On Point

Dance until you drop!

By Rena Rouge

Rockstar veteran, Jagged Stone (45) will be lighting up Paris with his sell out tour. This will be his final night before he packs up his guitar and calls it a year.

All the best for tonight, Mr Stone.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

*****

Smiling always came easily to Marinette. She would smile when she fell down, offering a bright 'thank you' to those who helped her back up. She would offer her most pleasing smile to those who gifted her with something displeasing, and she'd smile even if she was uncomfortable. That's what she did. She smiled when she was happy, sad, in pain or any other other options.

Just like right now.

She stood in the middle of a sweaty group of people, every now and then jumping up and down to the loud acoustics of a guitar and loud beats of the drum. To the right of her was Luka, and to the right of Luka was Zoé. Luka had become the main filling in a ballerina sandwich.

When Luka had come to collect her from her room that evening, to say she was shocked as she noticed Zoé beside him was an understatement. She thought this was a date, but Luka had explained Zoé was a big fan, and he didn't think Marinette would mind. She actually minded a lot – yet, something in the back of her head told her to stop being so silly. Bringing Zoé along was nothing compared to her late night dance practises with Adrien at the studio. A secret she wasn't quite ready to share yet.

A hand slipped around her waist, pulling her close to a hard, sweaty male body, her feet having to try and bounce in time with her partner to stop her from falling over. She looked up at Luka and he seemed to be having the time of his life. Maybe she should just relax and stop overthinking – easier said than done.

The bouncing progressed, launching into an aggressive sway as she knocked by a passer-by and stumbled forward into Luka's chest.

He smiled down at her, his mouth asking if she was okay, well at least that's what she thought he said. The music was too loud to do anything other than lip read. She nodded, Luka's smile brightening as he grabbed her hands and spun her around. She bumped into at least another three people on her journey, and had had enough. She'd never been to a concert like this before, and as much as she loved Jagged Stones music, she didn't love being battered and bruised.

"I'm going to get a drink," she shouted, Luka frowning in response.

"A drink!" she shouted again. Luka pointed to his ear and shook his head.

Oh, come on!

Sighing, she decided to use her charades skills – 6 words... however many syllables, 1 dry throat, and a need to get out of here.

Finally picking up on her incredible mime, Luka nodded in response, turning his attention to Zoé and continuing to sing at the top of his lungs, Marinette was certain his throat would be raw in the morning. He looked so carefree, so different to how she saw him day to day, and as she watched him grab hold of Zoé, she couldn't help the anxiety pulsating in her stomach once again.

They looked good together. Like really good!

Zoé's light colouring perfectly complemented Luka's dark accents, the two looking like a model couple for a Hollister poster, the 'je ne sais quoi' she was sure she lacked.

He was in a world of his own now, dancing and jumping with Zoé in a well rehearsed routine — familiarity with each other's bodies which she hadn't gotten with him yet. One she was almost certain would never form.

Taking a deep breath, Marinette pushed her way through the crowds, passing the bar, and making her way into the small courtyard outside the venue — the place full of smokers.

Reaching into her bag, she grabbed her phone and checked for messages from Adrien. It was 8pm. They should be finished by now, or at least be preparing for the awards. The festival always ran late, the young dancers remaining there a lot longer than a child actor should be on stage, but it added to the excitement – a feeling she remembered from her own late nights waiting around for results. She tapped her thumb aggressively against the side of the phone, her lips pursing as she considered the option of being the first one to text.

She'd told Adrien she was out with Luka, and texting him would only make him question their relationship, his words from when they'd spoken about Luka still echoing around her mind — just as the tingle remained from his lips on her cheek.

Her hand subconsciously reached up to touch the area again, the whole feeling making her feel like a cheat. It had been scary how quickly Luka's image in her daydreams was transforming into Adrien. His expressive eyebrows and cheek dimples. The way his hand caressed her waist as they moved from one position to the next, the blush in his cheeks and the delicate brush of his fingers on her arm.

A shiver ran down her spine. There was only one choice.

She slammed her thumbs against the screen, not overly worried about her spelling or grammar, she just needed to talk to Adrien.

Oh, Marinette! She pushed away the little angel on her shoulder, allowing the devil to step in and make the most of things.

Marinette: How did the competition go? Please put me out of my misery.

She looked at all the people surrounding her, each person proof she didn't belong here. She didn't blend in and instead stuck out like a sore thumb.

Tapping the screen on her phone she checked for messages — nothing.

Sighing, she loaded Instagram and searched for the studio's page hoping they'll have posted on their story or feed, or anything about the result. Nothing.

Fear encompassed her, had she messed it up for them? Had her changes been the cause of the radio silence? Was her help so bad they couldn't even bear to post anything online?

"Come on, Adrien," she willed, wrapping her jacket around her as the cool night breeze made the droplets of sweat on her skin chill her to the bone. She really hadn't dressed for the winter weather.

With a quick glance at the door, she shuffled over to the side a little, hiding herself behind a group of smokers. She would give it 5 more minutes then go back in, explaining to Luka she got lost on the way to the restroom or something. She'd hate for him to know she was texting another man on their date — however, he did bring another woman, so maybe all is fair in love and war.

What if he wanted something with the two of them? Would she be open to sharing a boyfriend with another girl? Her possessive side burst out laughing inside her head. She'd never had a relationship before, but she knew she'd only want it to consist of her and another person, someone who adores her and makes her feel like she is the only woman in the world.

Someone who...

Her phone began to buzz in her hand.

The vibrations moved up her arm like an electric current causing her elbow to bend and almost hit herself in the face with her phone. It continued to buzz as she looked down and saw her own face staring back at her on the screen. Adrien was video calling her.

Absent-mindedly, she pushed the hair from her face and patted it down for extra measure, moving her pigtails over her shoulders. She studied herself on the screen and answered the call.

"Hi," she breathed out.

The sounds of screaming and laughter bounced around in the background, Marinette attempting to look around the large framing of Adrien's head to see what was going on.

'Hey,' he said back, a wide smile stretching his face. 'Girls!' He turned the phone to face the small group she was growing fond of, the small group of little stars who looked positively radiant. 'What do you need to say to Marinette?'

She heard Adrien's voice behind the camera, and suddenly realised they were all at Tikki and Plagg's studio.

'We won!' They all shouted before jumping up and down again, screaming as a rather impressive trophy appeared in front of their still styled hair and makeup.

Marinette cheered on the spot, getting strange looks from those nearby as she jumped around on the spot. "That's so good! Well done everyone! Adrien, you must be buzzing!"

Adrien's face suddenly appeared back on her phone, his smile so wide, and young, and oh, how she wished she was there to celebrate with them.

She looked over her shoulder, Luka hadn't come to find her or search for her and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. She'd been gone a while now, shouldn't he be worried about where she was.

'I would have contacted you earlier, but I didn't want to encroach on your evening,' Adrien said, his consideration causing her to smile. He stretched up, his hand scratching the back of his neck.

"I thought I told you to let me know how they got on," she teased, Adrien's eyes sparkling back at her. Even through the screen she could see it happening.

'I thought that was just like a general 'see you later', throw away kind of comment.'

Marinette shook her head and giggled. "Now why would I do that? I think you'll find I'm the reason they won."

Adrien chuckled, his face softening on the other side of the screen. "You really were. Thank you for everything, Shortcake."

The nickname warmed her deep inside, and she was sure it was fighting to appear on her cheeks.

"Marinette?" In the tiny display on her phone screen, she noticed Luka growing in size as he came closer.

"I better go," Marinette said. Was it just her, or had Adrien's face grew harder? Luka was getting closer and he wasn't alone. Zoé was there beside him.

'See you in the morning?' Adrien asked.

Marinette answered with a nod. "Sure. See you bright and early, oh and tell the girls I'm really proud of them."

'Sure will. Later, Marinette.'

With the call ended, she turned to face Luka and Zoé, her heart in her throat as she replayed them dancing together. But then again, was there any difference between her dancing with Adrien in a class, to Luka dancing with Zoé in a club?

"Zoé's calling it a night. She wanted to say goodbye."

The pleasant exchange, including a quick hug, sent Zoé off on her way. They made their way back into the concert, a ballad playing over the sound system. Luka stood behind Marinette and looped his arms around her waist. He pulled her backwards into his body as his head lowered down onto her shoulder, his chin slightly digging into her through her top, as he swayed them to the music.

"Do you want to go back to the dorms?" he whispered in her ear.

A warmth encompassed her neck, as Luka's arms tightened even around her waist. She dropped her head to the side and let out a huffed out sigh, a puff of hot air leaving her mouth. Her eyes closed as she lost herself in the music and the feeling.

She turned her head, her nose skimming his cheek. "Sure."

Removing his arm, Luka spun her around and clasped his hand with hers, threading their fingers together as they walked through the venue and out of the main doors.

They barely spoke on the way back. Only the squeeze of hands and gentle stroke of his thumb on her knuckles kept her mind in the zone of what they were doing and where they were going. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen when they got to her room. Would he kiss her? Would he expect an invite in?

She grew nervous. Her palms were sweating and hands were trembling.

A few minutes later, they stood outside her doorway, looking at each other with nervous smiles on their faces. She could tell he was giving her the choice, being a perfect gentleman and letting her make the decision. It felt awkward. The last time she stood outside her door was with Adrien, the ultimate feeling of betrayal coursing through her veins.

"Thank you for tonight," Marinette said, her hand leaving his and joining together in front of her body. "I had a good time."

"Me too, next time I'll take you backstage to meet my father," Luka said. A smile caused his eyes to dance, his hands stretching out and placing gently on her hips, pulling her towards him and into his hard body.

Marinette could feel the cool leather of his jacket on her hands as he inched closer to her and lowered his head down to the same level as hers. She was certain he was going to kiss her, all the anxieties from earlier pushing away as her eyes began to flutter closed. He moved one hand to her cheek, the cold tips of his fingers swiping across her cheek bones before leaning his head in closer and closer.

Her lips began to tingle in anticipation, her tongue subconsciously darting out to wet her lips, her top teeth scraping her lower lip and leaving white trails in its wake. Her stomach was rotating itself around, her whole body reacting to his close proximity and smell, and then his lips met hers.

A soft, gentle caress as she closed her eyes and attempted to get lost in him.

Her first ever kiss.

And she couldn't help comparing it to how she thought it would be...

*****

Adrien was on cloud nine. Actually, scrap that...cloud nine was nowhere near high enough. He was thrilled... elated — that had to lift him into the 100s! The girls had performed the choreography perfectly, the changes Marinette had made giving them the edge and helping them to win.

He'd spent most of the day wondering if he should message her, typing and deleting messages numerous times. She was out with Luka, he shouldn't interrupt. But he knew she would want to know how the girls got on. He couldn't stop smiling when he answered the phone to her. Her own mirroring his, so wide and hopeful, only to fully break free when he revealed the news.

They worked so well together, and he couldn't help the buzzing anticipation bubbling around in his stomach as he thought about their rehearsal in the morning. He really did enjoy spending time with Marinette, more than most people he had in the past, a feeling he never anticipated feeling again – not since his mother had died.

A couple of the parents came over to him, thanking him for the hard work he'd put in with the girls, and asking him to pass on the thanks to his girlfriend too. A mistake he never even bothered to correct.

The last remaining parents vacated the studio and he made his way over to Plagg. His mentor and friend had just ended a call, and by the look on his face it wasn't a good one.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

Plagg looked at Tikki with remorse in his eyes and Adrien couldn't help but fear what the call had been about or who it was with. His father's name, batting around inside his mind.

Plagg rubbed a hand over his eyes, before he looked sorrowfully at Adrien.

"Who was on the phone?" Adrien asked. A tremor coated in his voice.

"Your father," Plagg said, his eyes full of remorse and regret. "He wants to see you in his office first thing tomorrow morning."

Unable to comprehend what his father wanted, and still riding high on his studio's success, he ignored the fact that tomorrow he'd be going head-to-head with his father once again.

For now, he'd just enjoy himself, basking in his own glory.