'No one would understand my complaining. They all think it's amazing what's happening to me.' Adrien gloomily said.

'I understand you.' Marinette whispered back. She knew that the boy beside her was misunderstood, how because he could never stand up for himself, he was always ordered around and expected to do everything he was commanded to do.

Her heart lifted the moment Adrien smiled to himself whispering back, 'Well, you're the only one.' before tightly gripping her hand for comfort. Her cheeks were suddenly ablaze but quickly cooled down as she remembered the reason he was holding her hand in the first place.

'You've got to talk to your father, Adrien.' Marinette reminded him sadly. She had to make him see that it was the only way to prevent this all from happening. A deep hatred for Gabriel Agreste suddenly came upon her. This was a man who despite being her role model had chosen to neglect his son and made him feel as if he had no one to turn to and for that she despised him. He had made Adrien feel unwanted and he wasn't. He was the sun in her life, the thing that she looked forward to everyday was seeing him and his beautiful smile.

Adrien's warm hand let go of hers and she could feel the total desperation in his voice when he said, 'I've tried, but I can't. I don't know why. He's my father though, I love him and I know he loves me. It's all so frustrating. Has there ever been something that you wanted to tell someone but you just can't do it, as if some kind of invisible force was holding you back?'

'All the time.' Marinette answered. She knew that everytime she tried to confess her love for him it felt exactly like what he had described, like there was something holding her back, telling her it wasn't the right time yet. He turned to face her smiling, and she felt the weird itch on her neck like she had earlier this morning.

'Adrien-' she began just as Adrien asked if they could be excused to go to the water fountain. D'Argencourt had agreed as long as they were sensible. Holding hands, they went to the water fountain. She could feel Lila's eyes on the back of her head, as if threatening her to not to anything stupid.

Adrien apologised as soon as they got to the water fountain.

'Sorry, I could see Lila plotting something so I wanted to get out of there quickly. So, what did you want to say, Marinette?'

She could see the expectant look in his eyes and she was unsure on what to do until she felt that weird itch on her neck again. What was wrong with her today? But before she could stop it, her mouth had opened and started talking.

'I wanted to tell you, Adrien, that I'll always be here for you and I just want you to know that since that first day I met you and you gave me your umbrella, my heart has been yours. I first looked at you and thought you were a spoiled brat like ChloƩ since she had been your childhood friend and that gum on my seatm I immediately assumed it was you who had decided to pull that disgusting prank. But later that day I saw the real Adrien, the kind side of him and I fell in love with him. I love you so much, Adrien and I will always be here for you.'

Marinette was pretty sure she was rambling but what scared her the most was Adrien's surprise and the comical closing and opening of his mouth which made him look almost like a goldfish. Rubbing his neck he said the words that Marinette had been least expecting :

'I'm willing to take a risk, Marinette, to be with the person that gets me and understands me. I'm willing to take a chance at that, Marinette.'