Chapter Text
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Morning in Paris had begun for the students at Collège Françoise Dupont as they slowly approached the building, preparing for the first week of school.
One student alone was already inside in the locker room, gathering his stuff from his locker. Looking in the small mirror, Nathaniel Kurtzberg held the most unenthusiastic and melancholy look as he dread more and more on thoughts of the new school year. Everyone else was talking about how they were hoping for new things and looking forward to doing exciting things for this year.
He was not one of them.
Already he figured this year would be the same dealing with usual lessons and of course the usual homeroom queen bee making everyone’s lives miserable.
‘Another morning and another school year starts.’ He thought to himself with a small sigh as he closed his locker.
He walked slowly along the nearly empty halls of the upper floor before hearing the sound of petty laughter nearby. ‘And speak of the devil…’
Looking to the other side of the hall, Nathaniel caught the sight of Chloe and Sabrina mock laughing at his friend, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.
It seemed like a curse as Chloe Bourgeois was in their homeroom for nearly their entire grade school and no other class envied such. She seemed a bit snobbish at first when they knew her as a kid, yet she seemed... somewhat alright at best. Nathaniel didn't know her too well so he couldn't say.
But ever since her dad became the mayor a few years ago, she took a turn for the worst. No one knew why, but just avoided her as much as they could. Especially since she had so much influence even the teachers and principal.
When he noticed the bluenette waving his way, Nathaniel gave a small nod of acknowledgement before ducking his head away hoping to be unnoticed.
Nathaniel at times felt really bad for Marinette and highly admired her at the same time. She was the only one who stood up to Chloe before until a small incident happened and now she was just as weary of Chloe’s presence like the rest of them.
Still, even for a short while, Marinette had more courage than most did, and he wish he could be more like her… but he shook his head at the thought.
Enough of wishing for a lost cause.
Positives. He needed a positive.
And oh, he was granted one.
Nathaniel remembered the first class they were going to take today and got slightly excited. He made his way over quickly to the art room, arriving 13 minutes before the other students. He greeted Mr. LeClair, the art teacher, who offered for Nathaniel to free draw until the rest of the class arrived.
One of his safe havens was the art classroom as Nathaniel felt he was less stressed and could let his mind flow. And he didn’t have to worry about sneaking behind a textbook to draw or the teacher catching him.
Nathaniel continued a sketch he started last night with the concept of superheroes being stuck in his mind for a while. The time almost seem to have passed before some of the other students began to file into the room. He recognized voices of his friends such as Alix and Rose, responding with the simplest of ‘hello’s while not looking up from his sketchbook. He could feel his pink haired friend shaking her head with a smirk, knowing his friends knew it was hard to get his attention while he was in the zone.
Though something… or someone brought him out of it anyway.
“Hi… is this seat taken?”
The new soft voice caught the redhead’s attention when it addressed him. Nathaniel looked up to see an unknown blonde guy with beige skin, designer clothing and the most… unusual green eyes I’ve seen. He gave a shy wave to the artist before motioning to the seat next to Nathaniel.
“Um… no. Go ahead.” Nathaniel replied quietly, nodding to the chair.
The blonde guy gave one of the brightest smiles the redhead had ever seen. The artist could swear it would make the sun pale. Pausing his creative flow, Nathaniel looked to the blonde again as the new kid took out his supplies from his bag. Something about him was familiar…
Ah… now he remembered.
This was the new guy from homeroom, the model Chloe claimed to be her closest friend.
And the guy who had gotten into an altercation with Marinette the other day.
Something about that would instantly scream for Nathaniel to stay away as anything or anyone related to Chloe was just bad news.
“Wow. Is this one of yours?” The blonde spoke, some of artist’s concept sketches catching his eye. “May I?”
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at the request. He usually wasn’t too comfortable taking or showing some of his artwork to most people, let alone strangers.
However, something about this new guy made Nathaniel less… weary for a reason.
His usual warning bells weren’t going off and this guy is pretty much the new kid in school. Nathaniel remembered how awkward it was for him and how hard interactions were. He didn’t want anyone to feel in the same position he did.
With a nod, Nathaniel gave his permission as the blonde offered a ‘thank you’ in response.
‘So polite…’ The redhead thought as paused with his art, watching as the new guy observed his sketches while holding them so carefully.
“These are amazing. I never seen anyone draw in this kind of style before. You’re really good.” He complimented, looking at Nathaniel with admiration.
“Thanks.” Nathaniel whispered, looking down meekly.
“I wish I could draw this well.” Adrien commented, gently stacking the sketches neatly. “I’d be lucky to make even a figure stick-”
“It’s not a big deal. I’m sure anybody can do it.” Nathaniel interrupted as he took the sketchbook back quickly, putting them away in his bag. This was enough attention he was getting by someone he didn't know and he didn't know what to do with that feeling. For now, it gave mixed feelings so the redhead instead tried to focus more on his sketch. Maybe it was a bit rash but... it was a bit overwhelming.
Nathaniel was distracted by his own feelings while unaware of the startled blonde’s small frown.
After a small pause, the artist figured the conversation was over after the bad impression and continued to draw… until the blonde’s response surprised him.
“You shouldn’t say that.” He said, causing Nathaniel to freeze on a stroke.
Nathaniel looking back to the new kid with slightly widen eyes. “Huh?”
“You shouldn’t say that about yourself, you know.” The blonde guy continued, sincerely but strongly. “You’re obviously really talented and not everyone is gifted with that kind of skill. You should be proud to so something… amazing.”
“I…” Nathaniel trailed off, losing any words he was going to say. He didn’t really know how to follow up with that. Most of the time, Nathaniel’s words were ignored when it came to his art and usually, he would just wave them off for people to have their own opinions.
He didn’t know if the new guy was truly being sincere, but it was… nice to hear someone trying to be so encouraging.
The blonde must’ve caught himself by surprised of his words as he leaned away more, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “Ah, I’m... sorry. I don't know where that came from.” He apologized with a slight downcast look. "I didn't mean to be rude..."
How often was it for someone to apologize for appreciating you? Whoever this guy was, he definitely looks more than what he appeared to be.
Nathaniel shook his head politely, hoping to save the blonde’s demeanor and cut him some slack. “It’s okay.”
Peridot eyes with hope glanced his way as the artist assures him, taking out the sketches again to look them over. “It’s nice to hear you think that way. Really… Thanks, uh…”
The new kid brightened up again before offering a hand. “I’m Adrien.”
Hesitated at first, the artist look between the hand and Adrien before finally taking it with the smallest of smiles. “Nathaniel.”
“Nice to meet you, Nathaniel.” Adrien said, politely shaking Nathaniel’s hand. Soon the bell rang signaling the beginning of class Mr. LeClair called for the students’ attention, beginning his lesson. He instructed the class on what projects they were going to work on for the semester for part of the class before allowing them to have free time for the remaining time. During the class, Nathaniel spent some of his time between working on his own superhero ideas to watching Adrien attempt his best at drawing.
Keyword: Attempt.
Nathaniel couldn’t help but laugh softly as he watched the blonde. Adrien was on his third paper after the first he slid under the pile he refused to show and the second he put aside with a few stick figures with a… sun scribble?
He finally took a break, putting the pencils he used down before looking to Nathaniel with a small pout. “Nathaniel… do you mind giving me some tips for a beginner? Please?” Adrien pleaded.
The redhead shook his head in amusement. Something of how he pouted made him look like such an innocent child and was kinda... cute in a way. Sparring his table partner frustration, Nathaniel motioned for Adrien to come closer, in which the blonde all but obliged eagerly to watch the redhead work. “If you're trying to draw the head, first you need to start with…”
As the artist instructed his new friend, he slowly began to have some second thoughts for the rest of the period.
Maybe the new year won’t be so bad after all.
'Just maybe.'