A/N: Hello again my fellow Miraculous Ladybug Fans!

I'm so happy that I found time to write this chapter! Last week was homecoming week so it's been crazy busy. Not to mention, I'm in a play and stuff, so it's a lot. But I can't not write. It's my passion. Anyway, hope you all love the newest chapter of "The Band Competition: Chapter 8: Practice Makes Perfect"

-geekygirl20000

Marinette woke up with a start as her alarm clock struck 6:30. She pushed her arm out of the protection of her blankets and hit the button on top. Once the clock was silent, Marinette rolled back over and looked at her ceiling, the events of the previous day rolling to the front of her mind. As she remembered the coffee date, a smile spread across her lips and a slight blush entered her cheeks. After a few moments of blissful memories, Marinette sat up and did her morning routine. When she finished, she grabbed her backpack and flute and left the house with a quick goodbye hug from her mother and father.

Upon arriving at school, Marinette caught Alya's eye as she watched her pull up in front of the school. After Alya got out of the car, Alya rushed to Marinette and yanked her into a hug.

"Are you alright, Mari?" Alya said into Marinette's hair.

Marinette smiled at the nickname. It reminded her of Adrien.

"Yeah," she said after a while. "I'm nervous to go to band though,"

Alya squeezed her tighter, then let her go. Marinette backed away a little bit, then decided to tell her what happened after they ended their texting the previous day.

"Alya, you want to see something cool?"

"Sure! What is it?"

Marinette looked around and groaned when she saw Chloe driving up in her limousine.

"Let's go inside so that she doesn't see it," Marinette said as she pulled Alya up the steps and into the building.

Once safely inside the band room, with Plagg in his office, Marinette opened her case to show Alya her new flute. She smiled as Alya oohed and awed at it.

"Mari, it's beautiful,"

Marinette nodded as she closed the case back up.

"So, are you ready for tomorrow's show?"

"Yeah, I'm really nervous, but excited at the same time,"

"I bet. I'll be there to watch,"

"I know,"

After lunch, band was about to start and Marinette was about to enter the band room when she heard a voice calling her name. When she turned around, she gasped in surprise. Standing in front of her was a grinning Adrien. He had his cello strapped to his back and a folder clasped in his hand.

"Surprise," he said with a laugh. "You should see the look on your face right now. Really, you're killing me,"

"Adrien? What are you doing here? I thought that we would be hanging out later on today. After school,"

Adrien stopped laughing and pouted.

"You don't want me here?"

Marinette couldn't contain her laughter.

"You're going to kill me. Oh my goodness. Adrien stop,"

Adrien looked around, confused. His lip still sticking out in a pout.

"Stop what?"

Marinette couldn't speak. She had put her flute case down and was sitting on the floor, laughing really hard. Adrien just grinned again and sat down next to her. After a few minutes of Marinette laughing and breathing deeply, Adrien finally explained to her why he was there.

"I'm here to get a little bit more practice with you before tomorrow's showdown.

"Oh, ok. That sounds cool. Can I play a few rounds of the songs my class and I are playing for the competition first,"

"There will be no need for that, Marinette," Plagg said behind them, making them both jump. "Go practice with Adrien. You have already gotten our songs down. Now you need to get yours," He turned around and walked back into the classroom. Then pointed at one of the practice rooms down the hallway to their left. "Go practice in there. If you need help, I'm here,"

Marinette and Adrien looked at each other, then stood up. Marinette picked up her flute, then walked down the hallway to the practice room Plagg had pointed at. It was unlocked.

After setting up their music stands, warming up, and tuning, Marinette and Adrien began "Ladybug's Lullaby" and played it without messing up or stopping. When they finished playing it the fourth time through, Marinette looked at Adrien with a smile.

"We are going to rock," she said with a little jump in the air.

Adrien smiled at her and her heart did a little skip. "Yes we are,"

After playing the song again, Marinette looked at Adrien and felt a question rise out of the blue.

"Hey Adrien?" she began.

"Yes, Marinette,"

"Can I play you my solo again? Just so I can make sure I'm not speeding it or skipping any notes,"

Adrien looked up from his music and smiled. "I'd like that,"

Marinette smiled back at him. "His smile is so contagious." She thought to herself as she pulled out her music. After playing it twice with no mistakes, she looked up at Adrien. He was gaping at her.

"What? Did it sound ok?" she asked after a few seconds.

Adrien shut his mouth and opened it again.

"Are you kidding? That was amazing!" he said as he stood up.

Marinette smiled. He walked up to her and booped her nose. She blushed.

"Shall we go over our song a few more times, princess?" he asked her.

He was very close to her and she could feel the heat rise in her cheeks and was sure she was blushing. She nodded.

"Alright! Let's do this!"

After school, Adrien walked Marinette home and booped her nose with his finger again.

"See you tomorrow, Princess," and he walked away.

Marinette stood at her front door and watched him walk away. When he turned around and waved, she waved back, then continued to watch him go till he had disappeared around the corner.

"I wish he kissed me" She thought to herself. Then her inner Alya yelled at her for thinking such a thought. Marinette sighed as she layed down on her bed. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.