Chapter 1: what even
"What?" Adrien blankly stared up at his father. His spoon filled with cereal was halfway to his open mouth and his eyes were almost glazed over from the lack of sleep he got from last night. His father, composed as ever, sighed and pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.
"I said, don't you think it's about time you got a girlfriend?" He repeated. Adrien blinked and lowered his spoon back in to his bowl. Was his father really suggesting that? He must've looked so lonely even his father noticed.
"Um, I dunno? No one has really caught my interest," he lied. Of course if he had his way he would've been Ladybug's boyfriend ever since they met. Unfortunately that probably wasn't going to happen any time soon.
"Well, I've been discussing some business with a couple of our usual magazines you model for and a few of them have mentioned your lack of involvement in the media," Gabriel told him. Of course. It wasn't that he looked lonely, it was for publicity. Adrien sighed and turned back to his lucky charms.
"I'll volunteer later at an animal shelter or something," he mumbled and resumed his breakfast.
"Adrien, that's…really unhealthy. Why do you insist on eating such American trash?" He questioned.
"Let me enjoy at least one aspect of my life, please," Adrien sputtered with a mouthful of milk and cereal. Gabriel was now the one to roll his eyes.
"Fine. As I was saying, you're a teenager now, practically a young adult. You can only go so long without a public relationship before rumors start to spread," he continued.
"What? Do you think people will think I'm gay just because I'm not holding a girl's hand?"
"You know I have nothing against the LGBT community. I'm just saying rumors might spread."
"Yeah, okay," he scoffed.
"Listen, it would be really good for business if you settled on a nice girl to date. She doesn't even have to be famous or anything, just someone the tabloids can have a field day over," he urged. Adrien was silent for a moment as he stared down at the marshmallows swirling around his spoon. The boy looked back up to his father with a tired expression.
"I'll see what I can do," he mumbled.
"If you can't find someone by the end of the week, then I can arrange for someone to fake date you. It's quite common for celebrities to arrange relationships for publicity," he informed him. Adrien nodded and felt his heart sink.
"Yeah, okay," he frowned at his cereal and took another bite.
"I'll leave you to your breakfast. Have a nice day," Gabriel said before leaving him alone in the giant dining room.
After his father was 100% out of the room Adrien leaned back against his chair and let out a huff of air. He either had to find a way to get Ladybug to go out with Chat Noir and reveal her identity, or find a girl in his class that would agree to a fake relationship without getting entirely clingy and excited over the fact that he was a famous model. Although the first option was optimal, the latter seemed more…realistic. If only he knew Ladybug's identity, then he would just ask her out. Something told him if she didn't know he was Chat she might've at least considered the fake relationship. Then again, that made it sound like he was tricking her into some kinda relationship with him other than a partnership. Messing with Ladybug would only end in disaster, so he decided to leave her out of this. This was Adrien Agreste's problem, not Ladybug's.
The blond's phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out to see a text message from his friend. Nino was asking him how his morning was, and Adrien replied shitty before putting it back in his pocket and walking out of the dining hall. Nathalie handed him his bag and he nodded to her before walking out to get in to the car. He was silent the entire ride to school, and faked a smile to his chauffeur before getting out and walking to Nino in the front of the school.
"Yo, what's up? You said your morning was shitty," Nino greeted. Adrien sighed and ran his hand through his hair. It was rather messy today. Mostly because he was up late studying his Chinese since he missed a class due to an Akuma earlier.
"My dad. He actually talked to me this morning, but only for a stupid business thing he wants me to do," he grumbled.
"Aw, man that sucks ass. What did he want you to do?" He asked.
"He wants me to get a girlfriend to get some publicity," Adrien muttered.
"A girlfriend? That's an odd request from your dad."
"Yeah, and he gave me a week to decide before he arrange one for me," he added as the bell rung.
"Don't worry, bro. You're Adrien Agreste! All the girls are already in love with you, so it's pick and chose for you," Nino assured him and flipped his arm over his shoulders.
"The problem is I don't really want a girlfriend right now. I'm busy as it is, so adding a girl to the pile is gonna stress me the hell out," he explained.
"While that is true, my friend, you have forgotten one of the perks of getting a girlfriend."
"What?"
"Girls are super cute, right? And you'll be surrounded by cute all the time. Girls are just soft and pretty and they always smell good. It's like having a walking talking flower with you everywhere," he pointed out.
"Depends on the girl," he muttered as they entered the classroom and sat at their seats. Of course he was referring to Chloé. She always smelled like an entire bottle of perfume and her skin was so dry from all the powder she used. Her clothes felt itchy, and her hair got everywhere.
"True, but like I said it's basically your choice. I'd give you a recommendation, but I dunno. I kinda want her for myself," he said smugly. Adrien raised an unimpressed brow.
"Okay," he replied. Nino's smile dropped.
"What? Are you not gonna ask who it is?"
"Well you said you want her for yourself, so I'm respecting that," Adrien said.
"Dude, you're too nice. You should ask me who it is," he urged.
"Listen, I'm sure Alya likes you back, but I'm not int-"
"Alya? I never said Alya. No no, my friend, I've got true angel on my mind," he interrupted. Adrien was still unimpressed and furrowed his brows.
"Uh…okay?"
"Okay okay, since you're nagging me so much, I'll tell you," he gave in.
"I wasn't-"
"Anyways, this girl is the cutest. You know her, and I'll be surprised if you can't tell who I'm talking. About already," he started. Adrien was clueless. He didn't really pay attention to any girl except Ladybug.
"Um…"
"C'mon dude! She's literally the cutest girl in class! I'm pretty sure even Chloé is kinda gay for her!"
"I know who it is," he lied. Nino lifted a brow.
"I don't know who it is," he confessed.
"Of course you don't. 90% of you're head is hair," he replied tapping his temple.
"Yeah yeah, I know I'm an airhead. Just tell me who it is," he growled, his fatigue getting the best of his patience (or lack there of).
"No way dude. Now you're gonna have to guess."
"Ugh, that's no fun."
"It's actually a lot of fun. If you want I can give you some hints," he said nudging Adrien's shoulder.
"Go ahead."
"Okay, so you already know that she's super cute, right?" Adrien nodded.
"But did you know she's also super sweet too?"
"No, you're literally telling me everything since I have no clue who you're talking about," he replied.
"Okay okay okay, I'll give you a more obvious one. She has dark hair," he informed him. Adrien looked over at him with a confused expression.
"Are you talking about Juleka?" He questioned.
"What? No. Do you think Juleka is cute?"
"Eh. I'm indifferent. Besides I heard she and Rose are a thing," he answered.
"True, but now let me give you another hint. She has blue eyes."
"I'm not dating Chloé."
"Ugh! Chloé has like boring blue eyes, but this girl…god this girl has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. It's like…wow. Whenever she looks at me with those eyes I swear I'm close to experiencing heaven," he said dreamily.
"Sounds cool."
"Cool? Oh no, Adrien. I swear, if you paid any attention to this girl you'd know what I'm talking about," Nino continued and leaned closer to emphasize how serious he was. Adrien on the other hand leaned away.
"Listen, Nino, if you like her so much I'm not gonna-"
"I'm talking about round face, pink cheeks, and a smile that could make your brain explode. These eyes…I swear it's something unearthly."
"Nino-"
"I'm sure you'll understand one day. You might not now, but one day…one day."
"Okay, I'm sure you're right, but-"
"I can probably guess how it'll happen. You'll just be having a regular conversation with her and she'll smile at you and it'll only take a split second for you to understand that she's amazing," he predicted.
"Okay, sure. I'll take your word for it," Adrien assured him and patted his shoulder.
"Good. And when it happens you have to absolutely tell me first."
"Okay-"
"Promise?"
"I promise."
