On Point BREAKING NEWS!

By Rena Rouge

Breaking News from the USA! Yesterday's performance of Swan Lake by the New York City Ballet was missing one vital ingredient – Zoé Lee (20). There's no news as to why the Prima Ballerina wasn't dancing her role, but we will keep you updated as soon as we find out more.

*****

Adrien looked around the studio, nerves on edge as he waited for his guest to arrive and join him. This was not what he wanted to do, but he had no choice. After reading the latest blogs on 'On Point' Adrien knew he had to correct a few things and for that to happen he had to attack it head on.

He moved to the piano in the corner. No one ever came to use this studio anymore, not since his mother died. This was her territory and no one else's. She'd spend hour after hour rehearsing here with either Plagg or his father criticising and improving her routines.

With every step he took, the studio echoed memories, rhythmical beats triggering vivid recollections as his mother moved gracefully across the floor. He used to sit in the corner, clapping and cheering her on as she asked him for his thoughts, making them seem like the most important opinion of the lot.

He'd always tell her she was beautiful, that she danced like an angel without wings – an ironic thought now she had grown them.

God, he missed her so much. His heart yearned for memories that had vanished. Birthday parties, dance recitals, days out in the park – each and everyone being overtaken by his mother laying helpless in bed, losing her energy, her sparkle...just her.

Over the past few months he felt lost, one of the reasons he agreed to coming back to the company. When he was here, he could still pretend she was too – that as he danced she'd be spying in the window and taking photographs and videos to show him later. When he danced he was closer to her. He was sharing the one thing they both adored to do, but it just didn't work the way he wanted it to, needed it to.

He hadn't been able to stop thinking about Marinette. It was eerie how similar she was to his mother, and it both comforted him and freaked him out. She made him want to watch her, but also turn away at the same time, the arms and hands a heart wrenching replica.

"I wondered when we would have some alone time again."

Adrien closed his eyes, controlling his breathing as he considered how to phrase what he was about to.

"Why did you make that statement?" He didn't want to look at her, opting to wipe a hand over the dust which had settled on the piano top instead. His finger began to craft intricate patterns in the covered lid, lazily etching letters into the dust before he wiped them away.

"I don't know what you mean?"

Of course she would play this innocently. That's what she was good at — manipulating situations to get what she wanted, for everyone to seem like the bad guy apart from herself. Poor Lila Rossi.

"Don't bullshit me, Lila." His voice remained monotone considering what the little voice in his head was saying. It wasn't pleasant at all.

They stood in a silent stare off, Adrien refusing to blink first. Suddenly, she huffed, pushing her hair over her shoulder and crossing her arms. She was wearing the outfit she wore on their first date, one Adrien had commented made her look beautiful, but now...it barely classified as more than a handkerchief. It was amazing how his wants and needs had changed, along with his desire for a relationship with someone so fake.

He'd been swept away by the girl 'who cared', only to feel the pain when she decided he could no longer help her. She'd reached the top spot alongside Chloé, and that was as far as she would get. She'd make him talk for hours about why she was better than his oldest friend, only to be disappointed when Adrien hadn't used his surname to get her the position of sole prima ballerina in the company.

"So, if we aren't doing anything, why did you want to meet me? I thought you might be feeling a little lost, after all, dancing with such mediocre talent isn't right for an Agreste."

His body turned rigid as he clenched his fists tightly together at his sides.

"What do you mean by that?"

She looked at her nails, her face unmoved. "Well, that big girl wasn't exactly a good match, and don't get me started on Marinette."

"Leave Marinette out of it," he interrupted, a bubbling in his chest from the way Lila had said her name.

She smirked smugly at the rise she'd gotten out of him. "What? Do you like her or something? Come on, Adrien, she's young and impressionable, she'd only want to know you because of what you could offer her."

Adrien looked at his shoes, smiling and shaking his head. A small huff puffing from his nose. "It's funny, because I know someone else who's exactly like that."

Lila stepped forward, her chest puffing out as she stood shoulder to shoulder with Adrien. Well, she would be if she was seven inches taller.

"I hope you've enjoyed the little tantrum you're throwing. I'm quite sure your father will make sure you do the right thing and dance the pas de deux with a worthy partner."

"It's not his choice," Adrien argued back, his voice remaining unbelievably calm.

Lila laughed. "Sure. You believe that."

She turned on her heel and began to make her way out of the door, stopping as she met the threshold and turning back. "Just know I'll be waiting for you when you're ready for me."

"Stop playing games Lila, I'm warning you."

Flicking her hair over her shoulder she left the roof, taking the bad vibes away with her. Adrien couldn't help the shiver run down his spine. Hell would need to freeze over before he partnered with her again.

Grabbing his own bag, he made his way out of the studio and into the cooling night air of Paris. It wouldn't be too long until winter kicked in and with it the frost and snow. He hated this time of the year. The wounds he'd been working so hard to close opened up and oozed with pain and sorrow. His mother adored Christmas, every tiny miniscule thing about it.

But Christmas this year just wouldn't be worth celebrating again. Adrien flicked up the collar of his jacket and he placed on his hat, hiding the blond carefree flicks in his hair and making his way to his utopia.

*****

When Luka said about a date, Marinette had it firmly placed in her mind that he was a romantic. That the date would feature a string quartet, or be an outing to a nice, quaint, romantic restaurant, maybe even a boat ride down the Seine. They would talk and laugh, and get to know each other.

What she didn't realise was that a date with Luka would need so much concentration and brain power she felt like a contestant on University Challenge — and after the training and focusing she'd done this week, her attention span was less than a gnat.

They were currently sitting in the middle of a movie theatre, not even the back row, and she was trying desperately hard to keep her eyes on the screen, her fingers itching to grab and play with her phone for something to do.

Luka had come up with the idea of going to see a movie, which she was most certainly up for. There was a new Tom Cruise movie out which she really wanted to see, either that or the latest Ryan Reynolds romcom, but when they reached the theatre Luka's eyes had lit up like a kid at Christmas. His favourite movie was playing for a limited time only and seeing him so excited about it made her want to share the moment too. Unfortunately, she didn't realise the movie was subtitled.

Marinette had always lacked concentration, hence why she loved dancing so much. It was natural for her, no brain power needed. She was always the child in the middle row in the classroom, a distant look in their eyes as she stared off to the soundtrack of the newest songs. She'd done some amazing choreography in those moments — in her head anyway. It didn't always work out when she tried it physically.

God, she hoped Luka didn't give her a pop quiz after this had finished. She couldn't even remember what it was called.

The arm rest between them lifted, Luka moving an arm up and around her shoulders, pulling her in towards him. He was warm and solid, and the heat was doing nothing to help her, as her eyes began to flutter closed. Her head dropped to the side, resting on his shoulder allowing him to cuddle her closer. So, so warm.

Her eyes closed again.

And opened.

Damn, she was really struggling. The white words on the bottom of the screen began to blur into one mashed up sentence. The main dude was talking about a 'hakdofuebanalgdb' or something like that.

Her eyes closed again, this time for a little longer. It was just a long blink, a blink which was comfortable and nice. Gosh, she needed this blink.

Her body began to relax. Then 'snort'.

Marinette's eyes shot open with a start. Had she just snored?

She peaked a glance at Luka, happy that his eyes were still firmly fixated on the movie. It must not have been a big one. Thank goodness.

Nuzzling into him a little more, her eyes faded closed and darkness took over. This time locking her in with no want to escape.

She was suddenly on stage. Her tutu was pure white with a beautiful skirt of tulle and feathers. She moved about the stage effortlessly. The choreography was unique and full of soul, until she was joined by another.

Hands grabbed hers and began to manipulate her from one move to the other, spinning her around with ease and delicacy, yet she couldn't see his face. Instead, her eyes only met his body as she spiralled to and fro.

His shirt was open, his black leggings clinging to him, as he waltzed them around the stage. She wasn't sure what style they were doing, but the mix was flawless and her partner – ever there.

A mysterious dance continued to unfold, two figures moving in perfect harmony. She felt the connection deep down in her gut, yet the identity of her partner remained concealed, adding an air of intrigue to the mesmerising performance.

As the ethereal performance progressed, her costume, and his began to change, taking the swan and her Prince into the elegant movements of the ladybug and the graceful strides of the black cat create a captivating spectacle, weaving a tale of mystery and enchantment on the dance floor.

One only to be stopped by the change of tempo and appearance of another. A butterfly with captivating colours and intricate patterns, all in a colour palette of violet.

The villain had entered.

The dance became aggressive, pushing the ballet to one side and taking on more of a contemporary style. But what's more — the cat was defending her, and she was defending him. The two working perfectly together to eradicate evil from the stage.

Her partner danced. She danced. The butterfly pushed hard. And yet, it was all effortless.

A power surge shot across the stage straight from her partner's bubbling hand taking the butterfly away and leaving them in serenity.

It was quiet. So quiet.

Her partner made his way towards her, his face covered by a mask.

"Us against the world," he said, stretching a hand out for her to take.

But she stilled. She was frozen to the spot.

His glowing green eyes emanated an otherworldly radiance, reminiscent of emerald illuminated in darkness, his mask only adding to the vivid green.

They were striking.

They were memorable.

They were...

"Marinette? Hey Mari?"

She groaned, stirring in her sleep as a voice not belonging to her magic minou left his lips. That wasn't right.

"Marinette?" He called again, but this time with humour coating the syllables of her name. Each one was as smooth as honey.

"Come on, Melody, let's get you home to bed."

Her eyes pried open as Luka helped her from the chair and stumbled out of the cinema. She studied the amusement in his eyes... eyes which weren't his.

They barely spoke on the way home, she was too tired and he was too attentive, helping her into her room and leaving almost instantly.

She thought you were meant to kiss on your first date, yet her lips remained unclaimed.

She knew you weren't meant to fall asleep on the first date, yet she'd passed out and dreamt of someone else during the movie.

She understood now she had a lot to learn and even more to understand.