You're The Music That's Been Playing In My Head: Book 3

Glaciator 2: Part 2

"So uh who was that?" Carlson asks, pointing at the front door. "That was Marinette, the Dupain-Cheng's daughter, I'll introduce you later." "Is Adrien her boyfriend or somethin'?" I hold in my laugh but still end up snickering while shaking my head. "No, when it comes to those two getting together that's a long and painful road of suffering with no success," I lightly explain, recalling everything that's happened between them before realizing what Marinette said. "But Adrien being at the park after school is weird. His dad usually keeps on a tight schedule. I hope everything's ok."

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"Marinette?" Adrien asks in confusion, staring at the ravenette approaching him. "Hey Adrien, is everything ok?" Marinette asks and he turns away, shaking his head as he answers. "I don't even know anymore..." Sitting down next to him, Mari shoots him a worried look. "Do you...Wanna talk about it?" "I'm not too sure how to explain it honestly," Adrien admits, rubbing the back of his neck before letting out a breath. "But it couldn't hurt to try. I have this friend that I've known for a few years now and when I met her I fell in love with her hard but she didn't feel the same and kept rejecting me. Eventually, I moved on but the people who had seen me with this friend heavily shipped us and assumed we were together when we're not. While I find the whole thing amusing, she finds it annoying, and it bothers her. I joked about us dating today to try and cheer her up because she was angry and she yelled at me. I'm worried I ruined our friendship and that she hates me. I don't want to lose her as a friend, I cherish her a lot especially since she was one of the first friends I ever made but I'm scared I pushed her buttons too far this time..."

Adrien unloads and Mari hums in thought. This friend of his didn't sound familiar, which surprised Marinette, but if Adrien didn't want to tell her who his friend was, it wasn't her business. "It sounds like your friend was really stressed at that moment which caused her to yell. That doesn't necessarily mean she hates you; I'm sure she doesn't. I mean who could hate you? You're kind and sweet, and just wanted to help your friend relax. You just went about it in the wrong way. I'm guessing after calming down she's forgiven you and will apologize for yelling. Also maybe don't joke about you two dating anymore?" She lightly chuckles, giving Adrien an encouraging smile and he smiles back.

"Thank you, Marinette." "Any time. Now then, how about a sweet treat to lighten the mood?" She offers, pointing at a parfait cone stand a few feet away. "A parfait cone? I've never had one," Adrien admits and Mari grabs his hand and drags him over. "Well, then we have no choice but to fix that," After getting their tasty treat, the two sat down and began eating, talking in between bites. Adrien couldn't help but look at Marinette with appreciation, she had taken time out of her day to cheer him up, not many people would do that for him, not since his mom. Come to think of it how is it that he never realized how pretty Marinette was? Especially her smile, contagious too. Adrien couldn't help but smile, making him appreciate her more, he needed this.

Unfortunately, it couldn't last as the two heard his bodyguard clear his throat and nod his head toward the car. "Oh...I have to go. Thanks for cheering me up though Marinette, see you in school," He waves goodbye and heads to the car. Marinette also makes her way back home when she is pulled into a familiar red car. "Kagami?"

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Carlson and I had decided to head to Les Palais des Congrès de Paris which was hosting an event called RARE24Paris. According to Carlson, it was like a book market. However, upon going to the event, all the options for the books appeared to be romance books as I looked at a popular dark romance book about a cat and a mouse. (If you know, you know 😉) Last I checked though Carlson wasn't all that into romance novels. "Since when did you get into romance novels?" I ask him suspiciously and he gives me a fond look. "I thought it was time I opened up my horizons to new experiences. Aren't you curious what love might feel like?" I shoot him a confused look as I ask "What are you implying?" Seeing my not-so-great reaction, Carlson shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. "I'm just messin' with ya squirt, what are friends for?"

"Being a pain in the butt?" I shoot back teasingly as we continue walking through the isles. One book catches my attention that I'd been looking for a while now and I reach out to grab it when another hand reaches as well and our hands touch. Looking up at the other person I start to blush as I see Luka looking at me with a slight smirk. "Hi." "H-Hi..." I stutter slightly, pulling my hand away and he hands over the book I was reaching for. "I saw this and thought of you since you said you've been trying to find a physical copy," He explains when Carlson steps in front of me, looking at Luka suspiciously. "Do you two know each other?"

"Yeah, Carlson this is Luka. Luka, Carlson," I introduce the two before asking "What are you doing here Luka?" "The girls wanted to check this event out and I had nothing better to do so I tagged along," He answered, pointing to Rose, Juleka, Sabrina, and Mylène looking at some other books before joining us. "Who's this cutie?" Rose asks, pointing at Carlson and he wraps an arm around me stating, "Her date," I jab him in the side, glancing at Luka and he does not look too happy. "Jeez (y/n) I was only joking though this would make for a great date spot. Are you sure you wouldn't mind me checking you out?" He sends me a wink and I groan at the pun. "You're a lot more flirtatious than I remember you being. If I didn't know any better I would think you're seriously hitting on me." "Heh, yeah..." He looks away for a second before grinning wide. "But I like big books and I cannot lie so talk wordy to me," He jokes, picking up a large and flipping through the pages. I roll my eyes before noticing my friends exchange glances. "What's wrong?" I ask and they look at each other. "(y/n), I think Carlson-" Rose starts to say when Carlson interrupts her, pushing me to the checkout. "Well, it was nice meeting you all but (y/n) and I got a whole lot of fun left to get through today so see ya around!"

After that, we start to head back to the bakery. "So you and that Luka guy seem close," Carlson says as we enter the living room. "Hm? Luka, yeah he's a great person. I miss him a lot," I admit and he arches an eyebrow. "What do you mean you miss him?" "Oh well he's my ex," I lightly explain and his eyes widen. "Your ex? But if you miss him then do you-" He starts to ask but I cut him off. "We can talk about that later, no need to spoil the good mood. Hey, why don't I check if Marinette is home and I can introduce you. Be right back!" I head up to our room calling out for her. I hear voices on the roof and peek out to see Marinette reciting some speech to Chat Noir about having feelings for a 'Buttercup', not being the best person, moving on, and while unsure of how she fully feels wanting to be there for him no matter what they were. But the way it was written was super cringy.

I chuckle to myself as I head back down to Carlson. "It looks like she's busy still, so how about we go see a movie?" I suggest after seeing his unhappy face and he nods so we head out and get on the bus when right after us, Marinette and Chat Noir step on. "Is there a problem?" Marinette asks as Chat pats himself down. "It's just that I normally travel by stick so I don't have any change," He explains and the bus driver shrugs. "Forget about it, a free ride is the least I can do as thanks for saving the city so many times," I wave them over to sit with us.

"Here I thought you were busy~" I tease as they sit down with us and I introduce them before asking "So what were you two doing on the roof?" "Oh I agreed to help Marinette with a project," Chat explains and I tease further. "What kind of project?" "I'm checking which movies are playing and there's Little Love Notes but I'm not in the mood for a romance so that's a no. How about Captain Supreme the Ultimate Deul?" Chat shakes his head. "I'd like to avoid films about superheroes." "Oh, you guys are going to the movies too? Why don't you join us? We were going to check out Shark Tank Vs. Mecha Tiger. It could be like a double date," Carlson suggests and I jab him again after seeing their confused faces. "Well with a title like that we should be in the clear."