Chapter Text
"And It Was Called 'Yellow' "
I met Luka on his mother's boat. I had been invited to his band's practice session by Marinette. She encouraged me to apologize to all of my new classmates for the way I had behaved that day. I hope it was enough to make up for the horrible first impression they must have had. All I wanted was to find somewhere to fit in. My sister, Chloe, seemed like a good option at first. I tried so hard to be a good sister, but it only leads to failure and embarrassment. I wished I could start anew.
Luka didn't go to Collège Françoise Dupont, I'm sure. I didn't see him there at all. He seemed pretty confused when I arrived at his place with a heart full of sorrow and a box full of macarons. What does he take me as now? He must have heard about me from my classmates. But I know he thinks I'm some apologetic rando friend of Marinette's.
Marinette's friends are so nice. So forgiving. I've only ever had one friend at my boarding school in New York. Even then, I've always been kind of alone. And then the bullying began. I transferred after finding that some of my classmates left cockroaches in my locker. A place like this where everyone just loves and supports each other still seems surreal.
I can't help but still feet out of place. Is this just going to be an eternal feeling for me? They've accepted me, but I still feel guilty. I'm still 'the new girl'. I still have a short history of being a blatantly cruel copy of Chloe. Speaking of which, there is a mutual dislike for Chloe in this friend group. Yes, she's self-centered and cruel, but she's merely misunderstood. Nobody ever set rules down for her growing up nor did they show her enough love and attention. What better time to instill love and kindness in your child than as soon as possible? It takes strong empathy to understand Chloe. But even if nobody loves her, even if she unintentionally ruined my chances at fitting in, I still love her.
The band has finished practicing. 'Kitty Section', I think they called themselves. Their music is quite... passionate. Not my usual style, but still very unique and interesting! Lots of aggressive lyrics and loud drums. Luka played guitar, he seemed so calm, he almost looked so out of place among the chorus of other head-banging kids. He plays well, too. I only know his name because I whispered the question to Marinette in the middle of their song. She was hesitant to tell me, and not too enthusiastic. I wonder what happened between those two.
The group has congregated on and around a long white sofa on deck. They talk among themselves about the song Kitty Section just played. I sit with them, But I'm not at all a part of the conversation. Nobody really seems to care, which is comforting! They're all so nonchalant and comfortable. I'm probably the only one who isn't. If I weren't so eager to make friends, I'd be gone already.
"Marinette," I whisper to her. "Where is the restroom?"
I've decided I needed a moment to process all this. So many emotions at once. So many people talking amongst themselves and have no input to offer. They wouldn't miss me if I went to go look at the view of the Seine on my own. It's golden hour anyway. Must be extra beautiful.
"What? Oh! The restroom!" She spoke a little bit louder. I didn't really need her to announce to everyone that I needed to pee. I'm all for being unashamed, but this escape was meant to be the more discreet type. "Actually, I think it's occupied. We should ask if there's another."
Great. More people get to know. She tapped a brunette's shoulder. She had glasses and wore an orange plaid blouse. Marinette whispered to her and the brunette shrugged. Alya, as Marinette called her.
Alya cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted to a blonde boy, "Adrien! Marinette~ was wondering if there was an extra restroom! Someone's in this one already!" Marinette turned red and tried to clarify that it was /Zoè/ who needed the restroom.
I know Adrien Agreste. Gabriel, his father, works closely with my mother. Audrey and Gabriel are childhood friends. Audrey said so herself. Besides, EVERYONE knows Mr. Golden Model Boy Adrien Agreste. From Paris to New York. Otherwise, what rock are you living under?
Adrien took a second to think about it. It looked like he was trying very hard to produce a thought. Almost painful to watch. But before he could react, Luka stood up from his seat and came over to me.
Luka's voice is low and breathy. "I'll show you." He'd make a great singer for the band.
Yes, that was my first and only thought. He held out his hand for me, helping me up, Luka led me away from the others to what I assumed was another restroom on the boat. But before I could question it, we were walking down the pier where we were docked.
I stopped for a moment to watch the water. It truly is beautiful, especially from the height of the pier. I hear Luka continue walking to even ground. Though I was turned in the other direction, I could still see his tall shadow inching away. The sun is blazing, blinding, over the Seine. You're not supposed to stare directly into the sun, but I can't take my eyes off of it.
"There's a public station over there. Not glamorous, but it'll have to do, right? Bourgeois?"
God, now I know what he thinks of me. A Bourgeois. Glamorous... rich.. stuck-up. He surely knows my sister. One really shouldn't judge another based on their family or background- I'm absolutely more different than my mother and sister.
"My last name is Lee," I say, my eyes still glued.
"My apologies, Princess Lee, " he laughed. I turned to find him posed in a bow. I raised an eyebrow. His face fell, his joke had flopped. " You know... 'Princess Lee' . . . like 'Queen Bee ' . . . tough crowd. "
I shook my head. "My sister? I told you, I'm no Bourgeois, kind sir."
" Ah. " He stood tall, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Lee... Is that your father..."
" It's my mother's maiden name. I don't know my father. My mom said he lived somewhere in Paris but nothing more. "
" Oh. . . I didn't know my father either. My mom didn't want to tell me, same as yours. I only found out recently, " Luka smiled softly. "You'll find out eventually. With a famous family like yours, it's only a matter of who learns the truth first: you or the press, right?"
"Erm... Thanks. And it's only a matter of time before said press finds out about me being Audrey's daughter. That will surely be a change."
" You guys really need your own reality show. "
Ha.
I didn't realize I had been smiling until I went to take a deep breath in. I closed my eyes and let it out again. " Okay, I'm not about to have a crisis or whatever, but there's this thing that's been bothering me that needs addressing. "
Is it weird to ask someone you just met how they feel about you? I just want to know it isn't negative. And who is he to make such quick assumptions about my character. Marinette knows me as Zoé. Not as another Chloe. It sounds dumb, but I value my individuality. I really care what other people think of me. I really shouldn't worry so much, but I'm getting there. Slowly. I mean, why does Luka's opinion even matter so much, he's just a dude. And quite frankly, one that really speaks his mind.
I could see the concern in Luka's face. "I'm a good listener. Whatever it is, don't keep it in, always speak from the heart. "
He took a step closer and leaned his head from the sign, looking at me from a different angle. Stupid, stupid golden sunshine on his face. I don't know what to say, but an odd part of me is about to bite his fucking hand off if he does not move right now. And yet, I'm paralyzed.
His smile was back. " When you get famous and stuff, just know I will always be here to help you carry the weight. I don't know you that well, but I see you're good. I care. I want to know you well. "
Nobody's said anything like that to me. I could only stand there awkwardly and stare at him, absolutely bewildered. He really does take his own advice, he really speaks profoundly.
I go stiff. My voice shakes. " Well! I just wanted to ask how you know Marinette! You know... she was my first friend here, so . . . ! " That was not what I meant to say, but alright.
Luka has nothing to say. He looked over the water again in his own melancholy moment. Thinking. Maybe I shouldn't have brought Marinette up. I don't know what happened, but it was obviously something that had a large impact on both of them. Were they close?
" . . . Hey, didn't you need to use the restroom? "
Oh yeah. He just reminded me. I thought it would be obvious by now that I didn't actually need to. " No, I just wanted to get some fresh air. Thank you for taking me. "
" I'm Marinette's friend. My sister, Juleka, is in her class, so..."
I turn to look at him. " Pardon me, but I don't think that's all there is to the story. I know it doesn't concern me, but we did say we would listen to each other. I thought you were the type to speak from your heart, no? And we don't know each other that well. New beginnings, I say! "
He laughed. "Can we be friends, Ms. Lee? "
" As you wish, Mr. Couffaine. "
" Marinette and I dated for some time. " He looked away, embarrassed behind a grin.
" Oh, you're kidding! You're a pretty pair, please tell me you're still friends. "
He waved a hand. "That's what we agreed, but so is life! Things don't always work out the way they do in movies, isn't that right, our dear aspiring actress?"
" Funny guy. "
He rested his arms on the dock railing, relaxing his shoulders. His playful expression drooped. "This is really embarrassing, but almost everyone knows I'm still into her, excluding you. 'New beginnings' my ass. You would have found out eventually, anyway. But everyone and their grandmothers all know that she likes Adrien. ... except for Adrien himself. "
" That sounds complicated and confusing. I can't believe you had to go through that. I'm really sorry, Luka. " I rested my hand on his back to try and comfort him.
" That's the first time you've called me by my name. '' His smile returned.
My jaw dropped, jokingly offended. "You're still yet to call me by mine!"
"The honorifics don't cut it? Not even the 'Princess Lee' thing?"
"No! That's stupid. Zoé is three letters, c'mon, you can do it. "
" You're insistent, Ms. Lee."
"Luka..."
"Zoé..."
I smile widely and raise my arms in celebration. " WOO GO LUKA! " I hold my hand towards him for a high five, which he returns. "Yeah! I'm very proud, great job."
He rolls his eyes, laughing softly. "Yeah, yeah..."
" I can't relate to your situation, Luka, and I'm sorry, but I can empathize. I do realize that feels like the worst thing in the world, and that's alright." I take out a pen and piece of scrap paper from my purse and scribble down my phone number. "If you ever want to talk about it again, here's where you can reach me. "
"Thanks, Zoé. " Luka took the paper and put the number into his phone.
"Relationships were never my thing. I've never been in a real, official one before. But even without a partner, I'm still content. You don't /need/ a partner to complete you." I put the pen back into my purse. "If it helps at all, I just want to remind you that this sadness will pass. It will get better and you'll find someone who will make you happy. If the song Is so sad, then change the key. And you can't go into a relationship still mourning the last one. You must take some time to find yourself again first. "
I can't read Luka's expression exactly, but he looks like he's trying to process.
"And I know you will, Luka. I know we just met, but I know you're clear and bright. Anyone can tell just by looking at you. You light up a room. The movie of your life is a beautiful one. You'll find your happily ever after soon enough, I promise. "
He leans forward and hugs me.
Did I just make him cry?
I wrap my arms around him, too, patting his back. "Hey... it's okay. "