CH.7: The dance pt 2
The Winter Formal was happening…and everyone was lively and free as they danced the night away. Of course…for two individuals it couldn't be more awkward. Adrien felt relieved to finally confess to Marinette that he was in love with Ladybug…however he noted her reaction and he didn't know how to take it. The two of them walked into the dance and Marinette went to excuse herself while he went to seek out Chloe. Spotting her on her phone, no doubt talking to her dad about something life demanding he took his time walking over, not wishing to interrupt.
Chloe was speaking a bit fast so he imagined even if he did manage to get a word in she would hold up a finger and apologize to her dad before walking a bit off. Adjusting his tie a bit he felt a thirst for some punch, however, he had to keep on point or he would never say what needed to be said. Chloe would make a great girlfriend to someone, someday, just not to him. If he was going to commit himself fully to Ladybug and only her…it meant having no female contenders in the ring around his heart, specifically that of Chloe.
Chloe was a good friend of his…mostly due to their standing in money and nothing but. Chloe had been into him for so long…mostly because of money and looks, anything deeper was never really up for discussion. Looking around at the dance floor he could spot Alya and Nico dancing close together, their eyes never moving away…that connection formed on semblance and love…it was something he wanted for so long…and if he had his chance he would tell Ladybug tonight.
"Adrien, there you are, I was looking all over for you. So…I figure we have time for one dance before they announce the King and Queen, which to be frank they really do not need to bother with the ballots cause you and I are-."
"Through, I mean, technically that would mean we were officially an item, which we aren't. I can do that again." Adrien saw her face crumbling then it was replaced by this fortitude, an inner strength that was resolute and for Chloe…it was about how she always looked.
"I'm sorry…what…are you breaking up with me? Look here Adrien…I asked you to the dance, you accepted, now I suggest you forget this whole business of leaving me here so we can claim our rightful place as King and Queen-."
"That is just it Chloe…it doesn't really matter to me about King or Queen, they are just titles like the image that comes with money and fame. Since I was young I was in the spotlight, my father had me modeling and posing and given that your father was Mayor ties were formed…you could even say destiny had some cruel hand in that arrangement. I was really hoping you would change, show some sense of decency but you continue to pick on the others, belittle them and I can't stand for it any longer. All of this has been building up…surely you have seen this yourself?"
Chloe just stood there and Adrien noticed just then that the music had stopped and everyone was watching them. Adrien wished he had done this in a more private locale…perhaps done it in a manner that seemed less public. It wasn't like Chloe had made many friends in her time here; if she had perhaps there would be less glee in their faces over Chloe getting what she deserved. Adrien did not see it like that…and he regretted doing this tonight of all nights.
"I do not know what you are talking about. I treat everyone great…I only speak the truth; you can't hold that against me. Would you really settle for some girl who lied to you…would you?"
Adrien sighed as he ran a hand behind his head and waited a beat before responding. He wanted this to be spoken in a clear way without being too confrontational. "I admit, being lied to would suck, however if she had a reason to I would understand. I am just not…in love with you Chloe…cause I love someone else."
"Oh, is that so, well please enlighten me then as to who this mystery girl is. Go on…you break my heart so I deserve to know who this…terrible person is." Chloe folds her arms looking at him in contempt and he notices Nico giving him the go ahead.
"I'm in love with…Ladybug!" Adrien heard the collective gasp escape the crowd and as he slowly turned his head to look at Chloe he saw her face pale.
"Y-You are in love with Ladybug…my hero? I do not know how to feel about this. Have you told her?" Chloe was doing well in not breaking apart, though; he imagined she would hold it together so the people didn't think any less of her. To Chloe image was important, and on this important night a lot of people weren't going to forget this any time soon.
"W-Well…I haven't really worked up the nerve to tell her, but I will. I just never seem to have the time…she is always off busy saving Paris and I'm…stuck at home." Way to sell the lie, he thought, you have had plenty of time to tell her…you just can't do it because the situation usually is pressed for time.
"Hmph, I bet. So, not only aren't you my date…but you also have just ended our friendship…all in the same day! FINE, if that is the way you want it…then…from now on you are no better than any of the others here! Yeah…you heard me…and if you think I was going easy on all of you…you have another thing coming!"
Chloe grabbed a cup of punch and before he could stop her she threw it right in his face. He got his punch, just not the way he wanted. As she stomped off there were cheers that came his way and Nino patted his shoulder. "Whoa…I have never seen Chloe go off like that on anyone, you ok?'
"Nino, I feel bad, like I made some horrible mistake I can't undo no matter what. I mean part of me is glad I got this off my chest, knowing that if I kept it in only to keep up appearances, living that lie would be bad. And yet…would it have been that bad…maybe-."
"Look…you did what you had to…now you have to live with the consequences that come with your bold timing man. Listen…you are single and free…which means you can finally tell Ladybug how you feel, who knows, maybe she will show to the dance."
Adrien doubted that, plus, if she was here there'd be trouble and he'd be Cat Noir which meant little time for talking period. "Where did Alya go?"
"Oh, um, I think she went to go check up on Marinette, she seemed a bit off when she got here. Bro, did you say something?" Nino eyed him curiously and Adrien remembered the conversation in the car.
"Well…I did sort of tell her that I was into Ladybug-." Adrien watched Nino's reaction to this closely and noted the strained face, the twitch of the eye.
"Oh dude…major problemo on that front. I really should not tell you this, in fact, better to keep my mouth shut but since you spilled the beans on your identity, I should probably let you know." Adrien could see a group of girls looking his way and he went to grab Nino's hand guiding him to the boy's restroom.
"Let us talk…somewhere else…I fear my availability will really blow up soon." Adrien escaped, barely, not really knowing someone was watching him from afar.
"No way girl…he told you this directly?' Alya stood outside the bathroom stall that she currently occupied, her head was in her hands as she tried to steady herself.
"Yes Alya…and…after that things just became awkward. I mean…I should feel happy that he is in love with Ladybug; I mean we are one and the same person…but…I always wanted Adrien to be in love with me."
"So…why don't you tell him?" Alya figured. "Look at it like this…once you come clean to him there will be no secrets right?"
Alya had a point. However there was Cat Noir to consider as well. He was always flirting with her, how would Adrien feel when she told him that she worked with him? She usually managed to brush off his advances but was Adrien the jealous type? Would Adrien be able to deal with her being Ladybug and spending a lot of her time out helping Paris…maybe not even being able to make a few dates?
"Earth to Marinette, c'mon girl, talk to me. I am in here instead of dancing with Nino, who as I found out isn't too shabby a dancer as I thought." Alya gave her a patient look and she smiled.
"Sorry…just…figuring things into my hectic life. I think for the time being I will keep this a secret. I figure Adrien will need time after what goes down between him and Chloe, and besides…I've waited this long, so that gives me incredible patience to wait a bit longer."
Alya half shrugged at that and went to apply some make up on. Marinette waited a bit before rising up…and that is when she heard the screams. "Oh no…that can't be good."
Alya had messed up her make-up and as she poked her head out she gasped. "Wow…didn't think our dance would get so crazy so fast. Seems some woman is causing quite a stir-."
"Well…who is it?' Marinette opened her purse and as Tikki came out she began to transform into Ladybug. Hurrying over she looks out and gawks.
"Y-You are kidding right?" Adrien had trouble wrapping his head around this, even though the signs had been there.
"Dude…would I kid on something like this? Marinette is really into you…haven't you noticed the way she behaves around you? Alya pretty much spilled this but I kind of had an idea. That day at the zoo, well, it seemed clear she wasn't too into me…though in her defense she was probably oblivious to me liking you as she somehow went with the whole Alya and me angle, funny how things work out. Anyway Marinette is cute and available and unlike Ladybug she is already part of your life."
Adrien had one foot propped up against one of the stall doors as he listened well to what Nino told him. Marinette liked him…that would explain the awkward silence in the car. However he was in love with Ladybug…it would be unfair to give his love to another. Marinette was nice and sweet and if he weren't so hung up on Ladybug it could be possible they would be an item. Marinette was different than Chloe, and by different he meant good.
"I don't know Nino…I need time to…think this through. Besides there is some time before winter break right?" Adrien heard a scream and as he saw Nino rush to the door he saw from his body language it was bad.
"Looks like you will need to transform…go ahead…I won't look." Nino turned and nodding his head he tapped his shirt and Plagg showed.
"Plagg claws out!" He watches as his friend goes into the ring and he takes on the appearance of Cat Noir. It was time to save this dance.
Nathalie floated off the ground as she as she spun a staff in her hands. Each spin of the staff sent out waves of discord as the dancers began to give in to fear, cower, all of them behaving as seen fit. She had no control…there was this fog before her that she just could not break. He was in her head…the man she had worked for…the man she had trusted for so long. Having looked out for his son…as if he were her own.
"Yes Nathalie…do my bidding…it won't be long now before they show to take you on. No matter what…you must not go easy on him. You will know…in some ways you probably suspected but never questioned it. I want his Miraculous…but…do not kill him; I have plans for him still."
"Yes Hawk Moth!" Nathalie responds, it is all she can say. Sure enough he appears, Cat Noir and with him Ladybug. The two of them exchange looks, both of them coming out of the bathroom.
"M'lady, it would appear we both had the same idea of bathroom breaks at the same time. So…after this would you care for a dance?"
"You know there is never time for that…besides…I don't dance." Ladybug responds. Nathalie studies her and then looks at him. There is no mistaking the eyes…she had seen those eyes many times, hurt or joyed…yes…it had to be him.
"Hand over your Miraculous…and none of these kids will have to suffer!" Nathalie commands. She spins her staff faster and the students begin to scream out clutching their heads, some of them begin attacking one another, but not out of rage…out of fear. Everyone was giving in to their insecurity…no one was safe.
"Alright Cat Noir…let's dance!" Nathalie watches as the yo-yo spins in her grip before releasing. She manages to block it but she finds the weapon locked around instead of aiming at her. Eyes locked the two begin to pull.
"Yes M'lady…here we go!" He then comes at her…and she knows then, it was him, it was Adrien Agreste!
Authors note: The dance is really starting to pick up as Cat Noir and Ladybug face off against Nathalie, though neither really know…though Adrien will soon find out…which will only make this fight tougher. In part three of the dance arc things will be shaken up…and Hawk Moth will give his message…the final fight draws near.
