The New Guardian

Ya Got Spirit?

Previously: I sit at my machine and begin the tedious work ahead. I lay the baby pink garment out and start sewing the edges together with white thread. I embroider my signature, hidden in the bottom hem of the skirt and flare the edges outward. I decide to give the uniform long sleeves to follow the dress code but cut the skirt mid thigh so that I'm still in the code range, but barely. I add some cute lettering spelling "CHEER" across the white cut out on the chest and I finish up. This is gonna be perfect, I'm so excited!

I look at my clock and take note of the bright, glowing numbers. 12:53 pm. Oh my God, I'm gonna be exhausted in the morning! I need to go to sleep if I'm gonna wake up on time! I scale my ladder and dive into bed. I close my eyes and slowly drift into sleep, excited for the next day.

~This chapter is written in Marinette's POV and will be kinda long!~

Beep, beep, beep! I feel a teeny tap on my face.

"Marinette! It's time to get up! You promised Alya she could come over this morning to get ready! She'll be here soon, it's 7:10! She said she'd be here by 7:15!" Tikki continues to tap on my face to wake me up. I am not a morning person. I slink out of bed, slowly climbing down my ladder.

"I'm sorry, what'd you say, Tikki?" I say as I yawn and stretch.

"I said Alya should be here any minute!"

I gasp and look at my phone for the time. 7:14. Shoot, I need to-

My train of thought is derailed when I hear a tap from my trapdoor. Tikki hides behind my mirror as I open the little hole in the floor. Alya pops her head through, smiling bright and holding two bowls of oatmeal.

"Hey girl! Your mom let me in and made us breakfast. She's the best. Here," she says handing me the blue bowl, "she put cocoa and banana in yours and raspberries in mine. I love your mom, she's so sweet."

"Aw, yes! I love her too. She really is the best."

I take the bowl from her, sit in my desk chair and begin to eat the warm breakfast. We eat in silence for a few minutes before Alya breaks the silence as we finish.

"So, about your date last night? What was up with that? Why'd you bail?"

I shake my head and sigh, "I didn't mean to. I feel terrible about it. I, uh-" I silently remember the exchange Chat and I had. "I-I was working on that trunk over there a-and the outfit for today. Speaking of, we should probably get dressed. It's 7:25 and I know you wanna show up early to see Nino."

Alya blushes a little, "It's a nice trunk, you obviously worked really hard on it. Next time keep your sound on, girl," she says with a laugh, "I'm excited to see your uniform though! We're gonna look so cute. Nino won't be able to keep his hands off me and who knows, maybe you'll turn Adrien's head too-"

Silence fills the room when she stops herself. I slump over a little. I know she means well, but hearing about Adrien is still a little sore.

"Oh, Mari. I didn't mean t-"

"No, it's okay Alya. I-I'm over it, really. I would rather Adrien be happy than sad and with me. It wasn't gonna happen and it's time I moved on. He already did anyways. I'm still his friend and I still love him, but I don't want to be with him romantically. I-I think I'd rather be with Luka and he's a really great guy. I'm gonna g-give him a chance. I'm seeing him tonight for a make up d-date." I turn to her smiling but feeling shaky. I see she's shocked but happy.

"Wow, girl. I don't know, I just never pictured you with anyone but Adrien. It's gonna be weird shipping you with someone else. I'm sorry it didn't work out between you guys but I'm glad we can all still be friends.I'm really happy that you're trying to find someone that you can be happy with. Like mutually love you and stuff. I'm excited to see where you and Luka go. Now, what should I call you and Luka? 'Muka'? Ew, no. Hmm, oh! I got it! Lukanette! It's perfect!"