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"I've gotta go, but I'll see you girls later in class," Marinette said before walking out of the library. Mylene watched the bluenette leave before returning her attention to Lila. She was amazed and mystified with all the exciting tales the brunette told of her experiences.

Mylene hoped that she would one day travel the world and visit many extraordinary places too.

"I have to go. This little fella and I need to get some food in our bellies," Lila said, rubbing her slightly round belly. The girls bid Lila a farewell and went back to talking about the dance. That's when Mylene noticed she was holding something pink in her hand.

Her large orbs locked onto the pink pencil in her hand.

"I forget to give Marinette her pencil back," she said her thoughts out loud. The girls paused in their conversation to look over at the rainbow-haired girl.

"Why don't you go catch her? She might still be walking around," Alya suggested.

"Since we have the same class next, I'll bring your bag to class so you can look faster," Alix insisted. Mylene nodded at both of them, thankfully before heading out of the library. She didn't know what class Marinette had next but hoped to run into her in the hallway.

   Mylene sighed in defeat when she was unable to find the bluenette anywhere. She figured she would just give the pencil back to Marinette tomorrow in class. The short teen headed towards her next class and was passing the entranceway when hearing talking outside.

   Mylene glanced outside the building to see Luka talking with someone. Mylene squinted her eyes in familiarity after seeing the girl.

   "Do I know her from somewhere?" Mylene thought. Her large doe eyes widened when recognizing the girl standing in front of the musician. Mylene knew that girl. She nearly dropped the pencil in her grip when the two teens outside drew close and kissed.

   Then, Mylene quickly made her way to class. Alix questioned Mylene on her pale-like features but only made an excuse.

   How was she going to tell Marinette?

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   Marinette could feel her body tremble even when she was frozen in shock. The bluenette forced her face to smile, tried to look happy.

Yet, sadness settled within her pure bluebell orbs like a beautiful ocean with a dull storm looming overhead. Her broken smile wasn't able to fix itself, turning into a grimace instead. She tried to hold her tears in when they began to form on the outer shell of her eyelids.

The bluenette felt something in her chest throb painfully with every tormenting beat of her breaking heart. Her fingernails dig into the palm of her hand as she tried so desperately to keep her composure.

This all went unnoticed by a sheepish Luka, who scratched the side of his cheek. A little habit Marinette noticed over the years when he was unsure of something.

"You see, I've had to keep her a secret. She's kinda a big deal in Paris. We decided to keep our relationship a secret for the time being. That way, I don't have to deal with the paparazzi or reporters. I haven't told anyone else except for my family, but I trust that you can keep it a secret too," Luka chirped, picturing the girl of his dreams in his mind.

   Through blurry eyes, Marinette could see the utter admiration and love lighting up Luka's face. Marinette wished she could be the one that person. The bluenette wanted to be the one to make him melt at just the thought of her. She knew she was jealous but was too torn up and sad.

   "Wh-Who is s-she?" Marinette shakily asked. She really didn't want to know the person that already stole her crush's heart. At the same time, she needed to know.

   Luka finally snapped out of his thoughts and gazed down at Marinette to answer her question. His facial expression quickly changed from happiness to worry when seeing the distressed girl.

   "Marinette, are you alright?" Luka asked, concern laced within his voice. This made the ache in her chest tighten and her skin grow uncomfortably cold. She shakily sighed and rubbed her eyes, trying to regain her composure. Yet, it wasn't working.

   Avoiding the question, Marinette asked, "Wha-What was this to...to you?"

   Luka cocked his head to the side in confusion.

   "What was what?"

   "Coming to-to the mo-movies with me," she replied. The green-haired male seemed to realize the situation and wanted to hit himself for not realizing it earlier. Guilt overshadowed his features and couldn't help but feel terrible for the misunderstanding.

   "I thought we were hanging out...as friends," he answered, honestly, "I didn't know you thought of it as something else. I'm so sorry, Marinette."

   The aspiring fashion designer didn't say anything, staring at the ground and defensively hugging herself. She didn't know what to do with herself. She wanted to yell at him or run away. Yet, yelling didn't seem like a good option since he seemed genuinely sorry and was unaware.

   Maybe...she should have been more specific?

   Luka groaned, muttering, "Man, I feel so stupid and dense for not realizing it earlier."

"I...I think I'm going to leave," Marinette stated before practically running out the door. She heard Luka call out for her but didn't stop running.

Rain poured down upon the teen, soaking her to the bone. Yet, she didn't care. Marinette's only thought was to get away and return home. She just couldn't bare being near him for another second, knowing she'll probably never have a chance after seeing how much he loves his girlfriend.

Her tears were like the rain, mind wild like the harsh winds, her inner war as rambunctious as thunder and lightning, and mood as gloomy as the dark gray skies.

Just like a storm.

Marinette snapped out of her depressing thoughts after tripping and falling into a muddy puddle. The bluenette sat up, wiping off the mud from her face. Her breathing was uneven and a quiet sob came every once in a while as she sat there. Bluebell eyes scanned the surrounding area.

   She ended up in the park.

   Marinette sighed, standing up from the mud puddle and was about to drag herself home. Then, the letters from Chat Noir popped up in her mind. She perked up, remembering that she forgot to check last week's Friday letter. Was it still worth it knowing that her long-time crush already has someone?

   Marinette figured since she was already here and soaking wet, she might as well check. Maybe, she should end it before ending up hurt all over again. The bluenette made her way over to the bushes and climbed into them. Luckily, the small grove was a nice shelter from the rain even with a few drops here and there.

   Within the damp grass, there laid the jar and her only communication with Chat Noir. The aspiring fashion designer gloomily made her way over to the jar and sat down in front of it. With little hesitation and shaky hands, Marinette unscrewed the lid.

She pulled out the folded paper and stared at it for a moment, wondering what she was going to be written on the white canvas. Curiosity finally helped her unfold the paper and read what was scribbled on the sheet.

Her eyes widened, not expecting the nice and delicate handwriting. Something red caught the edge of her vision and glanced over at the jar. Inside the glass containment, was a practically wilted away rose.

Marinette's heart fluttered, feeling flattered by the gesture. Yet, guilt twisted in her stomach for not obtaining the flower sooner and left it to die faster. Bluebell eyes returned to the letter, scanning the neat writing.

Then, she realized something.

"This isn't Luka's handwriting," she thought, then looked at the rose again, "and is highly allergic to flowers. I would've seen him sniffling or sneezing if he was near a flower on Friday."

Chat Noir wasn't Luka.

Finally, Marinette began to read the letter.

Dear Bugaboo,

You don't know me,
And I don't know you.
You've become my best friend,
Even though you're a stranger too.

Here is a rose,
If you give me a chance.
Will you, my Bugaboo,
Let me take you to Wednesday's masquerade dance?

~Kitty

Marinette blinked in astonishment, mouth slightly agape. She reread the letter about four times over, still in disbelief.

"Whoever Chat Noir was, he sure is a sweet guy," she said in her mind. Then, many other thoughts occurred, making bluebell orbs grow.

"Is he talking about the same masquerade dance next week? Does he go to the same school as me? Oh gosh! Does he know who I am?" Marinette ranted, freaking out and scanned the area as if he was hiding somewhere nearby.

Taking in a deep breath and calming down, the bluenette's eyes gazed upon the small poem. She felt a small smile grace her lips before feeling the warm rays of the sun stretch its rays on her face.

Marinette looked up at the sunset, seeing the sun break free from behind the dark clouds that covered it. A rainbow stretched above the giant star, showing off its wondrous and vibrant colors to all of Paris.

Suddenly, her aunt's words echoed in her mind.

"You know you survived the toughest Tsunamis once you see the rainbow at the end."

Her smile grew bigger, watching the dark clouds disappear and the letter held gently in her hands.

"The rain has its downfalls..." Marinette began, looking down at the letter, "...but it's also a precious gift. What better way to wrap it up with a pretty, multi-colored bow?"

Marinette reaches into the jar and snatched the pencil out.

"It leads us to change and new beginnings," she continued talking to herself, tearing off the corner of the paper, "It leads us to hope for the sun to shine once again and something beautiful—no, extraordinary to happen. A better future."

Hesitating, the daring bluenette's heart hammered within her chest and wondered if this was a good idea. She had no clue who was on the other side of their old-fashion messages. For all she knew, this was an old dude living in his mom's basement.

She just had to take a chance, she supposed.

Take a leap into the unknown.

Still feeling a little hesitant, Marinette wrote down her answer. She took out the dead flower and cleaned it out from the mess of wilted petals. Then, she folded the small paper, placing it and the pencil back inside.

Marinette screwed the lid back on before picking up the rose and poem. The bluenette walked back home, leaving her answer for Chat Noir.

Yes

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