Le Café Comte - MLB
"No, it can't go on like this. It's time to cut my losses." Marinette sighed. It really was time. Tikki smiled at her encouragingly. The setting sun illuminated the multitude of pictures on her walls. Around the room, little keepsakes of her "friends" were scattered.
Taking a deep breath, Marinette began to take down the pictures on her walls. Why hold onto those that only hurt her? Those that would not stand by her? Why continue to try and be "the bigger person"? Why take everything lying down? Tikki was right. She couldn't do that anymore. It wasn't healthy.
The more pictures she took down, the more mementos she put away in tidy boxes, the lighter she felt. Like a terrible weight was no longer tied to her neck, pulling her head underwater. She felt free.
With a smile on her face, she got ready for bed.
The next day, she didn't put in her pigtails, didn't put on her pink capris and white shirt. Instead gathered her hair in a simple ponytail, the ends curling naturally and dressed in a pair of black tights, a thin, sleeveless green wool-knit dress with a modest round neckline and a skirt that fell to her knees in gentle waves. For the finishing touches she donned a waist-cut leather jacket and a silver necklace and matching bangle. Instead of her handbag and backpack, she grabbed a leather messenger bag.
She looked very little like the Marinette her classmates knew. But she made clothes for people all the time, why not for herself? She needed the clean cut. With a smile on her face and a travel mug of coffee in hand she made the short trek to Collège François DuPont.
Still smiling she took her place in the last row. She was on time, the coffee was a delight and there were no outstanding assignments or deadlines for her to worry about. She had a feeling this would be the first good day in a long while. Her bench partner sat down next to her. This had been a strange development, but a good one, Marinette thought.
It had been one of the less bad days when someone sat down beside her. Surprised and slightly wary Marinette looked up. "You!" the exclamation was out of her mouth before she could stop herself.
The blonde in question had the decency to look suitably sheepish, if only for a brief moment. "Yes, I. I owe you an apology. My actions, while not specifically targeted at you, were to your detriment. That was unbecoming and untoward. Will you forgive me?"
Surprisingly enough, Félix Graham de Vanily sounded genuine. He looked the part, too. That wasn't the only thing that changed compared to last she saw him. A lot about him was different this time. His hair looked less unnatural, combed back tidily but with a measure of lightness instead of a stern side-parting. While he was still wearing slacks, a dress shirt and waistcoat, he'd dropped the tie and paired the ensemble with a well-fitting (maybe even tailored) leather jacket. On his hand, a silver signet ring glinted in the classroom's artificial light. From a designer's standpoint she had to admit it looked good on him.
"You actually mean it, don't you?" Marinette asked.
"I do."
"Alright. You are forgiven."
That day, she had inadvertently made a friend. Félix certainly wasn't what she'd have expected any friend of hers to be, but maybe that was good. He seemed to get along swimmingly with what true friends she had left. That was good too. Truly, it had been a surprise how well they all fit together, their band of misfits.
"Bonjour, Marinette. I like your new look." Félix' words pulled Marinette out of her musings. Their classmates were not yet aware of the new developments even though they had been a long time coming. It would be interesting to see their reactions, she supposed.
"Thanks"
Their classmates began to trickle in. Soon enough Alya's and Lila's voices dominated the room. Marinette paid it no mind until Alys was screeching in her ear.
"Oh my god, what's happened to you, Marinette? Did Félix give you brain surgery while you were asleep? Why are you dressed like that? Oh and did you bring anything from the bakery? I’d kill for one of your parents’ croissants right now" Marinette rolled her eyes.
"I just decided to try something new. As for the free food? Don't expect any more free stuff from me. After all, we aren't friends anymore, are we?" Alya was sputtering, but before she could say anything more class started.
Lunch was spent at the bakery though she was back to school early to talk to Mme Mendeleiev about transfer before class. The stern science teacher was very willing to oblige her transfer request. As it turned out, Mme Mendeleiev was prickly and no-nonsense but not heartless and actually a supportive teacher trying to do right by her students.
It was as she reached the grand doors that Alya finally cornered Marinette.
"Seriously girl, what is wrong with you? You've been acting strange all day. And what is this about you transferring classes?"
"I'm done, Alya. I realised it was time to cut my losses. I'm tired of taking all your crap. So I won't anymore. I'm worth more than that." Marinette's words were curt. "And now excuse me, I've got other things to do."
Leaving a baffled Alya in her wake, Marinette walked down the steps to where Luka was waiting.
"Salut, chérie" he greeted her. She grinned, stretching up to kiss his cheek. "Hey, Luka. Have you been waiting long?"
"No, don't worry. Alya didn't give you too much trouble, did she?"
"No, it's fine. She just has to realise I'm done trying to save things that are unsalvageable" Marinette smiled at him. "But enough of that."
Luka grinned back. "Wanna meet the others at the Café?"
"Do I ever say no to Café Comte?"
They laughed as they made their way to St. Germain de Prés.
The Café Saint Germain was situated in an alley close to St. Germain de Prés Church in the 6th arrondissement. With its dark wood, bygone era elegance and delectable menu far removed from tourist chaos it was a haven for artists of all kinds. Luka had been the one to introduce her to it. They'd come there often since that first day when she had been crying and so very close to akumatisation and he had known exactly what to do and say.
Now as they entered it, the two easily spotted their friends at their usual table. Félix and Kagami were debating something or other (probably politics) and Marc was scribbling away in his notebook. Greeting the others, they joined them. Luka put his guitar down next to Kagami's fencing bag as Marinette ordered their regulars.
"So, what are we doing this weekend? There's this new exhibition at the Carnavalet opening Saturday about historical fabrics and cultural exchange in early modern times" Marinette suggested. "I heard of that. It sounds intriguing." Kagami remarked. "They're said to have some comparisons on blades from the time to showcase the influence of foreign cultures."
"I agree, it should be interesting" Félix agreed.
Marc chuckled. "Hey, you know I'm always up for history."
They stayed there for hours, laughing and talking and making plans (and enjoying really good drinks). And Marinette didn't have a worry for a moment.
That night, she put a new photo up on her wall. The five of them at the Café, happy and carefree. Yes, cutting her losses was a damn good idea.