Chapter Text
Marinette shoulders slouched, as she made her way to the largest apartment in the city. Chloe’s home. The two had been assigned as partners for a history protect in Mrs. Bustier’s class.
It’s not like she hated Chloe, she just knew that she didn’t do any work at all. Marinette stepped up to the door. Like most of the building it was covered in sheets of false gold. She dug her toes into the plush velvet carpet and took in a deep breath, about to knock.
“Why can’t you do anything right?” Mrs. Adury yelled from inside the apartment.
“I’m trying,” Chloe said. Marinette winced.
“You sure are,” Mrs. Adury said, “You’re trying really hard to be a pain in my ass!” A door slammed shut.
Marinette froze. She didn’t know what to do. Should she knock or come back another time?
Sure, her and Chloe never got along, but that didn’t mean that she should be treated like that. Especially, by one’s own mother.
She swallowed nothing, but air, as she rang the bell. She bit her lip and drummed her finger on her arm. Someone should check in on her.
“Hello, what do you need?” a man with a beaked nose and wore a suit and tie, as he opened the door. His eyes watery.
“I, I’m Marinette,” she said.
“For the school project, I presume?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” Marinette said.
“Right this way,” he said, letting her into the apartment. The living room was spotless, each wall was covered in golden swirls and smiling family photos. A pile of paper and a few headshots of Chloe that were drenched in something that smelt of whiskey scattered the coffee table.
The man led her up a flight of stars, down a hall, and stopped in front of a door. He knocked.
“What do you want?” Chloe snapped.
“Ms. Marinette is here,” he said, as he bit his lip.
“Just, just give me a minute,” Chloe said.
“Will do,” he said before he walked off. Marinette twiddled her thumbs, as she stood outside the towering door.
“Come in,” Chloe said, as she opened the door. Her eyes were a puffy red. She had a look of disgust on her face.
“Um, hi,” Marinette said, walking into the large room.
“So, what’s the plan?” Chloe mumbled, as sat on a purple couch. She rubbed her arm and glared at the ground.
Marinette sat a few spots away from her, placed her bag on the floor, and said, “I don’t know. I was thinking maybe a type of cat.”
“Like Chat Noir?” Chloe asked.
“No,” Marinette said.
“Pfft, let me guess you’re a furry?” Chloe asked in a sarcastic voice. That didn’t make any sense.
“I’m not,” Marinette said. A warm itch crawled up the back of her neck. She really didn’t want to be here.
“Okay then, what animal do you want to do the report on?” Marinette asked, folding her hands together. They had to do a report on the symbolism of an animal in literature.
“I don’t know. This is ridiculous,” Chloe whined with a flick of her hair.
“Really?” Marinette asked.
“Fine. What about a bear,” Chloe asked.
“Alright,” Marinette said.
“Did you just agree with me?” Chloe asked with a raised brow.
“I, didn, I did?” Marinette asked.
“That’s kind of weird,” Chloe said.
“It really is,” Marinette said. The two girls stared at each other. A confusing aura floated around them.
“We should get to work,” Chloe said.
“Yeah, we should,” Marinette said. She bit her lip realizing that she had just agreed with Chloe, again!
They work on the report by finding a list of fairy tales that involve bears. At first, Chloe did make a few snarky remarks, but after a while she stopped and focused on the report. By the time Marinette had to leave, they got three stories chosen and arranged their next meet up.
“Hey, Chloe,” Marinette said, before she left.
“Yeah?” Chloe asked.
“You did a good job,” Marinette said, as she walked out the door. A small smile crept across Chloe’s face.