The day couldn't go fast enough for Marinette. It was a Sunday so the bakery was pretty busy, but every time she looked at the clock it felt like the hand had barely moved. Finally, it was almost time to close. "5:45" she thought, at 6 I'll leave mom and dad to clean up the shop and I can go upstairs and get ready to see Adrien!" She'd agonized most of the night over what to wear. She needed something that said 'I'm cute, but I'm not trying to impress you..I'm just naturally adorable' She'd debated whether a skirt seemed too formal…she didn't usually wear them to school, but she didn't want Adrien to suspect that she was dressing up just for him! That would completely give away her feelings. Eventually she'd decided on a cute pair of black high waisted shorts that showed off her long legs and cute pink top with ruffles. She couldn't wait to get a shower and change, all the running around in the bakery had made her sweaty and she had a fine flour coating all over her hands and pants. "5:50"…just a few more minutes she thought as she stared at the clock. The bell above the door chimed and she dragged her eyes off the clock.
"Adrien!" she squeaked. What's he doing here?! Marinette screamed in her head.
"Hey Marinette," he responded, "I hope you don't mind that I'm early." He saw that she'd been working in the shop today. Marinetti's pants had splotches of flour on them and she also seemed to have a little in her hair. Adrien was bombarded with sweet smells the closer he came to the counter. "Your mom said that you guys closed the shop at 6 and then you had to clean up. I thought I could help clean since you're being so nice as to have me over for dinner."
Marinette's brain evacuated her skull cavity, "You…up..um-c-ccleaning- early bread?"
Adrien looked at her confused, "Is that ok? If it's not I guess I can leave for a few hours…?"
Sabine walked into the front of the bakery at just that moment. "Adrien! You're early."
"Yeah, I thought I could help close the bakery and clean up. If that's ok? Marinette-"
Sabine turned her daughter toward the house door and gave her a gentle push, "Marinette was just about to go get a quick shower while I finish closing up, weren't you dear?" Marinette nodded dumbly at her mother and after a quick glance in Adrien's direction she went into the house to grab a shower.
As Marinette left Sabine went to the register and and pulled out the cash drawer. "Adrien dear, do you think you could lock the door and flip the sign to closed for me?"
"Yes ma'am!" Adrien chirped as he did as she'd asked. He followed her into the kitchen where she set down the drawer and started counting. Adrien waved awkwardly to Marinette's dad who was busy washing the dishes.
"Would you like any help Mr. Dupain-Cheng?" He asked as he sidled over to the sink.
"Call me Tom!" the large man said, "and I would never turn down help with dishes." He handed Adrien a large drying towel and passed him a wet bowl. Among the clinking dishes and Marinette's mother quietly counting money, Adrien sighed contently; he liked being helpful.
Marinette on the other hand was feeling frazzled. She couldn't believe he came THREE HOURS early! She'd expected to have that time to primp and now she was going to have to rush. She didn't want Adrien to think she was one of those girls that spent hours on her appearance. She quickly washed her hair and body. She turned off the water only to remember she needed to shave her legs! Marinette quickly turned the water back on, only to get hit face first with cold water. She nearly slipped as she turned the water knob farther toward the heat setting. Lathering her legs she tried to shave quickly…which is never a good idea. "Ouch!" she cried as she felt the blade nick her knee. Blood mixed with the lather and burned the wound. Marinette let out a frustrated sigh.
After her shower she threw a bandaid on her knee and dried her hair. She jumped into the outfit she'd planned on wearing and gave herself a quick glance in the mirror. The bandaid ruined the effect a bit, but she decided Adrien wouldn't probably look that closely. Marinette snapped her hair into a pair of pig tails and topped her lips with some pink lip gloss. Anxiety coursed through her stomach. Adrien was in her house! She glanced around the room realizing that her posters and pictures of him were still up. With Ladybug speed she pulled them down and stashed them in a drawer. She was ready…at least she hoped she was. After that first meeting, she wasn't sure the evening was off to the best start but hopefully she could get her tongue under control. This was her chance to show him her true colors.
Marinette came down the stairs to find a very strange scene. Tom and Adrien had moved on to mopping the floors. Of course Tom, being the big kid that he was, had challenged Adrien to a game of mop hockey. Adrien was currently winning. Tom panted as Adrien scored another point with a sponge. "You know, for a rich kid you're pretty good with a mop"
Adrien smiled widely. "Thanks Mr. Dupain-Cheng" after seeing Marinette's dad raise an eyebrow, he corrected himself "I mean Tom." Sabine smiled at him. Thanks to Adrien helping close the shop had only taken 45 minutes tonight. "Maybe we should look into hiring you at the shop," Sabine suggested, only half kidding.
Adrien straightened up and put his mop back in the bucket. "If it meant I could come over everyday then maybe I'd take you up on the offer. You two are a lot more fun than my dad." His expression darkened slightly, but it was quickly replaced when he heard someone behind him clearing their throat. He turned and Marinette was standing in the doorway. She looked lovely. Adrien felt his eyes widen, did Marinette usually look like this? Her legs seemed to go on forever and the ruffles on her shirt gave her an innocent look. "You look nice" he managed to mumble. Marinette immediately blushed, "You nice too looking!". God I'm an idiot she mentally scolded herself. Sabine noticed the growing embarrassment of her daughter and quickly jumped in. "Why don't the two of you go in the living room? I'm going to start the dumplings."
