Felix Graham De Vanily

Chapter 8

The next school day was a nightmare. Chloe decided that I was now worth paying attention to and never left me alone the entire day. By the time she did, everyone had gone home for the day except Nino and me.

"Yo, my dude!" He called out. "I need to talk with you." He seemed hesitant but he was Marinette's friend and to get close to her I needed to get close to him.

I smiled and together we walked over to the school stairs. "What's up Nino?"

Rubbing the back of his neck, he sighed. "If Alya knew I was doing this she would kill me, but I've thought about this for a while." Looking around he leaned closer to me. "You know Adrien. He's oblivious to everything." 

I nodded my head in agreement. "Can't argue with you there." 

"And so I think he needs a very obvious shove towards understanding Marinette's feelings." Nino played with the watch on his wrist anxiously. "So, in case you couldn't figure it ou-"

"Yes, Marinette likes Adrien. The only problem with that is Adrien is enamored with Ladybug and won't change his sights for anyone." I rolled my eyes and tried to keep my nonchalant attitude. "What exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Can you just straight up tell Adrien that Marinette likes him? Like, you can't hint to it or anything, just say 'Hey man, Marinette Dupain-Cheng has had a crush on you for like, ever' or something like that."

The gears in my head started to turn. While doing this would make Nino like me, which in theory would get the trust of Marinette, I would be literally betraying the one promise I have to her. If Adrien rejected her, it wouldn't fall onto Nino, but me. There was a chance this could all go wrong. I quickly ran a hand through my hair and tried to think. "I don't know Nino." I stood up and walked in the direction of the mansion. "I'll think about it."

.  .  .

On the ride to school the next morning I had decided I would tell Adrien at the beginning of the day so that he could think about it for the rest of the day. You're probably like: But Felix, if you tell Adrien and he accepts her feelings, you'll never get the girl! Well, I've come to the conclusion that I'll never get her affections anyway so I might as well try to help her... Right?

About a block away from the school, I started my explanation. "So Adrien." I started. "I'm just gonna flat out say it: Marinette Dupain-Cheng likes you."

My idiot cousin smiled and put down his phone. "Well no duh Felix. Why do you think we're friends. I like her too!" He chuckled and looked out the window.

"As more than a friend Adrien. She likes you as a love interest." I widened my eyes to prove what I was saying was important but he burst out laughing.

"That's a funny joke, Felix but you shouldn't mess around like that." He wiped a tear from his eye and hopped out of the limo which had somehow come to a complete stop without me noticing. "Marinette's just a good friend." He skipped into the school with a grin on his face and laughter erupting from inside him.

I caught up to him and together we walked into the classroom. Nino looked at me with an expectant gaze and I stiffened. Plan unsuccessful, I mouthed. He thinks it's a joke, I tightened my fists not knowing what will come out of my cousin's mouth.

"Hey, Marinette!" He greeted the petite girl. "Felix told me that-"

I covered his mouth before he could say anything else. "Uh, I told him that you were a really good designer!" I lied.

She could tell and patiently demanded that I let Adrien speak. "What were you saying, Adrien?"

"Well, Felix told me a funny joke saying that you were in love with me!" He smiled and giggled. "I told him that using your feelings in a joke like that was really mean." Adrien looked like a puppy waiting to be praised for sticking up for its owner.

Marinette's gaze slowly shifted over to meet my eyes and I felt myself cower. Her sweet eyes narrowed into slits. "That's right Adrien." She spat coldly. "You shouldn't use other people's feelings for jokes. I'm glad one of you knows that."

.  .  .

"Marinette," I called. "Wait, please!" I ran after her and begged for her to listen to me. "I was trying to help." I blocked her from entering her bakery and tried to catch my breath. "Just hear me out."

She pushed me out of the way with a surprisingly strong shove. "I don't listen to people who lie Felix." She walked into the store and greeted her parents.

"No, Marinette, listen!" I ran behind the counter and followed her up the stairs. Why am I so desperate to get her forgiveness? I thought I already accepted I could never have her... "He was so oblivious so Nino and I thought-"

"No. I gave you a second chance to prove yourself after what you did last time and I think that you more than ruined it." Marinette's voice quivered a bit before she turned and stomped up the rest of the stairs.

A tall man who I assumed was Marinette's father came running up the stairs to find me sulking. "Adrien?" He reached out to touch my shoulder. He had never met me and couldn't tell the difference between the two of us. "Are you okay son?"

I looked up and took a deep breath. "I... I'm not Adrien." I stood awkwardly and introduced myself. "I'm his cousin, Felix. It's a pleasure to meet you." I shook the tall man's hand and apologized for the scene. "Well, I'll be on my way then." 

I bolted home without a second glance at my surroundings. Maybe I was being dramatic but there was nothing worse than the girl you liked telling you that you weren't worth giving a crap about. But I deserved it.