The bell rang loudly in my ears, indicating end of class and the beginning of the lunch break. Most of the students in the class quickly gathered their things and left the classroom. I was busy sketching away in my notebook, designing a dress for my class. Alya was speaking with Nino about something while Adrien was standing next to them. After they said their goodbyes and the boys began to leave, Chloe chased after them, yelling about an exclusive event or something.

Alya came up to me. "Hey," She began "You want to head to the park? We can go get smoothies or something."

"Sure, let's go!" I quickly closed my notebook and put everything back into my bag. " Oh, wait… I promised my dad I'd watch the bakery on my lunch break so he can go get some more supplies."

"That's fine." Alya replied, however, her tone told me that it wasn't.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Hm? No. It's fine. How about this, you go watch the bakery and I'll bring you a smoothie. Okay?"

"Uh, sure." Alya then left, without a goodbye.

"She's acting… Strange." Tikki said, popping her head out of my purse.

"You're telling me." I replied. "She wasn't like this earlier… Maybe I can get her to talk to me when she comes to the bakery."

I quickly placed my backpack onto my shoulders and walked out of the class. As I walked into the schoolyard I noticed a small group of my classmates surrounding Adrien, who looked really uncomfortable, and Chloe who attached herself to his arm. Nino was standing outside of the group, looking quite annoyed. I went over to him

"What's all that about?" I asked him.

"I have no idea. Chloe just came over to Adrien and started screaming about some sort of party." Nino crossed his arms. "Now she won't let him go." He sighed.

"What party?" I asked.

"I dunno, some rich people's party." Nino replied, then he looked around. "Alya's not with you?"

"No, she went to go get us smoothies. Oh, that reminds me I have to go. Bye!" I waved to Nino and ran out of the school yard.

I arrived home fairly quickly and entered the bakery.

"Marinette! Just on time." My father said, "Your mother and I are headed out."

"Alright. Oh, Alya's coming over." I said, placing my bag behind the counter.

"That's fine." Dad quickly took off his apron and placed it on a hook. "Sabine, Marinette's here, we're leaving."

"Coming!" My mother called from upstairs. I heard her tiny footsteps move across the upstairs and down the stairs.

"Marinette, there's some salad in the fridge if you and Alya want it."

"Okay." I replied, taking out my sketchbook from my bag.

Both my parents quickly left the bakery, leaving me alone. Sort of.

Tikki flew out of my purse and sat on the counter.

"Mmmm! It smells like they are baking bread!" She giggled. "I love being able to come down here! It always smells so good!"

I smiled. "It's a bakery, Tikki." I said

"I know, I like it!" She glanced over to my book. "Wow! That dress looks beautiful! When are you going to make it?"

"Soon, hopefully. I mean, I have to. It's for my design class."

"Are you going to wear it?"

"Probably not." I replied simply.

"Why not? You would look really good in it!"

"Tikki, when would I ever get a chance to wear a fancy dress like this?" I asked, putting my pencil down.

"Good point."

It was then the bakery door opened and Alya came in, holding a purple smoothie in one hand and a pink one in the other. Tikki quickly hid in one of the display cases.

"Hey, girl, I got you a strawberry one." Alya said, handing me the pink one.

"Thanks!" I exclaimed, taking a sip of it.

"So…" Alya began, "I have a question for you. And I want an honest answer, no little white lies!"

"Okay, I got it." I replied, leaning my elbows on the counter and placing my chin in my hands.

"What...Do you think about… Nino?" Her eyes darted away from me.

"Nino…?" I repeated. Alya nodded. I thought about this for a little. I had never really spoken to him much, but from what I witnessed, he was a calm and collected person. " Well, he's cool," I began, "but I haven't talked to him much. Why do you ask?"

"No reason in particular!" This phrase caught my attention. Alya never, ever hid things from me.

"You sure?" I asked, more worried than intrigued. What was she hiding from me? And Why was she hiding it from me in the first place?

"I'm sure. Don't worry about it." She said with a smile, as she sucked on the straw of her smoothie. "Anyway, you all set for tomorrow? Do you want me to come over before hand for moral support?"

"No, I think I can manage."

"Are you sure? This is the first time Adrien will be at your house. With you. Alone." Alya said, " Just don't say anything stupid otherwise you may scare him off." My eyes widened at this statement. Alya realized this and quickly covered her mouth. "Marinette, I'm kidding. Don't freak out-"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN DON'T FREAK OUT?!" I exclaimed, as my hands pulled at my hair. "I'm going to say something stupid! You KNOW I am! I'm going to scare him away and he's going to hate me!"

"Calm down, I was kidding."

"I don't care! It's going to happen!"

"What's going to happen?" Dad asked as he and Mom entered the bakery, their arms full of bags.

"Oh, nothing. Marinette's just freaking out about something." Alya said, grabbing my bag off the counter. "C'mon, we should head back."

"No!" I exclaimed "I can't now! W-w-what happens if I see him?!"

"Then you have me. Let's go." Alya grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the bakery's counter and out the door.

"No! Alya! No! Leave me here! I don't want to go back! NO!"