Need Some Help

The Dance Part 2

The dance was amazing. Chloe could find no words to describe it. Everyone was happy, and with the music and food, it couldn't have been better. Turns out Zoe was just teasing her because she didn't have a date.

Chloe was a little sour over that but glad at the same time. It wouldn't have been the same without Luka. He looked handsome and super cute. He was wearing a black tuxedo, and his hair was brushed over to the side to where it looked really good.

Chloe was just finishing up a chocolate-covered strawberry when Luka came over to her.

He looked a little nervous for some reason. "Want to dance?" he asked.

Chloe almost choked. He was asking her to dance? Calm down. It wasn't that out of place. She had after all been the one to invite Luka to go with her.

"Yes! I'd, I'd love to!" Chloe glanced over to the right. "In just one minute." Luka smiled brightly as Chloe dashed off really quickly.

"What do you think you're doing?" Chloe asked the second she was in earshot of Adrien. He looked a little shocked, as he hadn't noticed her come up to him.

"Oh, just, standing here," Adrien replied.

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Uh, hello? Have you seen Marinette?" Chloe motioned over to her, at the far opposite end of the dance floor, also by herself.

"Yeah, she's beautiful," Adrien said dreamily. He blushed, once realizing he said that part aloud.

"Then ask her to dance. She's just waiting on you to say something."

"You really think so?" Adrien looked a bit unsure.

"I know so. Trust me." Chloe and Adrien smiled at each other.

"That, I think I can do now." They hugged for a short second, as a thousand childhood memories flashed throughout their minds.

"Thank you, Chloe, for being my friend," Adrien said.

"Oh stop it! If I didn't know any better, I'd say you and Zoe were working together to ruin my makeup." Both of them just laughed aloud.

Adrien took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." As he approached Marinette, he started to feel something he hadn't before. Almost like...butterflies. The kind he only felt around one other person.

"Playing matchmaker, I see?" Luka asked, coming up beside Chloe.

She shrugged. "Why not? They're meant to be."

"Together, they make the sweetest music note."

"I honestly have no idea what that means, but I'm going to agree with you this time." Chloe looked Luka in the eyes and was momentarily overcome with nervousness. But only for a moment. "Now what about that dance you offered me?"

Luka smiled, then offered his hand. Together, they went out on the dance floor and began to slowly circle around each other.

Chloe smiled the whole time. She didn't know why, she just felt so happy for some reason. Everything was perfect. Well, there was just one more thing she needed to say. "Luka?"

"Yes?" he replied, in that calm and soothing voice of his.

"Thank you," Chloe said. "Thank you for being my friend when I needed it most." Her journey had been a long one, but Luka had helped her almost every step of the way. She wanted him to know she appreciated that, that she cared about him.

"I'm glad to have helped." Luka smiled down at her with a loving look dancing in his bright blue eyes. It made Chloe blush.

"But...there's something else I want to tell you," Chloe admitted. Her heart was beating two times quicker than before, but she didn't let her nervousness get the best of her. Luka waited patiently for her to continue. "I think...I kind of...like you..." Chloe didn't know how to put her affection into words. She liked Luka, really liked him, but it was a lot harder than it seemed to say it aloud. She bit her tongue at how stupid that had sounded. Then, before she could worry about what Luka thought about a somewhat vague declaration of love, he placed both hands gently around her and looked her straight in the eyes.

"I think I kind of like you too," he said. His tone was as soft as his expression.

Chloe's heart soared. He loves me too, she thought, over in over. A thousand words crossed through her mind, but she knew she didn't have to say any aloud. She and Luka understood each other.

Instead, she only smiled up at Luka and held him closer as they danced to the rhythm of the music.

Now, everything really was perfect. Chloe had friends, people who actually cared about her, and who she cared about in return. When she looked back on her life, her past at first seemed like a mess. And, partly, it was, but it was also an experience. It was a mistake that she had learned from.

Chloe had never felt happier, or more content than now. Marinette and Adrien, Alya and Nino, and several other couples danced around them happily. When the music became a little more lively, Chloe ran off to get Zoe, as their whole class danced together and laughed, like true friends.

This was what life was meant to be. It wasn't about how wealthy or rich you were. Or even about how successful your life was. It was about enjoying yourself and having fun with the people you love. Chloe was glad that she had learned that, and for the rest of her days, she would cherish that lesson and keep it forever in her heart.

Without friends, where would any of us be? After all, everyone needs some help at some point in their lives. 

Author's Note: Imagine this song playing in the background: