Thursday, December 21

Marinette didn't go to school the next day.

She felt bad for lying to her parents that she was sick, but she couldn't handle going to school right now. After lunch yesterday, she went straight home and hadn't come outside of her room ever since, only coming down to eat something.

But who could blame her? Fine, she was maybe, perhaps acting a itsy bitsy teeny tiny bit overdramatic, but it was justified in her opinion. It's not every day that you find out that your crush who is sitting in front of you at school is also your crime fighting partner.

Adrien is Chat Noir.

Chat Noir is Adrien.

He had kissed her both as Ladybug and Marinette (the second being on the cheek but still). And she had kissed him, also as both Adrien and Chat Noir.

He apparently liked both parts of her. Was he just falling for either one or did he know who she was?

For some reason neither seemed plausible, she couldn't be that lucky. But she was still Ladybug; luck was her middle name. She liked Adrien. She liked Chat. And he seemed to like both parts of her too.

She had fallen for her partner, two times. Life could be quite ironic.

But was she right? She wasn't entirely sure. It could have been a slip up (revealing who he truly was) or just a little nickname he meant nothing with. Or maybe it was a coincidence that both gave her the same nickname.

She could talk to him. Figure the situation out. Figure out if she was right.

Was it really that simple? Could the stars really be aligned like this? Could she be right? If she was, then they have been dancing around each other for so long. And she could put a stop it.

If she was brave enough to take that step.

She wasn't.

At least, not yet.

Marinette sighed and buried herself deeper in her bed, pulling the blanket to cover her face.

She was going to be brave tomorrow.

Marinette didn't go to school today.

Adrien was confused when he returned to lunch yesterday and didn't find her in her spot. Alya said she had gone to the bathroom, but she never returned. And she didn't show up today either.

Adrien was worried. Did he do something wrong? Was she annoyed by him? He did try to get a little closer to her, he gave her hints, flirted a little bit…

Or maybe... maybe she had figured it out.

They were talking about his Christmas poem. It was the biggest hint he had ever given her. At first she didn't seem to get it, but maybe she did after a while.

She was at home. Did that mean she didn't want to see him? Was she not happy with the reality that they are… well, who they are?

In class, the only thing Adrien could do was sigh and fill his head with questions he couldn't answer. Every once in a while he would peek behind him, almost like that would make her appear there, but of course it didn't. It only made him miss her more.

"Dude, why are you so down?" Nino asked from his spot on the left. He frowned in worry at Adrien, quickly looking at Alya who only shrugged.

"Nothing."

"Has it to do with your dad?"

"I said it's nothing, Nino."

"Don't say nothing if you're gonna sit here like a sack of potatoes. You're so depressing you're even bumming me out," Alya piped in. "What's the matter, Adrien? We can help."

Adrien laughed bitterly to himself. "If you can make Marinette appear in class, be my guest." The words left him before he could take them back. His eyes widened when the realization of what he had just said hit him.

Alya and Nino shared a look before the latter chuckled. "You're saying you're down because Marinette isn't here?"

Adrien sighed to himself. It was already out, might as well roll with it. "Yup."

Alya straightened her glasses and grinned. "So, you miss her?"

"I do."

Another look between the two friends. Alya seemed to beam. They both scooted closer to him.

"Is there something you want to tell us, Adrien?" She smirked conspicuously.

"Want to tell you?" Adrien smirked in return and glanced the other way with his chin up. "Nope."

"Not fair," Alya pouted.

"Dude, we already know what you're talking about. Just admit it."

"If you already know what I'm meaning to say, then why should I still say it?" He was obviously trying to avoid saying it. If he said it, it was out. And what if things didn't go as planned?

Alya sighed again and propped her glasses up her nose. "Are you at least gonna tell Marinette? You know, what you don't want to tell us."

He thought about that. He sort of already did (if their kiss was anything to go by), but she might not know it was him. Did he want to tell her? "Yeah."

Alya squealed and hugged him from behind around his neck. "I'm so happy for you guys!"

Adrien gave Nino a 'help me' look, but his 'friend' only snickered and acted like he didn't know what he meant.

"Adrien, Nino and Alya, is there something you want tell us?"

"Adrien does!" Alya laughed.

"Alya, no," Adrien hissed. Nino couldn't stop laughing beside him.

The teacher sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Children, please…"

"Now I'm curious," Kim joined. "Now you need to tell us, Adrien."

"I don't need to tell you anything," he grinned and crossed his arms.

"Adrien is gonna ask a girl out!" Alya blurted out.

"Alya!"

Most people in the room ahwed at Adrien. He huffed and turned red, hiding his face in his arms on his desk.

"Who is it?" Rose asked with excitement.

"It's-"

"Alya…" Adrien tried to glare at her, but failed because of his inner embarrassment. He couldn't form anything but a pout, cheeks rosed. She got the message though and kept her mouth shut.

"I give up," Miss Bustier sighed and went to sit in desk chair.

The rest of the day went by with Alya tailing Adrien, bombarding him with questions about what he had planned. He did have something planned, but he was not going to tell her of course.

He already couldn't wait until Saturday.

I'll be posting gradually throughout the day until I'm caught up. So, see ya in a few hours!