Familiar Faces

Adrien

"Yo dude!!" Nino called as I walked up the stairs, to which we fist bumped before I was caught off guard and pulled away from my best friend by none other than..

"Hey, Chloe" I tried sounding excited to see her

"Adrikins!, my daddy has invited you to the hotel this weekend and I'm sure you would want to accompany your one and only best friend" she said with high self esteem.

I looked over at Nino who had his brow raised, I guess he wanted to know my answer, just then Marinette and Alya passed by, as I made a brief eye contact with Marinette to which she flushed and hurriedly went into the school with Alya tagging along.

"Ew good thing Maritrash and her stench just left" Chloe said as she held her nose, putting up a fake puking action. I had to restrain Nino as this had made him angry.

"I'm sorry Chloe, until you behave better to my friends, I rather hang out with them" I said frankly, her remark about Marinette and Alya crossed the line.

She looked at me with a shocked look and left, stumping her feet with Sabrina not so far behind.

"I'm sorry Nino, she didn't mean what she said, maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the bed today" I said trying to settle the issue on a good note as we headed to class.

"Why do you stick up for her anyways?, she isn't worth the pity dude" Nino looked at me with a concerned look.

"It's not pity, it's understanding, she's just like me, she never really had friends but once she does, you'll be surprised how sweet she could be or she wouldn't have been called my friend, the only difference to her approach in friendship is she's content with the one she has, so I have to make her realize that she could have lots of friends if she's a little nicer" I ended as we sat down on our seats.

"If you say so, dude" he replied with a shrug.

I looked in the direction of Alya and Marinette, I caught sight of Marinette's gaze before she looked away again but not before I saw a flash of pain in them What's wrong with her today?.

"Nino, do you know wh-" miss Bustier clapped her hands to get our attention.

"Alright class, I'm sure we'll be happy to see some new faces in class today and I hope you make them feel welcome" she began as the front door to the class opened revealing two students.

I immediately recognized these two and I guess I wasn't the only one as the class chorused :"Luka!, Kagami!"

"Oh, it seems you are already familiar with them, I guess we'll skip introduction then, Luka and Kagami, please take a seat behind Marinette and Alya.

They nodded and I saw the warm smile Kagami flashed my way as she passed and I could see the wink Luka threw to Marinette which earned him a little blush from her before Alya nudged her in the ribs.

"Alright, now that's done, let's open our books to page 10" as she held up her copy of the book

***

"Hello Kagami" I waved, as she turned her attention towards my direction bowing slightly.

"Hi Adrien, it's an honor to school with you" she said in a monotone voice.

"Would you like to join us for lunch?" I asked although I knew the answer.

"I would love that" she said giving an eye shut smile 😊.

As we went to the hallway I saw Nino, Alya but I also noticed Luka with Marinette and she was happier than earlier, I guessed I spoke too soon as she glanced in my direction and she got all moody in a flash which made Luka turn in response to her gaze.

"Nino, you didn't tell me any other guests will be added to our group" I whispered.

"You never said I couldn't add any other member, besides it was Marinette's idea, was I supposed to say no when I knew you would bring her along?" He whispered back gesturing secretly at Kagami, "what's happened to you dude?, don't tell me you're jealous of Luka" a smirk forming on his lips.

"Not quite and-"

"Hello?!!, if you guys are not hungry, I sure am, I guess maybe we should leave you two to your discussion while those who are ready go get their lunch, or are you coming along now? " Alya said in a slightly frustrated tone with her arms crossed.

"Coming!" We both said in unison.

We sat at a round table, Kagami, Nino, Alya, Luka, Marinette and I. I felt a little tensed sitting in between Marinette and Kagami.

I tried to make a normal conversation with Kagami, but she seemed to talk only when asked a question, I couldn't help but listen in on Luka and Marinette discussion.

"Would you like a calming stroll this evening by 7pm, I got something that might interest you" he said calmly.

"I-" she began but I was interrupted by a vibration, an all to familiar vibration of my phone, I looked at the caller ID which showed Nathalie as I answered which saddened me for some reason than it normally should.

"I'm so sorry guys but I have to leave, I have an appointment in fencing class now" I stood up about to leave

"That means my day has been cut short too as I also have fencing class" Kagami replied as she also stood up joining me in my leave just great!! I took a quick glance at Marinette but yet again she avoided eye contact, instead looked at the table in front of her this is getting strange, even for her!.

***

"Again!!, Adrien you could do better than this, now get back up and start over" our fencing ⚔ teacher yelled as Kagami pulled me up.

"I'm sorry Mr Armand, I'll try to focus more" I said bowing before putting a stance ready to duel with Kagami again.

"You seem distracted" she began as she dodged one of my attacks.

"It's nothing" I didn't want to begin a conversation at least not now as I only dodged by a hair.

"Hmm, you're slow again, you have to be keen on your opponents tactics or you'll be caught off guard" she said the last part striking me with her sword 🤺. Feeling humiliated was an understatement, what's happening to me?. The strike wasn't that hard but I fell to the ground with a loud thud, this caused a change in her victorious look to one of worry.

"Adrien, I think you really need rest, don't worry I'll cover up for you" she whispered while looking over her shoulder to our fencing teacher who was thankfully distracted by some who were in a similar situation as I was.

"Thank you, I owe you one" I replied relieved, ready to sneak out.

"You sure do" she said before flashing a smile and shoving me in the direction of the locker room.

***

"Plagg, did your smelling cheese rub off on me?, my stomach was in sort of a knot" I accused ignorantly.

"Hey first of all, never hurt my beautiful darling feelings, she has the most appetizing aroma which attracted my love without any stress. You on the other hand have your own love issues to deal with it, SO DEAL WITH IT AND LEAVE MY CHEESE ALONE" he replied with a raspberry.

"What do you mean love issues?, you know no one could take the place of my lady in my heart" I replied although I felt something churn inside of me and I didn't like this feeling.

"You really can't see it, can you? Hmm let's make a deal, I know you were eavesdropping on Marinette and Luka's conversation, you follow them, whatever form you choose, you see what they're up to and if you try to interrupt, it confirms you still have room for love and you're not as devoted as you think" he replied eating a bit of his cheese and splattering it on his palm stretching it out to me for a dreadful handshake what could go wrong? I shook his filthy hand almost sure I would win. Did I just say almost?.

"And if I win?" I asked with a smirk

"I get to eat cheese only when I need to replenish my strength for a week but if I do win, I get a load of camembert for a month" he replied like it was no big deal and he was very confident.

"Why am I paired with you again?" I asked in a second of disbelieve.

"Because you my friend are the only one who could tolerate me but most important if all, you have all the camembert I want" he replied smugly.

I looked over at the time which read 6:52pm, its almost time to carry on with the deal.