Chapter 1

"Okay Mari, did you get all of that?" Of course she had gotten it Marinette thought to herself. And her dad knew it as well, but it would still comfort him nonetheless to hear his teenage daughter repeat his instructions for the third time. The baker had had his daughter repeat his instructions first in her bedroom, secondly in the living room, and lastly in the bakery as the two adults were heading out.

Marinette made sure to sigh dramatically before answering to emphasize that this was the last time she was repeating anything other than goodbyes.

"Okay, so you and mom are going to England for a week to visit this bakers convention thing and I'll be in charge of the bakery until you get back." Marinette looked at her father to see if that hurried explanation was good enough for him, but it clearly wasn't. She sighed again and added, "You called some of our regular customers to let them know so it would be easier on me. And-" She hurried before her dad could interrupt, "I'll call you and mom or close the shop if things get too rough." Her father quickly dropped his expectant gaze and sighed with relief. Marinette assumed this meant she was finally done with all of the repeating.

A few seconds later, Marinette's father looked back up at his daughter with a defeated smile on his face.

"Okay Mari I get it," He chuckled. "You'll be fine. You're perfectly capable of handling the shop on your own." Marinette gave him a soft smile to let him know everything was okay and stepped forward to give her dad the biggest hug she could muster (though it was nothing compared to the hug she received from him).

After a few moments, Marinette turned to her mother to do the same, all the while trying very hard to stay strong to prove she could handle this. However, it would be a lie to say the high schooler wasn't grateful for the hug, seeing as it allowed her to hide her face. Her father joined in the hug and Marinette felt the corners of her mouth slide upwards as a smile formed and she couldn't help but hold her parents even closer.

It had felt like she and her parents had stood there in that hug for an eternity, but a minute later, Marinette found herself watching her parents walk out the door shouting several teary goodbyes on their way to the airport. Marinette felt the tears forming in her eyes again as she watched them leave. Her parents would only be gone for a week, but she missed them already. With a start, Marinette felt a small squeeze on her thumb and looked down to see a small, red kwami with thumb in hand and a reassuring smile on her face. Marinette felt better already knowing she wouldn't be alone this week. And Tikki's smile was enough to brighten any day.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Marinette looked back up at the bakery with confidence running through her veins. It couldn't be that hard. If her parents could run the shop on their own then why couldn't she. She was Ladybug after all! She could do this!

She could not do this.

Marinette's parents had done their best to make running the shop as easy as it could be, but the young high schooler hadn't comprehended the amount of work it took to run the shop on her own. There were orders to fill, customers to cater, shelves to be stocked and restocked, trucks to be unloaded, and all sorts of pastries and breads to be baked. It was too much work for one person. Even more so when that person was a sophomore in high school, a fashion designer in training, and most importantly, Paris's most needed heroine, Ladybug. Marinette had convinced herself that the recent increase in akuma attacks was no accident. It was as if Hawkmoth knew just how busy Ladybug had been!

As her eyes glanced over at the clock, Marinette realized it was finally closing time. After changing the cheery OPEN sign to CLOSED, Marinette slumped to the bakery floor and leaned back to rest her head against the cabinets. Not a second later, her clearly exhausted kwami joined her on the floor. Looking over at her friend, Marinette knew that the week had been much harder for the kwami than it had been for herself. Not only had Tikki gone through several transformations throughout the week, but she had also helped Marinette with all the baking she had to do. On top of that, Tikki had stayed at the shop while Marinette was at school to get caught up on all the orders needing to be filled. Marinette, on the other hand, didn't feel she deserved the amount of help the kwami offered, but she was grateful nonetheless.

Fortunately, the week was nearly over, and her parents would be returning the next day. Marinette didn't think she could handle another day like this.

Marinette gently picked up the now sleeping kwami and carefully placed her in the ever familiar purse as she stood. Marinette then walked around the house, making sure to check and doublecheck that all the windows and doors were locked as she made her way upstairs. A few minutes later she found herself sitting in the chair by her desk when a notification popped up on her computer. After taking a look at the screen, Marinette found a text from her parents.

'Need to talk. Are you available for video chat sweetie?'

Hmm… Well that was strange. It was true that her parents had talked with her through video chat each night, but it was usually very casual and cheery. Marinette sincerely hoped everything was alright, so she made sure to send a quick reply.

'Yep, im available. call me when ur rdy.'

Not a minute later an answer call icon popped up on her screen with a picture of her parents floating above the words Mom and Dad. Marinette hurriedly clicked the button as she wondered what her parents needed to talk about.

The picture of her parents was then enlarged to cover the whole screen, only to be replaced by a live video of her parents' hotel room. The layout of the room had been exactly how Marinette remembered from previous video chats, but the normal cheeriness and excitement in her parents eyes was clearly missing.

"Marinette! Sweetie how are you doing? Did you have a good day today?" Marinette was glad to hear her mother trying to keep things light, but she could still tell that it was only to lighten what came next.

"I'm doing fine Mom. And today was a bit rough, but I got through it. Umm… Didn't you say there was something you needed to talk to me about?"

"Yes, there was sweetie… You see, while your father and I were here, we met this wonderful young man who offered us a great deal that would really help the bakery. We haven't said yes yet because we wanted to speak with you first, Mari dear. The thing is, if we do accept his deal, your father and I will have to stay a few more days. But we'll only stay if that's alright with you sweetie. We don't want to create more work for you than we already have."

Marinette's heart sank. A few more days? She had barely made it through the week! She was so shocked, that Marinette couldn't even comprehend what she said next.

"Yeah mom that's fine. I can totally handle a few more days. No sweat! If this is going to help the bakery, then I say go for it!."

"Oh Marinette are you sure? You know that we can just come home now if it's too much work for you."

"Thanks, but I'll be fine Mom."

Marinette and her parents then spent the next 20 minutes or so just chatting about their day, but Marinette's mind was elsewhere. She couldn't stop thinking about how she could fit everything into her already crazy schedule. It was too much for one girl! She'd have to give up something. Homework? Food? Sleep? Sleep it is. Who needs sleep anyways?

As she said goodbye to her parents, Marinette couldn't help but hear a faint shriek in the distance. After running up the stairs to her bed and opening the hatch, that faint shriek grew into a loud scream, accompanying the other crashes and cries of terror that went hand in hand with an akuma attack.

Hello Ladybug. Goodbye sleep.

Four days later, the sleep deprived heroine was struggling to stay awake in the first class of the day. Her best friend Alya had been worried about her all week, but seeing as she offered no explanation, Marinette kept receiving worried glances as well as 'are you okay?' and 'whats up' texts in the middle of class. By now Marinette was just ignoring her phone and trying not to fall asleep (again).

With a start, Marinette felt her phone buzz yet again, then a second time, and finally a third before Alya gently nudged her shoulder. Marinette tried to pretend she hadn't felt anything, but four 'gentle' nudges later she had her phone in hand and a clearly satisfied Alya sitting next to her.

The first text was of course from Alya; it was extremely similar to her previous texts.

'Hey girl u doing okay? You know u can always talk to me if somethings up Mari.'

The message was sweet, but Marinette still couldn't bear to bother her friend. So she quickly swiped her phone screen to read the next text.

'Marinette im really worried about u girl. Did something happen? Do i need to bEAT SOMEONE UP FOR U? Hey jkjk, but srsly, plz tell me whats up, i wanna be there for my BFF u know?'

Marinette wanted to tell her everything right then and there, but since there was still one message left, she gave Alya a quick smile and returned to her phone. This next message wasn't from Alya though. It was from her mom. Marinette frantically opened the text, and her face fell with each word.

'Marinette, we're really sorry, but Tom and I won't make it back tomorrow. We were ready to leave today, but there was an accident at the airport and all the flights have been delayed. We still don't know when we'll make it back, but we're doing everything we can. Tom and I just found out and we figured you should know as soon as possible. We never meant for you to be in charge of the shop this long so if you need to you can close it for now. We don't want you to have to work so hard while we're gone. We both love you Mari and we'll be home soon. :)'

Marinette silently pocketed her phone as she felt the tears forming in her eyes. She was beyond exhausted and extremely stressed, but she couldn't possibly cry now. She couldn't cry in class, not in front of Alya, and especially not in front of Adrien. She had to be strong or else she would let everyone down. She had to keep the shop open or she would let her parents down...

It was taking all of her energy to keep the tears at bay, so Marinette was surprised when she felt the warm, salty tears rolling down her face. She couldn't stay in class any longer, so she did the only thing she could think of. Run.

Alya had been worried about Marinette all day. All week in fact. The usually lovestruck girl had grown quieter and less Adrien obsessed by the day. And yet Alya hadn't done anything to help, yet. As soon as she found out why Marinette was so down, she would fix it. She looked over at the girl sitting next to her who was deliberately avoiding eye contact.

So far her concerned texts hadn't worked, but Alya figured she'd try one last time to reach out before she took more drastic measures. She sent one text but felt that wasn't enough, so she added another that was more from the heart. Alya waited for Marinette to pick up her phone, but when she didn't, Alya realized her friend was ignoring her. In return, she scooted closer to Marinette and nudged her shoulder. Once, twice, four times before Marinette huffed in compliance and pulled out her phone.

At first, Marinette's face showed no emotion, then a small smile formed on her face and she gave Alya a thankful look. Alya was smiling too, until she saw Marinette's grin disappear. In a single second, the girl had gone from thankful to distraught. Marinette looked almost terrified of what she was reading. And then, she was crying. Alya's friend made no sound, but tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto and the desk. Alya immediately reached out to comfort her friend, but in a split second, Marinette was up and out the door with hands on her face to cover her crying eyes.

Alya stood and heard a clank as her chair fell backwards. She was poised to run after her friend, but suddenly Adrien stood. Except it was more like a jump followed by a sprint. By the time Alya had taken a single step, Adrien was out the door in pursuit of Marinette.

The moment Marinette had stepped outside, her tear streaked eyes searched for a place to hide. The first thing to catch her eye was a bench to the side of the school, hidden mostly by shrubbery. Her slim legs quickly propelled her to the bench, where she sat hunched over with hands over her eyes. She knew that Alya would probably come find her soon, but right now she just needed to be alone.

The last thing Marinette wanted to do was let her parents down. But now, she might have to do just that. That single thought was all she needed to burst into tears yet again.

Before she knew it, Marinette heard footsteps coming her way. It was too soon. She didn't want to talk to Alya right now. She couldn't. Once Alya made it to the bench, she sat down next to Marinette and placed a tentative, yet comforting hand on her shoulder. Marinette was grateful for the gesture, though it only made her want to confide in her friend even more.

"Oh Alya I just can't do this anymore." Marinette guessed that her heart had finally decided to spill the beans, so her mind quickly went along with it.

"I've just been so stressed lately. I'm so busy and tired and I don't know what to do. Alya I don't even have time to obsess over Adrien anymore." That moment Marinette had decided to look up at her friend for support. Except it wasn't her friend. Well, not the friend she was expecting. It was Adrien.