"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow!" I say to Alya, and shut my locker door. Humming, I start to go down the steps of school, when Cat Noir bounds into view. "Ahh!" I jump, and my book bag slides to the ground with a loud thump. "Sorry about that," he says, picking up my bag. His voice is soft and gentle, and suddenly I feel a light blush sweep across my face.

"So, what are you doing here?" I ask. Cat and I have hung out, but I've never seen him at school before. (well, unless I was Ladybug). "I thought you might want to get a cup of coffee or something," Cat asks. "I love too," I tell him.

"Do you like all your classes?" Cat asks. We're at a cute coffee shop, and were both sharing ice cream. I take a spoonful and give his question a think. "Well, most of them. Art is my favorite though," I say. I take a sip of my frappe. "And you? Are you even in school?" I ask. "Princess, I'm not that old!" He wears a pretend shocked look on his face, and I giggle. "Mine is creative writing, but what I want to be is a children's therapist," he tells me. "I can see you being wonderful at that," I say. Now its his turn to blush. "The reason I love art so much is because I love fashion. I want to be a designer some day."

"I have no doubt you'll be one," he says, and he reaches over and strokes my hand. I close my eyes his gentle caress feels so good. "Being Cat Noir has open my eyes to children. They have hopes and dreams to, you know? They just need someone to listen," and he sighs. His eyes are darker shade of green now. What's he thinking about? We chatter and laugh until we scrape the bottom of the ice cream bowl. "We could walk to the park," I suggest. He stands, and slips a hand through mine. Though I have rejected him as Ladybug, this is something I can do as Marinette. Besides, I can be more myself with him this way, as with Ladybug I have to keep most things private (though I don't like that rule!).

"Are you okay with me holding your hand?" he asks. I nod, looking down at our linked fingers. Black and pale. "I really like it when you hold my hand actually," I say, shyly.

We reach the park and start walking. "So, do you have a mother and father?" I ask. "My father's very strict, Mari. And no, I don't have a mother," he says. "Oh. Like Adrien Agreste," I muse, quietly. Is Cat Adrien? Oh, how my heart would sing! I shove that into a drawer in my mind, to pull out later. I'm with Cat right now.

We find a small bench under some purple hanging flowers and two bushes right and left of the bench at are also covered in flowers. I sit down, and Cat sits next to me.

We've been quiet for a few minutes, and Cat says, "Your so sweet." I blush, and look up at him. "So, no one's told you I'm madly clumsy?" I ask. "I happen to like clumsy girls," he says, and I start laughing. I'm the total opposite when I'm Ladybug! I can be pretty sassy with Cat too, but I think, no! I know he loves it. "Why do you call Ladybug Bugaboo?" I ask. I'm getting more used to him calling me that, but sometimes it still irks me no end!

Cat leans forward. "How did you know about that?" he asks, a questioning gaze on his face. "Um, I heard you say it to Ladybug once," I say. "She's special. But so are you, Marinette." He puts his arm around my shoulder. I carefully lean my head against his. "Is this alright?" I ask. "yes." I relax and ask another question. "Do you love her?"

Cat takes awhile to answer. "Yes, but she's my partner. And there is different kinds of love. We're still getting to know each other," he tells me.

"Just like us," I say. I watch the ducks on the water in the small pond. "What things make you happy?" he asks. Is he reading "20 questions to ask your "date" before bed? "Making people feel better," I say immediately. "Wow, that was quick. Any quirks?"

I start to giggle and so does Cat. "what?" he asks, and he leans forward brushing a lock of her behind my ears. He's as cute as Adrien! I think. In a charming way. "You?" I flick at his gold bell. "Being with you," he says quietly. I flush, and mummer quietly, "Am I that interesting?" "I think you are. Your very

perceptive, Mari." "And you are mysterious and I want to know more," I say.

Cat Noir stands up as his ring starts to beep, and I sigh in disappoinment. "I look forward to that," he says. I stare into the sunshine. Time to get to know my partner not as Ladybug, but as Marinette Dupang-Chang.