Miraculous Ladybug: Popular

Chapter Two

Adrien shuffled slowly to a bakery that had a very ornate 'now hiring' sign taped to the glass window. He really didn't want a summer job. Adrien wasn't lazy, he just didn't want to have to worry about being popular. He hated it. He hated the publicity. He was only happy that he was "famous" because small children would feel so honored to see him, and he loved playing with little kids.

He pressed his hand against the handle of the shop, and the satisfaction of the feeling of coolness shot through him as he continued to press on the handle. It was blazing hot, which was unusual since it was usually around 80-90°, but the feel of something cool automatically refreshes him.

He was even more pleased to push open the door and feel a thick breeze push at him hard. There was a fan near the entrance, and Adrien was extremely grateful for that.

"I can see you working here," Plagg, Adrien's annoying kwami said as he peeked out from Adrien's bag that was hanging from his shoulder.

Adrien shook his bag gently to shush his feline companion, or as Chat Noir would say, "catpanion".

"Oh? Who are you? Are you here to wor-"

Adrien quickly smiled as he realized who was speaking. It was Marinette's dad, Tom. Tom wore a red shirt with beige shorts. He had an apron on and he had a tray of breads in his hand.

"Hello Mr. Dupain." Adrien said as he gave the hard working man in front of him a smirk.

"OH! It's you!" Tom slammed the tray onto the counter as he walked over to the cheerful blond boy. He embraced Adrien hard and lifted him up from the ground. Adrien internally screamed as he felt his insides get squished. He could hardly imagine how this rough hug felt to Plagg.

"I'm so glad you came! Marinette always talks about you! Please get a job here, and oh, oh, please call me Tom! You're family here! Everyone is!" Tom's big strong arms continued to squish Adrien as he wiggled around.

Tom looked down and saw Adrien's tan face start to go a deathly pale.

"I'm sorry." He said as he smiled warmly, setting down Adrien.

Adrien coughed twice before clearing his throat, fixing his clothes and bag.

"It's alright sir."

Tom smiled once more and went behind the counter and began to organize the breads onto plates.

"Adrien, why're you deciding to work here now? I hope you don't mind me asking."

"No, no it's alright. My father just wanted me to get out of the house more. Why do you want me to work here so badly?"

Marinette's father raised his lard hand up to his mustache and gave it a slight twist as he nudged his head back in the direction of Marinette's room.

Adrien nodded slightly, completely oblivious to the fact Tom was trying to say Marinette had a crush on him, but the poor dense boy couldn't pick up the signs.

"Plus, Sabine is out of town visiting her family. It'll be at least a month till she comes back. Her and I wanted to have a honeymoon too out of town for awhile as well when she comes back, so we need a reliable young man like you to help out."

Adrien smiled, feeling flattered.

"Thank you sir."

"No problem. Now let's get to work!"

Marinette wiped the drool off of her mouth and ruffled her short thick jet black hair full of tangles in an effort to make it look decent.

She sighed as she continuously fluffed and combed her hair with her small fingers.

"Marinette-" Tikki, Marinette's adorable red and black spotted kwami said as she flew close to the irritated girl. "you need to hurry or you'll be late on helping your dad with the bakery!"

Marinette gasped as she looked at the clock on her wall ticking. She sloppily wrapped her hair up in a high messy bun and she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she grabbed a pair of short hot pink shorts and a black shirt t-shirt. She slipped on her flats and her usual bag. She opened up her bag and smiled at Tikki.

"Come on Tikki-"

Tikki obliged and flew into her comfy cozy hiding place and Marinette opened the hatch of her room that lead to the stairs, and she stealthily scampered down the steps, keeping her eyes on the bakery from behind.

She finally made it down and she couldn't believe it.

Adrien Agreste was in her house, talking to her dad the whole time she was sleeping and getting ready.

She quickly walked through the back door into the bakery with her deep blue orbs as wide as they could ever be.

Tom and Adrien were chatting away, chuckling and fist bumping each other.

Marinette felt her cheeks get hot as she saw her crush laugh as hard as he ever could as he continued his polite banter with her dad.

The female stepped closer and she shyly squeaked out a few words.

"D-dad? Adrien? What's going.. on?"

Adrien continued to laugh and Tom wipes away his tears with his massive thumb as he turned to face his stuttering daughter.

"Adrien wanted to work here, so I hired him."

Marinette's facial expressions went 0 to 100 real quick. Her eyes went wide, so wide it was almost cartoony. Her mouth hung open and she stared at her dad with the most horrified look. Adrien saw the look on his friend's face and he shyly smiled and furrowed his brow. Concerned quickly filled him as his eyes glazed over her face.

"Is it okay that I'm working here?" Adrien questioned innocently.

Marinette turned and faced the blond. She smiled her dopey awkward smile as she squinted her eyes. She giggled to herself a few times before she began to speak through gritted teeth.

"I-it's fine! It's wonderful! I could use a leg- I mean a hand! Yes a hand. Ahah.." Marinette quickly shut her mouth and her eyes went wide again as she turned around so she was no longer facing the blond beauty. She facepalmed hard and Tom patted his daughter's head.

"Anyway.." Tom announced as he handed his daughter her apron, trying to break and completely melt the ice. "I need to go deliver some cupcakes to a birthday party. I want you two to watch the bakery."

Adrien quickly nodded and he went behind the counter, ready for anyone who would come in and order.

Marinette completely froze as she stared at Adrien. She couldn't believe it. Adrien had been in her room before, but he has never been 100% alone with her. She felt butterflies in her stomach. No, she felt a whole zoo inside of her.

Tom saw the dazed look on his daughter and he placed his hand on her shoulder. Her shoulder was completely covered by his hand and the weight of it on her petite frame quickly brought her back to reality.

"Is that okay, Marinette?"

Marinette quickly nodded. She nodded her head viscously, causing her cute bun on her head to become even more messier and loose.

"That's my girl.. Always ready for a challenge. I know you'll take good care of the place while I make my delivery. I love you." Tom smiled and leaned down to kiss his daughter's forehead. Marinette smiled brightly at her father. Tom grabbed his two wrapped up boxes of a dozen or more cupcakes, and he swiftly left.

Ten minutes went by, and Adrien was doing great at selling all the breads and pastries. He was attracting the crowd his father wanted. Lots of young children and teen girls would rush into the bakery ordering literally anything Adrien liked.

The sound of the cash register repeatedly opening and closing was music to Marinette's ears. Marinette wasn't greedy, but she loved knowing she was helping her parents out. Her parents were such sweethearts. They would try to get as much money as they can so they could donate to charities, or save the money for Marinette when she attends college.

The last group of ten girls finally left and no one spoke at all. Adrien stared at Marinette and he blushed slightly as he stared at Marinette. Could he ask her to be his fake girlfriend for photoshoots? He smiled slightly at the thought as he continued to admire her beauty. Her thick black lashes suited her beautiful narrow eyes. The freckles that were on her face seemed to stand out so much due to her not being flustered. He looked at the strands of loose hair that hung out of her hair tie, and he was loving the way the strands curled slightly at the ends.

Marinette turned to face Adrien finally, and she made the same horrified expression from earlier. Her cheeks went hot and her whole face was turning bright red. Adrien furrowed his brow and he quickly disregarded the thought of her being his girlfriend. He felt so bad. Adrien thought he scared the poor girl. He felt so guilty for even looking at her that way since he probably weirded her out.

Again, awkward silence filled the room as the two awkwardly glanced around the room, waiting for more customers behind the counter.

Adrien took another glance at Marinette and he looked at what she was wearing. He thought what she was wearing was positively adorable. He blushed slightly as he looked at her long legs. He stared at her calf and his eyes traveled up and up more till his eyes landed near her thighs. He blushed even more when he realized her shorts didn't even cover most of her thighs. He shook his head quickly. He definitely could not look at her in that way. He assumed she did not intend on wearing shorts that short. Her legs are so long, she's probably used to pants and shorts being a bit shorter than it was meant to be.

He combed his fingers through his silky hair and he sighed.

"Your shorts are cute, Marinette."

Marinette gasped at the sudden compliment and she turned to face her crush. Her whole face went red once more and her heart beat pounded so loudly in her chest she could hardly hear straight.

Marinette cupped her hands and suddenly her eyes went wide as Adrien stared at her, as if he was waiting for a thank you.

"T-thank- thank you! Your- your face is cute! Wait no your..your hair! No! I mean I- your shorts are cute too!" Marinette said proudly as she crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and nodded her head at what she said.

Adrien stared at Marinette and smiled. "I'm not wearing any shorts."

Marinette's eyes went wide and she stared hard at Adrien's legs as if she was waiting for them to magically he shorts.

"O-oh.. They- you're not wearing shorts."

Adrien began to laugh, and he quickly stopped and gave Marinette a warm smile. Marinette's heart stopped as she gazed at him. His smile was just as beautiful as the first time he smiled at her during that one time it was raining and he handed her his umbrella. This moment was almost as magical as the first time.

His beautiful emerald eyes mixed in with her deep blue eyes. She felt herself melt as she stared at him and enjoyed his smile.

"He really does have her smile."

A/N: Hey guys. I hope you're enjoying this fanfic so far. This is going to be a long fanfic. Again, sorry if there are grammatical errors. You all know why. I have more stories and one-shots coming your way.