••••Present Day••••
      Marinette played with the necklace around her neck, leaning against the window seal and stared outside. She had a laundry bin pressed firmly against her hip and her hand digging into the edge of the broken grip. The bluenette duly noted the fact that her phone was buzzing somewhere behind her.   

  Snowflakes tumbled from the sky, landing on the streets and melting almost instantly. Cars passed by, only slowing down for stop signs then pulling out to probably never come back. People buzzed on the streets, stopping at the sights the town had to offer.

     The bluenette absentmindedly rubbed a hand over her flat stomach. Her eyebrows were pulled together and her lip trembled as memories flashed past her eyes. Her phone rang again, and she pressed her eyes closed.

   Marinette sucked in a shaky breath before unclenching her fist and making her way to the couch. Gently resting the laundry bin on the couch, Marinette picked up her phone.

   "Hello?" Her voice shook, and she had to clear her throat.

   "Hey girl" Alya's voice was calmer than it usually was. Marinette wanted to tell Alya off, that she was fine beyond belief. But deep down inside, the bluenette knew that she probably couldn't handle any other tone.

  "I know you're probably busy, but we were about to head out to the bar that just opened not too far from the bakery. Kim said that it's wicked"

   Lowering herself on the couch, Marinette picked up one of the throw pillows and sat it in her lap. She hugged it tightly to her chest.

     "Alya, I'm not so sure about that" The bluenette answered.

   "I know it's hard, but you have to remember to have fun. Please girl? Just for me? The first round will be on me" Alya pressed, determined to make her friend say yes.

    Marinette scowled, staring at the carpet but not really seeing it. She didn't believe that Alya understood at all. She didn't believe it with an ounce of her soul. She knew that Burnett cared and that she probably wanted to help the bluenette much as she could. But it was impossible. The only true way for her to understand was for her to go through the same thing. And Marinette never wanted her friend to go through that.

   But maybe relaxing wouldn't be so hard. What with the last few months being so stressful. Marinette sighed, but a small smile formed on her lips. Going out was exactly what she needed.

   "You know what? That actually sounds great right now Alya. I'll be there in twenty."

   Saying their goodbyes, Marinette hung up and picked up the laundry basket. Swiftly walking to her room, the fashion designer dropped the basket on the bed and turned to her room with giddy excitement. Mannequins dotted the room, covered with newly stitched outfits.

   Marinette striped down and put on a strapless bra. Walking toward a mannequin, she pulled off a black dress off. Slipping it over her body, she looked in the mirror. The dress left her shoulders exposed and covered her arms with long sleeves. It hugged her body tightly, enlightening herself. Black leggings followed, being pulled up as far as they would go under the low cut dresses frilly bottom.

    "Shoes," The fashion designer said to no one in particular. "I need shoes that will go perfectly with this" Rushing to her closet, Marinette found blood red pumps.

   After years of wearing them and practice, the bluenette never really had any problems wearing pumps. If she was drunk or shoved it was a different story, but most of the time, neither was the case.

  "You already look great"

   Marinette looked back at the voice. Tikki was yawning and rubbing her eyes from her spot on the bookshelf. When she was finished, the red kwami looked at Marinette with her large purple-tinted blue eyes.

 "Thank you, Tikki. Here" Marinette grabbed her black purse and opened it.

   Tikki flew in without hesitation, snuggling up in a small blanket Marinette had made her in the past. The bluenette ran a hairbrush through her hair, deciding to leave it down.

   In a matter of ten minutes, Marinette was walking down her apartment stairs and out of the door. She had quickly brushed on some lipstick and a small amount of blush, checked to make sure she had what she needed in her purse, then left.

   After she called for a cab, she impatiently waited to be driven to the bar. Marinette needed a distraction. Something to keep her mind from wandering. She tried to focus on the snowflakes that came down like there was no tomorrow, and watched the sky as the last bits of pink and purple faded out.

   "That'll be twenty-four eros" The taxi driver grunted as they pulled up to the curb. Handing him a ten and a twenty, Marinette thanked him and told him to keep the change.

    The bluenette looked up at the blinking read sign. " Brew Brothers Bar". She hummed before making her way inside. The music had already started, and couples were already dancing on the dance floor. Standing on her tippy toes, the bluenette searched for the familiar faces of her friends.

    "Marinette!" Even over the loud music, Alya's voice could be heard.

    "How are you doing girl?" Alya asked Marinette, her eyebrows pulled together in concern as she pulled Mari into a hug.

     "Today, kinda rough. But right now, I'm here to relax and have fun." Marinette stated, pulling away. Alya smiled and patted her back.

   Nino came up behind the blogger, resting a hand on her shoulder. His hair was a slight mess, especially since he was breaking his habit of wearing his hat so much. But Marinette did have to admit he looked good when you could see his whole head.

   "Hey, babe. Mari" He nodded his head to her, and Marinette nodded back.

     "Don't even say it, Nino. I know, the first round is on me." Alya rolled her eyes as Nino pulled her in by her waist and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back. What do you want Mari?"

   The bluenette thought for a moment, playing with the black choker around her neck. She wasn't quite sure what she wanted. Something strong, but tasteful.

   "A Manhattan would be nice actually. Thanks"

  Alya nodded and headed over the bar to wave down the bartender. Nino and Marinette stood in silence for a few moments, but the fashion designer was glad to note that after years of being around each other, the silence was comfortable.

  "A Manhattan for my babe" Alya said, carefully balancing three drinks in her hand. Marinette took her drink, and Nino took his beer.

 "To fun nights" Marinette offered, raising her glass.

  "To fun nights" Alya agreed. The three clinked their glasses together, then took a sip from their drink.

   The bitter, yet somehow sweet taste, of her Manhattan burned down her throat. Marinette knew that it would take a few drinks for her to fully be at peace, but she already felt it begin the swirl into her brain.

    "Mmm. Come on Nin, we should dance" Alya announced, taking her Husband's hand and dragging him over.

    Nino glanced back at Marinette and tilted his head as a sign that she should join. Having nothing better to do, the bluenette shrugged and went to join her friends.

    An upbeat song came on, and Alya flashed a smile at the people she was with. She broke a few dance moves, laughing and she stumbled a little. Different colored lights flashed around them.

     "Alya, you are a genius for bringing me with you" Marinette squealed, throwing her arms lazily around her friend.

   "I'll give you twenty bucks each if you make out" Some guy hickuped, staring at the two. Alya scowled and opened her mouth to speak, but Nino cut in.

 "Yeah, no can do buddy. But I can give you twenty seconds to walk away" Nino glared at the guy who rose his arms up in defense and stumbled away.

    "Don't you girls hate when those things happen?" Nino grumbled, turned back to them. "When some creepy perverts hit on you?"

    Alya shrugged, with one arm over Marinette's shoulder and the other holding her martini. The music continued to pound, buzzing through the floor and through their bodies.

   "It sucks, but there's not much we can do besides ignore it" Alya answered. "But don't worry about it. Relax. That's what tonight is about, right?"
   
Nino frowned at his shoes for a moment, shuffling them.

  "I guess so. It just makes me mad that anyone would treat you two like that. Or anyone in general"

   "Look, Sweetheart, he's just some guy that made a drunk comment. I'm not happy he did it, and I'm not saying it's right, but it hasn't really done any harm so it's fine. Besides, it's just people recognizing how fabulous me and my girl are" Alya reassured her husband, but wiggled her eyebrows at Marinette.

    "You're not wrong" Nino laughed, finally letting it go.

   "So who's watching Ariana and Chico tonight?" Marinette asked, swaying her hips to the music.

   Alya and Nino had been married for three years and they already had a two-year-old daughter and six-month-old son.

   "We finally hired a-" Nino started but was cut off.

  "Uh uh huh. No kid talk" Alya wiggled her finger. "Tonight we talk about drinks, stupid things we'd do, and say things we won't remember in the morning".

  So they danced for a little while longer, laughing with each other- mainly Nino because he was messing up so much. A slow dance finally came on and Alya turned to Nino, wrapped her arms around him and Nino doing the same.

  Marinette was buzzed enough that she didn't really care, but not enough that she didn't feel a little lonely. A tap on her shoulders pulled her out of her thoughts, and she turned around to meet blue eyes.

     "Luka!" She cheered, throwing herself onto him, causing him to stumble back.

  "It's nice to see you too, Marinette" Luka chuckled, balancing himself and her. "It's been too long." She beamed up at him and he couldn't help to smile back.

    "Will you have this dance with me?" He asked her, holding his hand out. A small voice in the back of her head told her not to, that it would be like cheating on Adrien, but she ignored it and put her hand in his.

  "Indeed you may" She giggled. He pulled her into the same position Nino and Alya were in and swayed slightly.

   "So how are you?" Luka questioned, giving her a small spin before pulling her back.

     "I've been better" Marinette replied cheerfully. Luka rose an eyebrow questionably.

  " Oh yeah? What happened?"

   It didn't take a genius to realize Marinette didn't want to talk about it. Her body tensed slightly and her breath caught in her throat. Luka noted that before spinning her again.

  "It's okay. You don't have to talk about it. I've written a new song" Luka changed the subject of the conversation with a shrug of his shoulders.

   "I'd love to hear it sometime!" The bluenette exclaimed, hiccuping slightly.

    "We should to get together soon. Catch up in a quieter place" Luka said, practically feeling the happiness rolling off her in waves

     "Oh yeah! Here, give me your hand" Marinette stopped dancing and let go of Luka's neck. He followed in suit and stuck his arm out.

  "Why?" The guitarist questioned.

   Marinette didn't answer his question as she pulled out a red pen. She pulled his sleeve and wrote a ten digit number on him. Snapping the cap back on, she tucked it in her purse.

  "Now you have my new number so we can hang out!" The bluenette giggled.

   Luka looked down at her, and she didn't recognize the look in his eyes. Well, not from his anyways. She remembered how Adrien used to look at her like that when they first started to go out.

    His blue eyes flickered between hers and her lips. His head dipped down slightly, and Marinette felt her eyes widen slightly.

    "Uh em" Marinette jumped back from the voice behind her, looking like a deer in the headlights.

    She scrunched up her nose as she slowly turned to meet the angry green eyes of her boyfriend.

   "You have some explaining to do" Adrien growled.

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                            Author's notes:
         So far so good on the updating schedule! I'll update by this coming Friday. If you didn't already know, I update Mondays and Fridays. And the occasional Wednesday.

   Have a great day! Hope to you see at the next chapter! Don't forget to comment and vote! I love hearing your guys opinions!