Hidden ~ Miraculous Ladybug AU

Chapter 18

Marinette's POV

I sat in the metal chair in the café. It was a small, cozy little place, much like my own parents' bakery. I only ordered a small strawberry drink and salad since I couldn't afford to add anymore weight onto myself.

I sat near a window, looking out and thinking about how crummy my day got so quickly, when the bell next to the door jingled. I turned my head to see Tikki walking over towards me, smiling.

I smiled back, quickly smushing all my negative thoughts away.
"Hey!" I greeted her as she sat down.
"Hi, Marinette! This is a really nice place." Tikki said, looking around.

"Yeah it is. I already ordered, so you probably should too. Then we can get to know each other." I suggested and she nodded, walking up to the counter. I sighed and took out my phone as it buzzed.

Heyoo! - Pea

My lips curled into a small smile, we hadn't spoken since he graduated. His school let out a week after mine, so now he'd probably be getting ready to go to college. It occurred to me he hadn't told me what college he got into.

Knowing Felix, the smart, usually cold, tsundere, he was, he'd be able to get into any college he wanted, with as many teacher recommendations he wanted, for some reason, they all tended to love him.

Hey! - Buggy
What are you up to? - Pea

I was about to respond when Tikki reappeared with both of our orders.
"Oh! Thank you!" I smiled at her, taking a sip of the strawberry frappe. It wouldn't be fair to her if I just dropped out of our conversation, since we weren't good friends yet.

Felix would have to wait, I need to have standards. He probably made it into Harvard or something and wouldn't come back to Paris for a while.

I'm actually with a new friend right now. Sorry, I've got to go. I'll call you later! ❤️ - Buggy

I felt really bad, turning him down like that. But for now, I should give Tikki all my attention. I set my phone down and started the conversation. I don't know why I wasn't my usual shy, idiot self, but I
loved it, I guess it was something about her.

"So! Where are you from?" I asked her, taking a forkful of lettuce and putting it into my mouth. She ordered a chocolate frappe and had a sandwich on a plate in front of her.

"I'm...from...the other side of Paris." She said slowly. It was kinda strange, but who was I to judge?

"Cool! I've lived around here all my life. Actually, my parents own a bakery kinda like this. I should take you one day." Tikki smiled and nodded happily.

"You're a freshman too right?" I nodded and had some more of my salad. "What courses do you have?"
"Oh! Ballet and Fashion Design. You?"
"No way! I'm in Ballet and Fashion Design too! Your minor?"

"Gymnastics." She slumped down.
"Oh, I'm in painting. Core classes?" I showed her my schedule and we had Literature and Chemistry together, the two classes I thought I'd be alone in! This is great!

"You should meet my boyfriend, Plagg. He's a freshman too, he's crazy. I'm sure you'd love him. He's in our Ballet class, Literature, and Chemistry." I swallowed a huge lump that formed in my throat at the word "Boyfriend".

"Yeah! That'd be great." I agreed. "You'd probably like my friends too. Ballet was our chosen bridge course so like, all of my friends are in it. Alya and Nino especially, they're my best friends." I told her and she nodded, eating her sandwich.