Chapter 2

It was almost midnight, the crowd in the center of campus was slowly getting larger, all Marinette could do at that moment was pace back and forth with Alya watching her.

"Why did I agree to this? What if I mess this up? What if I trip up the steps? What if he ends up hating me? What if…"

"Girl, you're my best friend and all but you need to calm down." Alya's eyes were closed as she pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. "Making yourself worry like this will only make things worse."

"But I don't even know this guy! You're doing this with Nino who you are in fact dating and I have to do it with someone I don't even know. I don't even know what he looks like!"

"It's not like you'll be meeting him as you step up on the podium, you'll be able to get to know him beforehand. And besides, he is one of Nino's roommates so I've met him before, you've got nothing to worry about."

Marinette turns and looks at Alya, "Why do I feel like you're not telling me everything? You're planning something, aren't you?"

Alya looks at her with the mischievous gleam in her eye that Marinette knows all too well, of course there was a plan involved.

"You are absolutely crazy Alya, maybe I won't play your game anymore and just head home."

"May I remind you of the punishment if you do? The panther statue is right over there after all, I could even hold your clothes if you wanted."

Marinette instantly froze, she had completely forgotten about the punishment! There was absolutely no way that she was getting on that thing naked.

"That's what I thought Mari, now will you behave and stop pacing already?"

Marinette droops in defeat. "Fine but you can't go back on your end of the deal either. I hope you've got enough in your account for all my projects." She looks up at Alya with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

"Why do you think I offered in the first place? The University Paper pays me more than enough and that internship I just started will cover all my personal needs."

They chat for a little while longer as the time draws closer. All at once Alya looks past Marinette and smiles.

"There you are Nino it took you two long enough."

Marinette turns to look at and instantly runs into someone's chest. She looks up to apologize but as she opens her mouth to speak she freezes because all she can see is green. She had seen green eyes before but never this green, only one thought came to her head as she looked into them.

Adrien's POV

Nino and Adrien finally make their way over to the center of campus, Adrien's mind is full of panic as he sees how many people are already there.

"Getting cold feet bro? The panther statue is waiting if you bail out." Nino looks over at him with an evil look.

"Not on your life am I doing that. I'm just…. nervous is all."

"I told you man, you've got nothing to worry about. This girl is one of Alya's roommates and she seems pretty cool."

"If you've met her what haven't you told me about her? Why does this feel so secretive and oh my heck you're planning something aren't you?!"

Adrien has known Nino for a long time, why the realization only just hit him, he'll never know.

Nino effortlessly brushed the question aside, "Like I said, nothing to worry about. Oh, I see Alya, let's make our way over."

The butterflies in Adrien's stomach only worsened as they got closer. As Alya saw them Adrien directed his gaze to the girl she had been talking to. Her back was turned to them but she had dark hair that almost looked blue that brushed past her shoulders. As they stopped behind the girl, Alya smiled and spoke.

"There you are Nino, it took you two long enough."

Only then did Adrien realize he was standing too close to this girl as she spun around and her face made contact with his chest. He looked down to apologize only to freeze when his eyes met blue. The most beautiful blues eyes he had ever seen. Only one thought came to mind as he tried to find words to say.

'Oh crap she's really cute'

Marinette's POV

'Oh crap he's really cute.' This is all her mind was thinking as she looked up at him. Why was her mind freezing up? She really had to say something so why were no words coming to her head. 'come on girl focus!'

"I…. um….. ah… s-sorry!" were the words she finally managed to stutter out as she stepped back. 'Wow smooth Marinette, making a fool of yourself in front of a really hot guy! Might as well just crawl in a hole and die…..'

He continued to look down at her and took his hand and rubbed the back of his neck as he finally spoke "N-no it's my fault. I was standing too close and all"

'Oh no even his voice is attractive! Why did Alya do this to me? I don't know if I can take this!'

Alya interrupted her thought process as she spoke.

"Well I guess introductions are in order. Marinette this is Nino's roommate Adrien. Adrien this is Marinette."

Adrien… where had she heard that name before?

Just then a loud voice rung out over the crowd. A lone girl with short, bright red hair stood on top of the podium with a mic in hand.

"Hello everyone! Welcome to True Panther Night! Who's ready to let the fun begin?"

The crowd cheered at these words. Marinette blushed thinking about what she was about to do. She took a quick glance over to Adrien. Was he…. blushing too?

"Well then everyone, you know how this works, those who are participating form a line next to the steps and let's begin!"

(AN) Who's ready for the kiss? I know I am! If anyone is wondering why I chose a panther as the school mascot there are two main reasons, the first is to pay homage to the Animan episode, the other has to do with the 'Ultimate' tradition. About that tradition yes that does really exist and yes people have been arrested doing it here. We just have a different animal statue that people have done it on. Big thanks to those already following this story. If anyone has any suggestions or questions, feel free to comment, or just comment for the heck of it. I'll post the next chapter when it's done so sit back and enjoy the ride.

~Imperial