Mix of Marinette and Adrien/Cat Noir's P.O.V- (All centre text is Adrien's thinking)

[It'd been a little over a year since the day we met; the day since I first saw her… and woke up. Being a teenage boy who's recently started attending public school is hard enough. High school was going to be a challenge, on top of everything else in my life. I spent more and more time as Cat Noir; life was just easier when I was that persona. That, and I could see her whenever I want.

Sometimes things got too overwhelming, and it was too much to bear. In those instances, there was only one thing for it- for me. Even if we didn't say anything, seeing her, finding her and knowing that she was in the same city as me…. Then life became a hell of a lot better.]

"Our first day of high school. Can you believe it?" Alya and I were walking up the gentle slope towards the school building together. There was this gentle cool fall breeze, making the still-green leaves on the trees surrounding us sway. I didn't look her way but instead of the street up ahead of us. My ponytails blew softly to the side with the autumn wind.

"No, I can't believe it. The time's just flying by," I concurred, clutching the strap of my backpack in my hand. "Fifteen years old…. Before you know it, we'll be graduated and going to university," Alya's eyes rolled up to the clear sky high above us. I shot her a good-natured side-look. "We're not THAT old yet. We're not even sixteen!" "But we will be this year. Do you think we'll finally have boyfriends by then?" "Why are you asking me that? This is literally our first day of high school. We don't even know who's going to be in our class." "Yeah, but we're going to a much bigger school, which means a lot more boys….." She flashed me a brilliant, teasing grin.

I scoffed, shooting my head back forward. "Who has time for boys? We're going to get mountains of homework; not to mention sewing club and your Ladyblog," I lied through my teeth. Truth is, I already a boy who I gave my undivided time and attention to. Not that Alya knew that. She simply shook her head in disappointment. "We're not little girls anymore, Marinette. Sooner or later we're gonna meet someone who catches our fancy." "Catches our fancy? What are you? Sixty?" "Ok, fine. Turns you on- better?" "Decidedly not," I laughed. Alya laughed too, letting an organic lull fall between us. Not that it lasted long- it never did with her and me.

We both glanced forward along with sidewalk again; a few leaves were falling within our vision making the scenery look quite nice. "Do you think we're gonna like high school?" I asked my best friend. "Yeah, I think so. What's not to like? We'll have more freedom, more friends…." "More homework," I couldn't stop myself from smirking. "I never said it's going to be perfect," she countered. Our eyes landed on one another, and we matched our smiles. "These are supposed to be the best years of our lives, or so every teen romcom has taught me," Ayla sighed. "And then what? Everything after high school is just downhill?" I followed up. "You think we'll like university better?" She countered. My shoulder shrugged. "How should I know? I've never been to either high school or university." And Alya laughed again. "Oh, don't worry, girl. There's time. All in good time….."

I watched my beloved bestie for a moment before spinning my head back around. It was her turn to break the silence now. "You think Ladybug will go to our school?" "Doubt it." "How can you be so sure?" Her eyebrow raised. "You searched for Ladybug top to bottom in our last school and you never found anyone closely resembling her. There are lots of high schools in Paris; what are the chances are she'll come to ours?" "Hey! It's possible. We know she around our age." "Possible is one thing. Probable is another," I rolled my eyes exasperated. I've only been Ladybug for a year and it's already been immensely hard keeping my secret from everyone, especially my best friend. I don't know how Cat Noir does it. "Well, I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled, just in case," Alya concluded. "You do that," my lips let out a small sigh.

Ayla took the opportunity to peer in my direction from the corner of her glasses. Her arms gripped her textbooks a bit firmer. "But seriously, Marinette. You think we'll like high school? We'll fit in and everything?" "What's this? Weren't you singing it's praises two minutes ago?" I answered in a playful, mocking tone. She gave me one of those looks. "You know what I mean," she scolded in such a voice which made me giggle. My hand lifted to cover my mouth. "Yes, I think we'll like high school. Well, actually I…. I don't know if we will or not. But either way, we'll still have each other." Only then did her face relax in complete agreement. "Yeah, you're right. Worst comes to worst, we'll still have each other." "See? Knowing that, how bad can it be?" "I guess you've got a point," Alya also sighed.

I looked at her and grinned. Then my head tilted upward to the tops of the trees and buildings. We were nearing the school now; you could see the front doors from here. Other kids were walking all about, busy talking amongst themselves. While Alya was glancing at all of them, I kept my gaze firmly up. This gigantic, peaceful, elated smile bloomed across my lips. My eyes lowered tenderly. "Yeah, I think everything's going to be just fine. I think high school's going to be a lot of fun…. A hell of a lot of fun," I said this as our stares met. Though no one else could- or did- see him, Cat Noir was standing up there on top of a nearby building. He was covered by its chimney's shadow, putting one gloved on it for support. He was up there, and he was looking straight down at me. The same breeze as before gusted over us, tussling both of our hairs simultaneously. My eyes softened onto him so gently….. Yeah, I know I'm going to love these rapid high school years. But then, I'd love anytime of life… so long as he's never out of sight.

[Even if it's just for a moment, I've got to get to you- somehow. Being so near her, it suddenly makes everything clear to me. One look at her and I know that I'm alright; I will be alright. No one can ease my mind like Marinette can, after all. There are just so many reasons….. Countless reasons…..

Reasons for me to find you.]