Happier|| A Lukanette story

Chapter Sixteen

    Why did Marinette feel like her chest was about to explode? Her heart was ramming into her rib cage and her ears were burning a cherry red. She pressed her back to the wall and willed her heartbeat to slow.

    “I think you found someone else to make your compass go crazy.” Tikki giggled as she hovered above Marinette’s shoulder.

     Marinette let out a sigh and threw her head back, lightly hitting the wall. “God, I don’t know why I did that!”

    “Whatever the reason was, he sure seemed to enjoy it.” Tikki giggled again. Marinette felt her face burn.

      “I’m sure you’re exaggerating, Tikki. But it doesn’t matter. I have to finish up those outfits for Gabriel.” 

     The red kwami shook her head with an exasperated sigh. Marinette was smart, but naive when it came to people liking her. It was one of the many reasons it took Marinette and Adrien so long to get together.

           Pushing herself off the wall, the bluenette started walking towards the staircase. She was still staying at Alya’s place. She swore to herself that after she finished with the new line of fashion, she would go apartment hunting.

     Just when she began to walk out the door, she heard her name shouted behind her. “Marinette!” Confused, the bluentte turned towards the voice.

    Rose was rushing down the stairs, showing her teeth in a wide smile. “I’m sure you missed breakfast helping Luka. Jueklea wanted me to bring you some food!” She thrusted her hands forward, a plate of food with a layer of steamed up syrin wrap covering it. 

    “Oh, you didn’t have to!” The bluenette exclaimed as Rose slipped the plate into her hands.

    “Nonsense! You can bring the plate back next time you stop by Luka’s!” Rose stated with her hands behind her back. 
 
  Marinette couldn’t find the will to say no. Her stomach let out a dying whale noise and her face flushed as Rose laughed. 

    “Thank you, Rose. Tell Jueklea thanks as well.” 

    They bid their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

    “That was awfully sweet of her,” Tikki noted, bundled up in the fabric around Marinette’s neck.

    “Yeah, it was.” Mariette agreed, taking a piece of the pancake and giving it to her little friend.
   
   “Mmm. This is good.” Tikki claimed through a mouth full of food.

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     “Explain to me again what this is made out of,” Alya said, bringing up the pitch at the end, making it sound like a question.

     Alya was standing with her arms straight out and had Marinette’s new dress on. Her legs were wobbling as she tried to stand straight as possible so she didn’t get stabbed with any pins.

    “Gabriel Agreste wanted a line of clothes that is made out of Graphene fabric. It’s lightweight, flexible, warm, and has many unique qualities. We’re not even sure if it’ll work properly. It’s very expensive fabric, it’s actually an honor to use it. Gabriel said I was one of the few fashion designers he could depend on.” Marinette said through the pins she was holding with her teeth.

     “And he only gave you five weeks to work on it?” Alya asked, shifting her weight slightly.

    “Stay still!” Marinette hissed looking back for where she was just sewing at.
  
    “I’m trying” Alya spat back. “It’s been over a half-hour, are you almost done?”