When the Cat Met the Wolf

39. Of Puppeteers & Dolls

Arianne wrote some notes in the stave with her violin resting by her side. She was adding the last touches to her new original song, the one she was going to play the next day on the second round of the competition. She was quite proud of how it had turned out, and she decided to name it 'Gateway'.

"It's done!" she said excited, dropping the pen on the table "Now all that's left is to practice it!"

"You're going to do great, Aria! I'm sure of it!" said Ayu, floating in front of her, and making the girl chuckle silently.

"Thanks, Ayu" she replied with a smile "I really hope so. I really want to win this"

She would get the chance to record her own album if she did win! She really wanted to do it!

It would be hard, of course, 'cause she was competing against violinists from all around the world, and some of them, or most of them, were extremely talented. They had been practicing for more years than her, and that was saying something, 'cause she had been playing since she was ten.

"And you will! I believe in you!" encouraged the kwami. Arianne smiled, lucky that she had someone like Ayu with her. He was a very encouraging and cheerful kwami, and she couldn't ask for anyone better, really.

At that moment, her cellphone rang. It was Thiago.

"Bonjour, Thiag" she replied, placing the stave in a notebook she had, where she kept all her songs. Covers and originals.

"I've been waiting for you for like ten minutes!" he complained, making Arianne chuckle slightly at his impatience "Where are you?"

"Sorry, I was finishing my song" she and Thiago were planning on going to the movies together.

"Well, hurry up already!" he urged "I ran into someone that I think you might be happy to see" Arianne frowned curiously upon hearing that.

"Who?" she questioned, closing the violin case.

"You'll have to come and see for yourself!" Arianne rolled her eyes, though she was smiling.

"Alright. I'll be there in a few minutes. Au revoir" she ended the call, grabbed her bag, and went off to the subway.

She found Thiago easily, since there weren't many people, and he wasn't alone. Adrien was with him.

"You could've just told me that Adrien was here" she said logically, approaching the boys, who turned to look at her and smiled.

"I told him the same thing" replied her friend "But he just wouldn't listen"

"Of course not" added Arianne good-heartedly "He only listens to himself "

"Hey!" Thiago cried, making both of them chuckle "When you're done bullying me, I was thinking that Adrien could come to the movies with us!"

"Yeah, sure" replied Arianne without a second thought. She loved spending time with him. 

"That sounds great!" Adrien smiled just as the subway arrived, and the trio got in.

As soon as the doors closed, Arianne spotted Marinette and Alya on the next subway car. She waved at them, and they waved back. She then proceeded to nudge Adrien and gesture towards the girls. He looked at them, and waved. Marinette opened her eyes wide and hid behind Alya, while she waved uncomfortably.

"That's physically painful to watch" commented Arianne, cringing a bit as she looked at Marinette awkwardly waving at Adrien on the other compartment of the subway, probably because Alya had forced her to.