Everything in between

7. I'm Not A Hero

"I can't believe that just happened. I am so sorry! Normally I do go where I watch--No watch where going I--I mean watch where I'm going." She squeaked and started to get up.

"Here let me." He offered as he bent over and reached out to help. The girl glanced at his outstretched hand and then at him before hesitantly taking it. Smoothly, he pulled Marinette back onto her feet. His gaze met hers. Wow. Her eyes. They were a stunning ocean blue that made his breath hitch in his throat. His hand lingered on hers. No. What the heck was he doing? Did he forget this is the girl he's been hired to abduct. Adrien quickly let go.

"Sorry." He apologized again and he could see a hint of redness forming on her cheeks. The girl gave an awkward chuckle and a nervous smile as a response. "No! I-It's fine!" Marinette patted at her clothes, trying to dust herself off.

"We should probably get out of street." He suggested. She nodded in agreement as they quickly moved to the safety of the sidewalk. He observed as she started inspected herself, finding only a few scrapes and scratches that were starting to bleed.

"Are you ok?" He asked her, feeling a faint amount of concern. Wait did he actually care? He shoved the feeling away. Nope, this was her fault to begin with, why should he care?

She nodded and winced slightly still looking at her scraped elbows. "Yes, I'm fine. They're just scratches they'll heal." She looked up at him and then glanced down. "What about you?"

He followed her gaze down to his stinging hands then lifted one up to examine it. His skin had rubbed off a little and it was starting to bleed. But it wasn't bad. Lowering his hand, he grinned. "I'm alright, just a scratch. It'll heal." He used her terms. She rolled her eyes and smiled back.

Then he watched as that smile faded and was replaced by a concerned look. She started looking around, searching for something. "Oh no, my sketchbook!" She exclaimed and then her eyes finally found it.

His stare followed hers as he looked to the middle of the street to see her sketchbook laid wide open, exposing its contents. She must've dropped it when they collided. Instantly, Marinette started heading back out, but he grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Woah, hold on." Wow this girl doesn't learn. "Here let me get that." He offered and, after he looked both ways, he ran out to go get it. He picked it up, it was still open, and then jogged back to her. He couldn't help but look down at it's pages

"Wow, did you draw these?" He asked. In the time he'd been following her, he had often watched her scribble in this book. Time and again he wondered what it was she was drawing; now he got his answer. There, lying on the pages, were sketches of headless figures in clothes, mainly dresses. Huh, they were actually good.

Marinette let out a sharp breath of air and went to take the book back from him. "Uh, yes I did." She answered and clutched the sketchbook to her chest. "Sorry, I just...don't like people looking through my designs."

"No that's ok, I get it." He gave a reassuring smile. She returned his soft smile and, for a second, their eyes met again. Ok that's it. He can't be doing things like that. Hello? Remember? He had a job to do. "Well it was nice meeting you. Though I'm sure the circumstances could've been better. Try to look next time before you walk out into the street." He added with a chuckle

"Oh uh and you too." She said. "I mean--nice meeting you too! Not, you too, look the next time you cross the street. I'm sure you always look-I mean...Bye" She exhaled defeatedly.

He laughed to himself and started walking away. He wasn't sure if he found her awkwardness cute or annoying. But he decided on annoying since he couldn't find it cute. Think about how Damian will have your head if you don't go through with this. Think about the money Adrien. So he continued to walk, throwing away his plan to gain her trust. He knew. He could feel it, despite his denial, the more time he spent with her, the harder it was going to be.

"Wait!" A voice behind him called, the sound of foot steps on pavement followed hard after. He turned around to see Marinette jogging after him.

"Wait. I didn't get to thank you." She took a breath when she finally reached him. "You know for saving my life. And for getting my sketch book for me." She added.

What went through his head was: Please don't thank me. If you knew you wouldn't thank me. But he said "Please, don't mention it." And continued walking. She continued with him.

"No I'm serious. It's not a small thing to push someone out of the way of a moving vehicle."

"No, I guess It's not."  He said and stared onward at the trees up ahead. There were almost to the paths surrounding the Trocadero square.

"I'm Marinette." She offered.

I know. He turned his head to look at her.

"I'm-" He hesitated. If he planned to go through with this, which he did, he couldn't give her his real name. "Felix."

"Well Felix, again it's really nice to meet you." She told him and he could see the heat rise in her cheeks.

'Really it's not, I'm sure after this is over, you'll wish you never had met me.' He thought to himself. He couldn't think of a response so he nodded as if to say the same.

After a moment had passed he finally spoke. "Those drawings...they looked amazing by the way. You're really good." He said and gestured to her sketch book.

"Oh, thank you." She said

"Are you into fashion or something?" He asked. "The sketches I saw were mainly of clothes so..."

"Yes, actually I am."

And then he listened. He listened as she talked about fashion and about how she was just on her way to Trocadero Square to get more inspiration. Though, of course, he knew that already. He listened to all of it, partially interested partially not, and responded accordingly. Eventually she asked him what he did for a living, of course he couldn't tell her about his criminal activities, so he made something up. He told her he worked at some Ice-cream shop. And they just talked.

During everything, he tried not to think about it. About later. He had to do it tonight. He tried not to think about forcing her into the car or handing her over to Damien and his thugs. Instead he thought about the money. About how far cash like that could go. This-strolling and talking to some girl-wasn't his thing. But neither was kidnapping.

Nevertheless, he smiled every time she looked at him and when they accidentally brushed hands, because he knew one thing: this girl might just change his life.

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Heya! If you're still reading, I just want to thank you for sticking with me. 😊 And don't forget to leave a vote or comment your thoughts, it's always appreciated