One week later, Alya's birthday is here. Only, Alya is not a year older as she died a year ago. Her family and friends are all saddened by the fact she has no more birthdays left to celebrate with any of them.  This is a tough time for the all.  It is especially, hard for a certain pig tailed hair, bluenette, with blue bell eyes, freckles, and an half  Chinese, half French complexion, who goes by Marinette. 

      Marinette gets up and thinks, this is the first time since we were children that Alya is not her for her birthday!  Who knew this could be so hard?  Why is it so hard anyway?   I miss her. I miss her so much!  Ugh, why is life so hard anyway?

     It is the weekend, so at least if she sleeps in she will not be late for school.  She is glad of this fact.  School is hard enough as it is without it being on her deceased best friend's birthday. She struggles to get up even for breakfast today.

  At ten am, she gets up ,gets dressed  and goes downstairs. Her parents both give her a hug.  

"Oh, Marinette, here you are!"  Sabine hands her a package.

  "This came for you while you were asleep," her father, Tom explains.

 "Oh, okay," Marinette says.

  Marinette takes the tape of the package. She opens it and sees a smaller box with a blue ribbon on it. She opens the smaller box.  Inside is the third rose!  She gasps.   

  "It's a rose!  A purple rose, again?"  Marinette says.

  "What do you mean, again?"  Tom says.

"Yes, sweetie, what do you mean?" Sabine says.

"Oh, it just that on the anniversary of my best friends death a purple rose like this one shows up on my balcony!  Then two days later, another one shows up on my desk at school. Now, this one comes to the house, today on her birthday!" Marinette explains.

  "Wow, you sound like you have a secret crush!"  Tom says.

  "I must agree with your father," Sabine says.

 "Funny, you should say that!  Stacey,the new girl at school, said the same thing the day, I received the second rose!" Marinette says.

 "It sure appears to be that way!  Although, I must say it sure is thoughtful of whoever he is!" Sabine says.

   "Yes, it sure is!  The only thing, I wonder is how does he even know I like roses?  Let alone purple ones like these?"  Marinette says.

  "I have no idea,"  Both her parents answer at the same time.

"I mean I never even told anyone, except for you, Alya and Nino, Adrien and maybe Miss Bustier," Marinette says.

   Tom and Sabine smile at one another.  Her parents smile up at her as well.

    "What?  what is it?" Marinette asks. Her face shows the puzzlement she feels at the knowing look her folks give her.

   "Oh, nothing, dear!  It is just we think maybe Nino or Adrien could be the one who gives these to you!" Sabine says.

   "No, no way!" Marinette protest.

    Meanwhile, the sender of the roses paces back and forth in his room. He thinks, did she receive the package okay?  Does she even like the flower?  I mean the roses that have sent so far?  Along, with one I sent today?  He thinks I suppose I shall never know. He sighs. 

Adrien's  POV: 

  I hope Marinette is okay!  I mean I know today used to be her best friend's Alya's birthday, and I can't bare the thought of her being sad on it.  I do hope she is alright.  I wonder if I should pay her a visit.  Oh, but what if Luka's right and she wants nothing more than friendship from me, then what?

Marinette's POV: 

I do wonder, why the flower sender picks this particular one to send me. I mean why a flower that means "enchantment, romantic affection"?   It is not as if I am a girl who has anything particularly special to notice.  I  don't have an outgoing personality.  I am not a cheerleader, a soccer player, or anyone else that is a part of a school club.  I  just work in a bakery on occasion and the rest of the time hang out with friends.  I mean that is I used to hang out with friends before Alya's passing.   

 Elsewhere,  Luka can tell Marinette is happy about the package she got today.  He is not too happy about it. Ugh, could it be she really likes this other guy?  If so, what does she see in him?  What does he have that I don't have?  It is his charming good looks?  Is it his riches, his fame or what?  What is it?

  Luka's POV:  

  Good grief, why does not Marinette give me a hint, if she wants to remain only friends with me at least?   This way, it would be easier to move onto someone new!  At least, I think it would be anyway.  I really am not sure how this works as I just know she is my first crush and so far my attempts to find a new crush have not succeeded. 

At Nino's place...

     Nino struggles to figure out his feelings for Stacey.  Could it be I am ready for someone new in my life?  I sure hope that I can be.  I hate to lead her on!  I mean it too.  She deserves better than that and I can tell she likes me.  It is rather obvious as I catch her when she glances my way in class.  It appears she mostly does this when she thinks I am not looking. Only, lately, it seems the glances last longer than they did before.  I admit I look forward to this as she has these lovely eyes, cute dimples, and a nice smile.   I blush at the thought!  

   Nino's POV:  

   I think it is great, Marinette has someone to send her roses!  I mean she is a great girl and deserves someone to look after her!  I only hope the guy loves her as the roses he sends do stand for romance from what I remember!   I also, admit that  Stacey and I are friends now.  It made me feel guilty at first as if I was betraying the memory of my former girlfriend.

     Now, I feel silly for being upset about this as I am sure if she could speak to me now, she would tell me to move on in my life. To be happy!  I know she would want me to be happy more than anything else!   Goodness, Stacey is someone who makes me feel a spark that I have not felt in a long time.  I  am not sure when it will be good to tell her though.  I am just not sure how soon is too soon to confess to a girl that you like them!  That is right, I admit it, I  have a crush on this Stacey!  

       Back to the Dupain-Cheng residence...

     Marinette receives a few visitors.  By a few I mean a couple of guys happen to drop by at the same time.

    "Luka, nice of you to come by!" Marinette says.

     "Oh, yeah, what about me?" Adrien says.

   "Oh, Adrien!  It is great to see you too!"  Marinette says.

    Marinette invites them both inside. They follow her to the living room. All three of them sit on the sofa.  Marinette ends up between the two guys.  Her parents walk into the room and laugh at the silliness of it all. Then, they walk away into the kitchen part of the house.

    "Marinette you still single?"  Luka says.

     Adrien glares at him. He thinks I was gonna say that man.

    Marinette does not seem to notice Adrien's jealousy. She smiles.

   "I am at the moment,"  Marinette says.

   "Really?"  Luka says.

  "Yes, really!" Marinette says.

  "Do you two need a moment?"  Adrien asks.  He looks like he might cry.

    "No!" Marinette says.

   "I  know when I am not wanted, so I will just see myself out," Luka says and leaves.

  After Luka left, Marinette feels like its more awkward as it is only her and Adrien on the sofa. Adrien does not say a word.  He just wraps his arm around Marinette.  

    "A-Adrien, wh-what are you doing?" Marinette says. She blushes a little.

    "Oh, sorry!" Adrien says. He removes his arm from around her.

    "I better go!" Adrien says.

   "Why?" Marinette says.

    "Marinette, I know it used to be your best friend's birthday, and as much as I want to stay, I can't."  Adrien looks at the floor  

     "Why?  Am I that ugly?" Marinette says.  She does not realize she said this out loud.

     "What?  No!" Adrien answers.

     "Huh?"  Marinette says.

    "Mari, y-you are n-not ugly, if anything you are p-pretty!"  Adrien says. He blushes.

      Marinette is too stunned to speak.

      Adrien looks at her and sees how her jaw is dropped in amazement.  He lifts her face towards his and is almost within inches of her lips.  He thinks,  I can't!  I can't kiss her. Not yet!  Not like this.  He lets go and backs away.  He can feel his cheeks flush.

      "Mari, " Adrien whispers.

      "Yes?" Marinette says.

    " Thanks for being my friend, and for everything!" Adrien says.

    With that Adrien leaves.  All the while he feels butterflies in his stomach and can hear his heart cry out, you foolish boy!  How dare you call her friend, when you know full well you love her!  Why not just tell her?  Hmm, Adrien, why not kiss her?

    Marinette is unsure what to think after Adrien leaves. She can still feel his hands as he touches her face and feels his lips draw closer only to stop.  She thinks, why?  why didn't he kiss me?  Is he afraid of me?  Is he afraid he will like it if he kisses me?  She blushes at the very thought.  She shakes her head and thinks, no!  He doesn't love me!  This is why he decides not to kiss me, but then why was he jealous of Luka?  She feels such confusion about the entire thing.  

  to be continued in Chapter 4, Nino & Stacey?