A Heavy Rainfall

1

Marinette forced a yawn down as she looked at her textbook. The words were swimming in front of her eyes as she put it down. A nudge came from the side. She looked to see her best friend Alya with a clear grimace on her face.

"Marinette, what's wrong with you, girl? You've been yawning since this morning." She whispered into her ear. She hid her textbook so Miss Bustier couldn't hear them talking.

Marinette forced a smile on her face. The images of the latest akuma attack flashed to the front of her mind. It was clear that Hawkmoth didn't need any sleep because it had happened at six in the morning. Which was still too early to get up for school

"I'm fine Alya, really. I'm just not sleeping well." She lied.

"What's keeping you up so late? This is the third time this week." Alya muttered.

"Erm, just some new designs. I've just been extra creative this week." Marinette stammered. Alya didn't look convinced but she moved away.

Marinette let out a sigh of relief and then looked to the seat in front of hadn't turned up at school yet. He had been late three consecutive times, even later than Marinette herself. She turned her attention to Nino who had put his feet up on the desk. He had his cap titled back. Soft snores could be heard; he was asleep.

"Alya, will you ask Nino where Adrien is?" Marinette pleaded, nudging her best friend as she saw Miss Bustier turn her back to them

"You're worrying too much. He'll show up!"

"Please." Marinette begged.

Alya rolled her eyes. "Only because you're my best friend."

She carefully removed a piece of paper out of her notebook, scrunched it into a ball and then threw it at Nino's arm. She had thrown it with such force that it woke him up.

"What's going on?" He yelled.

Everyone in the class stared at him and Miss Bustier turned with a heavy sigh.

"Nino, why are you yelling?" She asked with a shake of her head.

Nino looked at everyone's expressions and laughed nervously. He saw the paper ball on his desk.

"Nothing, just a bug!" He laughed it off.

"Well next time please be quiet. I am trying to teach a class." Miss Bustier replied. She turned back to read something on the board behind her.

"Alya, what did you wake me up for?" Nino muttered.

Alya pointed to Marinette who was now staring at the door. She was pouting and a small blush had appeared on her cheeks.

"Adrien?" Nino asked with an eyebrow raise.

"The one and only. She wants to know if he's told you why he isn't at school yet." Alya replied.

He looked at Marinette. "Sorry, haven't heard anything about the dude. He should be here soon!" He said with a wink.

Marinette almost screeched.

"Alya!" She whispered underneath her breath. Her best friend just covered her mouth as she laughed.

Five minutes passed slowly. Marinette kept a closeful eye on the door. No-one came through it. In fact it wasn't until the end of the class was drawing near, that a certain blonde came running through the pushed the door open and was panting. There were a few droplets of sweat pouring off his button nose. He leant back up and went to his seat, swinging his bag to the side.

"Adrien, I hope you have a good reason for showing up late and interrupting my class?" Miss Bustier said as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

Adrien scratched the back of his neck. "I had a model shoot that went a bit over. It won't happen again, I promise."

"I suppose there is nothing I can can do about that. However next time please make sure your school career has more priority in your life."

Marinette ignored the rest of the lesson. Instead she promptly stared at Adrien. He didn't seem to be paying any attention either. He was half gazing out the classroom window. Of course she couldn't see his whole face so he was in front of her, but she believed he looked wistful.

As the end of the lesson drew near and lunch could start. Alya started to whisper into Nino's ear about something. Marinette tried to listen but she kept getting prodded by her best friend's elbow. The only thing she whispered to her was, "You'll find out after school."

It was clear that once the class was over, Adrien had also been left out. Nino and Alya walked out of the door, still whispering. She had been hoping to eat lunch with Alya because this was one of the rare days that she was going to stay at school instead of going home.

Marinette got out of her seat and picked her bag up. She was going to follow them and find what they were up to. She suddenly stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"So our best friends have just ditched us huh?" Adrien said with a shrug.

Another blush formed on her cheeks as she stared at her crush.

"Yes, I guess they have." She managed to mumble out.

"Well since it's clear that they're spending time together. I think it's best if we grab something together too?"

Marinette's heart began to race. Adrien wanted to get lunch with her? Had this been Ayla's plan all along?

"Yes! I would love to eat you for lunch. No-I mean yes I would love to." Marinette looked at the floor, trying not to meet Adrien's gaze.

She only heard his wonderful laugh.

"Well let's go!"

She didn't have any time to register what was happening until he grabbed her hand and pulled her out the classroom. She just kept staring at his larger hand as he pulled her along. The tomato shade she usually turned was now probably scarlet red.

The cafeteria was right at the back of the school. Marinette normally brought a packed lunch that her parents prepared on the days she stayed. However since she had been in rush, the beautiful home-made bread wouldn't grace her lips today. Adrien had let go of her hand and now had gathered in the line. It looked like they were serving all sorts of soups today. Yet she couldn't help but notice the faint smell of fish coming from somewhere.

Marinette picked a bread roll up and some soup. She followed Adrien as they sat down together.

"So where do you think those two could have gone?" Marinette said with a goofy smile. She didn't know how long she could stay calm in front of him. Where was Alya?

As lunch passed, Marinette was able to keep a steady conversation with him going. It was mostly about trivial things such as school work and then somehow Marinette's fashion designs came up.

"You know when I saw them for father's shoot, I was pretty amazed. I think you should let my father have a look at them."

Marinette felt like she was on cloud nine. Could this day get any better?

"Adrikins!" A shrill voice called across the cafeteria. Marinette's mood turned sour. The only person that voice could belong to was Chloe.

She came out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around Adrien. He frowned and tried to pry them away but Chloe kept her grip tight.

"I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"I can see that." Adrien replied as he was finally able to get her arms off him.

Marinette grumbled as Chloe tried to grab Adrien away. She was successful and the two of them began to talk. Adrien didn't really give her a second glance.

"Why is she the most annoying person on the planet!" Marinette grumbled.

"Oh well, you're nothing like her!" Tikki said as she flew out of Marinette's clutch bag.

"I think it's time we headed back to class."

Tikki nodded and flew back into her bag.

Nino and Alya had returned just before afternoon classes had about to begin. Marinette wasn't sure what to think of the expressions on their faces.

When school had ended and it was time to collect their bags from underneath their desks, Marinette was stopped by Alya's hand.

"What's going on?" She asked as she put her backpack on.

"Nino and I were discussing something at lunch. I think you might like the sound of it." She nudged Marinette and then winked in Adrien's direction.

Nino was in the middle of talking to him and using very wild arm gestures.

"Can I ask what this thing is?" Marinette asked with a gulp.

"Ice-skating. Nino's inviting Adrien. We were supposed to go on a date but I figured we might as well invite you two along."

"Alya. Think this through again, as much as I would love to go with you guys. It's me. I'm clumsy, remember? I'm probably going to break an arm."

"I know, but you will be fine!" Alya patted her on the back and then pushed her down the steps.

Adrien turned and gave him a wide smile. Marinette wanted to melt underneath his wonderful gaze.

"Ice-skating huh? Sounds like a plan. I don't have anything planned for tonight so I'm hoping Father would let me go."

Marinette smiled back and carried on staring at his face. He frowned when she didn't reply back.

"Marinette, are you okay?" He asked.

"I'm fine, just looking at your perfect face." Marinette muttered, not aware of everything around her.

She realised what she had said when Adrien looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"No! No! That's not what I meant! I meant that I bet you're perfect at ice-skating!" Marinette said, trying to save her previous blunder.

"I"m not really sure. I've only been once or twice. Those were with my mother." Adrien said with a small smile. His eyes looked empty as he finished what he was saying.

"Well I'm sure you are!" Alya laughed and pulled Marinette along.

They took the subway to the iceskating rink. Gabriel Agreste had been quite lenient with Adrien, something that surprised all four of them. Alya had questioned it but Adrien had just waved her off. The rink they were heading to had only been built a couple of months ago. It was shaped like a massive dome and they could see teenagers their age heading inside, ice skates clinking as they held them.

The four of them headed inside where music was thumping. The rink was quite large and they could see a couple of people skating already. Some of them looked professional while others like small children clutched onto penguins.

"Looks like I might need one of those." Marinette muttered to herself.

"You will be fine!" Adrien said with a wink as he paid his fee to enter.

The remaining three of them followed suit and headed to the skate hire. They were very heavy as Marinette put them on her feet. It was hard to walk in them as she stood up. Adrien walked towards her. His movements were graceful, almost like a cat's. It was like he wasn't even wearing ice skates.

She was able to balance herself as the two of them made their way onto the ice. Alya and Nino were skating side by side, quite effortlessly.

Marinette took a deep breath as she stepped onto the ice. She started to move one leg forward but felt herself stumble and caught the railing just in time. She felt strong hands on her back that helped to lift her up. Adrien was behind her and smiled./

"I think you might need some help there." He said with a wink.

Marinette just nodded. He skated around in front of her and put his hands out.

"I can remember how to skate, so I'm going to teach you, is that alright?"

"Yes." Marinette nodded and watched as he put one foot in front of each other. He slightly bent his foot out. He almost looked like was gliding.
"Just copy what I do, okay?" He said with a smile.

Marinette nodded again and started to copy him as they glided around the rink. They both failed to notice a couple behind them beginning to argue.