Jealousy

It Begins

    Marinette and Nino were at the zoo again, a redo from their last "date". Adrien was again talking to Nino through the ear piece, same with Alya and Marinette. They were sitting on the bench silently. It was a nice day. The sun was out, the new panther exhibit was under control, the greenery very bushy around them (which made a good cover for Alya and Adrien).

     "I, uh, I think I, need to go to the bathroom!" Nino yelled suddenly.

    "Ok," Marinette responded, confused. "Alya, I don't know what to do. It's super awkward," she whispered into the ear piece after he left. "Plus, I thought you and him had some kind of spark?"

    "Oh no way!" Alya shouted so loud it made Marinette wince. "It was only a temporary feeling or whatever I guess."

    "Alright... But should I really do this?"

    "Yes, girl! Do you like him?"

    "Well, yeah but only--"

    "Then go for it!!"

    -- as a friend, she was going to say. Marinette had tried to pretend she was over Adrien since he never seemed to return her feelings. But deep down, even though she tried not to think about it at the moment, she'd still do anything for him to see her as she saw him. But for now, she was going to move on. That's what she was going to do!

    "Yeah! I-I'll do it!"

    "Good! Oh, look. Here he comes!!"

    Nino took his seat by her on the bench again and looked at her awkwardly. He was obviously uncomfortable too.

   "Mari," he began, "I want you to know how I feel. I--" He paused. "I want to b-be a couple."

    "There's no one else I'd rather be in a relationship with than you. Please, be my girlfriend?" Adrien whispered into the tiny ear piece from behind the bushes, his cheeks turning a light pink as he imagined himself there with her. Plagg shot out of his pocket and crossed his arms.

    "Come on! It's obvious you have a crush on her! Why are you helping HIM?"

    "Shhh! Because he's my best friend. And I only love Ladybug. Mari's just a friend, like I've told you since day one," Adrien replied, glaring at him.

    "Then why do you get jealous when Nathanael tries to get close to her?"

    "I do not get jealous!! Be quiet Plagg, I'm trying to listen here!" He put the kwami back in his shirt.

    Meanwhile, Nino closed his eyes and expected the worst to come.

    But Mari simply leaned over and took out his ear piece. His eyes snapped open to see her blue eyes sparkle and her mouth turn into a gentle smile. She took out her ear piece too and turned them both off.

    "Girl, what are you doing??!" Alya whisper yelled into the ear piece but it was too late. Mari had already turned it off. "She's gone rogue!" she whispered to herself.

    "Look, Nino," Marinette sighed and leaned in toward Nino's face. His eyes widened. But she didn't kiss him. She whispered something in his ear instead. "Deal?" She smiled and held out her hand for him to shake.

    "Deal." He took her hand.

****

The Next Day

   "Girl, what happened?" Alya whispered to Marinette as class started. "You haven't said a word about yesterday at all to anyone!! And Nino seems really happy. What did you do?? Why did you take off the ear piece? That was your only way to communicate with me, and you totally threw it out the window. So are you two a thing or what because if you are I swear I'm shipping it..." Alya went on and on, mostly talking to herself while Marinette was lost in her own world. Her cheeks were slightly pink as she daydreamed.