"Adrien I don't need help, just sit down."

"Do you have everything you need? Do you have pencils in here? Are you going to bring your sketchpad?" The blond walks around her room, holding her backpack and looking for anything that might belong inside it.

"Chat I-"

"Wait, what am I saying? Of course you're bringing your sketchpad." He picks up the item in question and shoves it in her bookbag.

"Adrien," She says, exasperated, "I really don't need help. I've been getting ready for school by myself since I was 8. Please stop."

"Yeah and you're still late all the time. Let me help you. Your jacket!" He rushes to open her closet but when he does, the blood transfusion rack falls on his head.

"Adrien Agreste. Chair. Now." Is it bad that I'm suddenly happy that I forgot to Miraculous Ladybug that? She shrugs, Eh, probably.

He rubs his head, "Yes m'laaaaa…ma'am."

She tilts her head to the side and glares at him, "What were you about to call me?"

"Nothing! I mean- I dunno…"

She studies his face as she asks slowly, "Do you know something?"

He furrows his brow in confusion, "...Is there something to know?"

"Nope." She answered, emphasizing the 'p.' Marinette slings her backpack over her shoulder and leaves without another word.

He blinks at the spot she was previously standing before shaking his head. "Plagg? Do you know what that was about?"

"It probably has something to do with-" He sees Tikki fly out from behind Adrien to glare at him, "Uh, nevermind. I have some cheese that I need to go eat."

"Why can't you just tell me?"

"CHEESE!" With that, Plagg flies off and disappears; leaving Adrien completely alone.

He paces around the room a few times, trying to find something to do, when his eyes land on the blanket covering the chaise. Perfect! Marinette's been doing so much for me, maybe I can help her out in return.

He grabs her laptop and plops down on the floor. "Okay google, 'How to reupholster a chaise.'"

Marinette sprints across the courtyard and up the stairs while she scarfs down a croissant at an inhuman speed. She trips on the top step and tumbles through the entrance, barely avoiding falling on her face, before she crashes into her classroom door. "I'm here!"

"Oh Marinette," Lila looks at her with feigned concern, "Are you okay? You're late again and you don't look so good." She gasps dramatically and runs to grab Marinette's shoulders, "Did you get hit by a car?"

Marinette stiffly pries Lila's hands off of her, "I'm fine."

The liar smiles, "If you ever need anything, I can help." Marinette grimaces, How does no one realize how evil she is? She doesn't respond and instead ops to sit down in her usual spot.

"Good morning Alya!" She waves.

Alya just nods at her and turns away without saying anything. Her friend reaches out and puts a hand on her shoulder, "Alya?" But she just shrugs her hand off and walks away to talk to Lila.

Marinette furrows her eyebrows in confusion and turns to Nino who is already looking at her in bewilderment. "Did something happen between you two, Nette?"

"I was hoping you would know…" She bites her lip.

He frowns. "She hasn't said anything to me. You don't remember anything that could've caused this?"

"The last time I saw her, she was a little upset that I forgot to tell her I was sick. She made sure I got some rest before she left, and we haven't talked since then but that couldn't be enough to cause this…" She laughs nervously, "Right?"

They both turn to look at Alya quizzically for a moment before Nino shrugs, "I don't know, she hasn't mentioned anything to me but I'll do what I can and get back to you."

"Alright class, everyone take your seats!" Marinette takes one last look at Alya before opening her book.

Throughout the class, Marinette tries to talk to Alya over and over again but she doesn't receive more than a word or two in response. Afterwards, she heads to the bathroom hoping to ask Tikki for advice, but to her dismay, Alya follows her in.

"How could you?" She calls after her.

Marinette freezes. What could she possibly be talking about? Did she see Adrien at my house? Why wouldn't she say anything? She whips around to face her. "You… found out about that?"

"So you're actually admitting to it? You're not even going to try to defend yourself?" Alya crosses her arms.

"Well I mean, I'm assuming you saw… so there isn't really anything I need to say?" Confused blue eyes stare back at her.

She scoffs, "You don't even feel bad?"

"Of course I feel bad, Al, but I'm doing what's necessary!" Her hands move to emphasize her words as she speaks.

"You seriously think that this is necessary? I can't believe you! I honestly thought I knew you better than that." She shakes her head in disgust.

"Alya please, you do know me. I don't understand… I'm just trying to help."

Marinette steps closer and debates on reaching for her friend's shoulder, but jolts back when she yells, "You actually think you're helping her?!"

"Wha- her?" She shakes her head, "Hold up, what are we talking about right now?"

"Oh, so you confessed, and now you're gonna pretend you don't know what I'm talking about because I don't support it. Do you do this to everyone?" Alya glares at her. "No wonder they all love you."

"Alya, I think there's been a severe miscommunication. I don't-"

The door flies open, "Oh sorry! Am I interrupting something? I can come back later…" Lila stands halfway through the door.

"No," Alya sneers, "Marinette was just admitting to everything she did to you while she was gone."

"Wait, this is about Lila?!" She yells, angrily gesturing towards the brunette in question.

"Oh like you didn't know." She rolls her eyes.

"I didn't!"

That makes Alya pause, "...then what did you think we were talking about?"

"I-" Marinette's eyes lock on Lila's smug expression before she turns back and meets Alya's gaze again. "I'll tell you later."

Alya looks at her, considering for a moment before she nods slowly, "Okay girl. I trust you."

Marinette gives her a relieved smile and heads out the door, not thinking to go into a stall and pretend to use the restroom. Lila somehow remains unnoticed by Alya when she shoves her into the wall as she passes her. When Marinette straightens she flashes her a death glare.

She feigns concern, "You really should be more careful, Marinette." Lila smiles, "You could get hurt."

"Any word from Adrien?" Nino asks Mrs. Bustier.

"Unfortunately, I haven't heard from him or his father since last Friday. I'm assuming that he's busy with some special events for the Agreste brand and his father forgot to inform us." She replies.

Nino frowns and picks up his phone.

-ADRIEN-

Are you okay?

We're all getting worried plz respond.

I won't be mad

I just want to know if ur okay

Just please say something

Adrien?

Marinette peeks over his shoulder to read the texts. Nino is really worried about Adrien… I wish I could tell him that he's okay.

At least I have Chloe back. Well- kinda. As much as she hates to admit it, she's happy that Chloe found out about everything. Marinette looks up at the girl in question but she is already watching her.

She's never noticed before just how bright and blue her classmate's eyes are. There's something comforting about looking into them for this long, uninterrupted. It's been a long time.

The blonde nods towards Nino and mouths "You should tell him."

Marinette furrows her brows, "I'm sorry, I-"

Ding!

Marinette picks up her phone, rolling her eyes as she reluctantly pulls her gaze away from Chloe, Of course he would text me now. She unlocks it to see the notification and chokes.

-ADRIEN_DUPAINCHENG-

Mariiiiiiiiiiii

I need help

Help? Are you okay? Do I need to come home?

How do you study a thing?

...What kind of thing?

Can't tell u

It's a secret

Adrien, I dont have time for this

Plez

Plez

Pleeeaaassseee

Okay, fine!

Stop blowing up my phone!

Adrien: 2, Princess: 0

?

nvm

How do I study?!

Are u studying like for school or like an object?

Object

Okay, so you'll want to look at it

That's it?

Look it over until you understand it

Awesome! Thank u *heart emoji*

Marinette puts her phone face down in her lap and attempts to hide her growing blush. I thought I was past this… She looks back up at Chloe but as their eyes are about to lock, the blonde instantly drops her gaze to her lap and frowns.

Alya is talking to her again and treating her as she normally does. This comes as a relief but with that no longer at the forefront of her mind, Marinette can't get that somber look on Chloe's face out of her head. The last time she looked like that was after… Well, everything. Why does it still hurt to see it just as much as it did back then?

FLASHBACK

Marinette's parents had gone a little overboard, as they usually did, when they packed her picnic basket. It took all of her and Chloe's strength to lift it and food was practically overflowing.

"Your parents do know that we're only two people, right?" Chloe took several deep breaths when they finally got to the park and sat everything down.

"I think they're hoping we'll offer the food to some strangers and make more friends." Marinette plopped down beside the blonde and bumped her shoulder, "They don't like that it's just the two of us."

"Ridiculous! We're all each other needs." She huffed, "Besides, aren't they worried about stranger danger?"

"I meant other kids, Chloe!" Marinette laughed as she laid their blanket out.

"My first point still stands." She crossed her arms and turned her nose up for a moment before reaching to help Marinette set out the food.

"Don't worry, Chlo, we'll always be here for each other," Marinette smiled, "Even if we make new friends, remember?" She asked, holding out her pinky. The blonde wrapped her own finger around it and the girls pressed their thumbs together.

"How could I forget?" She grabbed a baguette and ripped it in half, handing the other half to her best friend. The pair sat and gossiped while they enjoyed their food. They only managed to eat about a fourth of the basket's contents.

When the two walked into the hotel, Chloe's parents were chatting about an upcoming event by the front desk. "Hello mother, Marinette's here." Chloe called.

"Ah, yes, my two favorite girls!" Andre beamed. Audrey looked over and flashed a smile at them.

"We've got a busy night planned, so we need to get going!" Their daughter grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her along.

"What's the rush?" Marinette giggled as they ran through the halls.

Chloe grinned, "It isn't every weekend I get you all to myself."

They slowed to open the door, "No, but it is most weekends."

"Whatever, you know I'm impatient, Mari. Besides, you told me I could do your nails and you're in desperate need of a manicure." She smiled. Chloe didn't let go of her hand as she pulled her over to sit on her bed before grabbing her nail kit and getting to work. She meticulously painted yellow smiley faces on a black background and put on a top coat in the hopes that her art would last more than a couple days. After her nails dried, Marinette inspected them.

"Cute! Now let me do yours!" She swiped her colors up and dropped them behind her back.

"What are you doing?" Her friend raised her eyebrow.

"I don't want you to see the colors I'm using. Close your eyes."

Chloe contemplated her words for a moment before hopping down. "I don't think I can. I'm going to need to grab a mask."

She returned with a sleeping mask covered in cats and pulled it over her eyes before flopping back onto the bed, arms stretched up to the ceiling. Marinette squealed when she nearly dropped the open bottle and started giggling when she finally focused her gaze on Chloe.

She dropped her arms to the side and Marinette laughed harder. "If you keep laughing, I'm just gonna peek!" In an attempt to hold back the oncoming torrent of giggles she puffed up her cheeks. That soon failed when the corners of Chloe's lips twitched upwards and she burst out laughing. Chloe joined shortly after when she tried to shove her playfully, but she only hit air.

Once the girls had sobered, Marinette cradled the other girl's hand gently and painted her nails pink with white polkadots. She meticulously designed a flower pattern over the top. "Mariiiiiiii, why is this taking so longggg?"

"Hush, I'm almost done." She stuck her tongue out of the corner of her mouth, "Aaaaaaaaand all finished!"

"Thank god, my hair would've been forever ruined if I layed like that any longer!"

"Chloe, your hair isn't even up right now." She laughed, "Look at your nails."

Chloe gasped, "I love them! How did you do that?"

"When it starts to come off I'll redo them and show you." Marinette got up to turn on the TV with a giggle.

Chloe furrowed her brow in confusion, "Wait, Mari?"

"Hm?" She turned back to look at her.

"Why does it have an 'M' on it?"

Marinette tilted her head and gave her a soft smile, "So you remember that we will always have each other."

The girls woke up the next morning cuddling on the couch with the TV still playing. "Chloe, I think we forgot to go to bed."

"No," Chloe yawned sleepily, "You forgot to go to bed and I couldn't move because you were on top of me."

"Uh huh, and the real reason is that you were warm and didn't want to move."

"Yep."

Marinette laughed and nudged her, "We need to get up or we're gonna be late."

Chloe buried her head in the blanket covering Marinette's lap so her words came out muffled, "Mayor... kid... car."

She gently shook her, "Chlo, I'm not his kid though."

Chloe groaned, "Fineee."

Once they had finally gotten ready, the two headed out the door for school. Somehow, even after Chloe did both of their hair and makeup, they were still on track to be early. As the girls left, Audrey called out, "Bye, Marinette!"

"Bye Mrs. Bourgeois!" She answered back with a smile. They walked out and towards the car and Marinette reached for Chloe's hand, but she tugged it into her chest instead.

PRESENT

Marinette rushes out of the classroom with her head down in an attempt to get home unbothered. She's hugging herself with her arms as she storms towards the door but Chloe grabs her shoulder. "Hey, I need to-" She sees the downcast look on Marinette's face, "Are you okay?"

She shrugs the blonde's hand off. "Oh, so now you care about me?" She snaps.

Chloe gapes then shakes her head, "Forget it. When are you going to let people know that he's okay?"

Marinette sighs, already regretting her harsh tone. "I don't know Chlo. Whenever it's safe, I guess?"

Other students follow after them, heading to their lockers, the bathroom, to their next class, or stopping in the hallway to talk with their friends.

Chloe swallows and nods, "How has he been?"

"He's-" Marinette catches a glimpse of peering eyes out of the corner of her own. "My dad has been working hard on those pastries you ordered." She laughs nervously.

Chloe gives her a puzzled expression before following her gaze. Alya and Nino are talking not super close to them, but Alya's eyes are glued to Marinette. Chloe stiffens but she tries to appear nonchalant.

"He better be! I ordered those yesterday, they should be done by now! How hard is it to make 200 macarons for the most important family in Paris?" She falls into her diva persona, making sure to shout so their interaction won't seem suspicious.

"It usually takes-"

CRASH!

Everyone whips their heads towards the sound and before any of them have time to process what had just happened, there's another loud crash.

Suddenly, a door on the other end of the hall flies open and a kid sprints through it, "Akuma! Run!"

"Mari, I think you need t-" She's interrupted by a deafening scream. They turn to each other with a jolt and their eyes lock like magnets.