Enjoy!

The next day was spent curling up in her bed and sobbing. Marinette still had not gotten over the fact that Luka had dumped her. Like dating for two years, and friends for four meant nothing. She waited in her attic patiently for him to come and knock on the window, but it did not seem like he was coming anytime soon.

And, she had felt like complete garbage for not doing anything to stop him. "Marinette! Come downstairs!" Maman called.

She wiped her eyes and walked slowly down the stairs. "Marinette, look," she handed her another letter, marked with the unforgettable palace logo.

Dearest Families,

We regret to inform you that you were not chosen for the selection. You are free to watch on your television to see what happens, but you have not been selected.

Marinette stared at the letter. She did not seem surprised, it made sense that she was not picked. But, part of her still hurt for not getting in.

She wiped her eyes as Maman frowned. "You didn't get in?" she asked as Marinette nodded. Maman sighed and glanced at her daughter, who was wiping her red eyes.

Maman then hugged her. Marinette gasped, but held her embrace. She then let go, Marinette then quickly scurrying up to her room.

Someone was waiting for her there; it was Luka. "Bonjour, Marinette," Luka remarked, Marinette freezing at the doorway.

Marinette then hesitantly sat beside him on her bed. "Luka, what are you doing here?" Marinette asked, pretending to not know. She was still a bit mad at him for leaving her so messed up the other day, so she needed a very good reason to forgive him.

"I'm so sorry, Marinette," Luka leaned in for a kiss. Marinette put a hand over his mouth as she took a deep breath. "For what,"

"For doubting our future together," -he took her hands- "I promise, I can take care of you," Luka reassured, Marinette then biting her lip.

"Why? Earlier you were so doubtful," Marinette said taking her hands out of his grip "What changed?" "I... I know we do not have much, but we can make it work. As you said," he added the last part.

"Please, trust me Marinette," he breathed in her ear. "Luka, I want that as much as any girl...but do we want to settle our future together now?" Marinette squeaked.

"Are you doubting that I can take care of you?" Luka proposed. Yes, Marinette was doubtful. Doubtful that they had not taken time to consider the consequences like she hadn't done the other day.

"Luka, I think we should talk about this first," Marinette breathed as his face went pale. "That was the first time we talked about this... I don't want to regret this decision," Marinette finished.

"But you were so sure before..." He trailed off looking away. "The Selection," he breathed. "You don't love me anymore," Luka said standing up. "Luka, let's discuss-"

"No Marinette! Two years we've been together, and overnight you fell for that rich snob of a man!" he yelled.

Marinette was taken back. She had never seen him so angry. "Luka! We broke up the other day, and now you want to hook up again? That is not a relationship. I don-"

He ran up to her and kissed her. She tried to pull away, but his grip felt too strong. "I love you Marinette. And you did too," he forcefully said. He put his hand over her waist and the other cupped her cheek.

"Marinette, please. Trust me. We can do this," he breathed. He was very close; she could feel his warm breath tickle skin.

Everything she had known had been with Luka. Everything told her to go back to him, but she knew that was not the right decision.

He kissed her again, this time with force. As she stood there, she felt weak, nothing was fighting for her side. Everything told her to go back to him.

She pushed him away as he stumbled onto her bed. "No Luka! What happened to you? You come to my room after we break up, try to kiss me and persuade me to run away from my family!?" She screamed.

"That was what you were doing yesterday! I needed to give you a chance," Luka yelled back, then calming down. "Now give me one," he whispered.

"Luka...Please don't make this harder than it already is. You made a nasty wound, give it time to become a scar," Marinette said, tears welling in her eyes.

He scoffed as Marinette sighed. "We are not in a relationship any longer," Marinette said, her voice thick with emotion.

He looked away as Marinette's blood ran cold. "It does appear that someone can change overnight."

"I would like to say the same to you," Luka replied coldly. He left her attic as Marinette crumpled to the ground.

She started to bawl; her emotions had no filter; she was a mess.

As she looked up, she heard a knock on the door downstairs. After hearing it repeat several times, Marinette gave up on ignoring it and went to address the issue.

"Yes, welcome to Dupain-Cheng Bakery. What can I do you for," Marinette said, not a hint of emotion in her tone.

"I am not here for pastries Madame. I am here for a girl name Marinette Dupain-Cheng," he explained. "This is she,"

"I'm here for an update about the selection. It seems one of the girls lied on her entry, so she got disqualified," he explained.

"Listen, I promise you I did not-" "The girl is not you madame. You're the girl that is replacing her."

"What?" Marinette asked as the person sighed in disapproval. "You are now going to be in the Selection. Get your clothing and necessary items packed for this Friday." Her eyes widened.

"Welcome to The Selection, Madame,"

Hello/Bonjour everyone! Stay tuned for the next update, it is going to come shortly by the middle of next week or the weekend. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned!