Hey, y'all! Sorry this is late, but I keep on getting sick and not feeling up to writing, so I'm sorry. I tried to make this chapter a little longer and I think I succeeded. And I'm going to let you get to the chapter now.

Chapter 11

For the rest of class, I couldn't help but think I had something to do with Marinette's somber mood.

Marinette's POV

So, not only did I need to worry about my meeting with Chat for the whole period, but now I had to worry about Adrien too.

Normally, he's actively taking notes and engrossed in the teacher's words. With the exception of when Nino whispers something to him that makes him laugh, of course.

Today, his hand barely moved and his head mainly stayed pointed in the direction of the board. Not to mention that he glanced back at me a few times. And with a worried look on his face, too.

So, instead of worrying about last night and Chat, I was worrying about the blonde model in front of me. My actual crush.

It was fine with me.

After class, I gathered my stuff quickly so I could talk to Adrien, but I needn't have rushed. He was moving pretty sluggishly. And I wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Dude, you okay? You've been really out of it."

Nino was already talking to him, still in their seats, so I just slowed down and waved Alya ahead.

"You okay, girl?" she asked. Her head was tilted in curiosity, while her eyes were that slightly narrowed they get when she gets a whiff of a good story.

I nodded then gestured to Adrien with my head and hand.

Her suspicion disappeared immediately, replaced with a huge grin. "Say no more. See you later!"

The reporter slided out of her seat and left the classroom.

I went back to sluggishly packing up while possibly listening to Adrien and Nino's conversation.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

Good. I apparently didn't miss anything.

"Sure, dude. Whatever you say."

"Ninooo. Really, I'm fine."

Nino's phone chimed an incoming text.

I glanced up just in time to see Nino's eyes on me. I froze for a moment before quickly looking down and snapping my bookbag closed.

"Alright. Yeah, I believe you, dude. See you!"

I looked up and Nino was gone and Adrien was looking at the slowly closing door.

My phone chimed and I saw a text from Alya.

Go on, girl!

I took a deep breath and got up.

Once I was in front of Adrien, he was startled for a moment before his lips turned up in a small smile.

"Hey, Marinette."

"Hey, A-Adrien."

He looked at me expectantly, but still kindly.

I remembered why I wanted to talk to him and shook my head to clear it. I was so not worrying about romance right now.

"U-uh, I just wanted to make sure y-you were ok-kay."

His smile seemed to get happier and sadder at that, I don't know how.

"Thanks, Marinette. But...I'm fine. No need for you to check on me."

I frowned.

"Are you sure? You were acting less like yourself today."

Adrien's eyes showed how happy he was about my response.

"Really, I'm fine. It's nothing. Thank you for noticing, though. How did you know I was acting differently?"

I realized then that I dug my own grave.

"Uh...I...overheard Nino?"

Even I didn't believe that.

"Mm-hmm. Sure. So, you just watch everyone to make sure they're okay? That's nice of you." He flinched a little right after he said that, but he instantly covered it up with a mischievous grin.

My cheeks flamed up. "N-no! And I didn't watch you, I just...uh...normally see you moving around as you take notes, but you weren't moving around today."

...And I admitted to normally watching him. Oh god.

"...Sooo, watching me?"

"Y-no!"

At his disbelieving look, I rephrased my statement.

"Okay, maybe. I just like to make sure my friends are okay. And I don't think you are currently okay, so it's a good thing I keep an eye on everybody." That sounded a little creepy to my ears, but too late to take it back now.

Adrien's face scrunched up in confusion.

"...We're friends?"

And I'm going to end it there. Again, sorry this is so late, but I keep getting sick and I ran out of sick days, so I'm going to school even though I don't feel well. And even though we aren't doing much work since school is letting out soon, I still am barely making it through the days, so I really haven't had much time for writing. I'm starting to feel better, though, so there's that. And forewarning (please don't hate me) I am going on a trip for school on Monday that's lasting until Wednesday, so I may not update on Wednesday, or if I do it'll be really short. Or maybe, I'll be smart, write it in advance, and just post it on Wednesday. I don't know if I have enough braincells for that, though. Anyway, sorry. I hope you liked this chapter and the previous ones and the future ones.

And until next time, au revoir!