Marinette told Alya the good news over the lunch break. They had both walked over to her parents bakery and had ate their lunch in Marinette's room.

"So, let me get this straight. Adrien asked you, out of the blue, on TWO DATES?" Alya had been hanging onto her friend's every word.

"Yeah, well, I mean, one isn't really a date. Is it? He's just going to help me study in the library."

"Girl, sounds like a date in my book. I mean, I know Adrien is one of the top students in our class, but it isn't like he goes around offering to tutor everyone one."

"I guess so. But he heard me talking to myself about my grades. My parents will ground me if I don't get them up."

"And then you couldn't go to the movies with Adrien! Well, that makes sense. He has to get your grades up so he can date you!" Alya cracked up laughing and so did Marinette. Adrien really did have a good reason to help her study.

"But, Alya….what do I wear? What if I say something stupid? What if….?" Alya cut her off.

"Marinette! You need to chill. He likes you. He wouldn't have asked you out if he didn't! So chill and relax. Don't think about things. Just trust your heart. You'll be fine."

"Because that worked so well in the past?" Marinette asked. She wasn't as confident in herself as Alya was.

"Well...you did manage to get him to like you, didn't you?"

"I guess…"

"Then chill. Today, just study and focus on getting a good grade on the history test this week, ok? We can worry about what to wear for the movies tomorrow."

"So, you'll help me? Pick out clothes?"

"YES! Of course I will. What are best friends for?" Alya smiled warmly, then glanced around the room. "But if you are seriously going to date Adrien, I would take down at least some of these photos."

Marinette glanced around the room at her 'Adrien collection' as her friends called it and grimaced. "Haha, yeah. You might be right about that one."

"Besides, you'll need room to put up pictures of you together." Marinette frowned and threw a pillow at Alya. Alya laughed and threw one back. Marinette laughed too, but when she saw the clocked she panicked.

"Ayla! We gotta hurry! We're going to be late!"

The rest of the day passed slowly. Occasionally, Adrien would look over his shoulder and smile at Marinette, which she found extremely distracting. But, it also made her extremely happy and encouraged her to take good notes.

When class was over, she said goodbye to Alya and turned to head walk over the the library.

"You ready?" Adrien was waiting for her. Nodding, she walked along beside him. "So, what subject do you need to work on?"

"His...History," she said meekly.

"You missed a few classes, am I right?" He asked, glancing over at her. She nodded. She had missed several classes due to Ladybug business and her grade had been slipping because of it. "It's alright. You're smart. We will have you caught up in no time."

As they walked, Marinette couldn't believe how good it felt to be beside him. Part of her really wanted to hold his hand, but her nerves kept both hands clinging to her backpack. Once they arrive and found a good table to sit at, Adrien pulled out his textbook and a black and green striped notebook.

"I missed a few classes too," he confessed "But Natalie, my dad's assistant, is a good tutor. I'll share my notes from her with you. And then maybe we can work through the questions at the end of each chapter."

"I have some notes from Alya," she added. Surprising herself that she said anything without stammering.

"Good. We can look at those, too." There was something in his smile that relaxed her. It was genuine, handsome.

Why is he so perfect? Why is he even interested in me? What is happening here?

Marinette's mind kept spinning in circles until it finally went into overload.

"Why did you ask me out?" Marinette blurted a little too loudly. Adrien jumped slightly at the outburst. Marinette quickly covered her mouth with both hands. She closed her eyes in embarrassment. Really, Marinette? She scolded herself Did you really just say that? God, I am so stupid! He is going to hate me now for sure and we will never get married, have three kids...

A soft touch pulled one of her hands away. She opened her eyes to see Adrien holding it in both of his hands. He was staring at her with an intensity in his eyes that almost scared her.

"Listen, Marinette," he said softly, "I know you might not understand this, or even believe it, but I have had a crush on you for a long time. I just...I just didn't pursue anything because...because I didn't want to risk the friendship we already had. But I've known you longer now. I've seen how awesome you are. You are kind, considerent, smart, funny..." He closed his eyes and caressed her fingers gently. "I want to get to know you even more. I want to know everything about this amazing girl sitting right here in front of me." He looked up at her, his face almost pained. "I like you, Marinette. I like every part of you. I know that you feel a little shy around me, but you don't need to be. You don't need to be worried or anxious. I like you...all of you."

Her heart was racing. Was she really hearing this right? Was Adrien really holding her hand so tenderly?

"Even...even when I stammer?" She asked quietly. He nodded.

"Or when I fall in my face?"

"Especially when you fall," he blushed, "It gives me the chance to hold your hand to help you up. Although, I would much rather catch you so I could hold you."

"You...want to...hold me?" The thought of Adrien holding her made her feel like she was going to faint.

"Is that so surprising? I already told you that I liked you, Marinette."

"I...I like you too, Adrien." She said it. The words she had been dying to say to him for years. But in this moment. With him holding her hand, telling her all these sweet things, she could finally say them with ease. A broad smile formed on his face. His green eyes sparkled and he laughed slightly.

"What?" she asked, "What's so funny?" He shook his head.

"I just can't believe you like me, that's all."

"WHAT? Why wouldn't I like you? I mean, you're...you're…" she couldn't find the right words to say.

"How many times do I have to tell you? You are amazing Marinette. You're like...our everyday Ladybug." he had indeed said this before, but to hear it again in such an intimate setting made her heart skip a beat. "You're always going out of your way to help people. You're…" His smile shifted into a mischievous grin. She leaned back, not sure what was about to happen.

"You're…" he whispered "...bug-tastic."

Marinette burst into laughter which got a very loud "shh" from the librarian in their direction. Adrien waved and mouthed 'sorry' while Marinette regained control of herself. She was positive her face was a bright, deep red, but the stupid pun had really put her at ease.

"I'm sorry," she whispered once she caught her breath. "But did you really just say 'bug-tastic'?"

"Too corny?" he asked, looking concerned, "I'm sorry...I…"

"No, no" she said, cutting him off, "It's just that...I didn't expect that….from you." From Cat Noir, maybe, but not Adrien.

He nodded, smiling. "Ok, then. Let's get to work shall we?"

"Yeah, let's…" but Marinette was cut off by a loud explosion outside. It was followed by several car alarms and a lot of screaming voice. "An akuma attack?" she wondered out loud.

"I don't know," Adrien answered, "Stay here, I'll go check it out"

"No, I…" She started to argue, but he was already gone.

Better this way anyway, she thought even though she hated seeing Adrien run towards the danger. She grabbed her purse and slipped in between a row of bookshelves that had a window. If she wanted Adrien to be safe, it was best to end the situation quickly. And to do that, she needed to be Ladybug.

"Okay, Tikki," she said, opening her purse, "Spots on!"