{+}{+}{+}

"Alright, we're here."

Nathalie parked the car right outside the small shop. Adrien opened the door and slid out of the passenger seat, stepping out of the vehicle. His green eyes locked onto the flower shop, the entry just a few feet away. He closed the car door and made his way into the building.

The familiar tinkling bell jingles above the blonde teen's head, signaling anyone inside of his presence. The scent of pollen and flora hit his nose, a calming aroma. His green-eyed gaze scanned the room for any signs of the elder woman that runs the shop.

Marianne poked her head out from behind the counter and smiled.

"My, don't you look very handsome," she gushed, "I assume you're here for some roses?"

"Yeah," Adrien answered, surprise laced within his voice, "How did you know?"

"I own a flower shop. You're not the only guy that comes in here dressed all fancy and is getting a last-minute bouquet of flowers—particularly the usual, clique roses—not that clique is a bad thing. I think it's sweet and charming for a guy to give a lady some flowers," Marianne explained. Adrien hummed, never giving a thought that he probably hasn't been the first in here wearing something nice.

"That makes sense," he agreed.

"Anyway, you're in some luck!" the elder woman said, walking behind the counter and pulling out a rose, "I just so happen to have one rose left but no bouquets. They sold out earlier for the dance I'm also assuming you're going too."

Adrien gave a kind smile, pulling out his wallet and asking, "How much?"

"You're not disappointed?" Marianne questioned, disbelief and shock weaved into her tone.

"Of course not," Adrien answered, "The thought counts more than how much of something I get and its price. That doesn't mean I care less, just that I put effort into doing something nice for them."

Marianne is left awestruck before laughing, "Well, bless my stars! You truly are a one-of-a-kind diamond in the rough. Usually, guys are either disappointed or angry but you surprised me."

The shop owner handed over the singular red rose, adding, "Here, this is on the house."

Adrien's eyes widened, grasping the rose's stem within his hand. He glanced down at the beautiful red petals before returning his attention back to Marianne. He raised an eyebrow, unsurely asking, "Are you sure? I don't mind paying."

"Nonsense, take it," Marianne said, shooing the flower away, "It's all yours."

Adrien gave a grateful smile, "Thank you."

{+}{+}{+}

"Wow, this place looks amazing!" Rose chirped, walking into the school. Marinette scanned the area used for Physical Education is now decorated in silver and gold.

Tables are aligned on each side of the opened-roofed area of the court. Strobe lights brightly flashed, blinding any eye caught within a beam for a second. A DJ table sat under the basketball hoop, playing booming music so loud that Marinette can feel her brain vibrating. The early arrivals are either dancing in the middle of the room or sitting at a vacant table.

"Yeah, this place looks cool," Alix bluntly agreed before adding, "Welp, if any of you need me, I'll be by the snack table for the entire night. Later!"

With that, Alix headed for the snack table. Mylene stayed at the entryway to wait for Ivan. Rose and Juleka went to sit at a far-off, empty table. Marinette barely had time to blink, her friend group suddenly feeling a lot smaller. She fiddled with the skirt of her dress after watching everyone's departure.

At least, she still has Alya.

"Hey, Mari. I'm going to go find Nino but I'll meet up with you later to take pictures with the others," Alya quickly said before walking off, leaving Marinette all alone. The bluenette let out a shaky sigh and felt her anxiety skyrocket.

Her bluebell orbs searched for a cat-themed masquerader but is deemed a difficult task, considering she has no idea if he is here yet or not. Or...he may have changed his mind?

"Come on, Marinette! You have nothing to be nervous about. You're friends with this guy...whoever he is. It doesn't matter what he looks like so long as he's a good guy," Marinette tried to encourage herself. She decided to walk around, scoping out the place for anyone she knew until her kitty's appearance.

"Besides," she continued, thinking, "if I do recall, this is supposed to be his first dance. I want to do my best to make it amazing for him after everything he's done for me."

{+}{+}{+}

Dear Kitty,

Wow, I can't believe you can speak fluent Chinese, Japanese, and Morse code. Not only that, but you are also learning to play an instrument too! That's insane! You must be very intelligent!

Now that I think about it, you must have school work too. How do you get any free time with such a busy schedule? Unless you enjoy those things like a hobby and there's nothing wrong with that. I just think it's very impressive.

Still, it's incredible how much you're learning to do! I wouldn't be able to do a lot of that stuff to save my life.

Maybe, I'll have time to look into learning some Chinese (my great-uncle speaks it) the following weekend, since I'm going to be free. I'm missing my school dance this year for family matters. I guess, it was bad timing but I'm pretty bummed out about it.

Oh well, there's next year's dance.

~Ladybug

P.S.: I'm sorry for ranting. I had to get it off my chest. I hope you're having better luck than me.

Adrien frowned, feeling bad for Ladybug having to miss her school dance. Adrien didn't know what a dance is like, unable to attend one. In a way, he is sort of jealous knowing he'll probably never experience such an event, only the crummy business occasions his father forces him to take part in.

Yet, this isn't about his problems. His pen pal needed a pick-me-up, something that she can smile at during the following weekend.

"What can I do?" He murmured to himself, trying to think of a solution to cheer up his mysterious friend.

Then, an idea came to him.

Friday arrived.

Marinette walked across the street without the usual pep in her step. She was so looking forward to the dance! She even finished her dress two weeks ago and felt proud of herself for completing it so early. Now, she can only shiver in disappointment without a reassuring blanket to wrap herself in.

Marinette gloomily crawled behind the very bushes with the clearing, a jar sitting in the tree's shadows. Bluebell eyes cast their dreary gaze over at the glass container only to widen in surprise. Marinette unscrewed the lid and pulled out a zip block baggie full of lushes, red strawberries.

The last time he gave her strawberries was her birthday. So, what special occasion are these for? She didn't know. Curious, the bluenette pulled out the letter and unfolded it.

Dear Bugaboo,

I'm sorry to hear about your circumstances with the dance. I can't say I know what you're feeling. I've never been to a school dance before but wish to one day experience it.

I know strawberries are not on the same level as a dance but I hope you enjoy them, nonetheless, and help you feel better. Maybe next year's dance will be an even better one.

~Chat Noir

P.S.: If you are going to learn some Chinese, I would a-purr-eciate you starting out with this word first: Mão.

Marinette's heart both sunk and soared. At first, she is a bit baffled Chat has never been to a school dance before. She couldn't come to a conclusion on why that is but knew there has to be a reason. Marinette couldn't help but somewhat pity him a little.

Yet, Chat set aside his own feelings just to cheer Marinette up. She knew she'd have to repay Chat Noir for his kindness someday.

For now, she wrote out her letter and walked home with her pen pal's letter in hand. Her eyes glimmered with curiosity, wondering what the word "Mão" means in Chinese.

"Welcome home, dear. How was school?" her mother greeted, after Marinette entered through the bakery door.

"It was good. I'll tell you some more later but I've got some research to do," the bluenette replied, giving the elder woman a peck on the cheek before heading to her room.

She pushed the trap door open, entering her bedroom and sat at her computer. She tossed her school bag aside before typing up the Chinese word on a translation webpage. The results came back.

Marinette laughed when seeing the translated word on the screen.

Cat.

"I should've guessed. Maybe, I will learn a few words just to surprise Chat Noir, if we ever meet in person," Marinette giggled to herself, fondly looking at the word, "and this will definitely be the first one I learn."

{+}{+}{+}

"Hey, Marinette!"

Marinette snapped out of her memory when hearing someone calling her name over the loud music.

She searched the area and noticed a familiar mop of green hair, decorated with teal blue tips. The mask didn't fool Marinette, knowing fully-well that Luka is walking towards her. The bluenette gave a weary smile at her approaching ex-crush.

"Hey," she greeted the musician before asking, "Are you enjoying the dance?"

"I actually just arrived with my date," he answered, seeming a little nervous for reasons unknown to Marinette. Yet, she definitely didn't miss the last part of the sentence.

"Your date?" Marinette questioned, eyes swiftly looking for any girl nearby, "Who is your date and why aren't you with them?"

"I'm here with my girlfriend," he said, making Marinette perk up.

"She's sitting at a table, while I'm getting us some refreshments. I just happened to see you over here and thought you might want to meet her...if that's okay! I think you two would get along quite well," Luka finished explaining, carefully watching for any sort of resentment shown on the bluenette.

"Wait, I thought you're keeping it a secret?" Marinette spoke, confusion laced within her voice.

"It's still a secret but it's sometimes hard to hang out in public and keep our relationship hidden. So, what better way of going out in public than to a masquerade dance, where everyone's identity is concealed," Luka answered, tapping his black faded into a teal green mask.

Marinette seemed unsure but didn't argue. Who is she to ruin someone she's trying to build a friendship with time? Not only that, but Marinette is also curious about the girl that had already stolen Luka's heart. Marinette wanted to meet her.

"Is this a good idea?" a voice in her head questioned to which she replied, "Probably not, but this might be my only chance to meet Luka's girlfriend."

With that in mind, Marinette took in a breath through her nose and released it out her mouth. She looked up into welcoming and patient eyes.

"Yeah, I'd like to meet her."

Just as Marinette answered, she felt her phone vibrated once in her pocket, alerting her of a notification. Yet, she ignored it and followed Luka to get some refreshments.

{+}{+}{+}

Nathalie sighed, feeling like an idiot and holding back the urge to hit her head on the steering wheel.

She forgot this street has always been bad with traffic around this time when people are going to work or returning home. She would've taken a different route if she remembered. Now, she and Adrien are in the middle of a chorus of honking horns, stuck between hunks of steel and a hard place all thanks to Nathalie's forgetfulness.

"I'm sorry, Adrien. You're going to be late to the dance because of me," Nathalie apologized, slouching back in her seat and rubbing the side of her temple. Adrien frowned at the sight of a stressed Nathalie, wishing there is some way to soothe her worries.

"It's not your fault we're stuck in a traffic jam. Traffic can be unpredictable, sometimes," Adrien tried to reassure his temporary guardian.

"I actually did know about the traffic. I didn't even think of it until it was too late. I guess, my head is just as jam-packed as this street," Nathalie said, angry with herself. She is usually more precise with these kinds of things. It was part of her job to get Mr. Agreste to his destinations on time without any obstacles.

"That might be..." Adrien began, "...but you've done more these last two weeks than my dad has done throughout my whole existence. For that, I don't even know any better words that could describe how thankful I am. You really are an amazing person, Nathalie. I don't want you to ever doubt yourself for being anything less when you're so much more."

Nathalie's mouth is left slightly gaped, unsure of what to say. So, she laughed. Adrien didn't know if he should feel downhearted or joyous that Nathalie's response to his speech is laughing. He just stared, waiting for—well, he isn't quite sure. Eventually, Nathalie calmed down and shook her head.

"Sorry, I don't mean to laugh. I guess, I just needed to let...something out and it just happened to be laughter," she said, a smile gracing her lips, "Still, I appreciate what you've done for me too. It doesn't help us get out of this traffic...unless..."

Nathalie trailed off when an idea formed within her head, earning a raised eyebrow from the blonde teen in the passenger seat.

"Unless what?" he asked. Nathalie gave Adrien a determined look and unlocked the car.

"What are you planning?" Adrien asked, unsure of what is happening.

"I might not be able to get to the school, but you will," Nathalie explained, pointing over at a corner of the street, "Go all the way to the end to the block and take a left. If you keep going straight, you'll see the school on the corner to your left."

Adrien is astonished for a moment before smiling and nodded, understanding Nathalie's directions. He unbuckled his seatbelt and swung the car door open enough to get out, without damaging the car beside them. The blonde teen grabbed his mask and the rose. Then, he slid out of the vehicle.

"Thank you," he spoke his final words, genuinely before shutting the door. The woman watched as the teen made his way to the sidewalk then disappear around the corner.

Nathalie relaxed, feeling ready for whatever craziness may endure her and Adrien in the future. The ex-assistant knew they will be just fine.

{+}{+}{+}

Alya sat at a table near the DJ stand, waiting for Nino to finish up his shift. The ombré-haired teen scrolled through Silly Social Phrase after finishing updating her blog about Hawkmoth's Lair.

Many people have already made theories and possible explanations of the discoveries found within the lair. Alya loves reading through them but decided to go through them tomorrow.

A notification from a worldwide news app popped up on her screen. Alya tapped it and the app opened up, revealing a two-minute video. She turned on subtitles and pressed play.

{+}{+}{+}

Marinette hugged three water bottles close to her chest and followed Luka, who carried some snacks. The bluenette isn't sure if the water rippling within the bottles is from her movement, the rattling music, or her rapid heartbeat. She nearly lost a water bottle, the bottle slowly slipping out of her somewhat sweaty grasp.

"Is it the loud music or nervous butterflies making my stomach twist?" Marinette questioned inside her head, unknowing of the answer. Whichever it is, the aspiring fashion designer feels like she is walking on pins and needles.

Luka walked up to a table and placed the snacks on the table's surface. His teal eyes looked down at a girl Marinette could hardly see until reaching the table. Bluebell eyes curiously scanned the girl, unable to recognize her face with the mask, while setting down the water bottles.

A thud-like noise coming from a bottle falling over interrupted the couple's conversation. Luka and his girlfriend looked over at Marinette, making the awkward bluenette feel even more out of place than trying to fit a cube into a circular opening.

"This is my friend, Marinette. She's the daughter of the people who own the bakery across the street you're so fond of," Luka introduced.

"Wait..." Luka's girlfriend said, head tilting a little to the side, "I know you." Marinette blinked in astonishment, wondering even more who this girl is.

"Y-You do?" Marinette questioned, continuing to analyze the girl, "Sorry, I don't recognize you. I think it's the mask."

"It's me..." the girl said, sliding her up to reveal her face. Marinette let out a small gasp of surprise, body stiffening.

She continued, "...the girl you helped get a new batch of sweets for, Kagami Tsurugi."

{+}{+}{+}

The video began, Alya's eyes locked to the bottom of the screen as the reporter began to explain the situation.

"About an hour ago, the dangerous criminal, known as Akuma, has escaped Pagliarelli Prison in Palermo, Italy..."

{+}{+}{+}