"A-Adrien?!" Marinette couldn't believe it. She looked up at the gorgeous green-eyed blonde boy standing before her.
"Hey Mari. Long time no see" Adrien smiled, making Marinette's heart race so much she was sure he could hear it. "I have some news… I'm coming back to school"
"W-WHAT?!" The whole booth was shocked. None of them really knew what to say. They all hoped Adrien would come back but they all knew what his father was like. Gabriel Agreste always got his way.
"Ugh… Yeah. I managed to convince my father that it was for my best interest to go back to school so I can move forward with the company." Adrien smiled sliding into the booth next to Marinette.
"Oooooooh! The gang back together again!" Lizzie giggled.
"Y-you've changed your hair?" Adrien said pointing at Lizzie.
"One, pointing is rude Adrien!" the girl scolded. "And two, I got bored of dip-dye so I went for the whole hair. I like the ombre blue to purple look. It's cute!"
"Very" Chris teased causing the girl to kick him under the table. "Ow! Lizzie! Not nice, bad girl!"
"She's not a dog" Alya laughed and Lizzie grinned.
"Anyway…" Nino spoke. "What's everyone's timetables like?"
"Well Lizzie and I have had our full day of Fashion Design, the means I have…" Marinette pulled a piece of paper out of her bag to read. "I have double physics, double fashion and a single of home ec tomorrow. Double home ec and triple physics Wednesday. Double fashion and double home ec on Thursday, leaving me Friday free" Marinette grinned.
They all discussed their lesson plans, Lizzie and Chris shared Mathematics together, Alya and Nino share IT together and Adrien and Marinette shared Physics.
"It's getting late we should head back" Lizzie said looking at the time on her phone. "I have to skype my parents"
"Ooooh, look at you" Chris laughed.
"Hey, I suggest you talk to your family too" Lizzie pouted before standing up. She looked at Alya and Nino. The couple looked so cute, they were so comfortable in each others company. She then looked at Marinette and Adrien who just looked so awkward in each others company.
"Lizzie I'll come home with you" Marinette sighed standing up to move out of the booth.
"Does this mean I have to go too?" Alya moaned.
"No, I'm going to work of some designs at home. You can stay here Alya" Marinette smiled at her friend. "Well we will be leaving now" Marinette left closely followed by Lizzie.
"So…" Adrien began then looked over at Chris. "Have you?"
"NOPE. I'm not going to have this convocation with you" Chris shook his head. "I'll be back at the apartment Nino" Chris got up before the three could say anything more.
"He so likes her" Alya sighed.
"Like someone else we know" Nino muttered and Alya hit him. "Sorry!"
Adrien looked at the couple for a while before getting up himself. "I should probably head back… The later I'm back the more annoyed father will be" He waved his friends goodbye before leaving.
The walk home was long for Adrien. He liked it though. Walking by himself, in silence, gave him time to think. "Plagg…"
"Yes Adrien?" His kawami flew out of his pocket.
"Do you think she'll kill me?" Adrien asked hanging his head in shame.
"Look, you've known for three years now that Marinette is Ladybug. Why don't you just comfort her? Tell her who you are?" Plagg asked.
"I know how much keeping it a secret means to her though. I found out by chance. I was walking past her house and saw her transform. Plus I don't even think Marinette likes me… As in Adrien" The boys sighed.
"Play your cards right boys" Plagg muttered.
"Why are girls so confusing?" Adrien laughed nervously.
The next day Lizzie, Marinette and Alya all walked to school together like normal. Adrien was waiting in their Physics class. He got in early so that Marinette would be able to sit next to him this year. Marinette walked into her Physics class and saw Adrien, her heart began to race. The light streamed in through the window and bounced off of his hair, it made him look even more beautiful.
"Marinette" he waved. "I saved you a seat"
Marinette walked over to the desk and sat down next to him. She was glad that she didn't stutter as much as she used to. She was a messy back when their where 15 but over the years they were able to form some kind of friendship.
"Good morning" Marinette smiled, she placed her bag on the table and started to take a few things; a new notepad just for Physics, her design book, a few pens and a few pencils. It was normal for her to always have her design book out before any class so se could work.
Adrien watched her sketch away in the little book. He watched in awe, she was an amazing designer. He had wanted to tell her that she was his father's favourite student along with Lizzie but knew it would make her nervous.
"Marinette they are amazing!" Adrien grinned.
"T-Thanks" Marinette smiled back.
"What is the theme?" Adrien slide the book over to his side so he could examine it better.
"O-oh… It's Fairy Tale. The first theme I have been given that has allowed me to create outfits about my favourite stories" Marinette smiled.
"So you like the themes?" Adrien asked.
"Oh yeah! They are awesome, I know I'll be able to design something from these themes" Marinette giggled taking her book back.
"Hey, I wasn't done looking!" Adrien pouted.
"I need it back" Marinette blushed. "Why are you pouting like a baby?"
"Because you took away the book Mari. I was enjoying looking at your designs and you took that away from me. You're mean Marinette" Adrien teased.
"You are such a baby" Marinette giggled.
"I'm older than you!" Adrien laughed.
"Still a baby" Marinette teased poking Adrien's side.
Adrien was happy, he might be able to actually get to know Marinette well this term. He had fallen for the Ladybug side of her but he wanted to get to know Marinette for Marinette. He knew he liked her but he wasn't sure on her feelings. Ladybug didn't like Chat Noir but maybe if he could get her to like Adrien she would change her mind. Or so he hoped.
Their day went by super quickly and before they knew it, it was time to go home. Marinette sighed. Lizzie was working tonight and so was Alya. She was going to be home alone all night and she didn't like that. She hated being on her own. Granted she could transform into Ladybug without worrying but she felt so lonely and hated it.
"What's up Marinette?" Adrien asked as they walked out together.
"Oh nothing much. I just have to go home and be alone till the girls come home" Marinette signed.
"Don't you like time to yourself?" Adrien asked.
"Oh I do… But… But they don't get home till 11-ish so I'm on my own for so long… I don't like it to be honest with you" She sighed again.
Adrien felt like he should have said something more but he just let her go. Adrien watched Marinette walk off towards her flat. He followed her, if he wanted to see her later he needed to know where she lived. Adrien transformed into Chat Noir and jumped into the tree that rested next to her window.
Tap, tap, tap. Chat tapped on her window. Marinette opened it and was shocked at who she saw.
"C-chat? What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I came to see my princess, long time no see eh?" Chat grinned jumping into her room. "How are you my dear?"
"O-oh I'm fine Chat. What about you?" Marinette smiled before sitting down at her desk.
"Purr-fect" Chat purred. "What are you working on?"
"School work. Chat… W-will you stay till by flat mates come back?" Marinette stuttered.
"Of course" Chat smiled. "I'm not going to leave you"
"Thank you. I-It's just… Every night for the past two weeks I've seen dark figures outside and their voices. I've been debating telling the police but they have never done anything so I left it…" She said quietly.
"Marinette…" Chat said. "I'll stay. For you I'll stay forever"