Chapter 7: Downtime!

(A/N: You know... I don't think this story has enough fluff and shipping in it yet... Oh! I know!)

(The next day)

(Mari's pov)

I walked to school, slightly nervous. Did Kamoshida really have a change of heart? I hope he did! If he doesn't have a change of heart after all the s*** my friends and I went through... Oh my goodness, I sound like my cousin! Oh crap, Bridgette! I completely forgot about her! I am the worst cousin ever! I really hope she didn't murder anyone. She must be so depressed! Why did I forget about her? She's like my own sister! Maybe Luka and Kagami will help me contact her! I mentally slapped myself, school, and Phantom Thief business first, then family drama and past mistakes that make me question my moral compass! You need to set your priorities straight, Mari!

I skipped to the front gate, waving at fellow students with a smile. "Just keep smiling, Mari. It'll make others smile too!" I thought to myself as I stood near the entrance, waiting for my friends. I still get weird looks from my peers, but I don't mind. I just keep smiling and greeting other students that walk by. Eventually, my friends did show up, and we made our way to our classes. The day went by as usual, but there was no sign of Kamoshida. Apparently, he went on sick leave. At least that's what the teachers told us at the beginning of the school day. Also, the discussions for Akira's and Ryuji's expulsions were being put on hold.

Morgana said that we just had to wait for a change in heart to happen eventually. So, we just have to wait! I suppose we could use some downtime, I need to study for midterms! Maybe, I could cram with my friends! I need to ask them. Wait, No! I need to check in with Kagami and Luka first to settle things with Bridgette! These thoughts swirled around in my head the majority of the day. By the end of the day, my friends noticed my behavior change. "Mari-chan, are you feeling alright?" Ann asked with concern when the last class of the day was dismissed. Akira, Ann, and I were exiting class and heading to the front gates.

"I'm okay... Just... Thinking about... Home..." I said, wistfully. "You mean Paris?" Akira asked. "Yeah, I've been meaning to call some friends who live there," I answered. "Oh! I also wanted to ask you something, Mari-chan!" Ann said. "What is it?" I asked. "What's it like to live in a place like Paris? What is life like in the city of love?" Ann asked. I didn't know how to answer a question like that. Do I give her the truthful answer or the one she wants to hear? No... They don't need to know what happened in Paris. Not yet, anyway...

"Paris is a busy city, not a busy as Tokyo, but busy. There is always something going on! It's not a perfect city, but it's a nice city!" I said with the best smile I could muster. "As long as you stay with the right people..." I added in my head. We met Ryuji at the front gates and walked home together. We talked and laughed, it felt nice. It felt like I have known these people all my life, yet I only met them a week or so ago. They really are extraordinary, I am so fortunate to be their friend! Ann was telling Ryuji off about something while he was rolling his eyes and not paying attention. Akira was watching the two teens act like an old married couple with an amused smile that made my heart skip a beat. "I will never make the same mistake I did back in Paris. I will protect my friends this time! This is my rebirth, I need to get it right this time!" I thought. I made a vow that day... I vowed that I would protect my friends no matter what, no matter the cost!

(Time skip! Brought to you by my love for meme-verse!)

I put down my phone, trying to prosses what Kagami and Luka told me before hanging up. So... They really did care about me? Nah! They're just feeling guilty about my death. But, what Bridgette did... My goodness! I knew she wouldn't have taken it to well, but I didn't expect her to go berserk! Why did I do that to her? I really need to contact her, and soon! Thanks to Kagami, I have Bridgette's phone number now! When I asked how she got it, Kagami said she got it from Adrien's phone. How she got Adrien's phone away from him long enough to scan his contacts, I will never know and nor do I want to know!

I wrote down the number on a sticky note to make sure I don't forget it. I looked down at the number on the slip of paper, wondering if I should call it. Would Bridgette believe it was me? What would she say? I was so scared of what Bridgette might say that I didn't register the Kwamis trying to get my attention. When the Kwamis did get my attention, I just broke down crying. "Calm down, Marinette! You don't need to call her right now. You can call her Whenever you feel like it!" Tiki reassured. I nodded and started to get dinner ready. It's Ramen night tonight!

(One weeb dinner later!)

I was finishing the last of my ramen when my phone got a notification. I checked it and found a text from Akira! I replied to his message quickly.

~~+~~

(A/N: Bold = Akira, Italics = Marinette)

Hey, Mari!

What's up, Akira?

I was wondering if we could study for midterms together?

Sure! A group study session with everyone?

No, things would get too chaotic...

True. -_-

I was thinking we could study together! Just the two of us?

~~+~~

What? Did I read that correctly? He wants a private study session with me? Where did this come from?

~~+~~

I wouldn't mind that, but where did this come from?

Well, Ryuji and Ann said that they were going to study together. So, I figured we could do the same!

It does sound fun!

Also, why are those two studying together?

IDK! But, they have known each other since middle school. So...

Tomorrow, after school, you pick the place and subject!

Okay! See you tomorrow, Mari!

See ya, Akira!

~~+~~

"Ooo~ Got yourself a date, Mari?" Plagg teased. "Plagg! We are just going to go study for midterms together! Besides, he is just a friend!" I said to the cat Kwami. I cleaned up dinner and did my usual routine before bed. As I was lying in my pink fluffy bed, I thought about Akira. His smile was so... I don't know! His smile makes me feel so jittery, it is almost like having a momentary sugar rush! I need to go to bed and sleep off these thoughts.

(Third person pov)

While Marinette was sleeping in her room, Tiki and Plagg were having a discussion in the living room with a few other Kwamis. "He's just a friend? I've lost count of how many time Adrien said that about Marinette!" Plagg said. "Plagg, Marinette isn't as dense as Adrien. But, yeah, it's clear that Marinette likes Akira, and is in denial." Tiki sighed. "I bet my tail Igor thought they would be a cute couple!" Trixx said. "I wouldn't put him past that," Wayzz sighed. "I kind of ship it!" Duusu said with excitement. "I agree with Duusu, the two seem great for each other!" Nooroo said. "Why are we talking about shipping?" Pollen asked. "I don't know! The author of this fic just wanted us to talk about shipping!" Plagg said.

(Time skip! Brought to you by Author-chan yelling at Plagg about breaking the fourth wall!)

(Akira's pov)

I stared at my phone, looking at the conversation I had with Mari. I was lying in my bed in LaBlanc's attic with Morgana sitting on my chest. I smiled, Marinette is such a sweetheart. "What'cha smiling about?" Morgana asked. "Oh, just going to study with Mari-san tomorrow. Nothing much!" I answered. "So... You're going on a date with her?" Morgana asked. "It's n-not like th-that!" I said with a stutter. I felt my face heat up a little. "Sure... Whatever, Akira! Keep telling yourself that. But you can't deny that Mari-sama is very beautiful. Perhaps it's her french blood?" Morgana mussed. I stayed quiet and pretended to be asleep. "Foreign girls sure are pretty, Lady Ann and Mari-sama are examples of that. Lady Ann has American blood as well as Japanese. Mari-sama is half-French and half-Chinese. Both seem to capture the beauty of their respective heritages perfectly, don't you think?" Morgana continued.

This cat is trying to kill me. "Morgana... If you keep talking... I will not give you any Tuna tomorrow." I said with an angry sigh. "That's animal cruelty!" Morgana protested. "Don't test me! Also, what is with your obsession with Ann?" I asked. "Goodnight, Akira!" He responded, curling up into a furball. That shut him up, thank you, Igor! But do I really like Marinette? Sure she's pretty, kind, friendly, polite, cute, relaxing to be around, and the way she smiles is so... oh no... I have a crush on Marinette... I have a crush on the first girl that had shown me kindness on the first day of school...

...F**k