I run as fast as I can. I live just a few blocks far from school, but I somehow manage to wake up late and, of course, arrive late. However, I still have some minutes. Come on, Marinette, you can do it! I am out of breath when I finally reach the building and get in, clambering upstairs I run through the hall, but I trip and fall. A boy screams. Shoot! I tripped over someone and fell on him. At least his body cushioned my fall.
-It would be you, clumsy girl- He groans. Hold on, I know that voice. Oh no, not him. I stand up quickly.
-Agreste, from all the people at school… Why do you hate me this much, why God? – Mr perfect rolls his eyes and he leave. I wait before doing the same. I don't want anyone to think we arrived together. There's a world of difference between that snooty blond and me.
-Dupain-Cheng, Marinette- Is saying Miss Bustier when I finally cross the door.
-I'm here, I mean, present! – the class laughs, well, everyone but my best friend, Alya. I walk to my place next to her and sit down.
-Alright, class, we are starting with a new topic today….
-Hey girl, how was your Weekend? – Alya moves her eyebrows up and down. I blush. She knows many important things about me, like how much I like Chat Noir and that I'm Ladybug. My kitty and I usually go patrolling on weekends. The thing is that it's just an excuse to see him and spend some quality time together, running over Parisian rooftops. I feel so alive next to him.
-Oh, it was amazing. He and I had a blast. You know, in the end there was someone who needed help for real, but even that part was memorable-
-Really? What happened?
-There was this little girl who couldn't sleep, she was afraid of monsters she could meet in the darkness, so Hawk Moth turned her into one-
-How awful! – Alya covers her mouth. I nodded.
-But in the end, we saved the day, well, the night-
-I'm so proud of you, Marinette. I wish I had seen it-
-Well, that happened at er... well, that happened at ar und two am, I'm sure you were fast asleep by then-
-Yes, I was. And what happened next? You know, the memorable part? – I sigh, deeply in love.
-My kitty and I comforted the poor child, and the way he hugged her, Alya, how he said "There's nothing to be afraid of, little lady, Ladybug and I will always be around to protect you"- I imitate his voice.
-How kind of him, he really is a sweet guy- My friend smiles. I get a little closer to her, whispering to her ear. Nobody can know how close Chat Noir and I are, that would be way suspicious.
-Just imagine, Alya, if I could tell him who I am, I'd probably be scared at first, you know, I'd be breaking the rules in the name of love- Alya giggles at that. -And then he'd, he'd hold me in his strong hot arms and he'd say "Don't be afraid, my little lady. I'll always protect you, Marinette"-
-Marinette… Marinette! The teacher's voice abruptly pulls me away from my fantasies. I turn red in the face; I feel so ashamed.
-Marinette, do you have something to share with us? I see Mrs Cessaire is having a good time listening to whatever you're telling her- Alya opens her eyes widely. She had never been told off by a teacher before.
-I, well I, er…-
-I'm sure our lovely little Marinette here didn't mean to disrupt the harmony of the class, Miss, besides, I was wondering, about this concept I find quite interesting…. – I am speechless. Steam shooting out of my ears. That Agreste ¡The nerve of him! I hate how he talks, so polite, so formal all the time. And how he dares calling me "lovely, little Marinette?" It was so ironic. I want to kill him.
-Mr perfect did it again- I mutter, upset. Alya laughs a little.
-Marinette, who you think you're kidding, girl? -
-Excuse me? - I ask, while we both see Adrien still saying his know-it-all nonsense to the teacher.
-Come on, he called you lovely in front of everyone and I, you know, being a reporter, one must pay attention to everything, even the subtlest thing…-
-Aja, where are you trying to get to? –
-Aja! Talking about getting to, I realised you and Adrien arrived together this morning. Are you two dating at last, Marinette? - I gasp, horrified.
-Gosh no! Of course not! I'd kill myself before dating him, Alya! - I say it too loud. Many people look at me with funny or curious faces. The teacher leaves her chalk aside and looks at me, she frowns, her hands on her hips. Oh, oh. I'm in trouble.
-Alright, Marinette, you're not paying the slightest attention. Go to the principal's office- I silently get up and walk to the door. Nervous, I trip over a pencil on the floor, I fall and, dusting off my clothes, I get out.
(One of my students, the famous boy, looks so upset. I can't blame him. He helped the other girl, Marinette, he talked to me about something from the class so that she wouldn't have to give me an answer. He is so kind. I wish those two were friends or even something more, but she seems to hate him) Thinks Mrs Bustier, writing on the board. She doesn't know that Adrien doesn't like Marinette either. He only acts politely because of who he is. Being polite, formal, extremely kind in public is his obliged duty in life.
The two have another clash when the school day finishes. In fact, she bumps into him, again.
-Clumsy girl, what did the principal say? Were you expelled at last? – Adrien asks, smirking at her.
-No, not yet-
-So, I have to cancel the party, what a boomer. You know, one never knows- He says, awaiting her reaction. Nothing comes out of her mouth. (Maybe it was too much?) He is worried, so he turns is back from her, he doesn't want her to see it.
-Hey, Agreste- The boy turns round, folding his arms as if he was saying "I'm listening, but I'd rather not to"
-Nice talk with our teacher today. That was too smart for a blond- He scoffs.
-Thanks for the compliment, clumsy girl-