As previously agreed, the girls met up after school. Marinette and Alya waited for Y/N at the park and eagerly greeted their new acquaintance as she approached them. They had so much to show her.
"Hey, guys." Y/N waved at the two girls, grinning just a bit more as they waved back. She was happy that she was able to find somebody cool to talk to and hang out with. Their company helped her homesickness just a bit.
"Hi, girl!" Alya ran up to her, tugging Marinette along by the wrists. "We're so happy you're here! There's so many things we can show you and since you're new, you can think of this as a Tour of Paris, courtesy of your new awesome BFFs." The intrepid investigator linked arms with both Marinette and Y/N. "Where do you think we should take Y/N first, Marinette?"
Marinette pondered for a short spell. "Hm, how about the Louvre or the Musée Grévin? Maybe we can stop by for some ice cream with André or we can stop by my parents' bakery for something to eat later." She wasn't really sure of what Y/N was into, but she just hoped any of her suggestions would interest their new acquaintance.
"I could go for some ice cream." Y/N shrugged.
Alya then began the journey from the park to the Pont Des Arts where André was usually located. "So, Y/N, did you know I run the Ladyblog? It's on the school's website and it's been featured on Face to Face. Though that part was only cause I called in when Ladybug and Chat Noir were being interviewed and I mentioned my blog, but it did wonders for the blog." She winked at Y/N and continued leading Marinette and Y/N.
"Who's Ladybug and Chat Noir", asked Y/N. They kind of sounded like mascots or fictional characters but it would seem unlikely that cartoon characters would get interviewed on a prime time talk show.
"You don't know who Ladybug and Chat Noir are?" Alya asked in turn. Frankly, it was kind of shocking. "It makes sense if you don't have heroes where you're from. Ladybug and Chat Noir are the protectors of Paris. They save Paris like, all the time from Hawkmoth and the people he akumatizes. Hawkmoth is the bad guy and akumas are butterflies he uses to turn people into bad guys." Alya's tone has mellowed out by the end of her speech, but she snapped out of it and kept on smiling. "Enough about me, though. Marinette can tell you all about herself now that we're getting to know each other better." She nudged her friend on.
Marinette quickly became nervous. She chuckled awkwardly and had an awkward smile on her face. "Well, I design clothes. It's been a dream of mine to become a fashion designer one day. My parents own a bakery, so feel free to come in whenever you like. Umm, what else..." Marinette hummed to herself. "I've designed a really cool hat for Gabriel Agreste for a fashion show and I designed some shades for Jagged Stone and an album cover for him too." Marinette didn't want to make it look like she was flexing but it was the truth.
"Wow, you two are so talented", Y/N beamed. "It's gonna be hard to get on your guys' level." She smiled as they got close enough to see Andre's cart on the bridge. "Well, I'm from [home country]. I'm into crafting and decor, so if I'm not doing school work or anything else, I'll be painting or reorganizing furniture. My parents are financial analysts and my little brother is an idiot but I love him. That's about it. There's not much to me."
Marinette smiled at Y/N. "I think you're pretty cool, Y/N. You probably don't think there's much to you cause you don't give yourself enough credit but I think you're awesome."
"Marinette is totally right! Don't be discouraged by our awesomeness cause you're just as awesome, Y/N", chimed Alya. She began walking faster once they got on the bridge. "Look, there's André! Rumor has it that his ice cream binds true lovers together. Don't worry, though- I have a boyfriend, Nino, and Marinette has like, the biggest crush on Adrien Agreste. He's the son of Gabriel Agreste and a model. You can meet them both at school, we'll even introduce you to them."
"Sure, that sounds like fun." Y/N shrugged and smiled at Alya, then at Marinette who was red in the face. "You okay, Marinette?"
"Yeah, everything's fine. Just that Alya", Marinette playfully nudged her best friend. "didn't have to call me out on my crush. It's kinda embarrassing. Especially since I came here with Alya, Nino, and Adrien."
"Don't worry about it. Crushes are just a thing a lot of people go through. Plus, if everything goes well, maybe you'll be here with Adrien, sharing some ice cream. Till then, we'll enjoy some ice cream as friends. How does that sound?"
"I think that sounds great. Alya, Y/N, and Marinette. It has a nice ring to it." Marinette agreed. "You know, Y/N, I think this is the start to a beautiful friendship." Marinette planned on telling Y/N something else but she'd been interrupted when Alya called them out.
"Hey, slowpokes! André isn't going to be here all day!" The chatty investigator waved at her friends and urged them to hurry up. The two girls waved back and quickly made their way over to Alya and Andre.
After getting their ice cream, the girls made a toast. "To friendship", Alya toasted. "To new alliances, promises, adventures, and memes in the group chat."
They 'clinked' their ice cream cones and enjoyed each other's company on the Pont Des Arts.
To friendship.
