Note: I meant to post this earlier, but my phone (which I'm typing this on) DELETED MY STORY. So yeah, sorry about it being late, Merry Christmas!
On The First Day of Christmas: It Was Cold.
Marinette shivered in the cold breeze, sharp against her cherry red nose and cheeks. You could almost hear the frost crackling in the air. Sure, Marinette was wearing the whole winter get up. Black coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. But, in the freezing Paris weather, the small girl was chilled to the bone.
The cold brought tears to her eyes and Marinette could swear she saw ice forming on her eyelashes.
Why was she outside not doing anything on such a cold winter day?
Waiting for Alya.
It was the first day of the Christmas festival, and just like every year, the two girls were planning on going to the opening speech together.
Except, Alya was running late. Very late.
Marinette hoped they wouldn't miss it. At this rate, they'd have to run, any longer, and they might just get there in time to see the the balloons and confetti fly up into the air, signaling the beginning of the 12 Days of Christmas Festival.
Deep in her purse, Marinette could feel Tikki shiver.
"I'm sorry it's not very warm in there Tikki," Marinette whispered to her bag, "I'll see if I can get some fabric and wool to make you some warm blankets and padding, till then, you can use my gloves."
"Th-thank you M-Marinette!"
Tikki chattered as she gratefully took the prewarmed gloves from Marinette, and buried herself deep inside them.
Marinette smiled. It seemed everybody was getting colder and colder in this winter freeze.
Maybe she could make Alya a new coat for Christmas, Alyas mom had a lot of children, and Alya, being the eldest, usually got cheap coats. Having a brand new warmer coat would certainly be a well received gift on Alya's part.
"Speak of the devil." Marinette muttered as a red faced Alya huffed and puffed her way over to Marinette.
She must have run all the way from her home to the meeting place by the way Alya breathed. She was wheezing like she was having an Asthma attack. "You ok Alya?"
"Y-yeah...just..give me a...few seconds to...catch...my breath..."
Marinette patiently waited for her friend to begin breathing again, but still on her toes, anxiously waiting to get going.
"Sorry I...made you wait. I was helping...my sister with heer homework and...lost track of...time." Alya said, she was leaning over, her hands on her knees.
"That's ok Alya, hey, try standing up straight and putting your hands behind your head, it will expand your lungs and help you to breath better."
Alya did as she was told, and soon began to breath easier.
"Thanks Marinette, now, we better get going! I don't want you to miss my surprise!" Alya wiggled her eyebrow at Marinette.
Alya had been going in for days about a surprise she had planned for Marinette.
"That's right!" Marinette feigned surprise, "I totally forgot! You only mentioned it like, 50 times!"
Alya grumbled at Marinette's teasing and crossed her arms. Pouting she mumbled, "It Was not 50 times..."
Marinette chuckled and and nudged Alya's shoulder, "relax, I'm only teasing you, now, lets go! We're gonna be late at this rate!"
The two girls raced to the park, which thankfully wasn't too far away.
One good thing about running, it warmed Marinette right up. Her face was still cold, but the blood rushing through her helped to get rid of the numbing sensation she had begun to feel.
Heading to back of the large crowd that had gathered around a big stage, Marinette went to take their normal place that Alya and her stood during the opening ceremony. However, Alya grabbed her arm and began pulling Marinette in a totally different direction.
"Wha-Alya! What are you doing?"
"Come on Marinette! We're already late enough as it is, you don't want to keep the surprise waiting, do you?"
"Alya, this isn't like your Bastille Day durprise, is it?"
"No! Of course not! And anyways, I'd wish you'd stop complaining about that one, it was a good idea."
Marinette tilted her head and stared at Alya as if to say "Oh really?"
Alya led Marinette up to the front where she saw the backs of two boys. One of Whuch Marinette had seen the back of so often that she knew almost instantaneously who it was.
"Oh nononono, Alya, this is not a good idea, I repeat, this is not a good idea!"
Marinette began trying to pull away, but Alya's grip stayed firm. Sure, Marinette could have used her full strength to escape (not to say she wasn't tempted) but Alya would wonder where Marinette had gained so much muscle. And that was a question Marinette would rather not answer.
One of the boys tapped the others shoulder and pointed to the two girls.
"Hey, check it out Adrien, Marinette and Alya are here!"
Nino and Adrien gestured the two to come up and stand with them.
Having Adrien's smile directed straight at Marinette almost made her faint with joy, her knees felt weak. Pure euphoria filled Marinette to the brim making her feel light headed and her heart thump when she stood directly next to Adrien.
Grinning, Alya whispered in Marinettes ear, "See? Told you it's not like Bastille Day."
It certainly wasn't. This surprise brought both fear and joy. The second feeling being key to the surprise not being like Bastille Day.
Alya had planned for the two boys to join them for a fun day of Christmas festivities.
And, of course (this day was now beginning to seem a lot like Bastille Day now.), Alya and Nino ditched Adrien and Marinette first chance they got.
"Well," Adrien clapped his hands together cheerfully, "What do you want to do?"
"I-I,um..."
It was like all the air had gone out of her.
Adrien was right there.
He was next to her, talking to her, looking at her.
Adrien, who had noticed Marinettes loss of speech, took it as her being shy and spoke for her.
"What about..." he looked around for something fun they could do. "Hmmm, what about we go play that bottle game over there?"
Marinette nodded her agreement and the two walked over to a nearby booth, frost crunching beneath their boots.
"How much per person?" Adrien asked the attendant.
"It's €4.53 (authors note: that's about $5) per person. You get three tries."
Marinette began pulling out her wallet to pay for her throws. Fumbling with the clasp, Marinette struggled to get it open as her hands were so cold. Adrien placed his hand on hers, stopping her from trying to get her money out. Oh gosh, his hand was so warm! And it was touching her hand! Marinettes cheeks flushed, surprisingly warm against her ice cold skin.
"Dont worry about paying Marinette," Adrien said, "I'll pay for mine and your throws."
"O-oh, but I-I couldn't possibly l-let you pay f-for me!"
"No worries, it's fine, I have plenty of money, and I don't normally get the chance to spend it, my treat!"
He gave the attendant the money, then took his three balls and Marinette's, handing the small balls (tht had been decorated to look like ornaments) to her.
"Ladies first!"
Adrien gestured for her to go.
Marinette stepped up and began gearing up for a throw, however, her plan to only use half her strength (she did have to keep her alter ego a secret after all) went out the door when Adrien began cheering her.
"You can do it Marinette!"
Crash.
Not only had Marinette knocked the thick glass bottles over, she had also shattered them.
All went silent.
Oops.
"Uh, way to go Marinette!"
Marinette's face was beet red. Oh, this was embarrassing. What was she going to do now?!
"Er, um, s-sorry ! I guess their not as unbreakable as we thought eh?" Heh heh..."
The attendant was just staring at her.
"Ma'am, that glass was an inch thick."
Double oops.
"Aaahhhh..."
Adrien interrupted.
"My turn! Bet I can throw harder Marinette!"
Oh joy! He was trying to distract everyone from Marinettes minor embarrassment. She smiled and mouth a silent thank you to him. He winked in response. A very familiar wink that made Marinette's heart make one last hard thump. But she quickly dismissed the idea. No way was Adrien- Marinette shook her head, clearing away her thoughts.
Adrien reared back his arm, getting ready for the throw. Marinette seriously doubted he could throw harder than her. After all, she did fight monsters in her spare time.
He threw the ball and...
Crash.
Another set of bottles was broken.
The attendant just stared in defeat at the broken glass that littered the stand as the two children claimed their prize.
Marinette chose a small cat stuffed animal, Adriens was a ladybug.
"You like cats?" Adrien smiled as he asked her his question.
"Um, well, s-sorta, it's more because cats remind me o-of someone I know."
"Really," Adrien drew out the really, making it sound almost like a question. He gave one more smile, then said, "Same thing for me I guess, the Ladybug, reminds me of someone I know."
Marinette shivered. Both from cold and the lingering question that never made it past her mouth. Because it was just too impossible.
Adrien saw her shiver, luckly, he thought it was only the cold.
"Hey, Marinette, do you want to get some hot chocolatte?"
Marinette smiled. "S-sure!"
They walked over to the hot drinks stand.
"Two hot chocolattes please, don't bother opening your wallet Marinette, I'll pay."
Marinette paused. She had been in the middle of opening her walett when Adrien had told her to stop. Blushingly, she put it back in her purse. "Th-thank you." she whispered.
"Alright sir, and would you or the little lady like some flavoring in it? We have strawberry, hazelnut, peppermint, and orange. "
"Well Marinette, what would you like?"
"Oh! Um, y-you don't have to-"
Adrien intturpeted her, smiling, "My treat, remember? Now, what kind of flavoring?"
"Ummm...peppermint."
"Alright", Adrien turned to the vendor, "I'll have two large hot chocolattes, one with hazelnut, one with peppermint."
"Yes sir, that'll be €3.63 (authors note: that's about $4)."
Adrien picked up to two steaming mugs of cocoa and handed Marinette hers, "Careful", he said, "It's hot."
Marinette gratefull took her mug and smiled at the minty smell that wafted out, the steam warming her nose, and the heat that radiated from the cup warmed her hands.
"Th-thanks again!"
"Dont mention it! It's fun to get stuff for my friends!"
Friends. While a normal girl who had an obsession with a boy would be saddened by being called just friend, Marinette was happy to be noticed. At least she was making progress.
The two spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening playing fair games and talking. Marinette found out that Adrien's favorite color was green, and that he enjoyed puns. Adrien learned more about Marinette's talents, such as baking and designing.
All in all, the two enjoyed speaking with eachother. Marinette even managed to get a full sentence out without stuttering by the end of the day.
Finally, darkness fell. All around the park, bright, sparkling Christmas lights flickered to life, illuminating the festival grounds with multicolored spotlights.
Marinette's mouth dropped at the beauty of it all, she gazed around, wishing she could run around and see them all.
Her smile wide and eyes bright, Marinette turned to Adrien, "Isn't it gorgeous?" She exclaimed joyfully.
Adriens heart skipped a beat. Had Marinette's eyes always been so blue? They seemed to sparkle in the lights, and her cheeks were dusted a light pink. Adrien hadn't noticed beforw, but Marinette's hair was down, it seemed to curve specifically to fit her face. Her lips a bright strawberry against her pale skin.
"Yeah..." ,Adrien whispered, staring straight at Marinette, "gorgeous..."
Note: BWAHAHAHAHA! CLIFFHANGER! There will be more. One for all 12 Days of Christmas! So be on the lookout!
~Nerdqueen395