This was the time.
Marinette was going to actually do it.
It was a simple Friday afternoon, and plastered all over school were signs for a masquerade dance.
Just do it, Marinette. She told herself. Would you rather say you tried or would you rather spend a night dreaming about what could have been? Then again, I could try and he'd say no, and I'd still spend a night dreaming about what could have been. And he'd be with another girl…and all of the most romantic things happen at masquerade dances, that's just how it works in literature. But that girl could be you! Just think of what coul- oh my gosh he's walking by. It's time.
"H-hi Adrien!" she stuttered out.
"Oh, hi Marinette. What's up?" He said with a slight smile.
"More like what's down, am I right? HA! Anyways, uh, did you hear about the dance masquerade? Err..the masquerade dance?"
"Yeah, it sounded pretty fun. I'm going, are you?"
"Y-yeah of course! I'm just going by myself though…I mean, Alya's coming with me, but I don't have, like, a date, y'know?"
You're doing good, just keep the conversation going. You got this.
"Yeah, I understand, and I don't have a date either. Maybe we could go together?" Adrien said with a toothy grin.
"No! I mean, yes! I didn't mean to say no, I don't know how that came out, because all I was thinking was one big YES! I'd love to go with you!"
Mission accomplished! And you didn't even have to do much work! He did all of the asking!
"Awesome! I can pick you up tonight at 6 then?"
"Oh yeah you can! See you then!" Marinette waved and quickly rushed to her next class in an excited scurry. She had a date to the dance- and it was her one true love! This couldn't be real!
"ALYA!" She said as she burst into the Chemistry class door. She clumsily ran to the stool at their station, almost knocking it down. "You will never believe what just happened!"
"Did you find out who Ladybug is?!" Alya responded quickly.
"Ye-NO! I didn't! Something even better happened! Adrien…asked me to the dance! I didn't even have to ask him myself!"
Hearing this, Chloe burst into the conversation. "HA! Adrien asked you? Oh, I hate to break it to you, but he already has a date! He must have gotten so distracted by your…awkwardness that he forgot! He's taking me, and I have an ever-so-gorgeous dress and mask, right, Sabrina?"
"Oh y-yeah." Sabrina said quietly.
You must be a pretty crappy date if he just forgot about you, but hey, whatever you say.
"He definitely asked me, Chloe. You probably just paid someone to make it look like he asked you." Marinette said.
With a sigh and a simple "hmph", Chloe left the conversation. The last statement was most likely true. Even if Adrien did ask her, he doesn't seem too fond of her.
So what if he asked Chloe? It's no big deal…at least he asked you, too, even if you are his second choice….Wait, I AM NOT A SECOND CHOICE!
The minute Marinette got into her room when she got home, she confronted Tikki on the issue.
"It sounds like Chloe is lying. Just go to the dance! Have fun! If anything happens between you and Adrien, let it happen! Enjoy yourself." She squeaked out. Hearing this wonderful advice, and feeling a new feeling of assurance, Marinette gave Tikki a cookie. She strolled to her closet and opened the doors.
Now, what can I wear to impress Adrien and still be able to dance in, while still keeping that formal dress code?
In the back of her closet hid a beautiful red and black dress. Black lace danced over the luxury red fabric…and it fit Marinette like a glove. She paired it with a red mask, and styled her usual pigtails into a simple updo. When she looked in the mirror, she almost gasped. She'd never looked that good in a long time.
Even Tikki came out of her purse and smiled. "Hey, you kind of look like Ladybug in that dress!" she said with a giggle.