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It is Tuesday in the afternoon.

   Marinette found herself sitting in the library during lunchtime. She still didn't go to the lunchroom ever since the video of Luka rejecting her was posted. Luckily, the gossip was starting to blow over.

   Yet, there were still a few students whispering around and eyeing her when they think she wasn't looking. Until the gossip was clear, the bluenette decided it was best to stay in the furthest corner of the library during her free time and away from all the school drama.

   Marinette stared down at her sketchbook, gnawing on her special pink pencil eraser and brainstormed some ideas for a new design.

Designing was her way of a relaxing distraction, losing herself in various materials and colors. She could be free from all her worries when creating something new and unique.

There was just one problem.

"I think my one working brain cell is having complications while the rest are deactivated," the bluenette muttered under her breath, staring down at the blank canvas, "Curse you, designer's block!"

The librarian shushed the teen, a scowl adorning her face. Marinette sheepishly scratched the back of her neck and apologized for disturbing the silence. Bluebell eyes returned to the white sheet and went back to gnawing her pencil.

"Marinette?"

Marinette's creativity gears paused in turning and shifted her attention to the new presence. The air in her lungs got caught in her throat when seeing Luka's head poking out from the other side of a bookshelf. The aspiring fashion designer stiffened when her ex-crush walked over to the table she sat at.

   "It's been a while since we talked," Luka said, nodding to the seat across from Marinette and asked, "Can I sit?"

   Marinette's lips thinned out, looking everywhere that wasn't in Luka's direction. She soon awkwardly bobbled her head in approval, allowing the musician to take the seat. Marinette didn't know why this was happening and knew she wasn't prepared to confront Luka. Yet, would she ever really be ready?

   "It's kinda funny," Luka began, "For a moment, I thought you were going to grab your things and run out the door. It just seems like every time I try to talk with you you were trying to avoid...me."

Luka watched as Marinette began to uncomfortably shift in her seat, confirming his suspicions.

"Oh...you were trying to..." Luka trailed off, not finishing off his thought and frowned, "Listen, Marinette...I really am sorry for leading you on like that. I honestly had no idea about your feels and thought you wanted to get to know each other more...as friends."

Marinette sighed, starting to feel guilty for avoiding Luka. They may have had a...bit of a bump in the road but that shouldn't stop them from at least being friends. Luka is an extraordinary guy, genuinely attempting to be better friends with her. And how does she repay Luka, avoided him at all costs.

In a way, it was a miracle that he hasn't given up on her at this point.

The bluenette shook her head, "No, you don't have to apologize. I should be the one apologizing. You were only trying to be my friend and I...I was being lame. I'm sorry, I-"

"Marinette," Luka cut her off, "You don't need to apologize for either for having feelings and needing some space. I completely understand and will leave now if you don't feel comfortable being around me quite yet."

"No, I think..." Marinette paused for a moment, wanting to make sure her next few words were true. Yes, she feels like running away in embarrassment and continue avoiding him. She wants to hide in shame and pretend nothing happened, go back to the way things were.

Yet, going back was easier said than done. Even if she was able to go back to relive crushing on him again, it wouldn't matter. Luka would still have a girlfriend and Marinette would blindly long for his affection without knowing that little fact. She would be heartbroken again.

Now, the only thing she can do isn't changing her past but creating a future with her befriending Luka. Marinette knew she will eventually be okay and the first step is letting go of the silly crush, start over as something different.

Running away from her problems will only create a greater distance from the solution. The best and easiest way is to face it head-on and solve it. Just like a criminal on the run, paying for the penalty of the crimes is better than being cowardly.

With a smile, Marinette finished her final thoughts, "...I think I'll be alright now. It's time we stop being whatever we were before all this happened and start over as friends."

Luka seemed to relax, shoulders going lax in relief. He was a little nervous that things would somehow go in a whole other direction but was relieved with the results of their talk. Luka didn't want to hurt Marinette in any way but his heart was already taken by another girl.

It wasn't fair to lead Marinette on a path that never existed but Luka hadn't known he was being followed at the time. Now that he knows, Luka hopes that the two can find a new path they were both meant to walk, not as enemies or lovers but as friends.

Luka let a smile form before replying, "I'd like that."

Marinette watched in confusion as Luka stood up and pushed the chair back into the table.

"I'm glad we were able to talk, but I have to go. If any of my friends found me talking with you, there's a good chance that new rumors about us will spread again. I really hope you don't take this the wrong way-"

"No, I understand. It'll probably be better if we aren't found together until all the drama has blown over," Marinette cut Luka off, genuinely smiling.

"Cool, hope I'll see you at tomorrow night's dance, Marinette," Luka said then disappeared around the corner of the bookshelf. The bluenette stared at the seat Luka sat at, letting the conversation they had settle within her mind. Marinette felt a little sad but was more satisfied—relieved—with the outcome. She felt at ease.

"Awwww, that was so sweet!"

   Marinette raised an eyebrow over at the librarian, who scrambled to pretend to do something as if she had never eavesdropped. Marinette tried to forget the librarian's abrupt intrusion yet something about what she said stuck with the bluenette.

Sweet.

Then, the talk with Luka sprouted an idea within Marinette's mind and tapped into her designing mode. She knew exactly what she is going to design.

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   Tom had just pulled out his third sheet of sugar cookies from the oven in the school's kitchen. He placed the pan on the counter next to the other two, smiling proudly at his work.

   The baker had arrived an hour ago to get a head start on making the different assortments of snacks. He couldn't wait to see the joyous faces' of the students—or what he could see of them—when getting a taste of his work.

   He loves his job, baking ever since his first loaf of bread. He hoped to share his love baking with his future child someday, then Marinette came along. If Tom could describe one word about Marinette's arrival, it would be...unexpected. Yet, he cherished the girl like any father would their daughter.

Marinette grew to fall in love with baking the exact way Tom had. Sure, she also grew to love fashion design too but that didn't stop her from appearing every once in a while to help in the bakery. In fact, designing desserts with frosting helped Marinette's creativity to blossom and create beautiful clothing designs.

Tom thought nothing less than remarkable with Marinette's talent and supported her on her journey of fashion.

A knock and a creak of the door opening snapped Tom out of his thoughts. He turned his attention away from the cookies to see a slim man with a mustache enter.

"You must be the baker making the snacks for the masquerade dance," the guy said before introducing himself, "I apologize for the intrusion. My name is Armand D'Argencourt. I'm the coach of this school's fencing team. Fencing practice had ended early today and we were wondering if you needed some extra hands?"

Tom perked up at the offer while pulling another sheet of macaroons from the oven. He happily smiled at the idea of the kids graciously helping out and enthusiastically answered, "Sure! I would love some help!"

Armand nodded, returning the smile before letting the fencing team enter the kitchen. Tom didn't know much about the fencing team except that it consisted of only a few boys. So, he was left in quite a shock when seeing a Japanese girl following shortly behind a blonde lad.

It barely took a split second later for Tom to immediately recognize the girl and felt his body stiffen up, breathing catching short.

The two teens were having a nice talk about their practice until being startled by the sound of a clattering pan. Nearly everyone jumped at the sudden noise and looked over at the baker.

Tom was pulled out from his hazy stupor, quickly shifting his gaze away from the teens to his now empty hands. The pan, nicely lined with different colored macaroons, was now messily splayed on the kitchen's tiled floor. Multi-colored cookie crumbs were scattered around in many different sizes and shapes.

"Oh, sorry about that," the baker apologized, embarrassingly kneeling to pick up the crumbled sweets. It took about a minute before someone reached down to help him clean up the mess.

   "Here, let us help you."

   Tom glanced up to see the blonde boy kneeling to help pick up the ruined cookies and collect them back onto the tray. What really caught the baker's awareness was the young lady doing the same thing beside her friend. The very girl of Tom and his wife's other troubles.

   Kagami Tsurugi.

   Suddenly, Tom began to clean up a little faster and realized he hadn't spoken in quite some time. Clearing his throat, he responded, "Thank you for helping me clean up."

   Then, he moved to see the fencers awkwardly standing in front of the doorway, looking unsure of what to do. Armand was nowhere in sight.

   "Did you just dump his fencing students on me?" Tom thought, not amused in the slightest before telling the rest of the fencing team, "You boys can go wash your hands then start frosting the sugar cookies."

   The fencers did as they were told, walking over to the two sinks. Just as Tom and the two teens finished picking up what they could, Armand returned to the kitchen.

   "I apologize for my absence. I had an important phone call that needed to be taken," he said. Kagami and her friend joined their team to wash their hands, leaving Tom to talk with their coach. The baker felt a little guilty for thinking Armand would leave the kids he's responsible for.

   "It's alright," Tom reassured, tipping the pan and letting the destroyed contents slide into the trash can, "No damage done...well, besides the macaroons."

   Armand nodded in acknowledgment before going to wash his hands to join in on the baking experience. Tom placed the pan aside and started on another batch of macaroons to replace the last.

   "Mr. Dupain?"

Tom's eyes shifted away from the ingredients for a moment and locked onto Kagami, who is coating a cookie in red frosting. The man awkwardly returned his gaze onto his project while asking, "Yes?"

"I just wanted to tell you that you are a phenomenal baker. The people I shared your cookies with send their kind regards," Kagami complimented.

"Oh," Tom perked up, nervously scratching the back of his neck, "Thank you! It really means a lot to me knowing that people are enjoying what I make."

"I agree with her, sir," the blonde boy joined into the conversation, "I've been going to your bakery recently and I have to say, you have real talent."

At this point, Tom could feel his face heat up but a sheepish smile adorned his features.

"You guys are going to give me a big head with all these compliments," he joked, asking, "What's your names?"

Sure, Tom knew Kagami but it didn't seem like she knew the baker. The blonde boy looked kind of familiar but Tom couldn't put a finger on his identity.

"Kagami Tsurugi," Kagami politely introduced herself. The blonde boy hesitated a bit but with a little nudge in the side from his friend, he gathered the courage to answer.

"Adrien Agreste."

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I think this is the first time in a while that I'm actually releasing an early chapter! *pats myself on the back*

Hope y'all enjoyed it! The next chapter is what you've all been waiting for! So, stay tuned! ;)