Tikki led me to a classroom on the West side of the school. It had a red door and had many ancient and important things hung on its walls. I recognised some of the hangings as previous descendants of my family tree and I felt intrigued, by how Tikki had found these pieces of information. I'd been searching for years for anything that would give me a clue as to what my past was, but the closest I got was what my grandfather allowed me to see.
"Excuse me Tikki," I say sitting down at a single desk, "But where did you get these posters and things. I've been looking for them for years."
"They're from when I evacuated the island," Tikki sighed her blue eyes shining, "I've kept them with me and guarded them with my life."
"Oh," I blink. That was a really plausible reason, I'm surprised it didn't catch me earlier, "Anyway what is a mentor?" I ask sort of confused, "I thought I'd go to this school for lessons not one-on-one time. No offence."
"Well," Tikki began, "You have lessons but at the start and end of the school day you talk to your mentor. Us kwamis went into hiding at the same time as the descendants and we all fled to the school. We then became mentors and guide the students here."
"That's a lot of history," I say speechless, "All I remember is having to leave at the age of three with my mother when Hawkmoth invaded. I remember a few names and faces but I never met you."
"You wouldn't have anyway," Tikki sighed fixing her bun, "I was always outside of the island helping the other kwamis. But I think closer to the evacuation I spent more time at home with my family and my...It's gone. I don't remember."
"Remember what ?" I ask looking at the kwami intently.
"Someone very special to me," She looked out of the window her eyes glistening. Suddenly realisation hits me. I've seen that somewhere before. But where? On the island? Probably not. My Auntie? Perhaps. No it had to be one of my older teachers from Paris. But was it?
"Anyway," Tikki cleared her throat breaking my train of thought, "It's almost curfew. You should head back to your dorm. It was nice meeting you Marinette."
"You too Tikki," I smile getting up from my seat.
Now that I thought about it she looked a lot like my mother. She had red hair and blue eyes. Her skin was a light complexion and her lips were pink. But she couldn't be! Could she? She looked way too young, plus she'd remember me if she was my mother. But something about her seemed familiar. Once again my concentration was broken by something: the bell ringing.
"Well I should go," I say opening the door.
"You should," Tikki nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow morning!"
"Yes you will," I smile walking out of the classroom.
"So?" Alya hugged me as I came in, "How was it?!"
"It was great!" I say hugging her back, "Tikki's really nice."
"Of course she is!" Alya let go and began to drag me towards the living room, "She's the opposite of Plagg the biggest asshole in the history of assholes!"
"Oh," I say slightly confused, "Who is Plagg?"
"Adrien's mentor," Alya practically rolled her eyes, "If you can call the lazy bastard one. All he does is laze about, meet with Tikki and more or less eat his stinky cheese."
"That sounds annoying to deal with," I say quietly.
"Sure is," Alya winked, "I had to clean the lunch hall once for 'accidentally' throwing out his cheese."
"That's harsh," I shudder at the thought of ever having to do that.
"It is," She sighed, "Now come on it's movie night! We're watching horrors!"
She then began to drag me through the door, when I began to feel the tingle of a blush rise to my cheeks for some unknown reason. I didn't know what triggered it, but I blushed all the same.
"I-I'm not s-so sure," I begin to stutter, "Yeah! I've had a long day. I just need sleep to. I mean to sleep. Night Alya! Tell the guys I didn't feel too well."
"Ok girl," Alya looked at me before letting me go to our room, "Just don't complain about missing some good horrors."
"I won't," I call back.
I head into the room and let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding. Why did I blush at the thought of watching horrors? Was it because they're scary? No I've watched a few with some old friends. Then it had to be the thought of watching it with the others. I didn't mind watching something with Alya though, and Nino was cool too. So was it Adrien? No it couldn't be! I might just be tired like I said. After all it's not like I have a crush on him or anything. Or do I?
I groan in frustration as I get changed into my pyjamas and get into bed. Why was my life so complicated all of a sudden?! First it was my mother, then meeting the others, next was this whole Tikki thing and now how I feel towards Adrien. What's next?! I keep puzzling over my situations until I drift off to sleep, dreaming a world that was way less complicated than this one.
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
Alya's alarm clock went off and I jumped out of bed. Alya groggily sat up and rubbed her eyes before putting on her glasses. She blinked a few times before yawning and deciding to speak.
"Morning girl," Alya got out of bed, "We've got a long day ahead of us. The big test's in a few weeks and class is gonna be brutal. But with your knowledge you'll be fine."
"Really?" I say stretching, "I just started and I feel so weird."
"Trust me," She placed a hand on my shoulder, "If anyone can do well it's you. Plus with that book, you've got all of the answers!"
"True," I say pretending to think, "But I can't think on an empty stomach. Let's eat something before we start the day."
"We should," Alya nodded heading towards the door, "Adrien makes killer bacon anyway and Nino makes heavenly pancakes so we better hurry before they eat them all."
"They can cook?" I raise a brow, the two boys didn't strike as the type who cooked.
"Yeah. We have cooking lessons here, but only for the first two years," Alya explained as we both went to the kitchen.
When we got there we found Adrien cooking bacon and Nino making pancakes as Alya had said. By the smell I could tell it was delicious and I could feel my stomach starting to rumble.
"Told you," Alya whispered sitting down at the table, "Tomorrow's our turn and I'm not too good at cooking, which is ironic because my mum's the school's head chef."
"Wow," I whisper back,"Don't worry. Growing up in a bakery gave me some skills like making croissants."
"You're a life saver," Alya smiled making me laugh.
"What are you guys laughing at?" Nino looked at us,both in stitches.
"N-nothing," I manage to get out before starting again.
"Yeah we're just laughing at how bad we are at cooking!" Alya sighed wiping a tear, "Well how bad I am."
"Oh really?" Adrien eyed us a mischievous glint in his eyes, "So Alya are you so bad at cooking you'd burn toast."
"Probably," She shrugged.
This got me and Nino laughing more.
"What about...baked beans?" Nino asked.
"Yep," Alya nodded, "I've done that before."
"Whoa so you're telling me you probably burnt ice-cream," I say looking at Alya.
"I did," Alya blushed a bit, "I tried making an ice-cream sundae once and thought to put it in the microwave. It didn't end well..."
The three of us burst out laughing, while Alya looked at us all. She looked a little pissed at us, but didn't say anything until we finished.
"But can perfect Adrien really chat?" She shrugged, "He thought you cooked rice in the oven!"
Nino and I laughed while the blonde blushed. I guess this was her way of getting back at us.
"And Nino but a chicken leg in a blender!" Alya continued, "A blender! Even I'm not that stupid."
Adrien and I laughed this time and Nino blushed, but looked cool with it all the same.
"What about you Marinette?" Adrien looked at me, "You must've done one stupid thing in the kitchen."
"Well..." I think for a moment before answering, "I got flour all over my face once and thought that if I jumped in the oven I'd turn into a cake."
The three of them burst out laughing.
"That must've been adorable though!" Alya smiled.
"Yeah a tiny Mari running to the oven and saying 'I'm gonna be a cake now!'" Adrien sighed.
"That has to be the cutest kitchen fail," Nino agreed before looking at his watch, "Shit! We've got half an hour till school..."
I didn't wait for Nino to finish his sentence I sprinted out of the kitchen and to my and Alya's room and got out my Ladybug outfit and got to the bathroom first. I locked the door, stripped down and then got into the shower. Not a second after I heard pounding on the door.
"Open up it's the FBI!" Nino yelled.
"Too bad I'm in the shower!" I yell back.
"Marinette I swear I'll kill you if you don't hurry up!" I heard Alya yell from the other side of the door.
"Fine just give me a minute!" I shout back and I stayed true to my word. After a minute I stopped the shower, dried myself and managed to get my underwear on before Alya pounded on the door again.
"Marinette hurry up!" She sounded panicky.
"Fine!" I say wrapping the towel round me and opening the door.
"Finally," Nino sighed, but I knew he was just worried about being late.
I ran past the two as they argued on who should go next and almost made it to my and Alya's room when I bumped into Adrien.
"Argh!" We both yell as we drop to the ground. He fell first and I fell on top of him. 'Great,' I mentally face-palm,'As if not to make my morning any worse.' What made it worse was I was in my underwear with only a towel around me.
"Sorry," I say getting off him and blushing.
"No it's fine," He replied blushing as well.
We just kinda stood there awkwardly until my brain remembered what I was doing before I bumped into him.
"I gotta go," I say dashing to my room.
I sigh as I close the door behind me, my blush still across my cheeks. 'That was awkward,' I think as I put my Ladybug suit on. It was way more showy now, the spandex showing off my curves and breasts. I sigh as I see how I look in the mirror. As if today wasn't going to be hard enough already...
"Good morning Marinette," Tikki smiled as I came into her classroom. Adrien's class was next to mine and Alya and Nino's were across the hall, so I felt some comfort.
"Morning Tikki," I smile back sitting at my desk. She had her hair out and wore a black and red dress. She wore pink lip gloss and silver earrings.
"So today we're just going to go over purifying akumas and using Lucky Charm," Tikki got up from her desk and went over to the mat in the middle of the room, "Show me what you know already."
I walked over to the mat and got my yo-yo out. I channelled all of my magic energy into the weapon until a light pink light could be seen. I then recited the words "No more evil doing for you little akuma. Time to de-evilise!" I then did the movement and Tikki nodded in approval.
"Well you've got De-evilising down," She stated, "Now using Lucky Charm."
"Lucky Charm!" I yelled as I used my gift. A pencil then landed in my hand and Tikki smiled at me.
"Well you've got all the basics down," She shrugged, "But you'll need to practise them more. You need to be able to use them more than once without feeling drained in order to defeat Hawkmoth."
"Oh," I say thinking it would be harder to achieve the ability to face Hawkmoth, "So I'll have to practise the spells everyday?"
"Yes for an hour," Tikki replied smiling, "Now let's go over some spells and strategies."
We spent the rest of the hour session going over spells and strategies known only to the Ladybugs that helped to gain and advantage over the enemy. By the time the bell rang for transition, I actually felt like I could do what everyone expected me to do and felt as if I could take on the world. I bid Tikki goodbye and left the class. I felt fine, until I spotted Lila flirting with Adrien.
Lila was flirting with Adrien and he looked pretty uncomfortable. I didn't know what came over me, but I clenched my fists and grumbled something under my breath. I heard footsteps behind me and saw a smug Alya walking towards me.
"Hey," I say pretending I didn't just feel a tinge of anger or jealousy towards the scene I just witnessed.
"Hey girl," Alya said back, a smug smile on her face,before whispering, "Since when did you care so much about what people do with Adrien?"
"I don't know!" I say getting everyone around us's attention," Sorry!" "I think I have a crush on him," I whisper back sighing, "I've never been like this before and well...I think it was his kindness that attracted me. That sounds stupid. Just ignore everything I just said."
"As if I would girl," Alya smiled playfully punching me, "My ships sailing! Now let's get to class before Ms Bustier gives us detention."
"Yeah let's go," I say walking with Alya towards class.
I looked behind me to see Adrien trying to get to class. Lila remained adamant and all I could do was watch as the blonde struggled to get away from the brunette. Then in an instant our eyes caught the other's gaze and I'm sure I blushed. I saw him give me a small smile before going back to dealing with Lila. But I couldn't smile back. My mind was too busy gushing over how he smiled at me! How he actually smiled at me and not Lila! What am I thinking! I'm a Ladybug not anything else, we're opposites! But is it so wrong to have a small crush? I guess not.
I spent the duration of getting to class pondering over my possible crush on Adrien and whether he'd return my feelings. Alya just looked at me every once in a while before breaking the silence.
"Girl you have a crush," She smiled knowingly, "Don't even try to deny it."
"As if!" I brush it to the side, "I'm a Ladybug, he's a Black Cat. We'd never be romantically involved, simple as." I sigh as the reality of my words sink in. He's a Cat and I'm a Ladybug we'll never be together, even if we both feel the same way...
The bell rang just as Alya and I burst into class. Everyone had found their seats and Alya dragged me to her desk. She sat directly behind Adrien and Nino and I was her desk buddy. Behind us was a guy called Ivan, who was an Ox; across from us were Mylene, a mouse, and Alix, a rabbit; in front of them were Chloe and Sabrina, a dog; behind Alix and Mylene were Kim and Max; and in the final row was Juleka and Rose, the girls from practise and Lila and Nathaniel, a sheep.
Ms Bustier, our teacher who was also a Horse descendant, stood at the front of the class. She was about to start the lesson when Adrien burst in with Lila not too far behind. Chloe scowled at the sight, but hid her feelings well from the others.
"What are you two doing here so late?" Ms Bustier eyed her two students.
"Plagg held me back again," Adrien rubbed the back of his neck.
"And you Lila?" Ms Bustier eyed the brunette.
"I-I," She was silent for a moment before continuing, "I was helping a student get to the infirmary. They twisted their ankle."
"That's not a real reason miss," Chloe smirked as the brunette growled, "She was busy trying to delay Adrien from getting to class. Ask anyone in here."
"Is that true Lila?" Ms Bustier looked at the now upset Fox descendant.
"No," She replied standing firm, "I was helping a student."
"She wasn't," Sabrina chimed in, "I can prove it."
She then nodded to Max and he played the school security camera footage onto the whiteboard. It showed an uncomfortable Adrien and a very flirtatious Lila. Ms Bustier looked at the screen in shock.
"Lila Rossi," She looked at the young woman, displeased, "You have an hour detention after school for lying to a teacher and forcing yourself onto another student."
"That's no fair miss!" The brunette protested, "I didn't do anything except talk!"
"Well you did lie," Chloe smiled looking at the brunette.
"Ugh!" She growled at the blonde, "I'll get you back for this." She then sat in her seat and stayed silent for the remainder of the lesson.
"Ok class," Ms Bustier sighed composing herself, " today we're going to learn about the history of the nineteen miraculous clans."
A groan went around the class as they heard the subject we'd be learning of. It must've been really boring to them I guess.
"But this time we'll have more insight on the Ladybugs," Ms Bustier smiled getting the classes attention, "Marinette grew up there so she should know a little more than we do. Am I right Marinette?"
"Well yes," I nod feeling everyone's gaze on me, "I did grow up there but I don't remember much, everything I learned was from a book my mother gave me."
"You mean the Guardian's book!" Max looked at me, "Every kwami owns one except Tikki. Apparently she gave it to someone very special to her."
"So how did Marinette get one?" Chloe looked at Ms Bustier, "She's not a kwami."
"No she isn't but her mother must've been related to one," Ms Bustier replied, "However all of the powerful clan families own one because of their status."
"So it's like an heirloom?" Sabrina asked eagerly.
"Sort of," Ms Bustier replied, "Do you know how your mother got this book Marinette?"
"No," I reply, "She told me it was passed through the generations."
"Well I guess that's the end of that mystery," Alya sighed, "Now can we please go over the history of the clans? We're all itching to hear about the Ladybugs!"
She was met by a bunch of nods and 'yeah that's trues'. I just sat there a blush forming on my cheeks.
"Well if Marinette doesn't mind she could tell us about her clan," Ms Bustier smiled warmly at me.
"Yeah, of course!" I give a shy smile. 'What did I just do?' I thought as I stood up and went to the front of my class. How was I gonna get out of this one?!
A/N: Latest chapter! Thanks for all the support guys and I'll update soon, soon being around Friday, till then I hope you guys read and review!
D.L.D