Dear Journal,

I've never really be one to take risks especially when it comes to standing up to my father, but when he said I had a photo shoot on the same day where throwing a party for Mama Cheng and Papa Dupain?

I so badly wanted to lash out at him with angry words, but I knew that wouldn't do me any good. Still, I frowned at him when he watched me from the window get into the car to go to school. I grumbled a "goodbye" to my bodyguard and slammed the door a little harder then necessary when we got to school. I should say sorry to the Gorilla later. None of this is his fault.

"Adrien?" I'm surprised to see Marinette sitting at her desk already, but she has been making a effort to get here on time. Even the sight of her calms me, Journal. I don't care if she is clumsy and stumbles over her words around me, you wouldn't find a sweeter girl then Marinette Dupain-Cheng. "Is something wrong?"

Now that I'm away from my father were I have to mask my emotions, I'm allowed to scowl. "Father scheduled a photo shoot the day of the party. Doesn't he realize just how about you and your family mean to me?" I take a deep breath. "He-He never listens. Adrien, I'm busy. Adrien, you need to obey. Well, this time I won't." I sit down and cross my arms across my chest, staring straight ahead.

"Maybe I could help you stand up to your father?" I turn to her in surprise. "You would do that for me?" "Your my friend aren't you?" She starts to say something, but then the rest of class comes in and she starts getting flustered. I help her up. "Let's meet up after school." I squeeze her hand before letting go and for a second I feel a bit calmer.

During lunch there's a akuma alert, and of course that doesn't make me happy. When I meet up with Ladybug, my tail is swishing angrily. "Cat Noir, do you need a scratching post? You look like you want to sharpen your claws!" I smirk at her as we dodge from the akuma fire.

Thankfully, its a short akuma fight and as soon as we "pound it!" we running off in directions. I don't know about Bugaboo, but I have a science test this afternoon that I cannot miss!

I meet up with Marinette at the park as promised. She leaps up when she sees me from sitting on a bench. "Adrien, did you find a safe place to hide during the akuma fight." "Yes. You?" I take her hands in mine. She nods.

"You need to be calm about about telling your father why this is so important." My voice gets tight as I try to get out the words. "Because over the last year, your family has become my family, Marinette. They care about me." Marinette slips her hand into mine. "That's a good place to start."

We work on what to say until my phone vibrates saying its time to go home for supper. "I need to go, but I'll practice tonight. I'll see you tomorrow?" She stands. Her eyes are less brighter then they were earlier. Is she tired, or is because she like me, wanting to leave her side? I give her a hug.

When I get home, I peek into Father's office and gulp, staring at my ring. You face akumas every day as Cat Noir, talk to him!

"Adrien, what can I do for you?" Father doesn't look up from his tablet as he sketches out a new design. "Father, I know you wanted to schedule the photo shoot for Saturday, but that's the day of Tom and Sabine's anniversary of opening the bakery. And-and-" The words seem to get stuck in my throat. "Tom and Sabine are family."

That catches Father's attention. "Adrien, they're just people you work for-" "No, Father. They are my family because they when I have a problem they drop everything and listen. They spend time with me and laugh with me. When was the last time we did that together? When was the last time you said you loved me?" I stare directly into my father's eyes, my tongue is been unloosed and the words fall from my lips. "I-I, you may go to the party, Adrien, but-" I walk out the office, then run upstairs, transforming and leaping onto a rooftop quickly. As I dash towards Marinette's, my breathing speeds up and it isn't from running. I took a risk, and told my father how I feel.

I land lightly on Marinette's balcony and walk over to what we call "The Cat Flap". Her room is dark and quiet. Oh, I remember now. I heard her tell Alya that if she got a good grade on her test today her parents were treating her to ice cream. I wander downstairs, the kitchen is dark, as the sun has set. I make myself a pot of tea, hoping it will calm my nerves. I'm just sitting down to wait for the water to boil, when the door knobs rattles. I'm so wound up I leap from my stool, knocking it to its side. "Cataclysm!" My left hand holds a ball of swirling destruction, this intruder will not hurt my family's home.

Tom walks in with a small carton of ice cream, and stares at me in puzzlement. "Cat? What are you doing here?" I feel so stupid, and I can't answer. Sabine looks at me with understanding. "Tom, can you and Marinette wipe up that big flour mess downstairs?" Tom looks confused for a moment, then nods. My eyes meet Marinette's worried expression, and I find I can smile to give her some comfort. "Its alright, Princess."

Sabine grabs a old towel, and smiles at me. "Here," the towel turns to ash. "The towel is replaceable but you are not. What's going on?"

The kettle whistles and Sabine makes my tea just the way I like it with a little milk and honey. "I finally took a risk and told my Father what I wanted to do for once. It felt good….and scary at the same time."

I wrap my hands around the warm mug. "Good for you, Cat. We all have to take risks sometimes." Yes, I took a risk today and it paid off.

Adrien Agreste

-Cat Noir