I'm Here { Lukanette FF }

16 - I'm Sorry

My hands trembled and my breathing turned unsteady. I wrung my wrists tightly. I just slapped Luka.

I couldn't help but stare at his eyes. Those eyes...

They once held awe and fondness. Now they radiate a terrified aqua blue. I took a step back, then another. The jacket that was once wrapped around my shoulders lay on the floor.

Something was building up in my chest. I was on the verge of tears. I did it again. I disregarded Luka and instead, I let my thoughts of Adrien cloud by mind.

I lashed out at him and now I was about to cry, just like what happened at the amusement park.

I couldn't take it anymore. I turned around and dashed away, trying so hard to keep the tears from falling.

Dammit. I'm pathetic.

As soon as I was out of Luka's sight, I leaned against the wall outside the bakery and released a sigh. I can't go in now. My parents will notice my strange behaviour.

I dragged my feet away from the building and decided to take a late night stroll.

Even when I tried to clear my mind, all I could think about was the look of shock on Luka's face. I slapped him. I felt terrible everytime I reminded myself.

Suddenly, the loud sound of a dog's bark made me spring up in alert.

I whip around and see a large German Shepherd running down the sidewalk, there's a leash connected to its collar, but nobody's holding it.

It's loose.

When it sprinted toward me, I panicked and ran to the nearest corner, which just so happened to lead to a dead end. Marvelous.

Before I could forge a plan, the dog swerved into sight from around the corner. But just as it did, I saw a black sneaker step down on the leash, causing it to halt.

I let out a large breath of relief. Someone in a dark red sweater stepped into my view, crouching down and calming the shepherd with quiet whispers.

"Nathaniel?!" I exclaimed, surprised to recognize the familiar vibrant red hair.

He looked back at me, shocked as well. "Marinette! Sorry for the scare." he said as he stood up and gripped the leash in his left hand.

He took another look at me, examining my face. "You look... upset. Something wrong?" he asked considerately.

I flinched, surprised that he'd noticed my current mood. "I'm alright."

Nathaniel didn't look convinced. "Riiiight, and my hair is white." he crossed his arms while raising an eyebrow at me.

I sighed, "Okay, fine. I'm just... in thought." I said.

"Mind telling me what you're thinking about?" the redhead asked. I bit my lip and looked away, fumbling with my fingers.

Should I tell him?

Last I remembered, he and Luka aren't exactly friends so this could end badly.

"Come on, you can tell me." I flinched when I noticed how close his voice was now. I guess I didn't see him walk up to me.

"Please? I just want to make you feel better." Nathaniel murmured. His eyes bore into mine, I could see true kindness in them.

I nodded slowly, "Alright."

Nathaniel and I decided to talk a walk while I told him about my fight with Luka. His reaction was... not one I saw coming. "Wow, poor Luka..." Nathaniel murmured to himself.

"Was I too harsh?" I winced. Nathan looked surprised that I heard him. "Oh, no. I think the way you acted was perfectly normal, it's just... Luka's put in a tight position because... well he..." his turquoise eyes glanced at me briefly.

I nodded, "He likes me." I sighed.

Nathan tilted his head, "You know?" he sounded astonished. My cheeks flushed pink, "He... he told me."

I scoffed to myself, "I'm such an idiot. Asking him if my crush likes me while he still likes me! What the hell was I thinking?!" I grumbled.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. Luka's a great guy, he's really considerate and I could see why you'd trust him with something like that." Nathaniel told me.

Nathan's words were really helping but... one thing still bugged me, "Hold on, don't you hate Luka?" I asked.

The redhead chuckled, "Yes, I did, but after the biology project, we started being more friendly towards each other and talking more. He actually has a really soft side underneath his tough exterior." he said, almost proudly.

I nodded sadly, "He does, doesn't he...?" I murmured, looking down toward my feet.

Nathan looked at his watch, spewing out a string of curse words I didn't know he could say, "Sorry Marinette, I gotta go." he told me.

"It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow!" I said as he started jogging off with his dog. "Don't forget to apologise to Luka!" Nathan shouted as he waved before disappearing from my sight.

I turned around and headed for the bakery.

~~~

After school the next day, I decided to apologise to Luka. He hadn't talked to me or made eye contact for the whole day...

When I was walking toward the entrance of the school, I spotted Luka talking to someone. I walked in a bit closer and recognized the person he was talking to. It was Camille.

She looked so happy for some reason as she spoke to him. Luka on the other hand... didn't look as joyful.

In fact, he looked blank, emotionless.

I walked towards them, if I didn't apologise now, then things will just go downhill.

"Oh, Marinette! Lovely to see you!" Camille looked abnormally happy. "What brings you to Françoise Dupont High School?" I questioned her, trying to ignore Luka's surprised gaze on me.

"I just thought I'd visit." Camille said cheerfully. I nodded blankly, "That's nice."

Then I turned to Luka. I didn't notice I tightened my grip on my backpack. "Hey, Luka, could I talk to you, please?" I murmured. My eyes shifted briefly to Camille, then I whispered, "Privately?"

He was silent, and he looked a little bit shocked, but he nodded.

We walked a few meters away from the brown-haired girl. I fidgeted with my fingers once we were alone. "Okay... so..." I wasn't sure how to start.

Should I get straight to the point? Or express all my regrets first?

"Marinette." Luka said suddenly.

His fingers gently lifted my chin so his eyes met mine. The mark on his face was gone, the one I put there.

We started at each other for a few seconds before he parted his lips with an exhale, "I'm sorry I got so offensive yesterday, I-"

"Are you kidding?!" I interrupted. I seemed to shock him. "I'm the one who should be apologising! I slapped you in the face!" I exclaimed.

Luka looked away, "Look, we can forget about what happened. I know I haven't been a very good friend to you, and I'm sorry. I just... got frustrated." he murmured.

He glanced at his feet before meeting my eyes again shyly.

I sighed, "I'm sorry too. You know, for slapping you." I chuckled. The corners of his lips formed a small, relieved smile.

"Friends?" he held out his hand.

I looked at it for longer than I noticed, then nodded adamantly and shook his hand, "Friends."