The day of shopping arrived. Marinette was waiting outside the bakery for Adrien to pull up in his limousine and whisk her away to the most expensive stores in all of Paris. Tikki hung out in her purse while people passed in and out of the doors with all their baked goods. The air became scented with bread and icing. It was the sort of day where nothing could go wrong. Marinette had to pinch herself to make sure it was no longer a dream.

All day I get to spend time with Adrien. This is better than going to a concert with him. This is better than dancing with him at a party. This is an ENTIRE DAY helping him pick out a gift for Chloe! I have so many ideas!

Finally the limousine arrived. The back door opened for her to slip inside beside Adrien, whose smile was ear to ear. As soon as she shut the door they were off. "I really can't thank you enough for coming with me today, Marinette." His cheeks were going rose. "Every time I try to buy her a gift I end up picking something too boyish for her standards."

Marinette giggled. "Chloe certainly has high standards, but what else can we expect from our classroom princess?"

They shared a laugh over the thought of Chloe entering the classroom with a tiara. Marinette could feel Tikki also laughing inside the purse; for just a split second, she also thought she heard a snort come from Adrien's laptop bag.

And thus the excitement begins to play tricks on my mind.

Adrien was just as excited at the prospect of spending an entire day with Marinette. While she stared out the window to admire the passing streets, he watched her eyes widen with awe and lips part whenever she grinned. If Plagg could see the dumb expression he was making, the Kwami would be hysterical with laughter.

Who would ever choose cheese over girls, anyways?

They came up on the first shop within twenty minutes. Before leaving the limousine Marinette and Adrien shared their possibilities for a gift. She also told him about the banner she and Alya had been working on for the party. Whatever she was getting Chloe remained a secret, however, and Adrien was fine with that.

Something about mysteries is so alluring…like Ladybug, and who could be under the mask…ah, he shook his head as Marinette exited the limousine, forget about her for now! You get to spend the day with Marinette so your thoughts remain on Marinette! And getting a gift for Chloe, of course.

They started in a hat store. The number of hats they tried on and laughed over was uncountable. Adrien found out he looked good in green; Marinette wore brown extremely well. They decided to move on in the end after Marinette got a text from Juleka.

BOUGHT CHLOE FLOPPY YELLOW HAT. BLACK ROSES A NO OR GO?

The next stop was a candy shop. Adrien bought Marinette a bag of sour gummies that they ended up sharing together. They took photos of the faces and sent them to Alya, whose response drove them out of the store and to the next store.

ALREADY GOT HER CANDY. SO SOUR SHE'LL SWALLOW HER LIPS.

A beauty boutique was just down the road. Marinette suggested buying her a flowery perfume. "I bet she would love something that smelled like a garden."

Adrien picked up a nearby bottle. "How about a vegetable garden?"

They chuckled and left the perfumes for a collection of newly released blushes from the Agreste line. Only when Lila texted did they decide to move on.

GONNA MAKE HER SMELL LIKE A VEGETABLE GARDEN, UNIQUE 101!


After a long while of searching, Marinette could tell Tikki was getting hungry from the way she was feeling a tug on her purse. "I think we should stop for a bite to eat now."

"Good idea!" Adrien pointed to a nearby restaurant. "I've always wanted to eat there! Let me get my bodyguard to…to…" He looked around. The limousine was doing a round nearby. He would have no idea which store he and Marinette were in.

…I mean, it's not like there's any danger in a restaurant.

"Forget it, he can find us later." He led the way across the street. "I'll pay."

The least I can do for all her help.

Marinette was compelled to do something more for him. "I'll tip."

The least I can do for all his brilliant ideas.

They ordered the same dish, a steaming hot plate of spaghetti, and waited to be served. They went over their lists again and started crossing off already used ideas. Marinette kept texting the others to make sure there were no doubles: Maylene and Ivan were buying Chloe a new pair of heels, Rose got her a lovely white dress, and Sabrina bought a full length mirror using her allowance months ago. It left few creative options.

I need to eat and get these creative juices flowing.

The waiter arrived shortly after and placed their plates down. "Bon appetite."

They thanked him and dug in. While they ate, Adrien continued to gaze over at Marinette. She had the most adorable way of trying to stuff as many noodles into her cheeks as possible. When she noticed him watching she nearly choked trying to swallow it all down and pretend nothing had happened. "M-My, I sure am h-hungry."

"No wonder," he chuckled, "since the food is so good. Chloe raves about this place. I bet you she's tried every dish on the menu…hey," he grinned, "what about a gift card to this place? She could come whenever she wanted, and maybe even bring a friend or two!"

"That would be a stupendous gift!" Her smile faded for a moment. "Oh…I guess that means I get to go home now, what with shopping being finished."

Adrien shook his head. "I still need a few items to fill the bag I have back home. We have plenty of time to look around some more. You willing?"

"More than ever!"

For neither would let the day go to waste yet.

Awww, shopping trips are so much fun, especially when you do them with your crush who secretly has a crush on you but doesn't want to say anything because they don't know you have a crush on them even though you totally do and have for a while now but would never say it aloud because you would rather not embarrass yourself in front of your crush even though they already have a crush on you!

Until the next chapter!