All weekend Marinette couldn't stop thinking about Luka's invite. She knew she probably shouldn't think too much about it, but logic was something that didn't seem to want to present itself.

However, she managed to pull her attention just enough on Monday when she arrived at school. She had been mentally absent enough last week that she didn't want to flunk because she was too caught up with boys. Hell, she wasn't going to let that be her academic downfall, it'd be an awful way for Ladybug to fail. Imagine, Ladybug has flunked in class because she can't stop thinking about boys. It'd be dishonor, for sure. Or at least that's what her dramatic overthinking told her.

It was a surprise for her friends as she walked up the steps, early for once, but she had to admit the surprise was even bigger for her because she had barely slept the night before. She settled on her seat alone, as Alya and Nino were busy talking outside of the classroom. If she had been paying attention, she would have noticed a certain name in her friends greeting, but she hadn't so when a bright golden mane of hair crossed her periphery she was greeted by jewel like green eyes staring right into her.

"Hey, Marinette." He seemed to smile shyly at her, unsure and questioning. Marinette knew that she hadn't been the best friend recently, but she remembered Chat's words on how she deserved space, but she also didn't want to lose Adrien's friendship. She breathed deeply, braving herself to do what was needed.

"Hey, Adrien." His eyes smiled before his lips stretched in a grin.

"It's good to see you so early at school." If she didn't know him so well she'd think he was teasing her. It almost made her laugh from how uncharacteristic his tone had been, but she kept it back with a smile.

"Well, I've heard it's good habit, but I can't promise that I'll keep it up."

"Haven't even started well and you're already giving up?" he chuckled as a wide grin graced his lips and a playful glint shined in his eyes. So she hadn't imagined his playfulness? It was strange to say the least and she wasn't able to hide the confused look in her face as she took it in. He seemed to register that what and how he said it, as an embarrassed look crossed his features, a light blush creeping up to his ears. It made him look like a little kid. If Marinette hadn't been trying to get over him so badly she would've daydreamed on how downright adorable he looked. Instead all she did was smile lightly at him.

She was about to ask him about his weekend when Ms. Bustier entered the room to officially start the class. Alya entered at the same time and settled next to Marinette with a questioning glint in her eyes.

Of course her friend would be curious about her conversation with Adrien. But there was nothing to tell, it had been a normal conversation between friends, her feelings for the blond pushed aside.

… … … … … … … … …

Adrien felt like an idiot for letting out his Chat Noir persona in front of Marinette, but a part of him still wished that she felt as comfortable with Adrien as she was with Chat Noir. Granted, Adrien suddenly channeling Chat Noir was most likely not the way to go. But it had felt so good when Marinette had talked to him instead of just a small greeting while avoiding meeting his eyes.

Her startled and confused face had been all he needed to realize just how uncharacteristic of him it would've seemed to her, and now he was scared that she'd go back into her shell around him.

His worries however were discarded when Alya invited Nino and Adrien to join the two girls for lunch and Marinette hadn't run at the first sight of him. If anything she had nodded along Alya as she walked behind Alya, still keeping her distance from him, but if that was what she felt comfortable with he wouldn't push her.

The group walked quickly to the school cafeteria, not wanting to get the leftovers for lunch. They sat down once they had their lunch trays. Marinette however, took out her lunch box, which seemed filled with croissants and other delicacies from her parents' bakery. He wondered if that was all she was going to eat, but his wondering was shut down as she took another box, this one filled with dumplings.

She turned her attention to the group as she settled everything on the table.

Alya whistled lowly, "Damn girl, you going to eat all that by yourself." Marinette glared at her, "No, but now it sounds very tempting, you don't deserve to eat any of this." If it weren't for the playful glint in her eyes he knew better now he would've thought that she was serious. The two girls stared at each other in challenge for a few more seconds before bursting in laughter. Adrien looked up at Nino who had a grin and looked about just ready to burst into laughter as well but was holding it in still.

Once the laughter died down they ate amicably, complicit glances shared over silence between the two girls. It wasn't until Marinette finished eating that she opened the box filled with pastries, she turned towards him offering him the pastries. He looked into the box and looked at the macaroons. "Is there any passion fruit macaroons?" He remembered being given one from the bluenette once, so surely the bakery made them.

"Oh, the bakery doesn't really make passion fruit macaroons." She looked sheepish and embarrassed as she looked down. It made Adrien feel bad for expecting his friend to have a flavor that wasn't usual just for him. "Oh it's fine, I'll just have the chocolate one." He smiled widely as she nodded before passing the box to Alya and Nino.

After they all had their share of pastries, and he was sure that he'd hear his dietitian reprimanding him they stayed on their table talking about the exam they would have on Wednesday. It seemed the exam unnerved Marinette, saying how she had barely understood the chapters the exam was supposed to be about. He made a mental note to visit her tomorrow to help her review the lecture. His train of thought was interrupted by the loud shrill from his phone.

Looking down at the contact number a small smile graced his lips as he saw the contact of his girlfriend. "Sorry, guys. I should probably take this." Alya and Nino just kept talking, with only Marinette acknowledging him leaving.

He swiped to answer and brought the phone up to his ear. "Hello, Kagami?"

"Hello, Adrien. I just wanted to tell you that I had been thinking about what we could do for our next date, but I would like if this time you had something planned as well."

"Umm yeah, sure, no problem. I'm sure there's something we can do." He bit as lip nervously as he looked up at the table with his friends. He hadn't expected to meet eyes with Nino, his eyebrow arched in silent question. Adrien shook his head and motioned to explaining once his call was finished, which was met with a nod as Nino integrated himself once again to the conversation that reigned their table.

"Adrien?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

A sigh resounded from the other side of the line, "I asked if Saturday is good for you."

"Yeah, Saturday sounds great, see you in fencing class, okay? Bye." Great, now he would have to ask his father for Saturday afternoon, he wasn't sure his father would be too happy, but he had been working more than usual and he hoped his father would see that.

He walked back to the table, and sighed once again as Nino turned his attention to him. "Your father?" his question caught the attention of the two girls as they looked at him with worried glances.

"Nah, it was Kagami." Nino glanced quickly at Marinette before shifting his attention back to Adrien, it made him curious as to why he'd do that. He looked down at Marinette who had her stare fixed to the table.

"So you and Kagami?" He turned towards the bluenette as the question slipped from her lips. The lips she was currently biting so hard that he was worried that she'd cut through them if she applied any more pressure. Also, why did everyone say it like that? First Nino, now Marinette. He wasn't sure how it made him feel.

Doubt trickled in his mind. Now he felt like an idiot for having told her he had a girlfriend as Chat. Would she be able to connect the coincidences? Surely a lot of new couples must have been formed in the past week or so. Taking caution out of the window, he turned towards his friend that now had managed to look up at him, expectantly.

"Yeah, we're dating now." Marinette's eyes shifted in an emotion he couldn't quite place, but it still didn't calm the butterflies in the pit of his stomach. Oh no, had she made the connection?

His train of thoughts was interrupted by someone coughing. He looked across the table, finding the culprit. Alya kept making small coughs while staring at Marinette. He looked up at Nino, eyebrow raised in question only to be answered with a mere shrug and a dismissive wave of the hand. That was not how he had expected telling his friends about his relationship, much less had he expected this reaction, so bland and weird.

"Marinette, I think I need something to drink, would you mind accompanying me to the vending machines?" She cleared her throat once again as she looked at the bluenette pointedly. Marinette just bit her lip as she nodded, standing up a little bit too quick, causing her to sway a bit. Adrien felt his hand move up to grab her forearm to help her steady herself, but she moved away from him before he could even so much as reach her. It stung him that she didn't want him touching her.

"It's okay, I'm fine. Just stood up a little too quickly. Let's go Alya." Her voice strained as she looked away to the brunette. He watched as the pair left the cafeteria and he looked into his friend's eyes who seemed to be trying to hide the grimace that wanted to take over his face.

"Did I do something wrong?" Nino just shook his head, but it did nothing to wash away the sour taste the interaction had left him with. He looked down, suddenly feeling more self conscious than he had felt since a long time ago.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Tuesday came and Marinette was in an emotional rollercoaster from both her 'date', the test she had tomorrow and of course the cherry on top, learning Adrien and Kagami were official. It didn't help that Alya had not so subtly pulled her away from the table after Adrien had just openly talked about his relationship. She would love to lie to herself and say his words hadn't stung, but her life was full enough of lies so she at least had to be honest with herself.

Being honest with herself started with allowing herself to grieve all the hopes she had once indulged in regarding the green-eyed blond. It also meant taking the next step to moving on, and if moving on meant Luka she was not going to fight against what was meant to be.

Now all she should worry about is that damned test that was sure to be a pain in the ass. And perhaps rack over her outfit for tomorrow.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Chat hadn't even landed for more than 10 seconds before the trapdoor that led to Marinette's bedroom opened, an arm coming out pulling him inside quickly.

"Chat! I didn't think you'd come today but I'm so happy that you're here!" He chuckled at her after the surprise from her greeting left him, he hadn't expected such a greeting, much less such an equally nervous and excited Marinette. "How come you're so happy to see me?" He leaned closer to her, a playful smirk graced his lips. "Did you miss me?" He wiggled his eyebrows as his smirk turned into a grin, his question was only answered by a roll of her eyes, as she pushed him away with her hand to his chest.

"In your dreams, Chat. Actually, I need your help. He's invited to go to the movies!" Chat took a step back as he took in her room; clothes were pulled out and her closet was opened all the way. But what she said last grabbed his attention most.

"Who?"

"The guy I talked about that I don't know if he likes me. I don't want to get my hopes up but still this is a chance to know him a bit better." Why hadn't she talked with Alya about this? Surely, the brunette would be as equally as excited as Marinette. Hell, she'd probably be an even better help than he could ever be. But he couldn't turn down Marinette as she asked for a favor.

"Okay, how can I help you?" Her eyes brightened at his words as she pushed him towards her closet. "I have no idea what I should wear. Should I just go casual? Or maybe a little bit more done? Would a dress be overkill?" He grabbed her by the shoulders in an attempt to calm her down.

"Hey, Marinette. If he likes you, no matter what you wear he'll probably find you cute." She groaned in annoyance the second those words came from him. "You're no help, I don't want to make it seem like it's a date," she looked at him pointedly, a finger already poking at his chest "because it's not."

"He asked you out, how is that not a date?" A blush found it's place on the bluenette's face. "Well, we're not going alone, it's more of a group thing, so it's not a date." She looked up at him as he resisted the urge to laugh. He knew very well how it felt to want to ask the girl you like to a date and feeling too shy, which ended up including others in said date.

"He's probably too shy to flatout ask you to a date, perhaps he's testing the waters." Marinette looked like the idea didn't sound too bad to her, but it didn't take long for her to shake her head in denial. "Either way, if he meant it like you said or not. I don't want to think about it as a date." She sighed deeply, before biting her lip. "I don't want to bring my hopes up, it'll just lead to disappointment if we're wrong."

He couldn't think of a guy that would not like Marinette, she was an amazing girl and she accepted him as her friend without even knowing who he was, surely she was one of the best people he knew.

"Okay, fine. I think casual but a little bit more done up than you usually go would be best."

She held a light pink skirt. "Would casual chic be too much?"

"Well, I would leave that for when he takes you to a proper date." She nodded as she understood what he meant. "Yeah, you're right."

"How about jeans?" She looked up at him as if he were crazy, he only shrugged in response. "What? They're a fashion staple. You can play more with the tops and still keep it casual with a good pair of jeans." She looked up at him with a confused look on her face. Had he gone too far with his fashion knowledge? He thought it was common knowledge.

He was startled when Marinette face palmed seemingly out of nowhere, "How had I not thought of that? Of course, and I can wear a chiffon blouse with it. The perfect wear for a not-date."

He started rummaging through her closet as she looked through her drawer. She pulled out some light jeans, some were ripped and all in variation of colors. He arched his brow, staring at the collection of light colored jeans. "I think it's easier to style with a blouse. What do you think?"

"Yeah, that's great. I think this blouse would go great with it." He held up a white raglan sleeve blouse. It looked delicate enough, but paired with the jeans would look perfectly. He rummaged a little bit more trying to find some fitting shoes when his eyes met with a fair of brown ankle boots that would complement the clothes.

"It's perfect. Oh God, who would've known? You're even better at this than Alya." She pointed at him, in warning. "Don't tell her I said that, she'd kill me first and then come after your ass." He doubled over in laughter at her serious face, even though he knew she said it jokingly.

"Are you going to try it on?" She looked up at him, while pursing her lips. Oh, right. "I can go to the balcony while you change." She looked out of to the sky outside. When had it started raining? "Just turn around. I trust you." His eyes almost bulged out, and he felt so happy that she trusted him so much with something like that. But would it really be okay?

"Are you sure?" She just nodded and stood there. OH, RIGHT. He quickly turned around, making sure that he couldn't see her through any reflection or anything. He heard rustling behind him as she undressed and he smiled because he knew the outfit they had chosen was perfect for a date, even if she denied it being a date.

"I'm done." He turned to look at her once he heard the words. Taking in the outfit, he glanced up at her hair. Approaching her he took her pigtails letting the hair fall from his claws. "Are you planning on going with pigtails?"

"Yeah, I planning on it." He looked at the look once again. "Maybe, you should try something else, how about a sideways braid?" She looked up sheepishly.

"I don't know how." He looked at her incredulously, to which she just shrugged. He laughed loudly for the second time in the day. "Come here. I'll show you how. My skills are a bit rusty, but my mom taught me how to make braids, she liked it when I braided her hair." He pointed towards her desk chair, as she walked over and sat down.

"That's a great past time with your mom, do you miss it?" He just shrugged. "I do, but time helps make it a little bit easier, sometimes I'm reminded of her, but I'm okay." He knew the question that was underlying with her question. Would this bring back painful memories for you? He could almost hear the question clearly. It made him grateful that he had such thoughtful friend.

He took out her pigtails and threaded his fingers through her silky blue-black hair, then he started braiding the hair as well as he could, paying attention to somehow explain it to the bluenette, who only seemed more confused as he explained the motions for the braid. Perhaps it would be better to show her a video, he made a mental note to show her once he was finished styling her hair.

"Look at it, it completely compliments the outfit now." Her eyes brightened as she took the complete outfit. "Chat, it looks perfect. I don't think I'll ever make it this perfectly." She turned towards him with a wicked grin. "Will you do my hair tomorrow?"

"No, princess, no can do." She was glaring at him when suddenly her phone started ringing loudly next to Chat. He had barely been able to move towards the ringing phone (cat's curiosity anyone?) when Marinette had launched herself to grab at the phone, keeping it away from nosy eyes.

She held up a finger in warning, and he stood to side trying to be as quiet as he could considering that he was about to burst in laughter for the third time. It had been hilarious seeing his classmate run with such a horrified face to her phone, clutching it as if Chat was some ruffian. It was an image that would be hard to forget.

He decided to pay attention to what Marinette, maybe he'd be able to hear an embarrassing conversation that he could tease the bluenette later with.

"Hello, hey, hi." The three greetings said in less than a second plus the sweet tone she said it made him want to laugh, but a glare from her died them down. She turned around so he couldn't see her expression anymore. What a shame.

"Huh? Yeah, tomorrow at six? That sounds perfect. See you there, oh you want to come for me? No, don't worry. I can get there just fine. Yeah, no problem, I'll see you, Lu-" She cleared he throat suddenly. "Oh, no it's okay. I'm totally fine, see you tomorrow." She hung up with what could be described as a stupid smile.

"Marinette, he totally likes you. If that conversation was anything to go by, he definitely absolutely likes you"

"What? You were listening to my conversation." He crossed his arms as he bit his lip to try to drown the laughter that had been threatening to spill a while ago.

"You never said I couldn't hear what you were saying, I just didn't make a sound. See? I'm such a good friend."

She sighed deeply, then pouted, then sighed again, which then turned into a groan. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"I just, are you sure?" She looked up at him with such a nervous and anxious look that he felt for his friend. "I would bet on it." Her reaction to his words was immediate as she twirled giddily, if she had been wearing a skirt it would have looked as if she floated right in that moment.

"How much would you bet?" She had a playful glint in her eyes. "For or against?" She seemed deep in thought.

"For" He smirked, oh he was totally going to win this bet.

"I bet you five euros that tomorrow he won't ask me on a date." He didn't need any extra money, but winning this bet would be too easy, even more because it would prove Marinette that this guy did like her, like he was so sure of it. "And I bet you five euros that he will."

She walked around him, for what, he wasn't sure. "You don't look like you're carrying any money, so I suggest you bring me the money tomorrow." As if she was going to win.

"It'll be great, which means you should definitely do my hair tomorrow, please." She stood up on her toes as she held her hands together, her puppy eyes getting more adorable by the second. "Ugh, fine. I'll do it, but only if you make me some macaroons." She grinned at him and lifted up her pinky. "Deal."

"Okay? So, any details you can give me, like mystery guy's name?"

"Once I know he likes me, you'll know, kitty." He smiled as she went to grab her clothes to change back from the outfit she'd be using tomorrow. He turned the same way they had done earlier today. "I'll hold you up to that." She tossed him a pair of socks as she told him, "Oh, shut up." This time he couldn't hold his laugh in.

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

As Marinette came out from the most difficult exam she had experienced ever, quite a stretch if she was honest, she became grateful that Chat had insisted on helping her study instead of giving in to playing video games like she had proposed. If she were honest, she had studied on Monday, but had felt like studying Tuesday as well would be overkill, but boy had she been wrong. Most of the body of the exam had been about what she had had a hard time understanding but thanks to Chat she thought she could actually get a good grade.

She was expecting him to come to her house for making her hair, so the moment classes were over she tried to rush to her house, but was soon stopped by her friends.

"Hey, girl. I was wondering, Adrien just got his Chinese class canceled, so how about we go hang out? It wouldn't take too long." She glanced at her house, she had promised Chat she would give him macaroons for braiding her hair. Would he understand that she wanted to hang out with her friends?

She glanced up at her friends, before shifting her gaze to Adrien. She hadn't been all that nice on Monday, she should try to make up for it, right? He had a small smile, nodding as Alya kept talking her into it. Feeling the group pressure, she could only give in, how could she say no to hanging out with her friends?

"Okay, I'll go, but I have to be back at my house in an hour or so." With a wide grin that promised nothing, Alya pulled her toward the street, onward to one of their favorite pizzerias. She fell in rhythm as she walked alongside Adrien, she couldn't help but sneak glances at the blond every so often, thankful that he hadn't noticed yet.

Once inside the pizzeria they settled into one of the booths, a server came around to take their order. Once they had settled for their order they sat in silence for a bit.

Alya was the first one to break the silence like usual. "So Marinette, I saw that you were all cozy with Luka on Friday, how did that go?" Marinette felt a rush of embarrassment, she didn't want to talk about Luka in front of Adrien. His curious and intrigued face didn't help either as she avoided his gaze.

"Nothing, we're just friends." She should probably tell Alya at one point about Luka, but like with Chat, she'd wait until it was at least semi-official. She didn't need her friends pushing her to something she still wasn't entirely sure of.

She braved herself to look at Adrien, "Adrien, so how have you been lately?" Yikes, what would be next? Asking about the weather?

No matter how much of a dunce she felt for asking such a question, the boy next to her answered with a glee that she wasn't even sure was possible. "I've been doing okay, just busy with my extracurricular activities, have to make sure father's content with what I do."

"How do you find time to do anything at all?" She was sure she was looking at him with a certain glint of admiration, but the boy managed to balance everything so well, it made her feel inadequate for how she was balancing her civilian and superhero lives. And in addition to that he now had a girlfriend, she had always wondered if she could be able to balance a relationship on top of her hero duties, but it's not like Adrien was a hero and had to constantly lie and hide a major part of his life, so perhaps she wasn't as inadequate as she had thought.

"Well, I honestly just multitask and hope I'll have time for everything." His chuckle made her burst out into a small fit of laughter. It had sounded so unlike Adrien, yet at the same time, it was like him.

"Yeah, right. You're so smart I bet you look at a paper and already know what's the answer. You're such a nerd." He looked like a fish with his baffled expression. "I do not, I mean, I'm not a nerd."

"Uhuh, yeah right, whatever you say." Teasing him felt right, and she realized that she hadn't been stuttering, although she still felt nervous. "I'm sorry, but I have to agree with Marinette, you're like top of class." Alya added with a wink towards her.

"Nino, help me out here, they're ganging up on me." The mentioned boy just slid his hat to cover his eyes, and with a laugh said, "Sorry, dude. You're on your own."

Adrien turned towards Marinette and a pouted as she stuck out her tongue. "That's totally not true, besides isn't Marinette also in the top of the class?" She spluttered as she tried to come up with something. "No, I'm failing physics."

Adrien in turn playfully glared at her, "B minus is hardly failing."

"Oh shut up," she felt a blush spread across her cheeks, she caught sight of the server getting close with their pizza in hand. Oh thank the gods "Look, our pizza's here."

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Marinette looked at herself in the mirror for the last time, she looked almost perfect, and her hair fell perfectly to the side in a braid. Chat had come and gone quickly after braiding her hair and her promise of making him the macaroons tomorrow. It still amused her that her partner knew how to braid so beautifully, but she wasn't about to complain when he had been able to make magic of her hair with those hands.

She braved herself, grabbing her purse she made sure that Tikki laid comfortably with a good amount of cookies. She could only hope that no akuma would interrupt her outing, because otherwise she'd be pissed.

The walk to the theater was short enough, but her nerves had only tripled as she got closer and saw her group of friend, a blue mane of hair clear from where she was. She should try her best, considering Chat had helped her so much to get ready for this.

Once she reached the group, Luka turned to her with a wide smile gracing his lips. "Hey Marinette, glad you could make it on time." She felt herself blush at his words, she knew she was known for always being late, but she didn't want him to know that!

"Let's go inside, the movies about to start." She looked up at the line at the ticket booth. "What about the tickets?" He held up two tickets in his hand. "Already took care of it, come on." The gesture made her feel both happy and nervous.

"Luka, you didn't have to." He shrugged as if it were nothing.

"It's okay, I thought you would get here in the nick of time." He guided her inside with his hand hovering near her back, not touching her exactly but she could feel the slight warmth that emanated from his hand.

She didn't what she expected movie wise when she had accepted to go out with the Couffaine siblings, but she should've known it would be a movie that she wouldn't normally choose. The zombie movie did nothing to calm her nerves, in fact they did the opposite. The jump scares, although stupid and predictable made her jump in her sit.

She kept clinging unto Luka for dear life, and she was sure that he kept trying to drown his laughter at how ridiculous of a scaredy-cat she was. If she were with Chat watching a scary movie she'd probably be laughing at him, not the other way around.

She felt a hand encompass hers, as she lifted her eyes to meet the owner of said hand. "It's okay, if you get scared, just squeeze my hand, okay? I'll be here." His words were so reassuring as she laid her head on his shoulder, and squeezed his hand in thanks. His hold felt nice, she wondered if every guys' hands felt that warm, in comparison to the freezing temperature inside the movie theater. She felt the direction of her thoughts drift as she remembered Adrien's hands in hers, his hands had scalded her skin in the most exciting and satisfying way possible, but she guessed that nice was a feeling she was okay with.

She looked up to the screen as they didn't let loose their grasp of the other. Thankfully the rest of the movie wasn't so bad after that.

Once the group had been ready to separate and go back home Luka offered to walk her home. Part of her wanted to say no so that she wouldn't bother him, but the other, the bigger part of her wanted to walk with him too.

She only nodded before they fell into a leisure walk towards her house. She didn't know what to do. Should she hold his hand? It was one thing to hold hands in the cinema when she had been scared and it was meant to calm her down. Would he be okay with it? Or would it be too much?

Her hand kept twitching with indecision, and every time their hands brushed she felt like maybe she should just jump ship and just grab his hand. She felt a nudge as he intertwined their pinkies, making her look up at him, surprise clear in her face. He only smiled lightly and pulled her a bit to his side, causing a blush to flourish on her pale cheeks.

The walk to her house was faster than she would've liked, so when she got to the back door she turned to face Luka, smiling at him as brightly as she could without her cheeks hurting. "Thanks, Luka. For everything." He took her hand entirely lifting it up so that it laid between the two.

"It's okay, actually, Marinette," Was this the moment? She could feel a rush through her veins, adrenaline coursing as she readied herself to what he would say. "I wanted to ask you if-" A boom sounded to the right, a few blocks away.

"Oh, come on! You have got to be kidding me!" She turned back to look at the boy in front of her who looked at her with an equally amused and surprised face. "Marinette?" She was sure that he was about to ask her out to a date, and of course Hawkmoth had to send one of his akumas. As if her love life wasn't difficult already. She didn't want to send him away, and if she weren't Ladybug she probably would've just taken the conversation inside the bakery.

"Ugh, I think you should leave and get to safety. I'm already at my house so I'll be okay. Thanks, Luka, for walking me home. Be careful." She stood up on her toes as she planted a slight kiss on his cheeks.

She closed the door after her and climbed up the stairs until she reached her house, quickly going up to her room. She opened her purse, letting Tikki free. "Let's Tikki, we've got a pesky akuma to deal with." She called out her transformation. She wanted to take care of this akuma as quickly as possible, she was so annoyed at it interrupting Luka. But at least she won the bet against Chat. She lips stretched into a smile as she tossed her yo-yo before swinging away from her balcony.

The other day I rewatched Reflekdoll (umm misterbug and ladynoire, anyone?) and like Adrien with those green earrings should be ILLEGAL. Thank you for coming to my TEDtalk.

I only had one scene planned for this chapter, and then the urge to explore the dynamics of the friend group appeared and I just HAD to, so now this chapter is way longer than intended, welp. Also Marichat just being buddies gives me life (I'm a sucker for platonic friendships, oops)

I researched more about fashion while writing this chapter than I ever have in my whole life, so I guess I'm ready for my internship at Gabriel (yeah, right hahah)

Poor Luka, he wasn't able to ask Marinette today. Oh well, at least it didn't interrupt mid-date, so I guess I was merciful.

Thanks to all of you that have left reviews! They're all quite interesting, plus they really make my day. Let me know what you think of the story so far!