Chapter 10 Chemistry
Once Adrien got into teaching mode, things were moving more smoothly. He was in his element, explaining the subject with a passion and adding some flare to the lesson. When he tutored Nino, he would make up the most outrageous examples to illustrate the details of each section they would study. He found it helped keep Nino interested.
Since they began learning, Marinette kept her eyes in the book, her nose crumpled and her eyelids half shut. Adrien couldn't quite place why that look was familiar. She would nod and say she understood, but never look up.
They have known each other for years, albeit they were not so close lately. This time was different, though. He had a powerful urge to get her to smile, to smile at him like she did yesterday. He did not comprehend why that smile made him feel different, only that he liked it and wanted more. He wanted her to smile, not laugh at him for being ridiculous with his outrageous examples. So, at first, he kept the scenarios rather mild.
Until he got a giggle.
Marinette had her head down with her lips closed in a tight line. The pale pink highlight of her cheeks confirmed he didn't imagine it. It seemed like a bubble escaped her sealed lips. He just had to get more.
At the next opportunity, Adrien increased the implausibility of the example. The subsequent giggle was louder and less controlled.
Let's see how she handles this.
He went into an elaborate example, which included astronauts, aliens, and a talking chimp.
"Now that is just plain ridiculous. " Marinette exclaimed giving him a pointed look.
"What? It's a real, honest example." Adrien gave the most innocent smile he could manage.
Marinette rolled her eyes with a slight curve of her lips, hinting how she was nevertheless, somewhat amused. The whole expression was so Ladybug like, Adrien could almost see the domino mask.
He most definitely wanted more of that.
While he was explaining the next section, she looked up several times and, sometimes, keeping eye contact while he was speaking. He was trying very hard not to get distracted by her piercing, blue eyes.
"So, let me see if I understand this concept correctly," Marinette stated, with a small twist in the corner of her mouth. She then proceeded to give an example, using his astronauts and aliens, replacing the chimp with a luminous hamster. Displaying that not only did she understand the subject they were learning, but she could also come up with as ludicrous situations as him.
Marinette sat looking at him expectantly, her lips quivering. He stared at her, somewhat stunned. He felt it coming, bubbling up from deep in his belly, climbing up his throat, pressing against his lips. He could not hold back as the laughter burst out of him, sending him into an uncontrolled fit. Marinette watched him warily, uncertainty written on her face.
"That… was… brilliant!" Adrien got out between bursts of laughs. Marinette's face shone. She smiled, giggled, and eventually joined him with full-blown laughter. They tried many times to stop, only to glance at each other and lose control again. There were tears coming down his eyes before he got a hold of himself.
"Ok, ok. I think I can do this." Adrien took a few large breaths. "I believe you understand this topic perfectly."
"I believe I do," Marinette looked contemplative, "but I doubt they will ask about aliens in the test."
Adrien lost the control he had. Marinette calmly watched him, amused, while he slowly regained control of his laughter.
They eventually continued the lesson, challenging each other to more extreme examples, leaving them both in stitches. Despite lots of laughs and scenarios which got longer and more elaborate, they made excellent progress. This was due to how Marinette would catch on to each topic in a flash. It required Adrien explaining the information once, in his own words, often with some interesting example, and Marinette would understand.
"Nino was right," Marinette brought up out of nowhere. "You should teach us. I understand this so much better the way you explain it. Much better than the book or Mr. Belrose. Have you ever considered teaching?"
The question caught Adrien completely off guard. Tutoring was fun from the little experience he has had. Teaching for real. That is something he never dared even to consider.
"Not seriously. I enjoyed tutoring Nino and I'm having lots of fun teaching you. I don't see myself doing this for real. My father has already mapped out my career. I'm modeling now and for the foreseeable future. I'm going to do a business degree after school and at some point get involved in the business side of things."
"You enjoy the business side of the fashion industry?" Marinette asked.
"I don't know. I haven't experienced it. For now, I only know how to get my picture taken."
"He doesn't involve you at all?" Marinette's brows rose in surprise. "How does he expect you to be part of the business if he doesn't expose you to it?"
"I assume I'm not old enough for it yet."
"That's nonsense. My parents have been showing me the ropes down at the bakery since before I could walk. Where other kids did figure paintings, I have been icing cakes. As I got older I would help with the baking and more advanced decorating. The last few years I have also been doing stock-taking and following with my mother when she does the accounts. I cannot run the place by myself but I understand the different parts of the business. I will take on even more tasks when they open the new branch."
Adrien watched as Marinette listed her activities at the bakery, his jaw-dropping further with every task. They have known each other for years and there is so much about her he did not know.
"Oh, wow! I'm impressed. I didn't know they were opening a new branch. When is it opening?"
"I'm not sure. Once they finalize the location, they'll renovate and set it all up. Even if everything goes smoothly it would take at least another month or two."
"They so deserve it." Adrien was being honest. "This is the best bakery in the city. It is only natural they expand."
Adrien was sure this was the longest conversation they have ever had. He was astonished how versatile she was. Her designs were amazing, she knew to do all those things at the bakery, she was grasping everything he taught her at once, and she had the most exquisite bluebell eyes.
"I am so happy for you," he said, out of breath.
"Thank you." Marinette gulped, looking down, her cheeks going pink as before. "We were talking about you," she said to the desk, "about you becoming a teacher."
What did he say? Why isn't she stopped looking at him?
"I'm not becoming a teacher. My father will disown me. He wants me in the business, even if he hasn't shown me anything yet. He always lectures about how I need to be more organized, more punctual, more invested, and a whole other bunch of more's. His reasoning? He will not be inherited by an incompetent son."
"Don't you have a choice?" She said, looking up at him, to his delight. "You should do what you enjoy doing. Maybe you should continue modeling. I am sure you will be gorgeous no matter how old you get." Marinette's hands flew to cover her mouth. "I...I…" She returned to examining the floor.
"You're assuming that I enjoy modeling." Adrien continued as normal, ignoring her sudden stuttering.
"What?" He felt the wind against his face as her head shot back up. "You don't enjoy modeling? But… But… You have been doing it forever. And you look so good… I mean you are so good at it."
"Good at it? I don't know. I simply stand there and look pretty. I do nothing special. I have no talents. So people like the way I look. What is so great about that? All I do is suffer through a strict diet and exercise routine, so my father has a pretty face to put on his magazines. I achieve nothing that way. It does not help anyone, except my father."
Embarrassed by his own outburst, Adrien's took a turn studying the floor. It surprised him how he laid all that out in the open. His feelings about his modeling career contradict his perceived persona. He keeps a tight lid on his opinion so it will not ruin his image. His father would kill him if he ruined his image.
But here, with Marinette, it felt so natural to share with her what he really felt. He did not want to hide behind his fake image when he was with her. It was almost like he had his black mask on. Only he didn't.
"I didn't know you thought that way." He looked up to see Marinette studying at him with red-tinged cheeks and glossy eyes. "Although, now that I think about it, I'm not surprised. Obviously, you would want to do something which helps people."
Obviously? How is it so obvious to her when it isn't to anyone else? He attempted to do some charity work, selling it to his father as a way to improve his image. His father was against it, stating it was not safe for Adrien in the poorer areas. Eventually, he agreed to let him visit an orphanage, with Natalie, his bodyguard and a cameraman. It felt more of impromptu photoshoot than charity work.
"I think this just proves you should consider a teaching degree." She interrupted his wondering. "You enjoy it. Your students will love the way you teach. I did. You're good at it, and it's rewarding. You'll help kids enjoy learning and get their education."
"Are you serious? You really think so." He looked into her eyes, searching and finding no mockery. He couldn't believe she was talking about him, Adrien him. Chat Noir helped people. As Chat he could do good. As Adrien, he was useless.
"Adrien. I enjoyed this lesson more than any physics lesson I've ever had. Not only was it fun, I but I have also learned more today than months of physics classes. You're an excellent teacher. Even if you can be a bit of a doofus with your examples." She gave a small chuckle.
"Well, even so." It sounded so great when she said it, but he wouldn't get his hopes up. He must face reality. "My father would never allow it. It does not fit well with his plans."
"Those are his plans. Don't make his plans yours. You have your own life. As much as I love my parents and the bakery, I plan to do a degree in design. I want to be a designer. I will help my parents as much as I can, but my future is not in the bakery. My parents know that and are behind me all the way."
"I want your parents." Adrien joked, although, inside, he knew it was true. He wished he had parents like Marinette's.
"The way they were gushing over you earlier today, I'm sure they would adopt you. I will download the forms for them to sign and you can move in the Monday after next."
Adrien snorted. He has heard Marinette's witty comments before, but never when he was part of the conversation. She was funny, smart, talented, witty and quite pretty, beautiful really. She could give Ladybug a run for her money. The two of them together would be a sight to behold. He was getting dizzy just imagining it.
His phone buzzed. He regretfully looked away from her eyes and checked his phone.
"Shoot!" Adrien jumped out of the seat. "My driver is already downstairs. I was supposed to wait for him outside as we need to rush to a photoshoot. I got distracted talking to you and lost track of the time. It was fun learning with you and I enjoyed talking to you. We should do this again. I'm sorry, but I have to rush before I get in trouble. Remember the father we spoke about and his plans for me? I'm not ready to go against him. I would rather make it there on time." He was already standing by the trapdoor, one arm pulling it open. "I will seriously think about what you said."
Marinette was still sitting, watching him leave in shock. He understood why. A minute ago they were sitting there, having a deep and personal conversation, and now it looked like he was running away.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he smiled at her.
With that, he went down through the trapdoor, down the few flights of stairs, gave a quick goodbye to her parents without stopping, got out the door and into the waiting car. They were off.
Yes, it felt like he was running away. Maybe he was. It was too much. This afternoon Marinette learned a fairly good amount of physics. Adrien learned a fairly good amount about Marinette.
One thing stood out; she was even more amazing than he ever gave her credit for.
A/N Next chapter: Heaven and Hell