

"Ooo, guy or girl?"

"Guy, he is so cute. And nice. He is always so kind to everyone."

"Tell me more."

"I'd love to, but no."

"Come on! I wanted to hear all about your hot tea."

"First of all, the tea is lukewarm, not hot. Second, it's not like I have a shot with him anyways."

"Lies."

"What?"

"I said lies. Mari, even I've noticed. There are so many guys that would kill to get to talk to you, much less date you. You think you don't have a shot with him. I refuse to believe that. He's probably bonkers for you."

"Really?"

"Really really."

"I just realized, it's really cold outside, do you want to come inside and play video games for like half an hour?"

"Sure."

I dropped into her room, where she led me to a small computer where we until Plagg got sick of being inside the miraculous and forced me to leave.

Upon my arrival home, I changed quickly into my pajamas as Plagg raided the mini-fridge for camembert.

"Mari is so fun to be around. What a great friend." I said to myself.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Are you saying she's not my friend?"

"No. Yes. Maybe? What I'm saying, kid, is what if she's more?"

"No, Marinette is just a friend."

And with that, I drifted off to sleep, pondering Plagg's question.