Hello all, I thank you all for your messages of well wishing. This semester I took a creative writing class and that exhausted my writing motivation. As for Parasite, I really don't want to say I'm done with it, but I just don't have the motivation for it right now.

This is just a little story I've been working on in my free time, between my next story. I have a Kingdom Hearts story all planned out and a few chapters written called, "My Kingdom for a Heart." But I'm going to wait on that until this one is over.

Again, thank you for your patience. I love all my readers.

"Today is the day." Marinette had been chanting this mantra every day for the last three weeks. The hand stitched handkerchief felt heavy in her hands. It wasn't much, but it was something that she poured her heart into and she really wanted him to like. The bell rang, and class was dismissed. School was done for the day, so it was now or never. She swallowed. Say something. Something. Anything!

Tikki zipped inside her jacket for extra support.

"H-Hey Adrien?" She squeaked. So far so good!

The blonde looked up at her in surprise. "Hey Marinette!" He smiled.

"C-can I…" she gulped. "Can I talk to you?"

He seemed surprised. "Sure, what's up?"

"Uh…privately."

A look of understanding came over his face and he smiled warmly. "Absolutely." He guided her out of the classroom, and took a seat with her on a bench in the courtyard. They watched in mild interest as their classmates filtered out. Alya passed and threw a wink and a thumbs up to her best friend. Marinette shrugged.

"How's your day been?" The model asked, making casual conversation until they were alone.

"Oh, it was good. Yeah…passed my English test."

"You did? Good for you! I barely passed. It was hard."

"Yeah it was!" She agreed a little too enthusiastically. "I'm…pretty okay with English, if you need any help."

"I should be asking for help with my Chinese. Your mom's from China, right?"

"Oh, yeah. Though, my Chinese is pretty bad. You'd probably be more help to me then I to you."

"Then you help me with English, and I'll help you with Chinese."

"Fair enough." She smiled at him.

By this time, they were all alone, and Marinette was hyper aware of it. She licked her lips.

"So…what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I—…" The words died on her lips. He bored is his green eyes into hers and she melted. "I—…" She tried again, but it wasn't happening. She gave him the handkerchief.

"Wow, what's this?"

In silky green thread, she embroidered his name in cursive. And after it, was a little red heart. He ran his fingers over it in admiration. "Marinette…"

"I—I love you."

His head spun to look at her so fast he thought he'd snap his neck. Her own eyes were wide in horror, like she hadn't meant to say it, but she wasn't correcting herself. She took a deep breath and continued, "I have for a long time…I just had a hard time saying it."

He remained quiet in shock.

"I mean, you're really nice and polite, and your smart and cute—!" She face colored further. "I just—…"

Adrien was touched. He rested his hand on hers. "Thank you, Marinette. Thank you for telling me." His smile was sincere.

Marinette felt herself start to relax, despite the goosebumps on her scalp. Even if he didn't return her feelings, her worst nightmare of him laughing at her was gone. He was happy.

"All this time, I thought I did something to hurt your feelings. And that's why you were so shy around me. I didn't think…I couldn't imagine…" He looked at the handkerchief. "I'm flattered."

"You were always this lofty, unimaginable dream. Like, I really wanted to be with you, but you were so out of my league...I don't know. Maybe that's why it was so hard to talk to you."

"Oh Marinette." He squeezed her hand. "Don't think like that! I'm just a normal guy! Please Marinette, I'd really like to get to know you more."

A new smile bloomed on her face.

"You probably don't want to hear this..." Adrien started with a grimace, "but truth is, I'm in the same place you were. I'm in love with this...perfect girl. But she's so...way out of my league! But she'll never return my feelings." He sighed. "You're amazing Marinette. You confessed to me, despite your fears. I still haven't been able to tell her." He looked her in the eyes. "Maybe I should look at what I have instead of pining after the impossible."

Marinette shook her head. "I don't want you to give up on someone you like just because I like you!"

He chuckled, "I probably won't be able to, anyways. But I still want to get know you. You never know what will happen. You are really sweet Marinette. And your designs are awesome! And you're the only one with the balls to stand up to Chloe!"

"Is it her? Is she the one you're in love with?"

Adrien made a gagging sound. "No, absolutely not." He frowned. "She was my only friend when I was homeschooled. And, she was...okay. My dad really supported the Mayor's campaign financially, so they kind of pushed us together. The only reason I put up with her is because of my dad. I wish I could tell her off. I'm so sick of her!"

It was like calling for the devil. "Addrrriiikkkinnss!" A shrill voice cut through the courtyard. The blonde stomped up the steps. "There you are! That black kid you talk to said you were here! What are you doing?!" Then she noticed the bluenette. "Oh, it's you."

"I was having a very pleasant conversation with Marinette." He said simply.

Chloe saw the handkerchief sticking out of his hand and swiped it from him. "Oh my God!" She laughed as she examined the stitching. "She confessed to you?! That's rich! Little pathetic Marinette thought she had a chance with Adrien!"

"Hey! Knock it off!" Adrien shouted at Chloe, but she ignored him.

Chloe dropped the cloth on the floor and stepped on it. "Listen Marinette, don't take this the wrong way, but you're so out of your league. Adrien is rich and famous and gorgeous and talented. And you're—..." She looked her up and down. "Enough said."

"I didn't ask for your advice Chloe." Marinette tried to be confident, but her voice was barely a whisper.

"See, you can't even deny it, because you know I'm right!" She haughtily put her hand on her chest. "I know all about your little obsession on my Adrien! Besides the obvious. Sabrina told me about the posters of him you have all over your room. And how you have his schedule all written out! You're such a stalker! Why would you ever think that he'd like a creep like you?!"

Marinette had her face buried in her hands. She was mortified and sick to her stomach. Everything was looking so hopeful up until then. But Chloe...she just had to!

Adrien went to grab Marinette's shoulder, but Chloe grabbed him instead. "Come on Adrien! My daddy said that your dad said that you have to take me to the movies!"

Adrien looked back at Marinette as the blonde pulled him down the stairs. She shook with sobs. He had to do something, but not now. He'd take some flowers to her later and let her know he didn't feel the same as Chloe.

But for now, he just hoped she'd find hope in the tenderness he showed.

The tears would not stop for Marinette. She knew it was just Chloe just trying to get to her, but it didn't ease the pain. Normally, she'd be able to roll it off, but Adrien was a soft spot.

"Marinette...don't cry. You know Adrien doesn't think you're pathetic!"

"But what if he does now?!" She wiped at her face. "He wasn't supposed to know that stuff Tikki!"

"Please Mari, calm down..."

The girl sniffed and shook her head. "I will...but I just need a minute to cry."

Tikki sat silently on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

Suddenly, all of her sorrow turned to blinding white rage. The urge to kill was strong within her as Mari raised her head, a purple mask ghosted on her face.

"Seamstress, I am Hawkmoth. I can help you win the heart of the boy you love, and help you get revenge on his captor. You just have to get Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous."

Marinette froze. All emotion gone. She felt Tikki on the back of her head, keeping her head clear.

"What do you say?" The voice spoke.

Marinette breathed deeply. "No thank you. I want to win Adrien on my own. Revenge isn't worth it."

"I GAVE YOU POWER! AND YOU REJECT IT!" His voice made her head hurt, tears erupted at the sound.

"I don't want your powers!" She called back.

"I WILL SHOW YOU YOUR POTENTIAL!"

Marinette watched in horror as her body was covered with black smoke. Her felt her lips being shut tightly, despite her wanting to scream out. When she could see herself in the window of the classroom, she was covered with flowing, lacy fabric. A large bow tied around her waist, and a spool was at her back. A sword-sized needle floated next to her. But more terrifying then anything else, her mouth was sewn shut. Marinette started towards the stairs, her body moving without consent. How would this end? Even if she did have to face Chat, he wouldn't be able to cure her. She just prayed above all hope for a miracle.