Between Us

Pre-Game

Note: My next multi-chapter fic has started! Can't promise it won't be as frequently updated as my last fic, but I'm working hard to write every day.

I hope you enjoy <3

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"I choose that corner one over there," Alya said, pointing at the furthest corner pocket on the pool table.

Nino shrugged. "I don't know, babe. That seems pretty impossible considering our balls are kinda blocking your path."

She glared at her boyfriend, already positioning the cue stick. "Try me."

He put his hands up in the air in surrenderance, seeming ready for her to mess up her shot. Even Marinette was nervous. She didn't even think they would be getting ahead of the boys since they played way more often than she and Alya. Especially Marinette. This was probably the first time she held a cue stick in her hands. This was just their thing. Nino and Adrien would go to the bars and hit the pool tables with a few drinks in while Alya and Marinette stayed at one of their apartments for a girl's night filled with wine and gossip. Though, for some reason, the girls thought it'd be so fun to tag along with the guys. Well, it was mostly Alya's idea.

Marinette gripped her cue stick tightly as she watched Alya aim her own stick against the cue ball. Sure, her best friend was much better than Marinette had originally anticipated, but if she missed, it was only a matter of time before the boys caught up. They blamed their lack of filled pockets on their tipsiness, but she could tell they were barely even buzzed.

She stared intently, absentmindedly holding her breath, as Alya launched the cue ball over one of the opposing team's balls and directly smacked the 8-ball into her chosen pocket. The clicking sound of it hitting another ball in the pocket was more satisfying than Marinette was expecting.

Alya threw her arms up, nearly knocking Marinette's head out with her stick, and she cheered in victory. "HA! We won! I told you so! You losers!"

Marinette laughed at her gloating best friend, peering over to Nino and Adrien who sighed—Nino more so than the blonde. "I told you we shouldn't have played with her," Adrien joked.

"I forgot about her competitiveness," Nino added.

With a smug grin, Alya threw an arm around Marinette's shoulders, raising a brow at the boys standing on the other side of the pool table. "I believe a couple of certain gentlemen owe us ladies a few drinks."

Nino rolled his eyes, resisting a smile. "As if we weren't going to pay for you guys, anyway."

"Yeah, but this route was way more fun, admittingly," Marinette said, handing her cue stick to Nino to put away.

Alya turned to her after handing her own stick to her boyfriend. "I told you it'd be fun."

"It was mostly fun watching you. I can barely even hold the stick right."

Her friend waved her off, patting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You're getting the hang of it, don't worry. You just need more practice."

"I don't think Nino would enjoy us starting to tag along to boy's night."

"Meh, he won't mind. And if he does, he'll get over it. We barely hang out as a group anymore. I'd say it could be the start of a new tradition."

Marinette offered a smile. "Sure. I can watch you guys play while I watch with a martini."