All The Bright Places

The Party, Part 2

(Unedited)

Adrien's POV

As I reached Juleka's, Nino ran out to meet me.

"You made it, dude!" Nino rested his arm on my shoulder and walked with me.

"Yeah, did you know I'm actually at your place studying?" I winked at him with an innocent smile.

"Oh, yeah? Well... this is the best study time I've ever had." He chuckled.

My smile quickly faded, seeing my... I mean, Marinette with that... blue haired, guitar playing... never mind, I'll be nice. I grumbled under my breath, trying not to make it so obvious. Wait... are my eyes getting blurry or is she blushing?!

I think Nino noticed and pulled me around so I was facing away from them. I sat down on a chair, Nino and Alya sitting beside me. I couldn't help but turn around every now and then to steal glances. It annoyed me that he was leaning all over her like that. And not to mention, she wasn't pushing him away! They were laughing and seemed to be having fun. I furrowed my brows, turning back to my two friends. I was lost in thought until Alya poked my shoulder.

"Earth to Adrien, are you okay?"

"Hm? Oh... yeah. I'm fine."

More lies. I'm getting better at this.

"Did you guys hear about the latest akuma attack? It was..."

I zoned Alya's voice out again, not paying attention to the brunette. I knew I deserved it for leaving her like I did. Oh how I wished she was sitting beside me instead of... him.

I caught a quick glace of the two standing up out of the corner of my eye and quickly turned my head back towards them. They were going inside. Alone.

They were going inside, alone.

Alone.

I rubbed my hands over my face and stood up. "I'll be back, I have to go to the um... restroom?"

It came out more like a question rather than a statement.

"Alright, dude. We'll be here." Nino gave a quick wave before turning back to his girlfriend.

I followed the hallway until it led me to three doors. One was shut, I assumed that was Juleka's room because the door was outlined in purple, and across that room was a door that was half cracked open. The other was a little further down. I could see shadows from inside as I put my back against the wall to listen.

"You're the best!" I heard a very familiar laugh. It was Marinette's.

"And why do you think that?"

"Because, I know I can always trust you. With anything. You give great advice and... and you make me feel better. You're always there for me..."

I heard her voice go quiet and then his speak up.

"I do it because I care for you deeply."

He played a soft tune on his guitar and continued,

"I don't know what happened, and I don't expect you to tell me. But I do know that whatever it is... or whoever it was, made you feel like this..."

Another tune, this time it was sadder.

"And I also want you to know that they're nothing but a..."

Another tune, I got the feeling he wasn't calling me something nice.

I furrowed my brows in annoyance. Was he trying to flirt with her?

"But I want you to know, I would never, ever, hurt you. You're the most... extraordinary girl I've ever met. Thank you for trusting me."