Here's the next chapter! Thank you to all the followers and readers! This is set to be a short multi-chapter fic, and later I'll turn it into a one shot! I just need to get it started in order to keep going, if you know what I mean. Enjoy!
I'm not able to see her as Chat the next night, but as Adrien I get to see her during the day. I don't really know what's changed so much lately; Ladybug has been pushed to the back of my mind and Marinette has taken the forefront. I don't know how I didn't notice her before. At least like this. She's always been a good friend, but nothing else. Until now.
It's a week until the contest and I can tell she's been working hard. Even at school she's brought her sketch book to class to work on the dress designs. I caught a peek one day at lunch and this is the following chaos that ensued:
"Hey Marinette. Watcha workin on?" I ask as I sit down at her table at lunch. She squeaks in surprise. Literally.
"Eee! Adrien!" She pulls the sketchbook to her chest and blushes bright red. Alya leans in and smiles.
"She's working on a design for your dad's contest Adrien." She glares at Alya and keeps the book out of sight.
"Oh cool! I'm so glad you're taking the chance to further your career like that, and only in highschool!" Marinetter blushes pink. "It will be a great opportunity for you if you win the internship."
"As a matter of fact, I am entered in the contest, but not by my own choice." She gives Alya the stink eye and her friend smirks. "But yes, it will be a good opportunity, if I win."
"Sorry, not sorry girl. You need to show your talent to the rest of the world. You're good. You will win."
"Can I see, Marinette?" Even though I know what she's gonna do, I don't know the details and I bet with something this important, she'll have almost everything planned out.
"No! I mean, no." she says calmly, though it quickly turns into something else . "You are the son of the main judge, and even though I really want to show you, I CAN'T! You might tell him something or, or, or-" I smile and hold up a hand.
"It's alright Marinette. You don't have to show me if you don't want to." She sighs in relief. As if I would ever make her show me something that she didn't want to. I'm a gentleman, not a creep. Plus, I'll be able to see it another time as Chat Noir.
Marinette smiles and I smile back, but then I get lost in her eyes. Alya clears her throat.
"Uh, guys. The bell just rang. Lunch is over." Marinette turns red again and her eyes go as wide as saucers.
"Oh, uh, hehe!" is all she is able to get out before she stands up and trips over her backpack. I catch her of course, and she turns even more red.
"I'll be at the contest on Saturday, so I'll try to come and talk to you as the judges are going around and looking at the contestants' outfits. I'm excited to see yours." I smile again as I set her on her feet, and she just squeaks again and rushes away to class. Alya and I are still standing there when she comes back for her backpack.
"Forgot this old thing. Bye!" Then she zooms off again. Alya rushes off after her when we see her trip a ways down the hallway.
"Oh Mari, you are too cute," I whisper.
"Ooooh, Mari now, is it?" Plagg asks from my jacket. Now it's my turn to blush.
"Shut up, Plagg. She's just a friend." He does his evil little cackle and I slap my shoulder to shut him up.
