Chapter 2

School had just ended, and for once, Adrien had the day off. Finally, a chance to be a normal kid. He dialed his chauffeur, and gave him a free day. Today, Adrien wasn't going to be driven around like a high and mighty model, he was going to walk home. Out of the corner of his eye, his spotted one of his classmates, Marinette. A dark-blue haired girl with a knack for fashion designing.

"She's quite pretty, actually, but of course, nothing compared to my lady," Adrien thought to himself, "Well if I'm going to be walking home, I might as well do it with a friend."

"Hey Marinette, wait up!" he shouted from across the courtyard, then caught up to her, "Mind if I walk with you?"

She looked at him as if she was a deer, and he was driving a car that was about to run over her, then said, "Uhhh...ummm… sure Adrien! I'd love you! I-I mean I love the way you walk-wait I meant I would... um... I'd love to walk with you! Yeah, that's it,". She smiled awkwardly.

The walk became very quiet as they headed out the main entrance of the school, and down the street. It was clear they had a lot of tension between them. It was just like a movie, the dorky, blunette fashion designer was in love with the famous, blonde model. The real question she was asking herself was, did he like her back?

"Say something, Adrien! You're making her feel awkward!", the boy thought.

"So, are you excited for the party on Friday? Do you know what you're going to dress up as? What kinds of deserts were you planning to make?"

"Retreat! Abort mission! Too many questions! And "what kinds of deserts were you planning to make?"? You sound like a greedy pig!" Even in his thoughts he was insecure.

"Yeah, I guess I'm excited, but I don't know what I'm going to be yet. As for the deserts, it's surprise!" She winked, then immediately regretted it. What was she thinking?

Adrien looked closer at her eyes, and noticed their shade of blue. Hmm…

They continued their silence until they arrived in front of Marinette's family's bakery.

"Thanks for walking with me," Adrien said. The girl nodded in response, smiled and went inside.

"I know I've seen those eyes somewhere…"


"But Tiki! How am I supposed to juggle being at the party as Marinette and as Ladybug?" Marinette said worriedly as she paced her bedroom. "I mean, I don't even have a costume yet! And don't forget that Cat Noir will be there, too! He never helps the problem. I'm sure he'd be absolutely pleased with himself if he found out my civilian identity, wouldn't worry at all about the consequences. Just great! Fantastic!"

"Look on the bright side, Marinette. Don't forget that Adrien will be there too!" the Kwami said brightly, "besides, I'm sure you can go shopping for a costume with Alya before the party!"

"Oh Adrien… WAIT!" Marinette stood upright, and stopped pacing, "If Adrien's a big fan of Ladybug, won't he realize that we're the same person?"

"Calm down Marinette! You've been in the same class for almost a year now, and he hasn't noticed a thing. I think it's safe to say one night isn't going to do any difference."

At that moment, Marinette's phone rang. Alya.

"Hey girl how ya doing so I was thinking neither of us have costumes yet and that's really bad because I'm the host and I'm expected to wear a costume and I all I have is a bumblebee costume from last year and of course I can't wear that I have to wear a Lady Wifi costume because I'm Lady Wifi and y-"

"Woah, slow down. Let's try that again, a little slower, please?"

"Whew. Okay, do you wanna go costume shopping with me? I can meet you in front of your house tomorrow at noon."

"Of course, girl! See you then!"

Marinette hung up, and collapsed on her bed. Hopefully outfit hunting with Alya would get the worry out of her mind…


"Ugh, Plagg! What am I going to do?"

"Uh, I don't really know, as long as you don't mess anything up," the cat kwami said.

"What am I going to do about Ladybug? She got an invitation too, so she'll be there! It's extremely important that I don't mess this up!" Adrien said, and he sat down at his desk and opened the Ladyblog on his enormous computer.

"She's perfect, Plagg! She's so strong and confident, and absolutely beautiful," he continued, gesturing to the screen, "She's so funny and teasing, but still knows when to takes things seriously. She's absolutely one of a kind! I have to know who she really is!"

"Well how are you going to get her to tell you? You've been trying for quite a while, and you've failed every time!" Plagg said with a laugh.

"You'll see, just you wait! Tonight at the party, I'll drop hints that Cat Noir and I are one and the same. I'll tell her it'll help with our teamwork, and she'll be sure to tell me who she is. Once she knows who I really am, she'll have much bigger chance of falling in love with me!"

"That sounds a bit far fetched, but as long as I'm getting my Camembert, I don't really care."

Suddenly, BAM! Adrien ran the the window. A teenage girl dressed in a gown made entirely out of leaves was standing in the middle of the street outside, perched on top of a parked car. She had wild, olive-colored hair, with a pink lotus flower stuck behind her right ear.

"I am Bontanica! Controller of all plants, and your new queen! Bow down to me you peasants, or I'll make you!"

The people started to run, but they weren't quick enough. Botanica pointed dramatically at the fleeing civilians, and giant vines erupted from the ground and ensnared the victims in their grasp. The plants wrapped themselves around the trembling people so tightly, they could barely breathe.

The blonde turned to his kwami and said, "This looks like a job for Cat Noir. Plagg, claws out!" He transformed from a regular teenager into a crime-fighting hero as his cat companion became one with his ring, and granted him super powers.

Meanwhile, in the upstairs of the local bakery and sweet shop, "Tiki, spots on!"