"Such a silly thing to do...fall in love with you.

Don't be scared, I've got plans of my own."

-"Made to Measure" by the Hoosiers

Marinette was suffering from a very severe case of Adrien Agreste withdrawal.

Alya claimed Marinette was being dramatic. But when your long-term crush starts to wither away, it can be very overwhelming.

In other words, Marinette's infatuation with Adrien was starting to disappear. She must be insane, because one does not simply get over Adrien Agreste.

It had started slow.

Marinette stopped stuttering, she had figured it was a huge step in getting closer to Adrien.

But then she could talk to him with ease. She could smile. She could joke and laugh.

Adrien's smiles and gentle touches stopped producing the same effect they once had on her.

There was an occasional stumble due to her untrustworthy feet. But no longer was she the girl who could manage to land herself in a trashcan in front of her crush.

That's when she realized it was because she no longer had the crush. She was getting closer to him.

Closer as an ordinary friend.

Adrien had been such a constant beacon in her life. But on the day she took down the pictures of Adrien from her walls, she held nothing but a strong inner cringe.

Adrien, of course, could have been none the wiser on the raven-haired girl's inner turmoil.

Every dazzling smile he sent her way was proof Marinette had lost her sanity because come on. Who could resist those dimpled cheeks?

Alya declared it was about damn time Marinette got over him, you've been drooling over him for three years girl.

To Marinette, it had been the best three years of her life. Liking Adrien had been addictive. Placed her in a constant state of a butterfly filled stomach. One look from him, and Marinette had enough energy to last her the day.

Now he was another kind boy friend from her class. Take note of the space between 'boy' and 'friend'.

Alya maintained that Marinette shouldn't bother trying to rekindle her feelings for Adrien.

"Think about it this way Mari. Ever since you stopped liking him you haven't fallen or embarrassed yourself. As much." Alya waggled her eyebrows, "More boys can chase after you now that your old obvious crush on Adrien isn't in the way."

"It wasn't that obvious." Marinette spluttered.

Alya rose a single brow.

Marinette sighed, "Okay, it was obvious. But clearly not obvious enough because Adrien never realized it."

"Girl have you met the guy? You could kiss him flat on the lips and he'd say 'What a nice way of greeting friends, Marinette.'" Alya mimicked him poorly.

"He's not that dense." Marinette protested, but the doubt was very present in her statement.

Alya could tell she was starting to see sense.

"Ugh." Marinette threw herself on her pink chaise. "What am I supposed to do now?"

"Focus on school, fashion, baking? Hell, even playing video games would be better than pouting over not liking a boy. Who even does that anyway?" Alya blew at her freshly painted nails. "Other than you, of course."

The polish on her index nail was crooked in its coating. Damn.

"Is it so wrong to long for a warm embrace from a handsome boy?" Marinette blinked up at the ceiling while stretched out like a starfish. "I don't care who, just a cute boy who I can steal sweaters from. I've never even been on a date! Unless you count that weird meeting with Nino or the time with the Evillustrator on the boat."

"Yeah, those weren't proper dates." Alya gave a sigh at the completely ruined lavender varnish. She gave up and spun the wheelie chair around to face the chaise. "What about Luka? You two had chemistry."

Marinette gave a thoughtful hum but said nothing else.

"Look, Mari, no one is saying you have to date or crush on a boy to be happy. Like I said, you can focus on your studies or hobbies."

"People who are dating someone don't have the right to say that. I can focus on my interests and have a boyfriend at the same time." Marinette pouted. "Maybe I'll give Luka a try. He has always been nice. Or give any boy who isn't Adrien Agreste a try."

Alya rolled her eyes fondly.

Her eyes lit up as a metaphorical light bulb appeared over her head.

Marinette narrowed her eyes at Alya. "For the last time, I'm not going to date the barista at Starbucks so you can get free coffee."

Alya's expression drooped. "But he so obviously likes you!"

Marinette leveled her a look.

She then chuckled, "Whenever a boy shows signs of liking me I am turned off. My type seems to be unattainable boys."

With a dramatic sigh, she threw her arm over her eyes.

Alya gave a patronizing tut, "If I weren't so happy with Nino, I'd be happy with all the attention you receive."

"But it's never from those I want." Marinette huffed. "Besides you recieve a lot of attention even though you're with Nino."

Alya grinned.

Marinette walked over to her full-length mirror and gave herself an appraising look. "It's time for a change."

She then, to Alya's horror, grabbed a pair of scissors and began snipping locks of hair off.

Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug and any of the characters written about here. The franchise belongs to Thomas Astruc. My goal in this is only to inspire some girls or boys to feel confident and go out there to get what they want. :)

I will update soon as I already have half of the second chapter written. This story will include story arcs, I don't know how long it will be yet but this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Thanks for reading!