Author's Note: I actually play volleyball and it is a sport that I really love, but if not enough readers understand volleyball terminology then I will dedicate a chapter to explaining everything! Btw, I got the idea for this story through some fan-art, but I don't know who drew it! I felt a connection to that art, so if anyone knows who drew it let me know.

Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous or anything associated with it.

Chapter 1

Marinette's POV

"Knee pads, then shoes. Knee pads, then shoes."

Believe it or not, this is something every volleyball player has to think before going to a tournament. Why? No one really knows, but we do know that you better have your knee pads. I went through my mental checklist one last time before putting my hair up in pigtails. I quickly slipped on my red jersey and Ladybugs sweatshirt before running out to the car. Today is the first tournament of the co-ed volleyball season, and I can't wait. I fingered my number, 3, on my bag as my dad started the car. I smiled as I remembered why I picked this number in the first place.

It was my first year playing volleyball and boy, was I awful. I couldn't pass, set, hit, or even serve, but something drew me to the game. So I trained harder than anyone else, and now I'm the only setter in my team's 5-1 rotation. One year we were in a tight match with a team and the passes were not coming to me. So our libero ended up setting a few balls to me on the right side. The first ball, I was scared. I rarely have to hit as the only setter, so I tried to tip it. It went right into the block. The second time I got set, I rolled it… out of bounds. I was extremely frustrated by then, so the third time, I hit it, hard, and it went right between the 1/6 seam. Thus my best friend Alya (and my trusty outside hitter) hooked her arm around my neck and said, "third times the charm?" Thus, my lucky number was born.

Before I knew it, we were at the gym. I took a deep breath, we were ready, "see you for the first set dad!" I quickly gave my dad a hug and ran into the gym. I immediately found my team, the Ladybugs, and shuffled over to them.

"Ugh. Okay who didn't wash their knee pads?" Alya half yelled while pinching her nose. We all looked over at Ivan who turned away guiltily. Alya laughed, "we ready to go guys?" We all cheered, "don't go and start getting hyped without me!" The team turned to see the fiery red hair of our coach, Tikki, walking our way. "Okay guys, I just want to let you know that our first match is against… the Cats." Everyone audibly gasped. Tikki had told us that her ex-boyfriend/current boyfriend (it was "complicated"), Plagg, coached another volleyball team. This was going to be an interesting match.

We have a strong lineup.

1- Ivan (middle blocker)

2- Alya (outside hitter/left back)

3- Marinette (setter/right side)

4- Rose (libero)

5- Juleka (right side/right back)

6- Nathaniel (outside hitter/left back)

7- Kim (middle blocker)

We were ready. After practicing during the off season, we improved leaps and bounds.

"Nino?" I whipped around to see Alya looking quizzically at Nino, one of our best friends at school, wearing a Cats jersey. The team approached him, "we thought you said you weren't going to play this season?"

Earlier in the year Nino came and told the Ladybugs that he wouldn't be playing volleyball this season so he could focus on DJ-ing. I guess that wasn't true. Nino rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "well I wasn't, but then the Cats offered me a spot as their outside, so I couldn't refuse." "Whatever Nino," Alya said forcefully, "we'll see you on the court." Rose turned to go comfort Alya, but I stopped her before she could say anything, she just needed to cool down.

"Well hello there bugaboo," my eyes widened as I slowly turned. No one's called my bugaboo (or anything related to a bug)(long story) for years. But suddenly I was standing face to face with Adrien Agreste, my childhood friend.

"I can't do this anymore, I'm awful!" The young me had given up. I plopped down and began sobbing. "No you're not Marinette! You just started playing!" Adrien, who was my pepper partner that day, had rushed over to comfort me. "C'mon Mari. Let's keep playing." "No! I'm not as good as everyone else, and I never will be. What's the point?" Adrien smiled as he put a hand on my shoulder, "I'll train you every day if I have to, but someday we'll play on that court together. I promise!" I wiped my tears and sniffled, "okay, then that means I'm going to be a setter so that way we'll always have to be on the court together." We both laughed at this.

Since then we were together all the time; at school, during practice, doing homework, everything. It was about a year and a half later that Adrien had to move due to his father's work. "Here," I said plopping a bracelet in his hand while tears were streaming down my face, "so you won't forget me." "I'll never forget you buggie. Never."

It was at that moment I realized the memories were flooding back to both of us as we embraced in a hug. It's been almost 7 years since the last time we've seen each other. I looked down at his court shoes and laughed; he had strung the bracelet through his laces. He smiled, "I told you I'd never forget. I'd love to stay and chat, but we're about to play our first match. See you on the other side buggie."

It was only then I noticed his jersey, the same one Nino had been wearing. Adrien was playing for the Cats.

Whoo personally already liking this story. It's really relatable for me since I play volleyball lol. Like always, let me know what you think of this story.