To Know Him Is To Love Him

The sounds of Luka's guitar and his voice singing the new song he's been working on felt warm. He was thinking of someone while playing. You clapped your hands as he finished. The corner of his lips curved up. Placing his guitar down, he got up and grabbed his bag. The two of you left the houseboat and made your way to school. On your way, both of you stopped when you noticed Ladybug and Chat Noir jumping from building to building. "They're so cool".

You turned to Luka, smiling. "That's right. You met them, huh"

"Yeah". The two of you continued walking. "It must be amazing having those abilities, but it's also a huge responsibility. I wonder how they do it all".

"They're heroes." You shrugged. "I'm sure they have people to help them"

When both of you got to your class, you sat in your seats and turned to talk to your friends. Calixte was late once again, Lucien and Grace aced the test from last weekend, meanwhile, Luka and you continued to be best partner group by getting a higher grade than Lucien and Grace in the project. It's just another usual day at school.

During lunch, the five of you sat down at a table to eat. Grace had brought her speaker to play a song. She wanted to show you her new routine for dance. Luka began tapping to the rhythm of the song while you began to sing along. Grace danced. Her body moving to match both the rhythm and tone of the song. As you sang, you expressed the very emotion that the song was portraying. With your voice and Grace's dance, it felt like an emotional scene was taking place. Other classmates began to watch as well. Calixte and Lucien clapped and whistled as Grace finished. Grace bowed at the applause.

"And let's give a hand to the perfect duo" Grace gestured to you and Luka. They cheered again. Luka and you bowed as well. The audience dispersed as Grace went to sit next to you. "If the two of you do not get that title in the yearbook, I'm going to throw a fit"

"Seriously?" You chuckled, Luka laughed along with you.

"It may be a joke, but the two of you are inseparable" Calixte threw a chip into his mouth.

"That's true". Lucien took a chip from Calixte's bag. "You guys have been partners since what? The third grade"

You felt Luka's arm wrap around your shoulder once more. He pulled you closer to his side, a huge grin laid on his lips. The feeling of your heart beating fast came back. It lasted until you heard the word that you hated the most escape Luka's lips.

"That's because we're " He smiled. Your shoulders slumped, your smile fading, your gaze downcasting. Your friends gave you a sympathetic smile. Luka's arm fell back to his side. You leaned back into your seat, hiding your disappointed look from your best friend.

----

"I should be used to this by now" You sighed. Grace and you had just left the dance studio the two of you go to after school. Grace patted your shoulder. "I'm such an idiot".

"I don't know the context, but yes you are" The two of you turned to a boy year older than you. Ruben Bastin, an upperclassman of yours and a dancer at the studio. He's either bothering you or telling you all the mistakes you make in your routines. In the end, it all ends the same way. You punch him in the stomach and he shuts up. Though the two of you bicker at each other like cats and dogs, the two of you consider each other friends.

"Shut up" You glared at him.

"(y/n) was told the 'f' word again today" Grace explained.

"Fu-" Ruben arched a brow as he walked beside you.

"No, not that one!" Grace shook her head and rolled her eyes. "The other 'f' word"

"Oh. You mean, " Ruben turned to you. He mocked a sympathetic look and began to speak in a mocking tone. "Did our (y/n), here, get friend-zoned?"

"God, I hate that word" You grunted.

"You don't hate it. You just hate it when it comes from the guy you like" Ruben shrugged his shoulders, pulling his bag close to him. "That's natural. You can't expect this person to have the same feelings as you just because you confessed your feelings to him"

"I didn't confess my feelings to him" You pouted. "I never once expressed my feelings to him. He only sees me as a friend".

Ruben and Grace glanced at each other as you slouched in your despair. The smell of freshly baked pastries grabbed Ruben's attention. He turned to the direction of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery, a smile on his lips. He turned to you, dragging you in the direction of the bakery.

"What you need, my dearest (y/n), is some sweets" He winked at you as the three of you entered the building.

A bell chimed once the entry door opened. The smell of the pastries filled your senses and made your stomach growl. People were sitting down at tables, eating all sorts of desserts. Your mouth watered at the sight of macaroons. It's been a while since you last had one of those small colored desserts. The voice of a girl grabbed your attention.

Her midnight blue hair was pulled into two pigtails. Her bright blue eyes stared into your (e/c) ones. Her pink lips formed a smile. She wore an apron above her own personalized clothes. She didn't need to introduce herself. You already know who she is. She's Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the girl Luka talks about. The girl Luka likes.

Your chest felt heavy.

"Hi, what can I get for you guys?" She asked in a sweet voice. Damn. Even her voice sounds sweet.

"Um.." Grace glanced at you, then at Marinette. "A full plate of macaroons and a mille-feuille".

"Sure thing". She led the three of you to a table. "You're order will be right up".

The moment she left, you had slouched into your seat. Grace slapped Ruben's shoulder. "Ouch, what's that for?"

"You are an idiot" Grace glared.

"Forget it, Grace" You spoke before she could explain to the older boy. You placed your head on the palm of your hand and played with the table piece. "It's not worth it".

"Come on, (y/n)" Grace smiled at you. "I'm sure Luka will come around soon"

"Luka?" You turned to Marinette, eyes widening in fear. She placed the plate of pastries down, smiling. "You guys know Luka? Luka Couffaine, right?"

"Yeah" Grace spoke, "He's - uh- our friend".

"He's their friend, I'm more of loner type". Ruben leaned back into his chair, arms behind his head.

"Shut up". You turned to him. "You asked me to come over to your house just because you were watching a scary movie and saw a spider".

"Hey-"

"Basically, (y/n) and I are friends of Luka" Grace smiled, stuffing yours and Ruben's mouth with macaroons. "Ruben, here, is an acquaintance"

"I see.." Marinette chuckled, turning to you. "Did you and Luka fight? I noticed how down you looked".

"Um, no. It's just a stupid misunderstanding" You laughed, scratching the back of your head.

"Still, it's best to clear it up" She continued to smile. "You never know if that misunderstanding could cause trouble".

"Ha!" You turned to Ruben. He looked at Marinette, smirking as he pointed at you. "I may only be an acquaintance, but I know as much as everybody that (y/n) and Luka had never once had a fight that lasted more than three minutes".

"Wow. You two must be really close friends, huh" The bluenette turned to you.

"Best since the third grade, right (y/n)?" Ruben grinned. You glared at him. Mentally, you were choking him.

"Yeah. The bestest". You spoke in between your teeth, smiling at the boy. Both you and Grace kicked him from underneath the table. He held back his pain.

"Well, if the two of you are that close, then there really shouldn't be a problem" You turned back to Marinette. "I'm sure as best friends, the two of you could solve any problem that comes your way".

She soon left, leaving the three of you to your desserts. Grace began to lecture and whisper yell at Ruben. You continued to think about what Marinette had said. You could already tell that Marinette is a good girl, there's no doubt in your mind about that. That makes it harder for you to feel any hatred toward her. You now understand why Luka took a liking to her. You do too. She seems interesting.

The sound of the bell chime rang. You quickly turned in the direction of the register the moment you heard Marinette say Luka's name. He didn't even order anything. He simply said a quick 'hi' to the girl and walked toward you. His smile could simply make your heart melt right then and there. He sat down beside you, greeting Grace and Ruben, and began to eat.

"What's up?" He turned to you.

"Nothing much" You smiled. "You?"

"Nothing much" He smiled back.