Winds of Change

By Alex Martin

Chapter 1: Study Group

Marinette was sitting in history class, while Miss Bustier was droning on and on. She was trying to pay attention, trying to take notes, she really was, but she was exhausted. There was an akuma attack at 1 a.m. the night before, and even though she and Cat Noir won the fight quickly and easily, she wasn't able to go back to sleep.

Cat Noir had gotten himself hurt protecting her…again. The akumatized victim had been using a bow and arrow as a weapon, and just as the arrow was about to pierce Ladybug's leg, Cat Noir jumped in front of her, catching the arrow in his own leg. Even though the injury was not life-threatening, she instantly felt a wave of concern and panic. Even though the Miraculous Ladybugs healed him, she couldn't stop thinking about all of the times he had taken a blow for her. A tap on her arm brought her out of her thoughts.

She looked over at her best friend, Alya, sitting beside her and watched her mouth the words 'Are you okay?'

Marinette nodded and smiled at the brown-haired girl and watched as Alya turned to face the teacher again. Then Marinette's gaze drifted to the boy in front of her. Kind, brave, always willing to help others and chivalrous were just a few of the things she used to describe the boy in question, her crush, Adrien Agreste.

Adrien had been Marinette's friend and crush since he gave her his umbrella. His best friend was Nino, Alya's boyfriend, and the three of them hung out a lot, Adrien joining them whenever he could. His father kept him on a tight leash, so it wasn't often he got to spend time with friends, making Marinette value his company more than she already did. Truth be told, she was in love with him. She had always been extremely shy around him, having klutz attacks or saying the wrong thing, but something had changed.

Miss Bustier had paired them for a project a couple of months ago that forced them to spend time together, just the two of them. Marinette had been really nervous, but Adrien made her feel comfortable, cracking jokes and just being nice. They worked really well together, getting an A on the project, and ever since then, Marinette noticed that Adrien tried to spend more time with her. She even went to one of his photoshoots, and they ate lunch together on his break. Her shyness, klutz attacks and even saying the wrong thing decreased some. As she spent more time with him and got to know him better, she became more comfortable with him.

After another couple of boring classes, it was lunch time. By the time Marinette got to her usual table with her lunch tray, the others were already there.

"I'm telling you, that video is awesome!" Alya said as Marinette sat down next to her.

"What video?" Marinette asked.

"The video of last night's fight," Nino answered from his seat across from Alya. "It's sick, dude!"

"Wasn't the fight in the middle of the night? How did you manage to get a video?" Marinette asked, knowing the answer but trying to make conversation.

Alya stood up on her seat, put her hands on her hips and with a very dramatic voice, stated, "Whenever Ladybug and Cat Noir are protecting the city, rain or shine, dark or night, I'll be there."

Marinette, Nino and everyone else at the table clapped… well everyone except for one person. Marinette noticed Adrien sitting directly across from her, aimlessly dragging his spork through his food, head down. He looked upset. In fact, he hadn't said a word since Marinette sat down. He was being too quiet, and she was worried.

Not wanting to call unwanted attention to him, Marinette whispered, "Psst, Adrien?"

Adrien lifted his head and looked at Marinette. "Yeah?" He whispered back.

"Are you okay?"

He smiled. "I'm okay."

The smile looked forced, and there was something off about his voice. Marinette knew he was lying but didn't push anymore. She was concerned and curious, but it really wasn't any of her business. If he wanted her to know, he would tell her.

The conversation had turned to the topic of homework, and Adrien was participating now. Something was still off though. Marinette knew him well enough now to know when he was putting up a front, and that's exactly what he was doing. He obviously didn't want the others to know, so she decided to try and get it out of him later. She hated when her friends were bothered by something. She wanted him to know that he could rely on her.

"Are we still on for tonight?" Adrien's voice rang through Marinette's ears, pulling her back into the conversation. He was smiling and looking at her with hope in his eyes.

She smiled back. "Of course."

"Awesome," Adrien said with a grin.

Nino looked at his best friend with a confused expression. "Dude, we're doing homework. Why do you look so happy?"

Adrien gave him a sheepish smile. "Just happy to hang out with friends. I don't get to do that a lot."

Everyone just smiled in response and continued eating. The rest of the school day dragged on like it did every time Marinette was looking forward to something. When it was finally over, Marinette, Adrien, Alya and Nino walked across the street to Marinette's house. They walked through the front door, into the bakery, said hello to Marinette's parents and headed upstairs. Once in Marinette's room, Alya stretched out on Marinette's bed, and the boys sat cross-legged on the floor, while Marinette sat at her desk.

After an hour of homework, Marinette's parents called the kids downstairs for dinner. The four teenagers scarfed down their food and then were back to doing homework. Another hour passed of each person doing their individual assignments, while making small talk and jokes here and there before Marinette announced that she was going downstairs to get snacks.

Alya and Nino just hummed their agreement.

Adrien quickly got to his feet. "I'll help you, Marinette."

"Have to don't. Fine I'll be," Marinette stammered, and everyone chuckled good naturedly, including Adrien. Marinette giggled nervously. "You don't have to. I'll be fine."

"I want to," Adrien told her with a smile.

Marinette smiled and led him to the kitchen. This would be a good time to ask about his sadness earlier

"So about lunch," Marinette started once they were alone. "It seemed like you had something on your mind. If you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen."

"Thank you, Marinette," Adrien stated, sounding grateful.

They returned to Marinette's room a few minutes later, Marinette carrying a tray of cookies and Adrien carrying a tray of drinks, and everyone took a snack break. Everyone hummed in delight as they devoured the cookies.

"Delicious as always, Marinette," Alya remarked.

"Nailed it with the snacks again, dude," Nino added.

"You made these?" Adrien asked with awe in his voice.

Marinette blushed and started pulling at her shirt. "Y-yeah."

"Is there anything you can't do?" The boy with the sun colored hair complimented with an adoring smile.

"I need to get home to watch my sisters," Alya said abruptly, standing up and dragging Nino out of the room with her.

Marinette and Adrien shared a confused look, then Adrien turned his head and rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess it's just the two of us now."

"G—guess so," Marinette responded, nervously. Of course she was nervous. She was alone with her crush. What she couldn't understand was why Adrien seemed nervous.

"Lets review for tomorrow's quiz," Adrien suggested, and Marinette agreed with a nod.

After thirty minutes of review, Adrien closed his textbook and said, "We got this."

"Yeah," came Marinette's soft voice.

"My bodyguard won't be here for another hour," Adrien began. "Video games?"

Marinette grinned, her competitive streak flaring up. "I'll be happy to kick your butt."

The two teens played round after round of video games, and Marinette won every time.

"Beat down, Marinette Style!" Marinette shouted, raising her arms in the air. She noticed Adrien smiling at her and immediately put her arms down, looking embarrassed. "S-sorry. Good game."

Adrien just laughed. "It's okay. I love seeing you that happy. It's a good look for you."

Marinette turned beet red and smiled gratefully at him, not trusting her voice at the moment. They just stared at each other in silence until the beep of Adrien's phone broke the moment. He sighed and pulled the phone out of his pocket.

He checked it and frowned. "I have to go."

"Oh," Marinette said sadly. "I'll walk you out."

A few minutes later, Adrien was holding the car door slightly open with Marinette standing in front of him. An awkward silence descended upon them, then suddenly, Adrien let go of the door and put his arms around Marinette, hugging her. What was happening? They may have gotten closer as friends, but he had never hugged her before. She was shocked but wrapped her arms around him anyway. They didn't pull apart until they heard the honk of a horn. Adrien cleared his throat, released Marinette and said that they should do this again sometime. Marinette agreed and then walked to her door. A light breeze ruffled her pigtails and shirt as she stood in her doorway, watching Adrien's car until it was out of sight.