Thank you for all the votes and reads guys <3

Enjoy!

Marinette quickly got on her feet as the doors finally opened. The ballroom looked incredible, especially with the little time given for the palace workers to decorate. Alya's expression lit up, Marinette feeling pure shock etched into her facial features. "This is incredible," Marinette whispered under her breath.

The cream coloured walls were decorated with giant golden ribbons, all connected together with one string. The tables were all pushed to the edges of the room, consisting of elite pastries; their aroma wafting throughout the room. The dark-oak floor appeared black, the only source of light being the dim moonlight peaking through the transparent windows.

Marinette smiled the more she walked in, the faint music growing louder the deeper she went. She silently hummed the chorus, small chatter beginning between the competitors as they squealed about each others' costumes. Marinette still didn't know half of them, and she had definitely wanted to try socializing tonight.

***

Three hours had passed; very slowly, she might add.

Marinette sat alone in one of the corners of the room, enjoying the faint music. The prince was occupied by the crowd of girls that surrounded him, Alya chatting with a group of the competitors, laughing loudly. Marinette had no idea where her parents were, so this had seemed to be her last option.

Sit in a corner, and try to become invisible.

Marinette didn't know how she had drifted away from the crowd in the first place, but it was fine with her. Marinette rested her chin on her crossed arms, which were leaning on her folded knees. She felt the sadness settling in as she released a deep sigh.

"Marinette?"

She tilted up her head, seeing Luka. "Hey, what are you doing here by yourself?" -he sat down beside her- "You don't seem like the type to do that," Marinette responded with a sad smile.

"Are you okay?" he then asked, Marinette nodding. "C'mon," he groaned, "I've known you for years, I know when you lie," he chuckled. "I'm just thinking," she finally whispered.

"About what," "About how there are so many amazing girls here!" "And they all have these talents; so why was I chosen?" -her breathing hitched- "There is nothing special about me!"

"Especially since, 4 slow dance songs have played, and no one has danced with me." -Luka opened his mouth- "Maybe it's for the best. I never thought of me being royalty," -she cut him off further- "I thought I was going to settle down with you."

Luka sighed, "So did I Marinette," -he gestured to the ballroom- "But look, you're here, and the prince likes you," -he looked into her eyes- "You have more of a chance than you think."

Marinette loved Luka, the choice was now clear in her mind that Luka may be the one or her. But Adrien...she also loved him dearly.

"But I don't know what to do," -she spat- "I love you, but I also love Adrien!" She covered her face, the fifth slow-dance song coming on.

Luka got up, "May I have this dance?" he smiled, waiting patiently for Marinette to react. She looked him up and down, smiled, and grabbed his hand. He twirled her around, both of them laughing as they danced in sync, swaying to the music. "Feeling better?" he whispered, Marinette nodding.

"Very," she hugged him tightly. She may have been in the small corner of the room, but she felt she was the center of attention.

***

Marinette and Luka parted ways, Adrien approaching her quickly. "Hey, princess," -she tossed him a smile- "I hadn't seen you around, I thought you left."

"I was just hanging out by myself," she giggled, gesturing to the corner she was dancing in. "Oh, well, you should come over here," -he grabbed her hand- "It's much more suitable for a purrincess," she laughed at the prince's statement.

"Sorry I haven't been paying attention to you," -he rubbed his neck- "It is just that there are so many other girls and I have to treat everyone fairly."

"I saw you with Luka, you guys were dancing," Marinette froze slightly at the phrase.

"Yeah, Luka's nice," Marinette muttered quickly. "Well," -he tossed the conductor a look- "May I have this dance?" he asked another slow melody beginning.

Marinette gasped, but froze. He then laughed, "It's okay if you-" "No, no. I want to," she interrupted, grabbing her hand. Marinette danced, finally grabbing the courage to ask him a question.

"So, Adrien," -he looked directly at her- "I need to know since there are like 25 girls here," -she paused- "Like, would I stand out?" He tossed her a confused glance.

"What I mean is," she fumbled once more, "Is that there are so many other girls and there is Kagami," -he twirled her around- "And you are both so close - I don't want to ruin anything while being here." Adrien chuckled.

"You're not ruining anything-" "There are still 24 girls to eliminate!" -she bit her lip- "And you and Kagami are so good together..." his brows furrowed at the statement. He stopped dancing.

"M-Maybe it's time to-" "To what?" he interrupted as they both looked down at their shoes.

"To part?" she mumbled. "Marinette I love-" "I love you too, Adrien," -they looked at each other once more- "But if you look at other girls like Kagami, you should like her more. Especially since she is a world-class fencer, smart," -she avoided his gaze- "And comes from a family that you're father would approve of."

"Marinette..." -he sucked in a breath- "After all of this? You're friend-zoning me?" "I...I don't know. I like someone else, aside from you," -he looked away- "J-Just like how you like other girls from The Selection-"

"Is it Luka?" he interrupted seriously.

"No, not Luka," she fumbled, "I... think we should pause. I like you, but maybe I like you as just a friend." "Fine," he spat; "If that makes you happy."

"But I did think you liked me, Marinette," Adrien closed his eyes, Marinette glancing the other way.

"But, I'll see you around, I guess," he mumbled. After the song ended on a dramatic note, they turned around and ran in opposite directions.

Marinette ran to Luka; "Is something wrong, Marinette-" "No, no, nothing Luka," she muttered, grabbing his hand.

"Adrien?" Kagami asked; Adrien rubbing his temples. "Nothing, dear, let's just get out of here," he pecked her cheek.

They were now officially just friends.

Stay Tuned!! Sorry for the Lukanette and Adrigami ;u; 

(Edit: Eyy, Adrigami and Lukanette is still pretty cute past me -___-)