"Marinette." I faintly heard someone calling my name. I couldn't bring myself to respond though, my eyes seemingly locked onto the mass of golden hair in front of me. "Marinette!" My arm was suddenly pulled out from under me, my head colliding with the table.

Rubbing my forehead, at the sudden impact, I quickly glanced around. Hopefully no one had seen that. My cheeks flushed at the thought, but relief soon washed through me as everyone seemed to be preoccupied to even look my way.

"Alya, what the heck?" I glared at my seatmate, who held her hand to her mouth, her shoulder shaking slightly.

"Sorry girl," She apologized in between giggles. "It's just you've been spacing out in class all week, you just keep staring at Adrien's head. Someone might think..." She trailed off, a cheshire grin slowly spreading across her face. "Someone might think you have a thing for him," Alya continued, speaking significantly softer than she had before, one eyebrow raised, as if daring me to speak. I ducked my head, not willing to meet my new friend's eyes.

Only a few days had passed since Alya and I had met, but already she seemed to be quite adept at reading me. I mean, I guess I had been staring at Adrien, but not for what she thought! The lesson was boring! Nothing else. I didn't have a thing for him.

Ever since that first day though, I guess I had been watching him. Not in a creepy way though! I was curious, is all. He was the only one, besides Alya to have tried to talk to me. So maybe it helped, that he was cute, and maybe that contributed a bit to my watching, but that didn't mean anything!

Watching him had given me a few insights about him, he was constantly helping people; whether it was helping someone with their assignment or carrying boxes for the teacher. He always seemed to be concerned about others, always putting his things aside to lend a hand.

The more I observed him, the more I thought, that maybe his sudden 180 the day we met was just a fluke. We hadn't talked since that day though, not that either of us attempted to. I thought at first, he was trying to avoid me. At least it seemed that way, the few times we happened to glance at each other or be in the same room, he always turned away quickly or refused to look my way. That was probably just coincidence, though. I was looking to far into things. Right? I sighed wistfully and glanced back at Adrien.

"You're going to spill, later. " Alya whispered with a nudge. "We'll go to my house after school.

"Sure, Alya, sounds fun," Isighed, attempting to focus my attention on our last lesson of the day.

I was excited that Alya invited me over, I just didn't know what I was supposed to tell her or what she wanted to hear. It's not like anything was going on between me and Adrien, quite the opposite actually, so I wouldn't have much to say at all. Chewing on my lip, I looked back to the blonde. He was a nice guy. He was helpful. And I mean I couldn't deny that he was attractive… and caring...and smart.

Okay.

Maybe I had a little thing for him.

But just a little one.

It wasn't long before the bell rang, dismissing us for the day. Alya and I gathered our things and walked over to her house. We were in her living room, and Alya had just put in a movie, she leaned back on the couch placing her feet on the dark brown coffee table in front of us. I had just tucked myself into the corner of the couch, when Alya looked my way.

"So," Alya started, giving me a knowing look.

I scratched my head self consciously, and decided to feign ignorance. Alya, however, wasn't having any of that. "Marinette, you know what." she said, grabbing the nearest pillow and hitting my arm. "It has to do with a certain blonde, and you staring at him with drool running halfway down your face."

"What!? I wasn't drooling!" I was shaking my head furiously, at her statement, before I stopped. "Wait, was I?" My eyes grew wide in horror. I wiped my mouth as if that somehow fixed the problem. Alya took one look at my face and started laughing, her head rolling onto the back of the couch as she guffawed. "Alya, no this is serious! Was I?" My breathing was starting to become heavy.

"Woah girl," Alya said as she noticed my slightly panicked state. "You weren't I was just trying to get a reaction out of you. Nothing serious. I didn't mean to freak you out." She said as she patted my hand. "Did you actually think you were?"

"No it's not necessarily that. It's just…" I had relaxed knowing that it was just Alya trying to pull my leg, but I had started to fiddle with my fingers, hoping that she'd move pass the subject. I didn't want to have to explain to her why I had my little freak outs. I shouldn't have even had it to begin with. It was just being in this new place, it was overwhelming and I wasn't sure of myself here and to think I had unknowingly embarrassed myself just hadn't helped and just set me off slightly.

"C'mon, tell me. It bothered you. I'd rather not say something that you take the wrong way in the future. You're my friend, Marinette."

I had smiled at her last comment. We were friends, but I didn't want to hurt our budding relationship, by giving her such a random and unnecessary bombshell. No I could handle it by myself, just like I always did.

"Sorry, Alya," I said still messing with my fingers, " Just an overreaction I just didn't want to think I had embarrassed myself, you know." I hadn't lied, what I told her was true. I just kept some things to myself. A need to know basis only.

"Okay," She finally said, seeming to accept my explanation. "Sooo, are you going to tell me about your little crush on Adrien?" She continued our conversation, batting her eyes at me teasingly.

"There's nothing to really tell. I fell Monday and he asked me if I was okay. It wasn't really much of anything, since he took off pretty fast after." I answered honestly. "It's just uh," My voice faltered, as I wasn't sure what else to say. "I g-guess I thought he was cute." I mumbled.

Alya squealed at my small confession, clapping her hands together excitedly. I squirmed in my seat, not sure what I should be doing. "Hey there's nothing wrong with that." Alya smiled at me, noticing my uncomfortableness. "You could do a million times worse than Adrien, Marinette. He's a great guy."

I smiled, "That's really good to know."

"Just watch out, Chloe has a thing for him too, and she's not too fond of people getting to close with her Adrikins." She rolled her eyes at the last bit, sarcasm dripping from her voice as she spoke the pet name .

"Adrikins?" I said wrinkling my nose in distaste.

Alya snorted, "That's what Chloe calls him. Apparently, they've known each other since they were kids." My face must've showed my confusion because Alya went on to explain. "Chloe's family has connections, her dad being the mayor of Paris tends to do that for you." I raised my eyebrows in slight shock. I never would have thought Chloe's dad was the mayor, I just expected the daughter of the mayor to be more... debonair. Or maybe, I don't know, nice?

"Wait, but why would they know each other just because her father is the mayor?" I asked, not understanding the connection.

"My bad, I forget that you wouldn't know everything I do. I'm surprised though, usually people know who Adrien's father is." My brow furrowed. Who could Adrien's father be?

"I don't even know Adrien's last name," I said truthfully.

"I guess you wouldn't," She said shaking her head slightly. "His father is Gabriel Agreste, you know the fashion designer? His work is all over the magazines," She looked at me, a small smirk teasing the corner of her mouth as she spoke, "And so is his son."

"Huh? Adrien designs clothes too?" I cocked my head. Was I missing something here, that I shouldn't be?

The smirk was now on full display, as she reached under the coffee table and pulled out a pile of magazines. "No, Marinette." She quickly paged through the stack before placing one down in front of me. "He's a model, sweetie."

I stared dumbfounded. In front of me, was an issue of La Mode magazine and Adrien was on the cover. There was no mistaking it. That was him. His head was slightly bowed, his eyes closed, but his hair was just as messy as ever. A small smile was etched onto his face, his hand rubbing the back of his neck, while the other rested in the front pocket of his jeans. The jeans were dark but they complemented the black of his jacket. His shirt was a muted green, that gave the outfit an overall pop of color..

My eyes kept scanning over the picture, trying to take everything in. Where did I move to? Who is this guy? What is with this town? And when did I step into some movie?

"Well," I started, pursing my lips slightly as I tried to find the right words, "I was not expecting that. At all." My jumbled thoughts began to spill out of my mouth as I continued. "They should have a disclaimer on this place, you know? No one at my last school were models. Or kids important figure. And we definitely didn't have masked figures lurking in the night!" I exclaimed throwing my hands up, this city was full of surprises, that's for sure.

"Well Marinette," A shit-eating grin spreading across my friend's face, mirth dancing in her eyes. "Welcome to Paris."

I was in the library trying to find a book on Ancient Egypt, for a research project we had gotten assigned. It should have been there somewhere. Alya had said it was in the back row on the far right side of the library, I was there, so where was this dang book. I scanned the shelves trying to find the book Alya told me about, Ancient Egypt: The Facts and the Legends. Apparently she had used it for a similar project the year before, I didn't ask too many questions though.

"Red with golden lettering, that's what she said." I mumbled to myself, taking a step back to get a better view. A flash of color on the top shelf, stood out in the otherwise bland sea of books. That was it!

Grabbing the step stool on the far end of the aisle, I lined it up to the shelf. I stood on the top step, perched on my toes, straining to reach the book. I was so close. My fingers were just grazing the bottom of the book.

Dang it, I thought stepping down ,I was just too short.

I peeked around the corner of the shelf, trying to see if there was anyone else here that could help, school had already been out for almost an hour though, and the librarian had been the only one in the library when I got there.

Maybe the librarian would help me. A quick glance towards the front of the library showed she wasn't at her desk. Maybe she was putting books away.

I had started up the aisles, when movement in the corner of my eye, made me stop. Looking down the aisle I saw a familiar head of messy blonde hair, that definitely didn't belong to the elderly librarian I had seen earlier.

Adrien's back was to me as he examined the books on the shelves lining the walls. He had headphones on, his head bobbing to the beat of some unknown song.

I debated whether or not to ask him for help. He'd be convenient to ask and I still hadn't seen the librarian around. He had helped the kids in class, would he help me get the book, if I asked? He was certainly tall enough to reach it. I had talked to him last time, so asking him shouldn't have been too bad for me. Last time, I didn't have a crush on him though... I gnawed on my lip, debating. Was there really a good reason not to, because I couldn't think of one. I took a deep breath, and decided to ask for his help.

Not giving myself a chance to think too much into it, I crossed over to where he stood. I was only a few feet behind him, shuffling from foot to foot, before finally steeling myself. I quickly tapped his shoulder before ducking my head down, trying to make myself seem smaller than I already was.

Adrien tensed at my touch, and spun around quicker than I had thought possible, his body going down into a slight crouch, that seemed oddly reminiscent of a defensive stance. His mouth was a thin line. His eyebrows were drawn in, his head slightly tilted, causing a faint shadow to be cast over his eyes. He looked... threatening. He looked like he was ready for a fight. I took a timid step back, my eyes widening.

Did I do something wrong? Was this like the time on the pavement?

Recognition flashed through Adrien's face as he looked me over, his features softening immediately. I blinked, not sure what to make of his sudden change in demeanor. He reached to pull off his headphones, letting them rest around his neck, "Sorry about that, didn't realize anyone else was in here," His eyes flickered towards me and quickly away, as he rubbed the back of his head. Awkward tension filling the air.

I had unconsciously clenched my hands behind my back,out of fear or sudden nerves I wasn't sure. What was that? Did he think I was going to attack him? Did I seem threatening? No, that couldn't have been it. Was it?

I was frozen in place. I didn't know what to do anymore. Did I ask him for help still? Should I question him about what just happened? What about the time on the pavement? The coldness that seemed to appear on him when I was around, had me so confused.

He wasn't looking at me still, his eyes just skirting around me. I bristled, he was avoiding me. I thought it had been my imagination, but I was wrong.

My nails were digging into my palms. "I'm gonna go now." My words came out rushed as spun on my heel.

I'd just go find the librarian, to help me. Yeah. I didn't need to ask someone that couldn't even look at me. I was mad, I was hurt, but mostly I was frustrated. My vision blurred as I walked, but I blinked the tears away. I refused to let any fall, and for such a dumb reason. Why did such small things upset me like this? It wasn't fair to me or to others. I just needed to ask, but it was so hard sometimes.

I faintly heard him calling out my name, but I refused to stop.

Footsteps echoed behind me and a hand appeared on my shoulder, "Marinette," Adrien's hand was on my shoulder. He was touching me. How, even with me being so upset, did that seem to make me happy? Why did that fact somehow bother me more?

I had unknowingly stopped at the touch, and he took the chance to speak. "I'm sorry, Marinette. I'm sorry if I scared you. I thought the library was empty, you just surprised me, honest." The feeling of his hand was gone, as he now stood in front of me, a small apologetic smile on his face, his eyes still not meeting mine. "

I tugged at my bangs, lowering my gaze. He wasn't looking at me still. I wanted to turn my back. I wanted to find the librarian and ask for her help. I wanted to leave.

What was his problem? Was it me? It had to be me. But why? Why? "Why won't you look at me?" I had spoken my thoughts aloud, barely more than a breath.

A slight inhale of breath made me look back up, had he heard me? "Y-you noticed that huh? It's dumb really." He still wasn't looking at me but he was answering my question. He glanced over his shoulder, it was almost reflexive, like he was making sure we were alone. "That first day, when you fell," His fingers raked through his hair, his head tilting up, like he didn't know how to phrase what he wanted to say, "How I left that day, it was... it was rude. Unacceptable really, and it was your first impression of me." He sighed, his gaze finally lowering, Emerald orbs resting upon my blue. "I was ashamed, honestly. I didn't know what you'd think of me and I didn't know how to apologize. You just seem to catch me at bad times and I'm sorry." He finished with a shy smile. He rubbed the back of his head again, his eyebrow slightly crinkled. His emerald eyes watching, waiting for my reply.

I couldn't help it, maybe it was the finally getting an answer, maybe it was the anxiety of the situation ceasing, or maybe it was the familiarity of the eyes; a warm smile suddenly graced my lips. I was beaming. "That makes me feel so much better, thank you."

Adrien's eyes grew big. A slight pink hue tinting his cheeks, his own smile stretching wider across his face. A comfortable silence seemed to fall, both of us engrossed in the other.

A sudden clearing of the throat, made us jump, breaking the silence. "The library is now closed." The librarian stood by us. Her greying hair tied back, her murky brown eyes waiting patiently.

"Oh," Adrien gave a nervous chuckle, his eyes glancing back my way, "Sorry about that we'll go now." He turned in the direction of the doors, leaving.

"Umm, let me get my bag," I mumbled, my eyes having lowered back to the floor, when the librarian had made her presence known. I felt strange. It was like we had been caught doing something we shouldn't. I left quickly after, hurrying to get my bag.

I exited the library but was shocked at the sight of Adrien. I had just assumed he'd leave immediately after I went to grab my bag. I didn't expect him to be waiting, but there he was.

He leaned casually against the wall, his hand tucked into his front pockets. He pushed himself off the wall when he noticed me in the doorway, he stood in front of me yet again.

"I realized something. You had been trying to ask me something before, right?"

I sputtered, I had forgotten about that. "Umm, yeah I needed help getting a b-book, but doesn't matter now." I managed.

The corner of his mouth twitched, "Well tomorrow I have fencing, but if you can wait until Thursday, I'd be happy to get the book for you." There was a slight pause before he quickly added, "I was trying to find a book too, so I'll have to come back then anyways." His face had taken on a rosy tint at the end, like he became unsure of himself.

This didn't make sense, why would he still want to help me? I could easily just see if Alya could reach it, she was the one who had told me about the book so she'd have to be able to reach,right? Besides why would I wait two more days?

My head was spinning, he seemed like he wanted to help. Maybe he wants to do this as another way to apologize? I couldn't figure out why he'd go out of his way for something so small and seemingly insignificant. I didn't understand this guy. Every interaction with him leaving me at a loss.

My head was moving up and down, before I could even register what was happening. "Great!" Adrien said his eyes lighting up. "We can walk together after the last bell. I got to run, but I'll see you later." He flashed a toothy grin, before taking off down the hall.

I was left alone and very confused by Adrien Agreste.

-A/N:

Hey guys! So I made a longer chapter! So yay!

So Upsetcherrios left a review, which dude thank you for that, but saying that MArinette seemed a little OOC. I've briefly said this but I really haven't clarified the issue. Marinette will be a little OOC because I'm portraying her with a bit of anxiety. It won't be much, though it may seem like a lot now, but new experiences for people with anxiety can be really hard which is why I stress this. Also Marinette is NOT Ladybug in this. If you have a problem with this, I'm sorry, but that's just how I see my story unfolding.

Also like shout out to Upsetcheerios for being the first reviewer, I really appreciate that. I don't really know what y'all think without that and it's incentive for me to keep writing. So please review, if you can.
And finally, updates will be a little random, I plan on posting at least once a week but I don't have a set day for any of it because well, life.

Also have y'all seen Yuri! On Ice? Cus X3