I'm Here { Lukanette FF }

1 - Mystery Loner

[ 10 Years in the past... ]

Marinette's POV

I sat on a bench quietly, drawing dresses and coloring them in. A loud shriek caught my attention.

"Hey! Let go of me!!" a small raven-haired boy was cornered under a tree by several other kids.

I watched in horror as one of them seized the collar of his shirt and punched him across the face. The poor kid had bruises all over his arms and legs, his face was red and bloodied.

I felt sick as another kid kicked him in the stomach. They all looked older than me... maybe around the age of 9.

Nobody was trying to stop it, they just watched.

My lip trembled as I watched him get beat up. He looked so helpless, so weak, but his eyes held a blazing fire of determination that caused me to act.

I jumped into action, sprinting away from the bench and toward the kids crowding him.

My small size benefited me, I slipped through them easily enough. Before another kid could hurt him, I jumped in front of the raven-haired boy and spread my arms out, acting as a shield, facing the attackers.

I screamed, "Don't hurt him! What'd he do to you?" glaring at the kids who stared at me in shock and disbelief.

"Thank... thank you..." the boy's voice was weak and fragile, but it displayed genuine appreciation.

One of the opposing boys laughed loudly, "He has a little girl protecting him!"

I frowned, "Then go ahead, hit me if you want. But I won't let you hurt this boy anymore." I growled, gritting my teeth.

I braced myself for a punch, or a kick, or a slap, but the kids only murmured amongst themselves and dispersed.

"Again, thank you." the boy smiled at me. I said, "No problem!" before skipping off.

[ Present time... ]

My hands trembled on the straps of my backpack.

I was going to attend a new school, Françoise Dupont High School, it was conveniently very close to my house.

Litteraly next to it, actually.

Students were walking up the stairs, talking to each other. It amused me to see so many students who looked like they didn't want to go back to school.

There was a big group in particular of lively spirits, a short girl with pinkish-red hair, a boy with vibrant red hair and turquoise eyes, a tall, muscular guy with a red jersey, and a small boy with glasses and a green shirt beside him.

They all looked so happy and friendly toward each other. I hope I get to be with friends like that.

The sound of the bell made me jump.

I quickly hurried to my assigned class and stepped inside.

"Oh! Hello, I'm Ms. Bustier, you must be our new student!" the teacher at the front smiled sweetly at me. She looks nice.

I smiled and straightened my back, I can't look nervous in front of other students.

"Yes." I answered simply.

"Wonderful! Could you please tell us a bit about yourself?" she gestured to the class.

I turned to the students all staring at me, "I'm Marinette Dupain-cheng! I just transferred from America." I did my best to speak clearly and confidently, but also kindly.

I scanned the classroom, most of their faces were happy or pleased.

Suddenly, the door bursts open and the redhead boy I saw earlier rushed in, panting heavily.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, Ms. Bustier!" his head faces his feet at the floor.

"It's fine, Nathaniel. This is Marinette, she'll be sitting beside you for the school year." she said.

I looked at her then back at him, I'm sitting next to this guy?

He lifts his head to look at me. His bright turquoise eyes are filled with curiosity. "Oh, um, sure. Come on," he gestures for me to follow him to the back of the class.

I took a seat beside him and force myself to relax and pay attention to the lesson.

My new deskmate, however, spends his time drawing in class. I don't try to stop him, but I can't help but feel anxious for him.

A few more classes passed by before lunchtime. When the bell rang, Nathaniel offered to show me around the school.

When he finished, he lead me back to the bottom of the stairs. When I was about to walk up, someone shoved past my shoulder roughly, almost making me fall back.

Nathaniel caught me just in time. A boy with black hair and dyed teal tips brushed past me.

"Hey!" I shouted without thinking.

He stopped, but he didn't look at me. "Are you going to apologize?" I demanded furiously, Nathaniel was practically holding me back from lashing out.

The boy turned his head. His eyes were a glowing aqua blue, but his bangs covered the top of his eyes.

He looked unfazed, impatient, rather.

I didn't know what to say, so I stayed silent, just staring at him until he narrowed his eyes at me and just walked away.

I was frozen. What just happened?

"Oh, sorry about him. That's Luka, he's like a lone wolf, from what I've heard. He doesn't like being social and he's really reserved. Sometimes even cold." Nathaniel told me.

I nodded silently, still watching Luka as he disappeared up the stairs.

~ Afterschool...

I walked down the stairs and toward the front door when I spotted a familiar figure walking out of school.

I stood and watched. Luka had his hands in his pockets, just like when I first bumped into him.

His back was turned to me so I couldn't see his face, which disappointed me for some reason.

"Why're you staring at my brother like that?" I hear a low female voice speak from behind me.

I almost jumped in surprise, when I whipped around to look at her, she was about a head taller than me.

She had long dark black hair with purple streaks.

"U-uh- your brother?" I murmured. "Yeah," the girl pointed at Luka, "I'm his sister, Juleka."

"Oh." I said simply. "Well, in my defence, I wasn't staring. Uh- his blue streaks just caught my eye." I pushed an excuse out of my lips.

Juleka said nothing, she simply gave me a look I couldn't translate before she walked away.

I gave myself a mental pat on the back as I sighed in relief. Nice save, Marinette.