My hands stumble on the keys, and I close my eyes tightly, waiting for Father's reprimand. I have worked on this piece, I swear I have! But today, the hurt of missing Mother is cutting deep, and I can't focus. "Adrien, what was that?" Father asks me, his voice sending even more splinters of hurt into my heart. I wonder briefly how Papa Dupain would have handled this, or Mama Cheng. Papa would have put his big warm gentle hands on mine, and guided me over the keys. Mama would have made me some tea, and then encouraged me with a soft smile to try again. "Are you deaf? Answer me!"

I fight down the anger and hurt that simmers inside me, like a rattling stove lid ready to boil over. But I don't. "Maybe if you actually spent time with me and helped me practice, I wouldn't have messed up this piece. Everyone makes mistakes, Father, but to you, I have to be perfect for you to love me. But I'm not!" The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them, but it feels good. "Adrien!" "Don't." I hold up a hand as I stand up, and walk over to the door. I may not be wearing a mask right now, but that doesn't mean I'm not brave enough to stand up to my father. "I'm going out for a bit before the concert. Or maybe I won't."

Father's voice echoes in my ears as I walk down the steps and through the door, slamming it with a bang. He told me I'm not going to the concert, but at this moment I don't care. Punching in the code to the gate, I hurry out the tears stinging at my eyes.

Does he even love me? Or am I just a pawn, a puppet to placed and smile at the right time for his business? I wander the streets, glad they seem to be empty at the moment. I don't know where I'm going, but if I stop walking, the tears will spill over. I don't even think it'd be good to see Marinette right now, (Cat or Adrien) until I can get my emotions in check. Besides, she's going to the concert later.

I look up and I'm next to Luka and Juelka's houseboat, and I realize maybe Luka is the person I need to talk to. He understands music, and is a good listener. I walk onto the boat, and down the stairs, relieved of being out of the hot sun.

"Adrien, welcome," Luka smiles up at me, and he's playing his guitar. I'm sure his mother doesn't ground him for a week if he makes a mistake. "Hi, Luka," I say softly, and then the dam breaks and the tears spill down my cheeks. "Sit down and take a deep breath. I'll make us some tea," Luka unstraps his guitar and walks over to the small stove. I can't hold in the sobs, but Luka seems to understand. Finally, I look up to see him sitting next to me. "Sorry," I whisper. "Don't apologize for your feelings, Adrien." He hands me the tea, and I take a sip. "Herbal?" I ask. "Calms you down." "Its good. I was practicing for my father when I made a mistake and he reprimanded me, Luka, Its hard to play well when I feel so alone."

Okay, So I do have some comfort when Ladybug and I go out on patrol as now we are closer then ever. "Do you miss you mom?" Luka asks, and I nod. "Sometimes I think the hole is getting better, but then I have days were its hard to get out of bed. And I feel so lonely, Luka. I like having fans, but its awful when you can't tell who is really there for you, or who just wants an autograph."

It feels good, letting my thoughts out like a dam that is burst, and the water is free to rush where it wishes. Ah, to be free. "Is there anyone like a father or mother to you?" Luka asks. "Tom and Sabine," I say. Calling them Mama Cheng and Papa Dupain would be giving to much away, as I only call them that as Cat Noir. "When Father was talking to me, I pictured what they would do if they heard the mistake. I love them so much, Luka. And Marinette." "Even if Marinette is shy around you, Adrien, it doesn't me she doesn't care about you. In fact, I would say your the most special person in her life."

"But I'm no one special," I tell him, looking out the window, feeling the cooling breeze the curtain tangles. "Adrien, Marinette loves you. Your kind and gentle, and a good listener. And when she messes up or stutters, you don't make fun of her. You help others too, and she likes that. You two are just right for each other, and you fit in so well with her family." "I thought you were going to be a musician, Luka, not a thearpsit," I joke. "I listen, Adrien, and I watch. You learn a lot that way. You are loved, Adrien, and your not alone."

The hole in my chest is shrinking, and stand up. "Thank you, Luka." we bump fists, and I pause as I start to climb the steps. "I can see why Marinette thinks your an awesome person. Cause you are."

Father surprises me by letting me go to the concert, but I expect its more that he wants to do the photo shoot tomorrow. Its only a matter of time before I can leave here, and be with the people I love.

I find Marinette at the gate, and she waves at me, and my heart heals itself. "Hello, love," I tell her, giving her a hug. Tonight, I'm Cat Noir, because I feel more safe with the mask on. "I'm so glad your here," she tells me. I'm about to say something, when Marinette peers around me.

"No ticket, no concert," the guard tells a young girl about our age, stopping her with his big hand. Marinette clutches my arm as the girl's face fills with tears. The girl is skinny and doesn't look like she has much money. "Cat, come with me," Marinette says, and I can hear the determination in her voice. "But hold my hand, okay?"

We walk over to where the gate is, and Marinette calls to the girl who is on the other side of the gate. "Excuse me!" she calls. The girl turns and I can see that she has stringy brown hair and green eyes, but she's beautiful in her own right. "Why can't you get into the concert?" Marinette asks. "My ticket fell through a hole in my pocket and blew into the Seine. I don't have much money, my family doesn't either, and this was to be my first Jagged Stone concert!" I can hear the wobble in her voice.

"Here, take my ticket," Marinette tells the girl, but the girl pushes it back. "I couldn't-" "yes, you can. I've already seen him and you'll enjoy it. Come on, Kitty."

We go back through the gates, despite the stares from the guards. Marinette give the girl her ticket. "Thank you!" the girl whispers, giving Marinette and me a hug. "This is going to sound crazy," she toes her boot along the ground. "But you remind me of Ladybug." Marinette's cheeks flush pink and I jump in. "Your not the only one who thinks that," I tell her.

Soon, the girl is allowed up by the crowd, and Marinette turns to me. "Well, what do we do now?" "I don't think we'll have to miss the concert, love." "We won't?" "No."

I take her in my arms and bound up to the rooftops. "Best seat in town." When Jagged plays the slow song, I take Marinette in my arms, dancing and I feel like I'm floating on air.

"Your so sweet and generous," I tell her, cupping her cheek. "So, are you, Cat. That's why I love you."

When are lips touch, the world fills with light. This morning I felt so alone, and now I'm with the one I love.