With the swish of my blade, and the swift movement of my leg, I was twirling. The world a blurr. My thoughts left me and I let my mind wander to my familiar place of solitude. My blueish black hair, in a soft braid on one side, became slightly undone as I jumped and twirled slowly releasing the stress that was built up. The only resistance was the gigantic red Ice Rink Jacket I had as a uniform and black hat that kept my ears warm. My legs were slightly cold, being in only thin jeans and a t-shirt underneath my coat to help keep me warm and comfortable.

I stopped abruptly when I heard my name being called by my dear friend Alya rushing from the skate chalet in a rather tense tone. "Marinette!"

A tanned brunette came rushing out of the chalet, Alya. The brisk air causing her cheeks and face to flush. She was wearing a black plaid shirt and black leggings that clung to her ankles. Her black winter boots and black winter hat, paired with the mandatory red ice rink coat were the only signs of being cold. "You're needed in the chalet, we have some uh…" she paused a moment, "Unruly guests."

Nodding, I exited the rink and clambered down the stairs in my blades. It's always more difficult to walk in skates, than to actually skate in them. I gracefully walked up towards the front of the chalet. It wasn't a long distance, maybe about 20 feet into the chair that awaited me at the till.

Once I was comfortably sitting and off of my ice skates I glanced at the guests across from me.

The three guests who awaited her assistance stood there, all on their left foot, tapping their right impatiently. The woman wore a floral shirt that flowed to her waist and a pair of long black trousers and business shoes. The children were in somewhat comfier attire, but still had an arrogance that radiated from them. The two children were mimicking their mother. "How may I take care of you today?"

The woman puffed her chest and pulled her white rimmed glasses onto the bridge of her nose. "Well, it's about time you showed up. Your employees are of no help WHATsoever!" The woman looked absolutely annoyed and Marinette could tell there were only a few ways this could end. "For one! The young lady over there," the woman pointed toward Alya, "Told me, ME, that I cannot leave my children here whilst I go and visit my friend in the coffee shop down the way. I have never, NEVER, been told that I couldn't do that before!"

I listened intently trying to form the words within my mouth. Then keeping full eye contact and a calm manner I began. "Yes, ma'am. Well as that may have been true last year, this rink has come under new management. We have had to re-enforce our rules this year so that we have a safe and enjoyable time. For this reason we can not allow you to leave these children unattended here."

I noticed that the woman had frozen. She seemed unsure of how to approach replying, although still angry, she probably didn't want her children to know that she was perfectly fine leaving them without a care. So she replied with a hasty, "Don't you think I want the best for MY children? We will be on our way now." Then after a quick turn on her heal she called for her children, nearly falling in the process. Pulling her children along as they complained that they didn't get what they wanted.

"Poor little kids. They probably have never been told NO before. Let alone their mother." Alya snickered.

I turned and giggled softly into my hands, all the confidence of my recent interactions fading. The shy, lonely girl showing through my facade. "I didn't say it rude or come across as arrogant did I?"

Alya held back a laugh, "Girl, you have always been spot on when it came to performing a task or job that needed to be done." Alya hugged her, "Besides, I wouldn't have asked you for help otherwise."

"Right…" I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Leave it to Alya to save the day."

A knock on the chalet door caught our attention, and upon further inspection we found that it was the last friend involved in their trio, officially named DAM. We originally wanted to do funny nicknames like NyQuil and DayQuil and ZZZQuil...but we all thought it was hilarious that we all spelled DAM. "Hi guys, sorry. I got caught up in traffic."

"It's just fine, Diana. No worries." Alya smiled.

Diana was originally a blonde, but recently went into the rebellious, I mean, adventurous side that caused her to dye her hair dark blue. She loved to do her hair up into a small bun that she only did during work, otherwise she would curl it or leave it draping over her shoulders. She wore her normal work attire, black on black, and fitted it with her red work coat and dark blue boots.

"So how has it been going? Not too busy I hope." Diana questioned as she put her stuff on the shelves for their personal belongings.

The chalet was rather small in size, compared to a normal business. Approximately 10 x 10, with just enough room to cram 3 teenagers within and maybe a few hundred Ice Skates. The shelves lined the rim on two sides and a shelf in the middle that went about two thirds of the way into the room. A counter that ran along the other two sides of the box acted as the till area and the skate pickup and drop off space. Their sizes ranged anywhere from a toddler size 8 to a men's size 17. Which were surprisingly used more often than not.

"We haven't been terribly busy. Just had to help a mom and two children who were deciding whether or not to skate." I lied knowing that Diana hated it when people tried to second guess the rules. She supposed that was why she always allowed her to go on "Ice Patrol" to keep the guests from breaking the rules and also helping them learn some basics to skating.

"Well awesome." Diana smirked, glancing at Alya. "Your shift is ending soon right?"

Alya and I nodded, "But yours has just begun…"

"True, but if you want you could stay a while. I know that a certain someone also works tonight~." Diana winked in my general direction. Oh no, here it comes.

Alya perked up, "Well I would say that calls for us to skate a little after work then, wouldn't you say Marinette?"

I tried, honestly, but my ears began to turn a shade of pink, and that was all the confirmation Alya and Diana needed.

...

A little later Alya and Marinette's shift ended and they both hopped into some skates, or rather re-laced them, and began to twirl and dance around the ice.

Diana had arrived sooner than the rest of the shift, so when she needed to use the bathroom she asked if Alya could watch the place for a few minutes.

I noticed Diana and Alya grinning and whispering to each other. They were always up to something. Especially once they figured out I had a crush on one of the team members. I don't remember HOW they had managed it, but now that they know it is extremely difficult to ignore them pestering me. I decided to ignore them and continue skating.

I went around the rink a few times and built up some speed. I arched my back and brought a leg up to my head, grabbing my skate blade in the process. After a few moments I let go.

Shifting my weight I turned around and sped around a corner. Then I let my leg run behind me and spin me around so I was facing forward. I slowly came to a stop. Since no one was watching I decided to try something new.

Going around the rink again and gaining speed I remembered the steps. Once in an area of the rink I was comfortable with I began.

I jumped and spun in the air, a simple yet nice jump. Then landing on one foot I caught the other in the ice and pushed force down, jump again and sending me into the air. I then forced all of my weight and center of gravity to my center. I pulled my feet together slowly gaining speed and began to spin. Faster and faster.

The world began to blur. Blood rushing to my head and spinning out of control, almost. When I finally came to a stop and opened my eyes, my heart almost died.

He was staring at me, stunned. It wasn't that great, really, but his emerald green eyes were piercing my soul. His golden blonde hair that just touched the tip of his ears sparkled in the brisk air. Adrien, in all his perfection, was staring at me.

"H-hi?" I said. Trying to break the silence.

He finally realized he was caught staring and ran behind the chalet in an instant. Zipping inside. I saw him shuffle out of view.

I exited the rink, walking down the steps carefully. I tend to fall flat on my face, or fall in general, whenever he was around, so I needed to be extra careful. At least more careful than normal.

Alya had let him in and was switching roles. I tapped on the glass, and when Alya glanced outside she smiled. "I'm coming" she mouthed. She glanced towards Adrien and shook her head, then she began to pick up her things from the counter and bring them outside, all the while smirking. She knew.

"So~" Alya was stifling her laughter, glancing at Marinette. "How was practicing those new moves I saw? It was pretty cute."

I was trying to not blush harder, I knew that Alya was actually mentioning Adrien staring. She absolutely saw him, he was right next to her window and it was blatantly obvious. Clearing my throat I shrugged. "Fine I guess. I just messed up towards the end. It's no big deal."

"You almost fell down the stairs on your way over to the window...did anything happen?" She nudged her side and a looked over to the chalet where Adrien and Diana were. "He seemed a bit flustered on his way in…"

"I would say." I rolled my eyes. "Anywho...how's that mystery fellah in your Instagram DM's that keeps messaging you?"

"Oh you mean the Bubbler guy?" Alya asked innocently.

It was the only way to change the subject. She couldn't stop talking about him the other day, so I figured that was my best bet. "Uh, duh. He is all you could talk about the other day."

We sat down on the cold concrete surface we used as seats for our guests. It wrapped around a fireplace and so it kept the few lucky people who sat there warmer than the rest during colder days like this. I began to unlace my ice skates and put on my regular beat up old boots.

"Okay, well today he messaged me about how cold it is where he is from, that means he lives in a similar climate as me...which could be pretty much anywhere that the snow is. I know it doesn't narrow it down much, but it's enough to keep my spirits high." Alya then continued to talk about all of the happenings that she has learned about him and how adorable he is over text. If I didn't know any better I would say Alya was head over heels with him. Well, metaphorical heels.

"I'm happy for you Alya. I just wish he would meet you in person already."

"Me too! I've been too nervous to ask, and I don't know if he already has a girlfriend or not, but I hope not. He is just the sweetest." Alya begins to cover herself in her personal jacket, removing her big red work coat. "If it's meant to be, it will be. Besides, even if it doesn't work out I am still rooting for you and Adrien."

I rolled my eyes and laughed. Of course she would tie it back to us. Lord help me if we do get together, she would just grow a bigger matchmaking ego. "Well, if we do get together, I will owe all of it to you for being my support."

Laughing we both got up and gave each other hugs. "I'll see you tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn't snow and make it so we have to shovel the rink again." Alya let out a sigh. "But if it does, make sure to call me and I'll get here early."

"Sounds good, thanks Alya. See you tomorrow." I gave her a big hug and waved goodbye as I began my trek to my car in the back parking lot of the mall. Before I made it very far I was grabbed from behind.

"You can't just leave without saying goodbye to me!" Diana said in a playfully offended tone.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I just got distracted."

"I could tell." Laughing we gave each other a tight squeeze. "See you later."

I gave her another quick hug and then thought of something, "Hey, Diana?"

"Yes?"

"If it snows tomorrow, do you mind if I call you for help shoveling?" I knew we could use all the help we could get."

"Oh sure! No problem." Diana smiled, a real smile that reached her eyes. "Just let me know and I'll be there."

I knew she would always be there for me. "Thank you."

Diana waved, "Might see you tomorrow then. Goodbye Marinette!" Then she was gone, back to the chalet with my love.

I smirked. My life is so weird. For one I run and manage an Ice Rink in the middle of a mall at the age of 18. Many people think I am too young to run a business like this, which is why many guests come to our window demanding respect from us younger kids. I hate that, but I've learned that if you're angry and disrespectful it hurts you in the end.

All of my employee's, or team members, are under the age of 20. It's their first job for many of them, and I do my best to be a good team leader. Sometimes the stress gets to me, and the only relief I really get is from skating, or my best friends.

When I feel my blade glide across the ice I feel free. Like I could do anything. It's the one thing in my life I absolutely know, without a doubt, how to do. I feel confident on the ice like nothing can touch me. No matter how difficult a day could be.

Once my friends began to work at the rink a sense of relief washed over me. Alya has been my friend since pre-school and she began working after saving us on a busy day. Without her we would have been run over. She is also there to comfort me when I'm down, and she is without a doubt my Best Friend.

Diana came into my life just after I changed schools. I felt alone, and the world around me was different and difficult. I didn't understand many topics, but she helped me get more comfortable. Eventually we became close friends and have become an unstoppable duo.

After they both started working with me, the rink changed from one full of stress to one of fun. That's when I knew I made the right decision hiring them. I always smile thinking about how they do that, make the world a better place.

I step down the curb and onto the asphalt, making my way across the parking lot. My red Volkswagen Bug sitting in the middle of the sea of black and white cars is pretty hard to miss. I decorated my car with one theme in mind, ladybugs. It has white ladybug stickers trailing the bottom back window, and a small ladybug antenna topper. The steering wheel cover is ladybug themed and so are my seat covers. My parents thought it was fun that I chose ladybugs, but I have always adored them. I even nicknamed my car Tikki.

My addiction to Ladybugs probably came from my Grandpa in America. He calls me his Ladybug, and I guess since then I have kept the nickname and love of ladybugs. I even slept with a stuffed ladybug toy as a child.

Entering my car I put my things in the back and buckle up. I put my ladybug key into the ignition and it revs to life. I smile and look out my rearview mirror, preparing to back up. I notice Adrien's big black truck, he sometimes refers to as Plagg, and I smirk. I never really understood why he called it that, but there have been a few times he has been late to work because of "Plagg." The first time he said, I thought he owned a cat or something, but after I had asked that he told me it was his truck.

I make my way out of the parking lot and begin my journey home. It's always about a fifteen minute drive, even with five o'clock traffic. Giving me enough time to think about my plans for the next day.

...

Arriving home, I park my car out front. My parents vehicles are nowhere to be seen, meaning they are still out working. They run an entertainment business that requires many hours of hard labor from them, but they work together so they always come home happy. They hired me to run the rink in early November and since then I have taken care of it for them. It was originally a side project that they did so that I had something to do.

They used to run a bakery, but after meeting a production manager for events they fell in love with the entertainment industry. The sold their bakery and bought a huge piece of land and built an event center there. Ever since they completed the project they have been non-stop busy. Events happen almost every day and take much of their attention and energy away.

I never complain though, it's been their dream for over twenty-one years. They always make time for me, and through it all we all still love each other.

I make my way inside the single-story home, full of our family trinkets and memories. We moved here after selling the bakery. It's nice that we had just enough after the event center was built to buy it outright. I enjoy my quaint little room.

I have posters of games and movies I enjoy splashed across my walls. Shelves full of trinkets and pictures of my friends and I. Memories left and right. Sometimes I have been told I'm a little too sentimental, but I just love holding onto memories and moments that make me who I am.

Of course my room was painted lightly pink, it's been that way since I was young, but as I have grown so has my taste. Although I still have some of the ladybug stickers on my ceiling from my childhood. My mom says that my Grandpa insisted I put them where I could always see them; so of course their on the ceiling. I smile whenever I think about that.

My laptop pinged, signalling someone was messaging me. So I placed my things on the floor before opening up to see who it was.

Rena Rouge:

Hey girl, you online? I just got home and wanted to know if you wanted to play a game?

Ladybug:

Hey! I just got home. Give me a few minutes to settle in and then yeah!

Rena Rouge:

Sounds good!

I take my shoes off and throw them into my closet and throw my socks into my hamper. Then I change into some comfier clothes, also known as my pyjamas. Normally I wear shorts and a t-shirt, but I was feeling chillier than normal and threw on my special ladybug jacket.

Ladybug:

Okay, I'm ready to play. You still on?

It took a few moments but I finally got a reply.

Rena Rouge:

Yes! Let's play Hawkmoth: Bataille De Destruction.

Ladybug:

Sounds good!

...

After a few hours, I log off. Giving into my tired state. Yawning I begin to pull open my bed sheets and pull my large cat pillow down to lay on. I snuggle into my bed, drifting off to sleep.

My dreams consisted of Adrien, the ice rink, and a surprisingly large ice cream. Let's just say... I had a good dream.