"Where is it?" I mutter as I rummage around in my desk. I just have a few minutes before I have to dash out the door for school and I'm looking for my lucky charm bracelet Marinette gave me. I normally have it on me all the time, but it must have slipped out of one of my pockets. Plagg looks at me from his striped sock he sleeps in. "You look me\on the hunt for cheese!" he says. "Plagg, will you help me look? I just have two minutes before we have to go to school…." "Adrien, the car's waiting," Nathlie knocks on the door. I sigh, guess the search will have to wait until later. "Don't worry, buddy, we'll stop in at Leo's sometime today," I promise. "Don't you think you should check in on Ladybug?" Plagg asks. "We will. After school."
Something changed with Plagg once he saw Ladybug have a panic attack in my room. He still thinks about cheese, but lately he's been okay with me checking in on Ladybug first. There are good days, bad days, and days in between when I'll can do is stroke her hair or her hand, telling her it will be alright.
The car drops me off at school and I tell my driver I won't be home till late. I get out and the first person I see is Marinette. She looks tired and pale, like she didn't sleep well. Is she okay? I fist bump Alya and Nino and then look at Marinette. I want to give her a hug, but not in front of them. "Hey, Marinette could you help me with some homework before class?" I ask. Its a lame excuse, but I don't like seeing her so sad. "Okay," she says, quietly, not her bouncy self at all. Once we're inside school I I walk to a quiet area, out of sight of the main courtyard. "Sorry, Marinette, I actually just wanted to give you a hug, but I didn't want to do it in front of Nino and Alya." "You could have just asked," she snaps, not looking at me, but her lower lip is trembling. "I'm sorry," she whispers as the tears run down her cheeks. "Come here," I tell her gently and she walks into my arms. I wrap my arms around her waist, resting my head on top of hers. "Its okay. I'm right here." Slowly, the tears dry up. "I don't feel like going to class but I suppose we'd better," she says. "Maybe I can switch with Nino, at least for the morning," I tell her and I take her hand as we walk into the classroom.
It works out, and Marinette seems slightly better by the end of the day. I sigh as I watch her leave. Once I transform into Cat Noir I leap up to the rooftops. Time to check on Bugaboo. I meet her at our spot, and she looks up at me with a soft smile. "Hey, Kitty." "How was your day?" I ask, sitting down next to her. "Not great. Sabine asks if we'd like to come to supper tonight." "Great." "I snapped at someone today," she says. "Oh?" "Yeah. And there one of my best friends too. I just haven't been sleeping well, and I've been cranky." I hesitate wanting to make a joke, but don't know if I should. Would the humor cheer her up? "Well, my Lady, you can always use me as a Cat pillow."
I expect her to lightly punch my arm, but she giggles and to my surprise, lies down with her head in my lap. "Your right," she grins up at me. "Its surprisingly comfortable." I blush my cheeks turning a red color. "Cat got your tongue?" she laughs. "You punned! I'm so proud of you!" I want to kiss the top of her head but not wanting to mess this up, I settle for ruffling her black hair, She sighs and closes her eyes. "That feels so nice. You will keep doing that?" she asks. Gently, I untie her red ribbons tucking them into my pocket. She flips over, snuggling into my chest. We sit there for awhile, and I think she falls asleep. This is good for her, to get sleep.
To soon the sun turns red and dips towards the horzion. "Honey, we just probably get to the bakery now. Its almost supper time." "Hmm. You will carry me? I'm feeling lazy," she mumbles, rubbing her head against my chest. Her affections make my heart do jumping jacks. "Maybe your part cat after all."
When we get to the bakery, we head upstairs and I grin as I hear Tom singing in the back room. That's how you know someone loves their work, is when they sing a joyful tune. For a moment, my mind goes back to finding the lucky charm, knowing I'll be singing with joy once I find it.
Good smells waft towards us and I knock on the door. "Ladybug! Cat! Come on in, honey!" I feel a rush of love towards Marinette's mother. Not only she is a caring mother to Marinette, but she's a caring mother to me and Ladybug. "Smells good, Mama Cheng." "I have the food on the table in a few minutes. Cat, would you help me set the table?" she asks. Ladybug nudges me. "I'm going to the bathroom. Be back soon."
"Is she doing okay today?" Sabine asks as I grab four plates down from the cupboard. "She fell asleep on my lap for awhile." I wish I could tell her about Marinette this morning, but I can't give away my identity as much as I'd like to tell Mama Cheng. "I made her favorite. Oatmeal."
I think Ladybug likes the oatmeal because its warm and soothing, and she likes to gloppy. Tom comes upstairs just as Ladybug comes back downstairs. He gives her a hug, and I feel a pang. I wish my own father would hug me like that. "Come here, Cat. I'm not going to leave you out," Tom grins.
Even if Sabine reminds him about squeezing to tight, I'm thankful for it. Thankful for them. "Let's eat," Sabine says in her gently way. Time to have dinner with my family.