[A/N: I am sorry if there are any errors. had no second set of eyes this time ^^;. Anywho, enjoy this slightly early update :D]

Marinette stared at her ceiling as the moon made way for the early morning sun. Sleep came in quick flashes that only allowed for glimpses of ludicrous dreams. Most of said dreams however took her back to Adrien's room. Those sorrowful green eyes lighting up for even a moment constantly came to her mind as she was dragged from one restless bout of sleep to the next.

Marinette sat up after her fifth round of horrible sleep. Tikki stirred while Marinette climbed down the ladder to the main area of her room. She flipped open her sketchbook to where her superhero designs were. With everything going on, she had had barely enough time to even make a pattern for the costume.

There was no time like the present.

Tikki rubbed her eyes as the sewing machine ran. Pastel green fabric passed beneath the machine in a constant stream. Marinette steered her thoughts away from Adrien to the fabric. Before she knew it, the main parts of the dress were ready to have embellishments sewn on. The sun peeked over the Parisian cityscape as she checked the time on her phone.

Where did the time go?

She had five hours before school, tops. Tikki floated down from her seat atop Marinette's bed. She landed on Marinette's head and patted her Chosen on the forehead. "Marinette," Tikki said, "Please sleep. Even for just a little bit."

Marinette sighed before setting down her fifth fabric flower of the night. Why did she think this damned design was a good idea? She finally nodded and stuck her sewing needle into her tomato shaped pin cushion. "I know, Tikki, but…"

"You can't fall asleep."

"Precisely."

"Marinette," Tikki said with downcast eyes as she landed on the pile of green fabric, "I know you're worried, but not sleeping is only going to make things worse."

Marinette buried her face into the cotton to groan. "Fine, Tikki," she finally said. With a yawn, Marinette climbed back into her bed and fell asleep soon after hitting the sheets. Tikki smiled warmly at the girl as she closed the curtains to drench the room in sweet, silent darkness.

Adrien's dreams were a whirlpool of glee and anxiety. One moment he would be happily talking with friends and remembering Ladybug's features while the next he would be looking right into his father's steely eyes. He tossed and turned throughout the night, sufficiently annoying Plagg as he was constantly whacked on the head or tail.

Plagg was ready to bite Adrien's hand when Adrien's phone alarm went off. The upbeat tune of an anime opening blared in Adrien's ear, effectively pulling him from his adventurous dreams. Adrien grabbed his phone from his night stand and quickly stopped the song. Plagg rolled over so he was on his stomach and let out a large yawn.

Plagg smacked his lips as he warded off the last bits of sleep from himself. "Geez kid, were you fighting a war in your sleep?" Plagg said with his head hanging over the pillow casing. His arms flopped beside his head after a sizable stretch.

"You're just on a roll this week, aren't you?" Adrien said from his pillow. He rolled onto his back and stretched his arms before rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Aren't I always?"

"No, you're not actually," Adrien grumbled, "And I was not fighting a war. I don't think so at least."

"Ok, don't go deep on me, kid," Plagg said, floating into the air and stretching again. He flew over to Adrien's cheese stash and snatched his usual breakfast. He didn't even bother leaving the night stand before digging into his camembert wedge.

Adrien chuckled as he lugged himself out of bed. His socks slid on the wooden floor as he walked over to his closet to retrieve his clothes. The swirling dreams eventually left his mind as he readied for the coming school day.

Before long, Adrien was ready for breakfast and Nathalie was at his door. She gave him a worried glance before pasting on her professional facade. Adrien passed his desk before following Nathalie out the door. The mask lazily hung from one of his many trophies and his other costume pieces were strewn across his office chair. The festival was only seven days away, and he could hardly wait.

Plagg finished his breakfast before zipping into Adrien's bag. Adrien's meal went just as usual. It was the same silent and lonely affair as any other morning. His father didn't greet him. Adrien actually got his hopes up that his father would join him after last night's little check up.

With a sigh, Adrien pushed back his chair and headed to the garage where the Gorilla awaited in the car. Adrien passed by his father's office; Gabriel stood hunched over his desk where a mess of papers covered his desk. Adrien passed the door silently before entering the garage and leaving for school.

Marinette swiped her phone as the alarm went off. Rock music filled her room as she blindly searched for her phone with her head still smothered in her pillow. Tikki uncurled herself from Marinette's side and brought the ringing phone into Marinette's reach. Not even Jagged Stone could pull Marinette fully out of her sleep. She lazily fumbled with the screen trying to turn off the music. Tikki had to hold back a few chuckles as Marinette's blue hair emerged from the pillows and sheets.

Tikki burst into a fit of giggles as Marinette rubbed the back of her head. Marinette rolled out of her bed and nearly fell trying to get to the main level of her room. Tikki landed atop Marinette's costume from last night to watch her Chosen bumble around the room in her half-awake state. It was like watching a zombie try to fit in with the living. Tikki watched a little longer before deciding that Marinette probably needed help. Tikki placed Marinette's school bag on her work chair and turned it so it was in plain view of Marinette who was getting dressed in her usual school clothes.

Marinette sat before her mirror trying to conceal the dark bags beneath her eyes with her minimal makeup routine. She was nearly finished with her mascara when her Sabine opened her door.

"Mari, breakfast is ready when you are," Sabine said while taking a discreet scan of her daughter's messing room. Green fabric was piled onto Marinette's work table along with a number of sketches and small incomplete fabric flowers. She smiled a bit before ducking out of the room, leaving Marinette to wrangle her hair into her pigtails.

Memories of the previous night came in flashes. She couldn't help but blush when she thought about those slight smiles he gave her when she talked about Chat. Maybe she should praise her partner more often. It was too bad that Adrien was so unlucky in the family department. She thought that maybe she could go back to the Agreste mansion sometime, but then there was Gabriel. Did he see her?

She sighed. There was no use worrying about it. She couldn't turn back in time and check or anything. She fastened her last hair tie before grabbing her bag. Tikki zipped into the bag as Marinette climbed down the stairs.

Sabine and Tom were already in the bakery readying for the day, but a fresh croissant and bowl of sliced strawberries still waited for Marinette atop the table. Marinette quickly tucked into her meal, making sure to slide Tikki a piece of the buttery bread.

Before long Marinette was on her way to school. Neither her nor Tikki brought up the night before. It was far too embarrassing and anxiety inducing to discuss in that very moment. Adrien's emotions and Gabriel's presence weighed heavily on Marinette and Tikki didn't want to make things worse for her.

School came into view. Marinette saw Alya walk up to the front steps. The two girls greeted each other with an enthusiastic hug before walking into the school's main courtyard. It was the last Friday before the festival, making the students brim with excitement. The same posters adorned the walls, but more and more students were actually reading them as the event neared.

"What happened to you last night? You have huge bags under your eyes," Alya said with a joking tone.

Marinette covered her face with her free hand. Looks like her amateur makeup skills failed her. "Oh, just some late night sewing."

"More sewing? Girl, you have to learn to take a break."

Marinette sighed. If only she could tell Alya everything, but that would make things … complicated. "I know, I know. Just … with the festival coming and my costume and all, I guess that I just got little over my head," Marinette said, finally removing her hand from her face. Hiding it wasn't going to change anything.

"Need any help with that costume of yours?"

Marinette thought back to her design and all the small fabric flowers that she was going to have to make. Sure, they were easy to make and attach but the design called for so many. With her super hero and class duties, she felt like she was drowning. "Actually, that might be nice."

Alya smirked and put her hands on her hips. She could work with this. She could definitely work with this. She patted Marinette on the shoulder. "Okay, I can help you with that."

"Really?" Marinette said.

"Yeah, does tonight sound good?" Alya asked as she ascended the stairs leading up to their classroom. Alya lead the way, more so to hide the huge grin on her face than to pave the way for the awkward Marinette. Alya pulled out her phone and quickly shot a few texts to Nino.

Nino sat on the school's front steps waiting for Adrien's arrival. His phone went off and he brought it out.

Alya 3: Hey, can you do me a favor?

Nino looked at his phone quizzically. Alya asking for a favor could only mean a few things. Most likely it would be some scheme again. But they were always fun so he didn't mind all that much.

Nino: Sure, what's up?

Alya 3: Think you can get Adrien to go to Marinette's house again?

Nino thought back to the last time Alya asked for this kind of favor. Wasn't it when Marinette's uncle was in town and she needed a Chinese translator?

Nino: I can try.

Alya 3: OMG thank you so much! Love you! ;*

Nino chuckled to himself as he put his phone away. He really loved her despite her … tendencies. Nino looked up when he heard car brakes squeaking. The Agrestes should really get that fixed soon. It had already been a week since it started making noise.

Nino stood as Adrien came from the car. He admittedly looked happier than he had been in the past few weeks. Maybe it was the festival that was cheering him up? Nino didn't particularly care for the reason, he was just glad to see his bro smiling. Adrien waved goodbye to the Gorilla before giving Nino the usual fist bump.

"What's up, man?" Nino said with a huge grin.

"Nothing much," Adrien said. He took a glance at the mulling students, many of whom carried boxes filled with decorations and props for festival.

"You must be busy with everything though," Nino said while scanning Adrien's expression.

"Actually not really, I got most everything done this past week. I just have to get my costume and some details done. I'm having a bit of trouble with one of the pieces.," Adrien said, not quite putting his full attention into his words. His mind was wandering to all the events from the past twenty four hours. He still couldn't quite believe that it had only been one day that that it was just a normal school day.

"Really dude? You're having trouble with something?"

Adrien nodded. "Believe it or not, I'm not perfect."

"Says the model who can speak Chinese, fence, play basketball, and play piano," Nino said while making his way up the school's stairs. Adrien followed alongside him.

"Yes, really," Adrien said with a smile.

As the boys entered the main courtyard, Nino caught sight of Alya. He saw that she was with Marinette. He guessed that the present was no better time to get the Adrien and Marinette close to each other. Nino nudged Adrien in the arm before waving over Alya.

Alya quickly walked over to the boys with Marinette in tow. Marinette stood semi-confidently by Alya's side as the four teens formed a square. They all said their usual good mornings before Nino slung his arm around Alya. Those two were inseparable.

Marinette stole a glance at Adrien while Alya wrapped her arm around Nino's waist. Being the third wheel sucked. It sucked more when the boy who made her heart skip was standing right next to her. She couldn't quite meet his green eyes and instead faced the happy couple.

"Oh yeah, Marinette didn't you need help with something?" Alya said with a wink towards Nino. Nino winked back as he faced Adrien.

"I mean, I guess. I just have a lot of … things to take care of this week," Marinette said with a slight side glance towards Adrien. She prayed that he didn't notice.

"Things?" Adrien piped in. Marinette's heart jumped. Did he notice her looking at him? He didn't.

"Y-yeah, I have costume stuff after the festival prep stuff and well you know just life in general," she said in a near incoherent string of phrases.

Adrien couldn't help but chuckle a little to himself. "I think I get it," he said, "I'm having a bit of trouble with the festival stuff to."

"Really?," Marinette said. Alya and Nino looked at each other with the biggest grins imaginable. This was working out almost too perfectly.