A.U. Thanks everyone for reading my story. Sorry for any mistakes in this chapter.
Chapter 4
The next morning Marinette managed to to wake up on time. By on time she ment when her alarm went off at 7.00. Honestly the prospect of Marinette getting up before she was supposed to unless it was an emergency (an akuma attack) was vitually impossible. Everyone knew that, (not the akuma part though), her Mum, her Dad, Alya, Nino, Adrien, her teachers. Even Chat Noir knew never to expect Ladybug on time. The Ladybug suit made her feel more confident, more alive and, more sassy. But it did not make her punctual.
Taking a quick, but not too quick shower she then got dressed and unlike most days managed to sit down and eat breakfast at the table.
"Did you manage to finish that project with Alya last night Mari? You must have come in late because we didn't hear or see you come in. But we do go to sleep early and sleep very soundly. Plus your Papa's snoring is too loud for me to hear anything else. I swear it makes the house rattle." They both looked across at Tom's pretend hurt expression.
Marinette giggled. "Papa don't worry your snoring isn't that loud. I can't hear it from my room. And yes, we did finish the project. Thanks mum."
Marinette made a mental note; At school make sure to tell Alya about last nights 'project', just in case Mum decides to bring it up in casual conversation with Alya. She could think about what she was going to tell Alya later, because she obviously wasn't doing what she said she was, and her best friend, being the aspiring reporter she was, would be very inquisitive about what Marinette was doing that was too secret to tell her parents.
Tom smiled. And then did a double take "Mari, you're up, eating breakfast! You do know what the time is, right?"
Marinette laughed and then dramatically said, "Oh my god, it's a miracle. She's up. She's... Alive." then she threw her hand over her forehead like she was about to faint. Then she started laughing, her laughing became hysterical but she managed to put away her bowl, put food in her puse for Tikki, wave good bye to her parents who by now had also begun laughing, and then run all the way to school (which wasn't very far seeing as the bakery was across the road from school.) She was still laughing when she got to school, early. She finally quietened up when she realised that none of her friends were there yet. That's how early she was, not even Alya was there.
She settled down on the steps and pulled out her sketchpad. She then began doodling and working on some new designs. She only looked up when she saw a limo pull up at the school. She immediately recognised it as one of Adrien's because she saw could see him as the window was down, not because she had memorised his number plate or anything, now way.
She closed her sketch book not wanting Adrien to see her sketches. He might make not like them. Not that he would say it out loud, he was to good of a person for that. She took out her phone and pretended that she had been looking at that as the love of her life walked up to her and then sat down beside her.
"Morning Marinette."
"G-Good morning to you too Adrien." she smiled at him.
"What are you working on?"
"Oh, just looking through my phone."
"No, I mean in your book." he gestured to her sketch book and after getting a hesitant yet affirming look from Marinette he slowly pulled it of her lap. He opened it and started looking at her designs. He took his time studying each one. He probaly knew what good fashion was seeing as his Dad was a fashion designer and he was a model. She just hoped that he thought her designs were not terrible. She considered herself as an 'ok' designer but what if he thought she sucked. She was starting to hyperventalate unknown to Adrien as he was so absorbed in her drawings, hopefully in a good way.
"Marinette. These are amazing! I never knew you were such a great designer. Your bowler hat was great. But, WOW! I never-."
Marinette nearly fainted. Adrien just said her designs were amazing! Amazing! WOW!
"Marinette, you should meet my father. I am sure he will love your designs, maybe even more then me, as he knows alot more about fashion than me."
"Me, meet your father, as in Gabriel Agreste. Adrien I'm not sure-"
"Marinette your designs are phenominal, you are phenominal. My father is very busy but I am sure he can make time for you. No, he will make time. I will make sure of it. It might be in a week, it might be in a month but he needs to meet you." Marinette was stunned as he finished his very heart felt speech.
"Thank you so much Adrien" Was this really happening, Adrien, Gabriel Agreste. Thankfully at that moment she saw Alya and Nino.
"Alya, Nino" she said with alot relief. Hopefully it wasn't evident in her voice because she didn't want Adrien to be hurt.
Alya and Nino walked up them.
"Yo dude" said Nino, fist bumping Adrien.
"What are you two lovebirds talking about?" said Alya with smirk. Both Marinette and Adrien blushed.
"Alya!"
"Marinette was just showng me her designs. Have you seen them? They're so good!" Alya glanced at Adrien then Marinette.
"Did she now? And yes I have seen them before. I've also worn them."
"No wonder you always look so good" came Nino's smooth reply.
"NINO!"
"You know you love me"
"DO I? My dear, dear Nino," she patted him on the shoulder "Never in a million years." then she and Marinette walked away but not before she turned and gave him a wink.
"Maybe all isn't lost hey Nino?"
"Let's hope so. Anyway dude, what was it with you and Mari."
"What about us?"
"What were you actually talking about? Did she finally tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
Nino mentally smacked his forhead. How was his friend so oblivious? He said as much, "Dude, how are you so oblivious?" then he smacked his forehead.
Adrien just shook his head. Sometimes his friend made no sense. What was he so oblivious about?
"Come on dude." Then Adrien stood up and followed Marinette and Alya's footsteps into their classroom.
"Good morning class. First of all, has everyone given me their book report?
"Yes"
"Yes"
"Yes"
Marinette also called 'yes' a little proudly because despite the odds ('the odds' being patrol and that book) she had completed it and handed it in on time just before the bell wrang.
"Chloe do I have yours? I haven't seen you bring it to me."
"Sabrina handed it in." Ms Bustier gave Chloe that 'I do not approve but because you are the mayors daughter I can't do anything about it' look that Chloe strategically avoided. Ms Bustier sighed "Anyway, to some exciting news, in a few days a new student will join us. I expect you all to make him feel welcome."
Marinette saw Chloe perk up at the mention of a 'he'. But then when Ms Bustier turned to write something on the board, Chloe leaned over to Adrien.
"Don't worry Adrikins only you have my heart. This new guy will be no threat to your perfect looks, your fame or money."
Adrien looked at her funny. 'Money?' he mouthed. Chloe just smiled her fake smile with no teeth. Then she turned back towards the front but not before she blew a kiss to him. Marinette made a slightly disgusted face, looks? Fame? Glory? Money? Is that all Chloe cared about? Actually, Marinette already knew the answer to that. Yes, Yes, Yes with a 'yes' on top. She felt sorry for Adrien. She knew that people saw him as a famous, handsome and rich model but she liked him for his personality. He wasn't just a beautiful model to her, he was also a fun, loving, passionate boy who just had a different life to everyone else. It was a life he didn't always enjoy. She had heard him complaining about it to Nino (politely) and with the way girls fauned over him in the corridors it wasn't a surprise his life wasn't perfect. He had to keep politely letting people down. 'I am glad I don't have a life like that' thought Marinette looking down at the bundle of blond hair in front of her.
By the time class had finished Marinette was exhausted, these past few late nights had really taken their toll. She was ready to go home and get to bed; till she remembered that she was going to see the Guardian later and that she still had to get through the rest of the day.
By the end of school Marinette was pretty sure that she had fallen asleep in at least one of her classes. Either that or she just wasn't paying her classes any attention because she remembered nothing. But when the final bell went she managed to summon her energy and slowly began walking out of her classroom. She saw Alya (subtely) flirting with Nino. She giggled slightly when she spied Adrien standing a bit back from the two looking a bit put out. Alya had probably butted in when they were chatting. She smiled at her best friends attitude. She strolled over to Adrien, not wanting to face Master Fu just yet.
"How long till they get together do you reckon?" Adrien turned to her, obviously he didn't see her coming but then he smiled and laughed.
"By the end of the month."
Marinette smiled "Bold, but I agree. They're like magnets to each other." How did she just say that to Adrien? Was she too loud? Was she too sassy? Did she sound in love? Hopefully she didn't sound like any of them.
"Hey Marinette what are you doing this afternoon?" Her cheeks were on fire, they were the colour of the reddest ruby.
"Um, um I am visiting someone. W-Why?" Adrien blushed.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to do something but as you are going out..." he spluttered out the first bit really quickly and mumbled the last bit so Marinette had to carefully decode it. She wanted to say 'yes' so bad that she could taste the words on her tongue but she could feel Tikki moving around in her purse. Tikki would not be very proud if she chose Adrien over her responsibilities as Ladybug. Tikki respected that she was in love with Adrien but she was the Ladybug Kwami, her existence was primarily to help Ladybug transform and be safe. But she had become a huge part of Marinette's civillian life as well, and as Tikki had done so much for her, she (Marinette) decided to be loyal to Tikki despite the love of her life just having asked her to go out with him.
"I-I am so unbelievably sorry. I have something really important to do." Marinette felt so bad looking at Adrien dejected face. "Are you busy on Sunday?" Oh my god did I just ask Adrien on a date? Where did this courage come from?
Adrien smiled "I don't think so, but if I do I'm sure I could make time for you." His eyes widened "Well of cause I can make time for you. You are my friend, I would do the same for Nino and Alya." Mari's smile dimmed a little, she wished she could become more to him than just friends but they may as well start somewhere.
"Marinette, shall I text you the details? Do you have my number?" Well technically she did have it from Alya but she wasn't going to tell him that.
"Um no I don't. Do you have mine?" Adrien just shook his head in response then he offered her his phone and she did the same. He typed his number into her phone and Marinette did the same to his, then they handed them back to their respectful owner. Marinette will always treasure her phone now. Adrien had touched and used it. Just another piece of 'Adrien merchandise' that she had.
"See you on Sunday then Marinette. Bye."
"B-Bye Adrien" she then waved goodbye, then slapped herself "That, was so phony" she cringed till she saw Adrien wave back. She smiled from ear to ear then she started walking home with a slight spring in her step. She just had to go home and drop off her bags and possibly get a snack, then she could go see Master Fu. Obviously she would need to take 'The Miraclous' because that is what the whole meeting will be about. She dumped her bag in her room and grabbed some cookies for her and Tikki to share then began the walk to Master Fu's house.
The whole walk there, Marinette's mind was bursting with questions for the Guardian and about the Guardian.
How does Hugo Martins know so much about the miraculous?
Are all his facts completely true?
Why are you called 'The Guardian'?
Should I tell Chat? Actually that last question was for Master Fu and herself.
She arrived at an old Chinese style house. She went up to the front door and took a deep breath.
"You can do this Marinette. You will find out answers to your questions."
"Thanks Tikki" Summing her Ladybug courage Marinette brought her fist to the door and knocked three times. Then she took tree deep breaths and three seconds later the door opened.
A.U. Thanks everyone for reading my story. Sorry for any mistakes in this chapter. PLEASE review! Reviews help me make my story better. See you next time. Adios.