When the Cat Met the Wolf

18. Of Valentine's Day & Love Poems

"In most fairy tales, the prince breaks the spell by kissing the princess" said the teacher to her students "Can anyone tell us why?" Rose sitting at the back stood up to give the answer.

"Because only love can conquer hate!" she said dreamily, and the teacher congratulated her for her answer.

Arianne, in the meanwhile, was writing a song while listening to the teacher. It was Valentine's Day, and she felt very inspired, but she didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, for she could be inspired because of guilt and pain, or because of love.

"Adrien and Arianne, I hope that what you are writing has to do with my lesson" said the teacher once more, approaching the desks. Adrien had followed Tigre Blanco's advice, and had been writing a poem to Loup d'Argent while the class went on "Can you tell me what I just said?" Adrien spoke up first.

"That's why in most fairy tales the prince breaks the spell by kissing the princess..."

"...because only love conquers hate" finished Arianne, and both friends bumped fists with satisfaction, just as the bell rang. The teacher told them to finish 'Sleeping Beauty' and wished them a happy Valentine's Day before letting them go.

"Want me to help you set up camp, Adrien?" questioned Thiago, when he saw that the blonde was still sitting down. The two boys had become closer ever since they were put in the same group of the particle physics project.

"Coming" Adrien replied, throwing a piece of paper to the bin and following his friend. Arianne was still packing her things when Ayu came out of her bag.

"Did you see that?" he asked excitedly, making her frown.

"See what?" she questioned. She had been busy closing her notebook to see Adrien's action.

"Adrien!" replied Ayu "He was writing in that paper for most of the hour, but he just threw it away! Aren't you curious on what it's written on it?"

"Honestly? Not really" replied Arianne downhearted. She had woken up very inspired that day, but sort of grey, too. It was Valentine's Day, the universal day of love, but she wouldn't be able to confess her feelings or even ask the person she liked out, because she might hurt Marinette. She just had to suck it up and distract herself with other things. 

"Well, I am!" replied Ayu, and grabbed the piece of paper from the bin. He unfolded it on the desk, read it, and his eyes opened wide "Aria, you have to read this!" she sighed and approached the desk where the paper was resting. It said:

Your hair is silver as the moon

Your pretty hazel eyes

I wonder who you are

Beneath that strong disguise

Every day we see each other

And I hope that you'll be mine

Together our love could be so true

Please will you be my valentine?

"He's talking about you!" said Ayu excited, making Arianne give him a 'seriously?' look "It's true! 'Silver as the moon'? 'Hazel eyes'? Who could be that other than Loup d'Argent?"

"About 50% of the girls in this world" replied Arianne quizzically, making Ayu groan.

"But what about 'strong disguise'?" 

"It's poetry, Ayu" she replied "It could be a metaphor. Look, I appreciate you trying to cheer me up, but don't raise my hopes up. I can't handle it" she walked away, with Ayu looking at her sadly. He wanted to make Arianne happy, and that's why he folded the poem again and took it with him.