"Y/n can you run these papers down to the music room real quick?"

My head shot up from my paper, we were just a few minutes away from being sent to lunch. Where I would probably be chewed out by my friends for not telling them about my birthday.

I shook the thought to the back of my mind and took a deep breath. I shuffled my papers into my folder and slid them under my desk in my bag. I could feel the side eyes of my friends as I passed them down the row. Finally, I made it to the front and took the paper from Ms. Bustier, zipping out of the room at lightning speed.

The bell rang once I made it to the door of the music room. The only reason I even knew where it was was because of the small tour Marinette and Alya gave me between classes on my first day. We weren't supposed to take music classes until next semester.

I slid the door open with a creak and was met by a dusty room stuffed to the brim with different musical instruments. Instead of desks, there were large rounded tables and all types of chairs ranging from beanbags to rockers scattered around the room, all facing a blackboard. The shades were drawn and sunlight covered the entire classroom in a golden hue.

"Um, is anyone here?"

I looked around clutching the paperwork in my hands, the room was empty, safe for a closet in the back behind the teacher's desk. Resting on a stand next to the desk chair is an acoustic guitar. A gorgeous one at that, with intricate golden details along the base and up the neck.

I set the papers down on the table and kneeled to get a better look, not daring to pick it up. I ran my fingers along the golden carvings.

"Beautiful, isn't she?"

I almost jumped out of my skin when a voice broke the silence right behind me, I whirled around to see where it came from. I was met with an extremely tall man, he was blonde and wore black thick-framed hipster glasses. He held one of his hands up in mock defense, the other curling around a steaming mug that read 'tears of my drama students' in cursive loops.

"Sorry for scaring you, kid! Can I help you?"

I glanced sheepishly at the guitar and back to him.

"Ya- sorry, I was meant to drop these papers off but I got distracted."

"That should be your teacher's vote for the upcoming student play I believe."

This statement piqued my interest, I had always wanted to participate in plays growing up but never had the opportunity to. I traveled too much or stayed at Caleb's house when Poppy was out of town so no one could drive or pick me up from practice.

He set his mug down on his desk and sidestepped around me, reaching down and picking up the instrument. He did a flamboyant little pose with a strum, obviously having played before but not showing off too much.

"She's a beauty, made of mahogany and ebony."

"The ebony brings a tightness and clarity to the sound, while the mahogany brings a warmness."

I blurted out without thinking first. He raised his eyebrows, a surprised grin sliding across his face.

"You play?"

"I-uh ya, I play a bunch of instruments."

His grin widened impossibly further as he held out the guitar for me, I took it cautiously. He dramatically flopped into his spinny chair, kicking his feet up on the desk barely missing his cup of coffee.

"Serenade me, will you?"

I giggled and repositioned my grip on the neck and shifted the strap on my shoulder. Deciding to not do anything too flashy I played the intro and a bit of the chorus to an older Jagged Stone song.

He raised his eyebrows over the frame of his glasses.

"That was amazing, what's your name kid? I've never had you in my class."

"I'm y/n l/n, I moved here from New York."

He stood, and held out his hand to me, lips curling further into a Cheshire grin.

"I'm Mr. Laurent, I look forward to having you in my class y/n."

"I'm really sorry, I didn't know it was that big of a deal!"

Alya pinched the bridge of her nose next to me as I made my case at the lunch table.

"Girl we would have thrown you a party if we had known-"

"Ya were not angry, we just wish we would've known."

Marinette ever the mediator supplied with a sigh.

I decided that this would probably be the best time to cut my explanation off, best case scenario they stopped talking about it till after school. Other people in the courtyard where we were sitting were starting to look over, and being the center of attention is something I will always despise.

"Why did Nathaniel know about it?"

Adrien asked, not looking up from his chef-prepared meal. Some type of grilled chicken salad.

"Caleb called me and started yelling about how he was sending me a gift like a week ago. Nat was hanging out at my place at the time and overheard us."

That seemed to satisfy him and he nodded in understanding.

"My friends back home were always good at throwing ragers but that's not my scene if all of the attention is on me, so my birthday has always been lowkey."

"Welp that's changing today, we're throwing you a party tonight!"

Rose declared suddenly, causing a few students to look over at us. I suck further into my seat, before I could advise against it the others were already agreeing and making plans.

"We can use the boat, moms going out with some friends tonight."

Juleka flicked one of her bangs out of her face and stuffed a chip in her mouth. Marinette was already pulling out her phone.

"I'll text my dad to make an emergency birthday cake,"

Nino raised his hand.

"I'll take care of the tunes."

"So I guess we're doing this."

Adrien shot me a comforting smile across the table.

"Trust me you're in good hands, they've done a lot of parties for all our friends."

I was struggling to see the positives of this situation but by the end of lunch, I settled into being indifferent and rolling with the punches.

The day practically flew by which was ironic because it was the one time I wanted it to drag out. I guess I should be grateful because most of the day was spent planning the party I never asked for. Even now they all started leaving the classroom in a hurry after being dismissed. I gathered my belongings into my bag and picked up my skateboard.

I appreciate my friend's kindness but I hate the burning feeling of being the center of attention more than anything. Ironic because of my profession but true nonetheless, performing was never the same as people just looking at you doing nothing. I can easily separate the two personalities of Echo and myself. I don't know why either, which makes it hard to explain.

"You good?"

I turned to Nathanial and nodded.

"Let's get out of here before the others track me down."

We chatted a bit about the homework Ms. Bustier assigned while we made our way out of the room to the stairs. I peeked over the railing spotting the others gathered at the bottom in our usual spot. I couldn't find the strength to bring myself to deal with their party planning.

"Let's take the far stairs."

He nudged my shoulder as we walked to the front of the building.

"Avoiding them isn't gonna stop them."

I rolled my eyes, taking my first step down the new set of stairs.

"Let me ignore my issues in peace please."

By the time I had reached the stairs, I said 'goodbye' to Nathenial and walked out the front gate. Taking a right towards my apartment, I put my board down and started to zoom down the streets. The colors of the city blended into a blur, and my hair blew in the breeze. Just as I approached my apartment, I could hear the revving of an engine behind me. I didn't need to check who it was as I came to a stop next to the set of stairs leading to my apartment.

Luka parked his motorcycle a few yards away from me and pulled off his helmet. I took my earbuds out as he approached.

"What are you doing here?"

He smirked and shook out his hair a bit.

"Don't think you can get out of this party that easily."

"I wasn't trying to."

I brushed past him up the stairs to the door. He followed a step behind, waiting patiently for me to unlock the door. Once I finished the task, Snickers galloped up to me and I greeted him with open arms. Luka crossed the threshold to lean against the counter.

"Then why did you take off?"

"I don't know, I guess I didn't feel like I really should be included in the conversation?"

I frowned at my weak excuse of not looking up from my mission to make Snickers leg kick with my belly rubs. I could feel his eyes on me, sighing. I set my bag on a chair next to the door.

"Birthday parties just aren't my thing, at least when they're about me. I don't like the attention."

He gave me a thoughtful look.

"I could see that, it's not your vibe."

I sent him a glare, with no real heat. My confidence diminished a bit when he pushed off the counter to stand in front of me. Luka's personality wasn't intimidating by any means but he was the tallest out of all my friends, and he towered over me in comparison.

I squash down the urge to shy away. He must have noticed this though because he frowned.

"Do I make you nervous?"

"What?! No."

He smiled softly down at me. He put a hand on my forearm and my eyes fluttered down to follow his hand.

"Good, you shouldn't be. This party really has you worked up, huh?"

I nodded warily.

"I don't like making a habit out of embarrassing myself."

"I doubt anything you do could be that embarrassing, you're just overthinking it and making yourself worry."

"Okay, mom."

Despite myself, I moved closer to him, challengingly. His smile only grew at this.

"Someone has to look after you."

"You don't need to."

We started to lean in closer until I was close enough to smell his cologne. Intoxicatingly clean pine smell.

He brought me out of my thoughts with his hand cupping the side of my face. I looked into his eyes, deep blues meeting e/c. He broke eye contact briefly to look at my lips, my mind was sent into a frenzy.

'Oh my god...'

He leaned down to me slowly, I could feel his breath against my face. Just as his phone started ringing.

In my defense, I think it scared both of us. We flew backward away from each other, he stumbled over Snickers who was behind him landing on the floor while I hit my back against the front door.

We looked at each other wide-eyed, and after a beat he answered his phone on the third ring.

"Um hey?"

His voice came out awkwardly and forced.

"Ya....umm.. okay."

He hung up and got to his feet.

"Marinette said to wear something dressy, all the girls are doing it."

His tone came across as slightly disappointed. There was an awkward silence before I sighed.

"I should start getting ready, want to hang out in my room?"

He nodded, trailing after me with Snickers in tow.

When I made it to my room I swung my door open and walked over to my closet. Luka flopped onto my bed half-hazard.

"What, are you burned out already?"

I chuckled.

"Na I'm just a little tired."

His voice came out muffled through the bed as he laid face down, arms out like a starfish. I walked over and started rubbing his back, he hummed slightly. My hands trailed up to his shoulders working my palms in the stiff muscles.

After a few minutes, I stopped and turned back to looking through my closet for a dress.

"That was the best back rub I ever had."

He ruffled his hair as he sat up, attempting to tame his bedhead.

"I'm glad, I think I'm gonna wear this."

I turned and showed him a fitted little black dress I wore to Caleb's birthday party last year. It was one of my favorite dresses. He nodded in approval as I moved over to my vanity mirror, sat on the chair. I touched up my makeup slightly.

"You really don't need makeup."

Luka commented, I looked in the mirror at him as he rubbed Snicker's head. The husky had climbed on a moment ago. I laughed absentmindedly at his comment.

"Thanks, I don't really like to wear a lot..."

I decided it was time to mess with him a bit.

"But it makes me feel sexy when I do wear it."

He choked on air, coughing into his hand as I observed him through the mirror. I spun around with a cheeky grin, openly laughing at him. He rolled his eyes.

"Very funny."

I grabbed his hand and pulled him up off the bed. Pushing him towards the door.

"Out so I can change!"

I slid into my dress, and reached for the zipper, looking back in the mirror for help. It took about five minutes of struggling until I finally bit down my embarrassment and walked over to the door.

I held the front of my dress up and opened the door. Luka was facing me leaning against the wall across the hall. He looked up from his phone and his eyes widened for a split second. My face felt like it was burning off.

"Could you zip me up?"

He nodded mutely. I turned around and held up my hair with one hand. The other kept the top of the dress up. I flinched when his cold fingers brushed against the skin on my back. He chuckled.

"Ticklish?"

He was taking his sweet time pulling the zipper up.

"Taking your time aren't you?"

He finished a second later and I spun to face him fixing my hair a bit. I could slightly register Snickers brushing past my leg. He looked down at me softly.

"You look beautiful."

"Let's go party I guess."