Short Tales: Stories of Ladybug & Cat Noir

Make Moves or Make Excuses

(Taken up on the bridge right after the Miracle Queen episode.)

....
Technically I know sunlight falls upon everything and everyone, but today, today a fat grey cloud had rolled up and parked it's butt over me...

I wasn't trying to be in a bad mood. Sitting here with some of my classmates at the bridge was supposed to be relaxing. Supposed to be.
I couldn't relax. I couldn't no matter how hard I tried.
Kagami's laughter was like nails being driven into my skull. Her laughter was a constant reminder of my failure. A reminder of my inability to get what my heart desired most.
No matter how much it hurt, I couldn't bring myself to be upset at her. I couldn't even bring myself to be upset at Adrien - the real reason for my pain. Kagami made moves where I made mistakes. She made a decision while I was caught up in worry and fear. Now Adrien was hers and I had to shoulder these unrequited feelings by myself.
I didn't want to look at the new couple. Even though their laughter mocked me and my curiosity burned to take in their interactions I wouldn't allow myself the slightest glance.
Alya, on the other hand, stared straight and hard at them. The girl had not one ounce of shame.

"I can't believe this," she was saying as she threw another glance at Adrien and Kagami siting at the end of the bridge.

"Look at them. Acting like they've been together for months. Marinette don't beat yourself up. Adrien made his choice," she said reassuringly as she wrapped her arms even tighter around my shoulders.

"I know. I still messed up though," I said bitterly.

"Ugh did he just stroke her cheek!?" Alya blurted out. Many of my friends turned to give her questionable looks. Embarrassment crept across my face.

"Gee, thanks Alya,"

"No Mari. I'm sorry. Okay let's forget Adrien. Let's find you a new crush, girl,"

I stared at her puzzled. Find a new crush? How does that even work?

"Alya I can't just replace Adrien. He holds a special place in my heart. No one else can fit there and no one else will do," I spoke softly as not to broadcast to my other friends sitting in close proximity.

"You're such a romantic Mari. Of course you can find someone else to obsess over,"

"I was not obsessed with Adrien," I hissed a little embarrassed.

Alya lowered her glasses and gave me a look that clearly said 'you could have fooled me'.

"Okay so you weren't obsessed," she replied using air quotes on the word obsessed,"But that doesn't mean that you can't fall for someone else. There are so many great guys all over Paris,"

"Of course there are other guys Alya,"
But there is only one Adrien Agreste, I thought to myself.

"If only I hadn't spent so long wondering if he felt the same way. If only I just had the courage to tell him the truth. I needed to be brave for once and I couldn't," the words rolled off my tongue miserably.

Alya leaned in and quickly gave me a hug.

"I know it must hurt Mari, but you mustn't be too hard on yourself. Things just sometimes don't work out. Sometimes life throws left turns at you instead of right ones. If it matters, I think you and Adrien would have been great together. You never know. Maybe you'll get another opportunity to be brave again,"

I smiled weakly at Alya. This girl was a gem. I was lucky to have her as my best friend. Suddenly, Kagami's laughter wasn't so hard to endure anymore.
I just had to be brave.

Turning my head to right I could make out a guy walking towards us. From the electric blue hair I could tell it was my friend Luka. I couldn't help but smile. He returned an even wider one. Suddenly, I leaped up from the ground and skipped towards him. I had to be brave. I had to make moves and stop making excuses.
Luka was standing before me. His tall slender frame perfect for athletics. I could see his lips parting to speak, but that never happened. Instead, I placed one hand around his neck and on tippy toes crashed my lips into his. I felt him hesitate for a second from the shock of what was happening, but then he pulled me closer, fingers latching onto my skin. Our lips locked tighter than a Swiss bank vault.

"Marinette!!" I heard Alya exclaim with glee, "you go girl!"

My other friends erupted just as loud as Alya. Nobody was expecting this.

When Luka let go of me, I let my head fall to his chest. As exhilarating and bold as all this was there was one question playing in my mind:
What happens after you make a move?

End.

Can you answer Marinette's question? Be sure to leave your answers in the comments.