chapter one

marinette pov

"wake up sleepy head!" i felt little hands tapping my cheek. "you're legal!"

i sat up and was met with tikki's big smiling eyes. "happy birthday to me, i guess." i mumbled as her smiled dropped.

"marinette, why aren't you excited? i thought you had a big plan with alya to go out and party?" the bed squeaked as i stood up and shoved my feet into my slippers and wrapped my gown around my body. the studio apartment i live in now is a lot sadder than my place back at the bakery, but it was time i found my own place and be independent.

"yeah tikki," i yawn. "after work though. gotta make rent somehow." my feet ache from my 10 hour shift the day before, as i walk to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

"ok! well i'll be keeping an eye on any akuma attacks while you're at work!" she flies to the window sill, scanning the street below.

"i knew i could count on you tikki." i spit through my toothpaste filled mouth.

i pick my uniform off the floor and get changed, the diner's signature teal washing me out as usual. "i'll be back at 5 with alya to get ready, be safe tikki!" i yell to my kwami on my way out the door.

the diner was unusually slow today, a couple of tourists came and went pretty quickly, but the only other customers were our regulars.

"morning jagged!" i pour a cup of black coffee into a large mug and put a croissant on a small plate and slide it across the bench. "big show last night?"

"sold out arena could you believe?" he said behind some 'hangover shades'. "stayed up all night to celebrate." he blew on the edge of the coffee before taking a huge swig. "were you part of the crowd marinette? didn't see you from the stage? next time i'll give you stage access. only the best for my favourite fashionista."

i hated when people called me that, everyone knows i dropped out of fashion school a month after joining.

"i was working jagged you know this, you're here everyday!" the door bell chimes and i giggle slightly when i see my best friend holding a bunch of balloons and a bag with pink tissue paper spiking out the top. "hey girlfriend!"

"happy birthday sexy!" alya lets the balloons go at they all scatter on the ceiling. "got you a couple of little somethings for tonight, and if you don't wear it all i will be personally offended.

"how much did this cost?!" i peek into the bag to see something shiny. "probably more than my rent."

"psh never mind about cost." she shrugs. "you deserve to look hot tonight, and in something more your colour." she gestures to my uniform.

"hey-" i stop my offence and nod my head in agreement.

"alright then lets go babygirl! time to get your sexy on!" alya takes my hand as i take off my apron and hang it on the hook behind the counter. "will we see you out tonight jagged?"

"of course girls!" we all step out onto the street as i lock up. "my sons coming back from his tour tonight so we'll be out celebrating with you."

"YOU HAVE A SON?!" alya and i stood still on the footpath, staring at jagged in awe.

"yeah he's about your age, upcoming musician, following in his fathers steps i guess." he looks proud of himself.

"well i can't wait to meet him!" alya squeals.

"see you tonight ladies" jagged struts off in the opposite direction.

"i wonder if he's hot?" alya squeezes my hand. "i mean he's the son of a rockstar!"

"we'll see i guess."