Marinette rose from bed with a groan and a pounding headache. She tried desperately to ignore the piercing sounds of her alarm clock, instead opting to let herself be cloaked in steam and burning water.

Stepping out of the shower, the chill of Parisian autumn nipped at her sides, and she rushed to pull on one of her warmest exclusively pink outfits.

Eyeing the body length mirror, she nodded in satisfaction and pulled the dark bangs from her eyes.

She opened her purse so that a sleepy Tikki could flit in, and raced down the carpeted stairs. "See you soon Maman!"

Sabine Cheng didn't miss a beat, handing Marinette a small parcel containing freshly baked pastries, "Take some lunch mon cherie!"

Marinette stumbled, but managed to stay on her feet, "Right!" She gave her mother one last peck on the cheek before running out the door, "bye Papa!"

Tom Dupain's baritone sounded as the door shut behind her, "Have a great day sweetie!"

Marinette grinned, "Without a doubt."

Due to a slight navigational mix up, Marinette managed to be a total of fifteen minutes late to Mathematics.

Slipping into the classroom, Marinette murmured her apologies and took the vacant seat beside Alya.

Leaning in conspiratorially, her best friend whispered, "Adrien was asking about you before class started girl."

Marinette's eyes widened comically, "Me?"

Alya chuckled, "yes, you. It would seem sunshine boy couldn't get you off his mind all morning."

Marinette's gaze wandered down down the buttery locks of Adrien Agreste. Perfectly coiffed and shining in the sunlight, Marinette yet again wondered if his hair was somehow magically enhanced.

Probably sensing her insistent stare, Adrien turned around his seat. Green eyes met bright azure, and suddenly Marinette's cheeks flooded with warmth.

Flustered, Marinette tried her best to act normal. She sent him a small, awkward wave and an equally unnatural smile.

Adrien returned the wave, (always the perfect gentleman), but his expression was tense, expression wary.

Marinette felt uncomfortable, but didn't back away from his gaze. How could she?

She worried her lip, and asked him, voice hushed, "A-are you alright Adrien?"

Adrien did nothing more than watch her for a few seconds before he turned back around in chair.

Marinette gaped, he's full on ignoring me now?!

Alya's face relayed Marinette's unease perfectly, "Did something happen to Adrien?"

Marinette shook her head. She had no idea… but couldn't help but feel she was to blame.

The bell rang, announcing the school day's end after a long day of stress and little academic success.

Trudging home, Marinette felt a new weight settle in her chest. It curled her shoulders and cast her gaze downwards.

All day- all day Adrien had watched her with that terrible wariness. He seemed to recoil from each of her advances, as if they hadn't been friends all these months.

Hadn't they?

From her bedroom window, she saw him enter his limo, shoulders sagging. She wanted to go to him before he left… but she couldn't bear to break whatever they had left.

She had been so sure of herself this morning. That past Marinette had thought that the day would bring amazing things.

She hadn't imagined that this day would mark the beginning of such a hollowing loneliness.