The Price of One || Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction

Chapter Seven: A Little Talk

Emma now stood in a circle with Marinette, Luka, Adrien, and Kagami, giving Marinette an awkward smile and wave - feeling a bit like a third - or fifth - wheel. This would’ve gone a lot better if her parents weren’t so oblivious! No wonder why they couldn’t figure out each other’s identities until they were practically adults.

“Emma! You made it!” Marinette exclaimed with a smile, giving Emma a quick hug as she awkwardly smiled. “Yeah!” She chuckled weakly. She looked at the younger versions of her Aunt and Uncle. “Hi! You must be Luka and Kagami!” She said with a smile.

Luka nodded with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emma.” He says. Kagami steps forward - sizing Emma up. “You seem to not be your best self. Your clothes are loose, indicating rapid weight loss, usually due to solitary confinement,” She gives Emma a tight smile. “Er...thanks?” Emma said, unsure what to make of that statement.

Marinette, knowing what the ‘solitary confinement’ was, put a reassuring arm around her. “Well, we should go and track down Andre’s!” She announced, changing the subject with a nervous giggle. Emma smiled gratefully as Marinette gave her a wink.

Adrien pulled out his phone. “The latest posts say that he’s by Louvre!” He exclaimed as Marinette cheered. “So let’s get going!” She cheered as the five of them set off for the ice cream store. Kagami walked ahead in silence - Emma and Luka talking as an attempt to stave off the awkward silence.

Adrien narrowed his eyes, pulling a startled Marinette behind the group. “Ad-Adrien! What’s wrong?” She squeaked as Adrien looked back at Emma - who was still deep in conversation with Luka and Kagami. He narrowed his eyes.

“Marinette….does Lila seem….to not like Emma very much?” He asked. Marinette looked back at Emma. “Well….she kind of helped me out with Lila the day before. Why?” Adrien pressed his mouth into a thin line. “Because I think...I think Lila tried to hurt Emma.”

“WHAT!?” Marinette yelled loudly as everyone stopped and turned to stare back at her. “Er...nothing! Sorry!” She apologized as the other three of her friends shrugged, and turned back to say whatever they were talking about in the first place.

“What?” Marinette hissed, quietly this time. Adrien’s eyes went in between Marinette and Emma. “I saw Lila push her down the stairs. Luckily, I was there at the right time, and I caught her, but if I wasn’t…” He trailed off. Marinette breathed in sharply, narrowing her eyes. “We have to confront her - or tell someone or something! If Emma was hurt..” She trailed off - unable to finish the sentence.

Adrien narrowed his eyes. “That’s not all. When I asked her about it..she just said that it was an accident. I don’t think she was - or is - going to tell anyone.” He continued. Marinette gasped. “But why wouldn’t she tell anyone? Lila could’ve gotten her seriously injured!”

“I don’t know. But we should keep an eye on Emma - just to make sure she’s not getting into any trouble,” He said in determination. Marinette nodded, turning back to Emma, who was laughing at something that Kagami told her. Marinette couldn’t help but smile. For some reason, she felt close to Emma - even though the girl had only just come to her school a few months before. It was so unlike anything she ever felt before - like a best friend, or even an older sister.

“Doesn’t she look so familiar to you?” Marinette asked Adrien as he blinked with a small chuckle. “I’ve been asking myself that all day, but I haven’t come up with an answer,” He said honestly, scratching the back of his ear awkwardly. His expression changed into a serious one, and Marinette felt awkward under his stare.

“Hello? Er...Adrien?” She asked. Adrien jumped, laughing awkwardly. “Sorry about that, but I just realized why she looked so familiar - she looks exactly like you! You know, if you dyed your hair pink and tied it into space buns,”

Marinette raised an eyebrow at the realization, and she turned back to Emma - just noticing Emma’s matching bluebell eyes. She shrugged and laughed. “Crazy coincidence, huh?” She asked as Adrien chuckled with a nod, but he couldn’t help but feel...drawn to Emma.

He didn’t like her like he had liked Ladybug or Kagami, but she reminded him of his mother. They even shared some of the same habits. He still remembered the way his mother’s lips would automatically move of their own accord to mouth along the words to her favorite songs, or the way his mother walked - not wanting to attract any attention, but getting the eyes of everyone in the room.

Adrien shook his head, still looking at Emma as she walked ahead. “Yeah,” he said with a smile. “Crazy,”