Marinette woke up the next day sore and annoyed.
She just wanted to sleep, but unfortunately her alarm woke her up right on time to go to school. Usually, her body didn't respond so negatively to all nighters with Chat, but this time Marinette just felt heavy. It took more effort than usual just to get herself to the bathroom to freshen up, and all her muscles ached.
It wasn't even this bad after an intense akuma attack.
Her mother asked some questions when she saw Marinette trudging around the house and her father checked to see if she was sick, but besides that, her parents didn't seem to be suspicious of anything other than stressful days at school. And Marinette was relieved, because if she was ever found out, it would all be over for her. They hadn't used any protection this time, and Marinette felt a bit guilty, but she had the pills hidden under the mattress.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay?" Sabine asked once again, placing a hand on her daughter's forehead. "If not, stay home."
Marinette shook her head, offering a smile. "Maman," she said. "I'm fine. Besides, I cant stay home today. I have that math test, remember?"
Sabine gave Marinette one last concerned look, but nodded. "Okay, but if there's anything, call me or go to the nurse right away."
"Oui, maman," Marinette said, pulling her bag over her shoulders. "I'm gonna go now, see you when I get home."
Marinette gave her mom a quick kiss and announced to her dad that she was leaving for school. Two minutes later, she joined a pleasant Alya on the curb.
"Hey girl!" Alya threw an arm around her friend's shoulders. "What's up?"
Marinette just groaned. "I feel like the bottom of a dirty shoe."
Alya glanced worriedly at Marinette and held her at arms length, examining the girl. "Why? Did you get hurt?"
"No," Marinette shook her head and shrugged. "Its nothing serious, I'm just tired. I went to sleep pretty late last night, and I regret it now."
Marinette usually told her best friend everything, but not everything. If Alya ever found out about Chat Noir's late night visits, she would pass out. And when she woke up, Alya would probably attack Marinette for not telling her earlier, and then she'd pass out again.
"C'mon girl," Alya shook her head disapprovingly. "What could possibly be more important than sleep? Wait!" Alya stopped walking abruptly and turned to face Marinette. "Did you stay up all night talking to Adrien?"
Marinette sighed and shook her head. "Oh, I wish I did. But no, I was studying." Marinette felt a little guilty at how easily the lie just slid off her tongue, but there was nothing she could do. The truth was definitely not an option. They resumed walking and Alya raised her eyebrows.
"Studying for what?"
"That math test we have today," Marinette says. "I don't remember anything we learned last week and I've just been super stressed out about it."
"Today?" Alya frowned. "Marinette, the test is on Friday. You still have two more days."
Friday. Today was Wednesday. "Oh my goodness!" Marinette slapped her forehead, groaning. "You're right! For the past week I've been thinking it was today! Jeeze, I totally forgot!"
Truth be told, Marinette had thought the math test was today. She just didn't study for it last night. Or any night before that. She didn't have time to study, what with being preoccupied until almost 3 on a good day. But as it turns out, she did remember her teacher specifically saying that the test was on Friday.
Alya laughed at her friend's exasperation. "It's Okay, at least you got some extra studying in."
If only.
They reached the school gates when a familiar black limousine pulled up. Marinette noticed it first, expression shifting comically slow. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers and her jaw dropped. She froze up next to Alya, fingers wrapped around the other girl's arm in a tight grip. A weak squeal left Marinette's throat and Alya rolled her eyes.
"Breathe," Alya whispered to her hyperventilating friend as the door opened and a certain blonde boy stepped out. "In and out."
"Hnngg," Marinette made a failed last minute attempt at forming words and clamped her mouth shut.
Adrien immediately noticed the duo standing rather awkwardly by the gates. He waved and smiled. "Hey Alya, hey Marinette."
Alya returned the wave and greeting, nudging a still frozen Marinette with her other elbow. Time seemed to go in slow motion for Marinette, who could feel the fire start at her toes and spread all the way up to the tips of her ears. After a moment, Marinette stuck one hand up and rigidly swept it back and forth.
"You're smiling too much," Alya mumbled quietly. Marinette didn't seem to hear her.
"H-hi Adrien," Marinette giggled nervously. Adrien walked toward them and Marinette's heart stopped.
He looked so good today. Well, Adrien always looked good, but today was different. He seemed to be glowing, more than usual. His sunshine yellow hair seemed glossier than ever and there was a twinkle in his emerald eyes.
"How are you guys?" Adrien asked, one hand resting on his bag strap and the other in a pocket.
"I'm great," Alya replied and glanced at Marinette. "Her, I'm not so sure."
Adrien turned his focus on Marinette, and for a split second it seemed like his smile had twitched into something else. But no, Marinette was imagining things. Adrien's bright smile was the same as always. "Are you okay Marinette?"
"Yeah," Marinette felt a bit light headed. "You're fine."
Adrien's eyebrows arched up and his eyes widened. "...What?"
Alya sucked in a breath and Marinette snapped to attention, stammering. "Uh- I mean- fine! You're looking fine- No, wait, uhh- I'm fine."
Her face must have been fire engine red by now; the tips of her ears were so hot, they were cold. Embarrassment hit her in the gut like a thousand pound ball and she clasped her hands together behind her back. Adrien's expression returned to normal and he nodded.
"Oh," He said. "That's good to hear. But you look a little tired."
Alya swept in this time. "That's because she was up all night, studying."
Adrien's grin grew a hint wider and he raised both eyebrows. Marinette was finding it very hard to breathe. "Studying all night? For what?"
Marinette wrung her hands behind her back and shook her head. "F-for our math test. I th-thought it was today but it's on Friday."
"Oh yeah," Adrien blinked and nodded. "We have a test. I forgot all about it."
At that moment, the bell rang and the trio noticed students filing into the school. Some stopped to say hello to Adrien, but a few didn't even notice Alya and Marinette. It didn't affect Marinette anymore, she was used to it and it didn't matter to her anyway.
"Let's get going," Alya chimed in, taking Marinette by the elbow. "Don't want to be late for first period."
As the three made their way to their first period class, Marinette stole short glances at the blonde model. She was probably just imagining it, but something in his smile and his expression in general seemed off today. It wasn't a bad kind of off, but rather there was a sly look on his face. She didn't often see Adrien have that kind of expression, but was kind of familiar. Like she'd seen the same amused arch of his eyebrows and slope of his lips on another face, but she just couldn't place her finger on who.
Right before the three entered their classroom, Adrien cast a sideways glance at Marinette, who was intently examining the light reflecting off his cheekbones. When she saw that she had been caught, Marinette's eyelids fluttered and she snapped her head forward. Behind her, Alya groaned. Crap.
"So Marinette," Adrien casually started, heading for his shared bench. "Can I ask you a question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
Marinette had to take each step up to her seat one at a time, but she stopped just in front of Adrien. She didn't mean to; there was a standstill in the room's traffic. They were so close that Marinette could smell the soft scent of Adrien's cologne. It was a balanced mix between spicy and sweet. Even though it was such an innocent thought, Marinette's cheeks flushed crimson.
"Y-yeah," she realized she was supposed to answer a couple seconds ago. "What is it?"
Adrien set his books down and slid into his seat. "What kind of cleanser do you use? Your skin looks so good today."
What? My skin? A confused expression came over Marinette, but she brushed it off. Of course Adrien would notice something like her skin; he was expected to pay extra attention to such things.
"Nothing really," Marinette shrugged, dumping herself into her chair. "I just woke up and it was like this."
"Oh," Adrien looked the girl straight in the eyes and she felt a shiver run down her spine. That look was familiar too, but she couldn't place it. "Usually when I want my skin to get nice and clear, I start off by exercising for a while. All the sweat really helps clean everything out."
Something in his voice catches Marinette off guard. Why did he emphasis sweat of all words? And why did it look like he was smirking at her? Why was another blonde boy's masked face popping into her head?
No, no it was just her imagination. Adrien was being genuine, not teasing; there was nothing cheeky in his question or facial expression. It was probably a normal question for someone like him to ask. Understandable.
"Well," Marinette ducked her head, ears hot. "I guess you can say I got some exercise in yesterday, too, and I did... sweat quite a bit."
It felt strange admitting something like that to Adrien- Adrien!- but she was sure he wouldn't know what she really meant. Of course she felt embarrassed just thinking about her night with Chat, but what she said wasn't an entire lie, either. I guess last night could count as exercise, she thought. There was definitely a lot of movement.
But the entire conversation seemed strange. She didn't usually have these kind of talks with Adrien; kind, sweet, perfect Adrien. It was different.
"Ah," Adrien offered Marinette a full, open smile that blinded her like she just stared into a thousand suns. "I see."
Before Adrien could say any more, the final bell rang and their teacher barked out a page number to turn to and read.
Until lunch rolled around, Marinette couldn't get her mind off of her out of character conversation with Adrien and his dazzling smile, his shining eyes- Marinette let out one sigh every few minutes. She was content, for the most part. She had had a real conversation with the love of her life, and now her life was complete!
But why did her brain refuse to push vivid memories from last night to the back of her mind? And why was Chat Noir's masked face, twisted with pleasure, burned against the backs of her eyelids?