Marc's popularity held for more than two weeks. In that space, he and Nathaniel had gotten a publisher—i.e. Kendall.

"You know what would be really cool?" Nathaniel asked once they got to school. "A bigger sleepover. We could have a few people over. Then, when the comic's officially released; we could throw a party. It's just like in the movies."

"In the movies, the popularity gets to the protagonist's head." Marc said. "But for now, it's cool to be cool."

"Hey Marc." Vonnie and Crysta called.

"Except that." Marc waved back at them. "That's not cool."

"At least not for you." Nathaniel said.

"Hey-yo, Tomato." Marinette said.

Nathaniel blushed. "What's it, Marionette?"

Marc spotted Adrien. "Three, two, one."

"Hey Marinette." Adrien said.

Overload. "Um—Adrien. Good morning—not that you need to be wished a good morning. You're too good—I mean, your morning's too good. Not that you're not too good—I mean, you're not too good. I mean—"

Alya to the rescue. "Hey Marc. C'mere, Mari."

Marc sighed. "That was me almost three weeks ago."

"And you've changed." Nathaniel said. "Wonder if Marinette can, too."

"We're going to help her." Marc said. "And it won't be Confidence Camp."

He walked up to Adrien. "Hey."

"What's up, Rainbow?" Adrien asked.

"Nathaniel and I are planning a sleepover. At my house." Marc said. "Wondering if you and Nino could come. I'd say tell everyone, but my place doesn't have too much space."

"Sorry, Marc." Adrien looked crestfallen. "My father doesn't let me do sleepovers."

"I know." Marc said. "That's why I have a plan. I'll see you after school."

Adrien shrugged and went to class.

"Do you really have a plan?" Nathaniel asked.

"Of course not." Marc said. "But we have seven hours and four minutes to make one up."

"Miss Natalie." Marc called. "A most wonderful afternoon to you."

Natalie frowned. "You're one of Adrien's friends?"

"Yes, ma'am." Marc said, bobbing his head. "Excuse me, but I would like to take Adrien along with me. Is that fine?"

"Adrien—"

"—has a busy schedule. Pardon the interruption." Marc finished. "But ma'am, the reason I must take him away is because of my father. Have you heard of—dare I say—Jean Anciel?"

"The famous photographer and fashion designer?" Adrien asked. "The guy who took pictures with the Pope among other dignitaries?"

"It does sound familiar." Natalie said dryly.

"Isn't he in Italy?" Adrien asked.

"Oh, darling Adrien," Marc said. "Father—Jean, rather—booked a flight back as soon as he heard your name. He knows you're a critically acclaimed young model. A new trend in the photography and fashion industry, he says, is to get exclusive photos of such people of talent. As no one else has done this for you, Jean insisted that I begged you to come." Marc got on his knees. "Please, please, oh please let Adrien come over? It could mean a breakthrough in his career. My father, with his many contacts, could get him into places like Teen Vouge. Or Gucci. Or Armani. Maybe all three and more!"

Natalie checked her tablet. "Well, if Adrien can take his Chinese lessons over there as long as he finishes fencing early and gives proof of finishing his homework; he can go."

"Hell yeah!" Adrien cheered.

"How many times have I told you not to swear?" Nathaniel asked.

"I apologise." Adrien said. When Natalie got into the limo, he almost suffocated Marc with his bear-hug. "You. Are. The. Coolest. Rainbow. I've. Ever. Met!"

"Can't—insufflate." Marc choked.

"Adrien." Natalie said.

"Coming."

Adrien leapt into the limo.

"He's not kidding." Nathaniel said. "You're too cool."

"Not as cool as you, Counsellor." Marc said. "You gave me the idea."

"Now it's my time." Nathaniel said. "I'm going after Marinette."

He knew Mari was going to be super easy.

"What's baking, shaking?" Nathaniel greeted.

"Hey, Nath." Marinette said. She was in a cute apron and had flour on her face. "I'm sorry; we're out of strawberry cupcakes."

"That's fine." Nathaniel said. "You could make some for the sleepover."

"You're having a sleepover?" She asked.

"Technically, Marc is." He said. "I came to order some chocolate and vanilla macaroons and half a dozen me and Marc cupcakes each."

"This must be one sleepover." Mari said. "Who's coming?"

"I don't know. But Marc wants you and Alya." Nathaniel said. "Maybe some Rose."

She smirked. "Okay. I'll be there."

Mission accomplished.

"No stuttering." Marc said. "That's way cooler than my pleading."

"How's that cool?" Nathaniel asked. "You fooled Adrien's guard-dog."

"As I can recall," Marc said in the same sophisticated accent he used on Natalie. "you had a huge crush on Marinette."

"'Had'. Like how Old MacDonald had a farm until the fat kid ate it all up." Nathaniel said. "My feelings have changed."

"Great." Marc said. "Because we're going to phase two of Operation Adrienette."