CHAPTER 2

Marinette woke up the next morning surprisingly on time, having been fruitless in her endeavours to come up with the idea of a gift for Chat. She had her breakfast in the kitchen (surprising her parents) and stuffing two cookies in her purse for Tikki, headed off to school. She entered the classroom and sat down next to Alya.

"What are you doing?" Marinette asked Alya, mildly amused, as the budding journalist checked her phone, then looked at Marinette, then checked her phone again.

"Marinette? How come you're on time TEN minutes before the bell? You okay girl?"

Marinette rolled her eyes, supressing a giggle. "Greater things have happened."

Alya shook her head in mock horror. "You ARE Marinette, right? No alien has taken over you? Are you being mind-controlled? Should I be worried?"

Marinette protested hotly, cheeks red. "Alya! I'm not that bad! Wait… am I?"

Alya laughed. "You're so easy to tease, girl," she chuckled as Marinette huffed in fake annoyance. "But nevermind that. You know what's coming up next week?"

"Umm…" Marinette's mind flew to her and Chat's anniversary and the gift she hadn't prepared for Chat. "I don't know… I guess?"

Alya sighed. "Girl, you're so out of it! How can you not remember! The anniversary of the LadyBlog? The day when Ladybug and Chat Noir first saved Paris!"

Ohh. Marinette breathed out audibly. "Of course I remember! How could I not? Ha-ha! So what are you going to do for that day?"

Alya looked at her weirdly, but continued anyway. "Well, I'm kind of thinking of preparing a music video of the footage of their battles. I thought I'd ask Nino's and Max's help for the technical stuff. What do you think?"

"That's a great idea, Alya! Can I help?"

Alya smiled. "Thanks Marinette! In fact, I have an even better idea…" she trailed off, a smirk appearing on her face. She leaned over the front and tapped Nino. "Hey Nino, Adrien! So there's this music video I'm thinking of making for the LadyBlog in honour of our superheroes' anniversary, and I want you guys to help. Are you up to the task?"

Nino grinned and gave a thumbs up. "Dude, you just called in the expert. Leave it to me!"

Alya rolled her eyes at him, although fondly. "What about you, Adrien?" she continued, causing Marinette to squirm in her seat.

"Um, song-mixing and video editing is not my thing, really."

"It's fine, I just need someone to review my video before I upload it on the LadyBlog. What say you and Marinette help me with some much- needed criticism?"

"If you really want me to- I'd love to help. I'll need to inform Nathalie first. It shouldn't be a problem, though."

Alya smiled evilly (which Adrien didn't notice, but Marinette and Nino definitely did)

"Fine then. Saturday, my place? Around 10 am?"

"Will do," Nino answered.

"Sure," Adrien replied, already seeming excited at the prospect of a chance to spend time with his friends.

Alya smiled in a self-satisfied manner. "So that's settled, then," she smirked. "I'll go ask Max." Winking at Marinette, she went to find Max.

Adrien turned to Marinette, who seemed frozen in her spot, unable to believe that she was going to spend a WHOLE DAY WITH ADRIEN! "Are you coming, Marinette?"

"YES COMING I! I mean, o-o-o-f c-course! I'll b-b-be there."

Adrien smiled warmly. "Good."

Marinette stared at him dreamily. " Oh Adrien…."

"Did you say something?"

"NO!"

"Oh-kay then…."