Allegra, Claude, and Alain’s Marinette Dupain-Cheng Appreciation Blog; Part 2
Part Two, ASHENTE!
The next day, Allegra kept an eye on Marinette whenever she could. The girl looked, as Allegra’s sister would say, decidedly downcast. She was wearing a plain shirt and regular jeans, with regular white sneakers and a heavy looking gray hoodie. It looked like someone told her to dress to blend into gr crowd. She wasn’t wearing her usual make-up, and she was slouched into herself. Marinette tapped Alain’s arm, and jerked her chin at Marinette. He looked at the girl and nodded. She was seated alone at a small table in the corner of the cafeteria, with headphones covering her ears. Allegra grabbed her tray and stood, strolling across the cafeteria until she reached Marinette’s table. She set down her tray just within Marinette’s line of sight, and was sure to leave space between them when she sat. Alain and Claude sat on each side of her, leaving a chair each between them and the startled looking girl.
“Hey, Marinette!” Claude said, smiling at the girl. She smiled back, a little weakly.
“Hey Claude, hi Allegra, hi Alain.”
“You remember us?” Alain asked, before taking a chicken nugget from Claude’s tray.
“Of course! Claude was always the best in gym, you wrote the best short stories, and Allegra can play any instrument.” She smiled again, and this time, it was a little stronger.
“Not any instrument.” Allegra grumbled, cheeks red.
“Yeah, just violin and flute and piano and guitar and drums and harp.” Alain scoffed.
“Don’t forget the xylophone.” Claude chuckled.
“And you’re a really good singer!” Marinette added, giggling a little at how red Allegra was.
“Yeah, but Claude is on four different sports teams, and Claude is an amazing writer, and you’ve worked with JAGGED STONE!” Allegra pointed out. “I’m not all that special.”
“Hm, but ya are.” Claude said. “Do ya know why?”
“Why?” Allegra sighed.
“Because you’re my friend!” He leaned over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, beaming.
“I forgot how extra Claude can be.” Marinette giggled to Alain, who just snorted.
“If you think this,” He gestured to where Claude was wrapped around Allegra’s arm. “is extra, just wait. When we get snacks from your parents bakery he goes nuts.” Marinette giggled a little, before jumping when the bell rang.
“Looks like it’s time to head back to class.” Marinette muttered.
“What do you say to us all ditching?” Claude asked, suddenly serious.
“That sounds like a really good idea.” Marinette sighed. “But I can’t. My grades are too important. I’ll see you guys later.” She grabbed her tray and strode away, looking like someone walking to their death.
X0X0X
Back in class, Allegra flicked a note across the aisle to Alain.
‘We need to change how often the blog updates. Marinette looked like shit.’ He waited till Mendelieve looked away to write a response and flick it back.
‘I agree. She’s an angel in disguise.’ The two shared a look. It was time to step up their game.
X0X0X
That afternoon, they put up two posts.
The first discussed the many things she made for Jagged Stone. It included dozens of video clips of him gushing about his favorite designer. Quotes from interviews where he discussed her talent and skill littered the post, each glowing with praise. He would ramble on about how brilliant she was, discussing the glasses she had made first. He would sing the praises (literally) of the jackets she had made him, promoting her website.
The second was a clip from her trip with her Uncle Wang to the grand opening of his restaurant in Paris. She was wearing a lovely cheongsam dress, and proudly standing beside her Uncle as he made a speech. The speech discussed her confidence and kindness. He then turned to Marinette and handed her a box. Inside was a hair stick made of jade. It was about seven inches long, with a magnolia charm dangling from a gold chain. He then turned towards the crowd, and loudly proclaimed the new name of his celestial soup.
X0X0X
“Now what?” Claude asked after the second post was made.
“Now, we wait.” Allegra said grimly.
