Adrien wasn't getting much sleep. Plagg was getting worried.

"Why not ditch classes today," he offered, flying around Adrien's head, "tour Paris in search of the city's stinkyest cheese instead! We both could use a break."

"I can't Plagg," Adrien said putting the last of his books into his bag, "I promised I'd show Marinette around since it's her first day, remember."

"I know," Plagg sighed, deflated, "but you really need a break soon Adrien, those bags under your eye's just keep drooping lower and lower."

Adrien smiled, pulling his bag over his shoulder. "Thanks for worrying Plagg." He opened his jacket and Plagg flew into it, resting in its inner lining.

When they got to school the found Marinette waiting for them, not looking much better.

"Everything okay Marinette?" Adrien asked coming up to her.

She started, grabbing her chest, before laughing weakly. "You scared me Adrien."

"Sorry," he said, scratching the back of his head, "but I was right in front of you. You seem pretty out of it today."

Marinette sighed, leaning back. "Ya, sorry. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Nervous for your first day?"

Marinette seemed to freeze for a moment before nodding. "Ya, that's it," she said distantly, as if trying to convince herself, "nervous for today."

Adrien saw that she didn't want to talk about it and pressed no further, instead starting their tour. "The building we're in front of is the main one," he said as they walked to the doors, "most of the classes here are reserved for the art's including fashion, acting, photography, digital mediums, sculpting, and much more. Across the street," he pointed to a similar building, "is the building where most of the practical classes are held including core curriculum, marketing, and business management. Since you're getting a fashion major most of your classes will be in this building though" He opened the doors and waved her in.

"You- you're in the modeling program, right?" Marinette asked, her tired brain grasping for a topic.

"Actually I'm in photography," he said, casually putting his hands in his pockets, "modeling isn't a full degree so much as a sub-division of photography. Actually Julika is doing the same program as me."

"Is she really?" Marinette asked, exited, "She's been so busy recently, and Luka said she was getting into modeling, but I didn't know she was studying here too. She's super suited for this, I'm so happy for her!"

Adrien chuckled, her sparkling eye's lifting his mood a bit. "I did wonder why Luka's didn't apply for the music program here," he said shifting topic a bit, "he's more than good enough to get a scholarship."

From the corner of his eye he saw Marinette smile softly and he smiled too, it wasn't an expression he had ever seen on her face before. "I did ask him about it," she said warmly, "he said that his mother had already taught him everything he needs to know. And ya know, listening to his music I think he's right."

"Then why doesn't he break into the industry?"

Marinette laughed a bit, expression dampening, "I think he's worried about me getting my footing." She said, "I've just been so busy, and he's been so supportive. Honestly I feel like I'm what's holding him back."

Adrien reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "I'm sure that's not true. And hey, if he ever does decide to let his music out into the world have him come to me. I'm more than willing to offer my support."

Marinette smiled up at him, her old feelings nearly returning for a single heartbeat. "Thanks Adrien."

They entered a large atrium with stairs on either side.

"Since fashion is the largest major it has the most facilities," Adrien said pointing across the room, "most of them are in that wing across from us. You will probably have a few classes in the other building on marketing and management, but you probably won't have those classes until later in the semester."

Sitting at one of the table's, staring at a laptop with ear buds in, was a familiar face. "There's Ivan," Marinette said pointing, "I almost didn't recognize him! I haven't seen him since the graduation ceremony."

"Oh, ya," Adrien said, "he and Mylene are both in the tech theater department. Though Ivan does lean a little more into sound and editing while Mylene like the more hands on work."

"Cool," Marinette said, "Should we go say hi?"

Adrien glanced at Ivan again and shook his head. "Not right now I think, it looks like he's working on a project."

Marinette looked again and saw that he was right. She smiled and sighed a bit. "Oh well, there's always later." As they walked over to the Fashion wing a light shadow passed over her features. "Chloe said she's majoring in business and marketing here right?"

"I think so," Adrien said, crinkling his eyebrows a bit trying to remember, "yes, I do think that's what she said. Why do you ask?"

Marinette flushed a bit, almost ashamed of her response. "To be honest I have so much going on right now, and we really don't get along, I kind of don't want to run into her and deal with her antics like I did when we were in school."

"That's fair I guess," Adrien said, "but I don't think you have to worry too much about it right now. I don't know what it is, but something about her has changed."

Marinette looked at him sideways. "Really? She seem like the same brat – I mean person – she always was."

"I don't know Marinette. I know she's had her problems in the past, but there's something different about her now. Her wording, or her intent, or something. Man, I really am not explaining this well."

Marinette laughed, for real this time. "Not at all," She said, "but it's cute so you're fine. I don't know what Kagami was thinking when she dumped you and any girl with half a brain will agree."

Adrien blushed a bit, laughing with her. "Thanks Marinette, I think I needed to hear that. Luka's lucky to have you."


Authors Note :

Good news, headache is GONE! Bad news, school is not. I will try to keep updating as much as I have been, but this schedule is going to get harder and harder to keep the further into the semester I get. One good thing is that writing this is actually a pretty good stress reliever after class so I WILL be updating pretty often.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoy this story as it unfolds!