Let Love Live

Chapter 2

The next day Nino came in, very mopey. As if he had lost his puppy, only worse, his headphones.

Alya was trailing behind him watching something on her phone. Nino just sat on the bench and waited for everyone to get done in their lockers, he seen no point getting into his. He had all the necessary items he needed for class, excluding his headphones. Only he knew he didn't need them, they were just there for comfort of any anxiety that could come his way. He would wear them instead of listening to the bustle of the classroom, it helped him concentrate on his school work.

By the time Marinette and Adrien came in moments apart, both Nino and Alya were sitting on the bench waiting for the bell to ring so they could go to class. Adrien got done first and asked "Nino, why such the long face? I can count on one hand how many times I have seen you like this." Alya replied for him knowing Nino was just going to shrug his shoulders, and on cue that's what he did. "Nino lost his headphones."

Turning red Adrien asked, "Are you sure, have you checked your locker?"

Nino quietly mumbled, "No dude, they got lost yesterday during the akuma attack."

Before Adrien could reply Alya popped in saying, "Wait! I think I got something! I thought all footage was lost, well it kinda was, the screen is black but I can hear a few things."

Adrien's stomach dropped, he was going to get caught. He had to think of something and fast. Marinette just stood there staring seemingly into space, Nino was looking at Alya quizzically while she had been listening to something from her earbuds that were connected to her phone.

Alya was on her fourth time listening when she stopped, fiddled with her phone and then put one earbud in to Nino's ear. "All my footage is black because of the angle we landed once being affected by the akuma. But that didn't stop the audio from recording! Oh my gosh, I'm pretty sure that's Chat Noir Nino! Chat Noir took your headphones Nino, isn't that so cool?"

By this time Marinette was paying attention, anything Chat Noir related usually did that. Adrien on the other hand was trying to search for a way to get Alya away from the Chat Noir theory. With a little stutter that no one noticed Adrien asked to hear the footage. After Nino listened to it a couple times he handed the earbud over to Adrien.

Clear as day Adrien heard, feet landing then, "That's it! Sorry bro, you'll get them back!" damn Alya's phone was good. He totally should have thought about Alya recording, even though the camera was angled in an awkward position.

"Why would Chat Noir call me bro?" Alya put her smarty pants voice on and said "Uh.. because you're a boy and he's a boy and you call almost everyone bro or dude." "But he doesn't know me! I've only met him up close a few times, but not long enough for him to call me bro." Alya gave Nino a look, the You're Carapace dumb ass, and you don't hide it very well, look. "You called Gabriel Agreste himself dude, you are not the best at being formal." Marinette nearly fell onto the bench beside her so she sat on it to not gain any attention.

"I did it." Adrien practically yelled. The three others looked at him. Sheepishly Adrien continued a little quieter. "I sneaked out at lunch time yesterday, I wanted to see an akuma up close like everyone else has and I was tired of being locked in the house. So I left. Once I figured out what it was doing I was far enough away that I knew I needed protection, I went looking for it. I just happened to see the two of you, so I grabbed Nino's headphones. I'm sorry Nino, I was afraid that if I got caught by the akuma that I wouldn't get back to the house in time and get caught sneaking out, plus I was trying to see if I could help others that hadn't been hit yet." Adrien shoulders drooped as he looked down.

"Well you could have taken my phone with you and got some footage while you were at it." Alya said smug. "Does this mean I can get my headphones back?" Nino brightened up and smiled for the first time that day. Adrien walked over to Nino's locker and opened it. "Yeah, their right here." Adrien went to hand the headphones to him but Nino just embraced him in a hug. "Thank you bro, I'm so glad to have them back!" Nino took the headphones and put them around his neck. If Marinette recognized them from yesterday, she gave no indication of it.

The three of them just laughed together. Then the bell rang indicating they had 10 minutes to get to class. "Girl you've been awful quiet over there. What secrets are you hiding?"

Marinette shrugged "Nothing I'm just... Tired." Marinette had dark purple bags under her eyes despite getting 9 hours of sleep last night. "Silly Marin, you stay up to late with your projects." Alya took Nino's hand and they went off to class together.

Adrien looked over at Marinette and recognized the "been hit by a bus" look. He felt for her, having been there before. Adrien walked over and sat by her since she was still sitting. "Did you have breakfast, I have a protein bar, they help me when I feel beat down. You know how my dad has me working every minute of the day sometimes."

She knew. But just shrugged him off. Adrien stood up and started to hand her the bar, "Please?" She smiled and took the bar knowing she wasn't going to get by without taking it, he reached his other hand out to help her stand. "Thank you for taking the bar, lets go to class." Walking side by side in silence the whole way, they made it in the classroom just as the bell rang.

After school Emmett came up to Marinette very excited. "I think I have a solution!"

Marinette smiled, "What did you come up with?"

"A community center!"

A little puzzled Marinette said "But we don't have any near by?"

"Exactly! I want to help with the project from beginning to end. But I know it will take a lot of help from professionals and adults."

"Okay, what is your vision so far?"

"Well there is a property about 4 blocks from here. It's an abandoned building. I want to be able to remodel the building into a community center. As it is now its half factory half office building. The factory space could be turned into the auditorium area, the offices could be rented space for other stuff. If we get everyone involved we could clean the place up. And start looking for grants to remodel."

"Are you talking about the old Harrison building to the west?" Ladybug knew the building, she and Chat Noir had hid there a few times throughout the years to hide from akumas. They would regroup there and occasionally held kwami treats and power-ups in the abandoned break room. She shouldn't know how the roof was caving in and the brick was deteriorating on the east side, making it easier for the superheros to get in.

"Yes, that's the one!"

"Have you been there to see it lately? It's a good property with lots of potential. But it looks like it may cave in. I was over there to sketch a while back."

"I'm going to look at it tonight. My dad is coming with me, I wanted to see if he had any thoughts on it, plus hes in good with some contractors."

"What about the self sustaining part of the deal?"

"I haven't forgot about it, but I haven't come up with anything yet."

"I could come up with a few ideas, if you'd like. But my other concern is, if its a community center How is Francois DuPont's drama club going to claim rights to it?"

"Well that is another kink I've yet to work out, but I thought since the school would be putting in the majority of the work into it we could claim that area."

"I'm not sure that is how things work. We'll have to look into it."

Both Emmett and Marinette sat there for a minute thinking and writing different things down they knew needed done to possibly get the project started. Marinette had an idea.

"I've got it! Maybe the school board would approve of a career center. It could help juniors and seniors gain college credit while also allowing adults to do the same. The adults would pay tuition and gain credit. Once we get established we could set up a full technical school."

"That would take care of being self sufficient! I still hope we can make it community friendly. I imagine spaces for an art studio, gallery, recording booths, editing suites, workshops, akuma refuge space, youth programs as well as senior activities. I love Bingo, and so do seniors, there has to be Bingo!

They both laughed and Marinette agreed.

"That is such a big idea! It's like a Community, Technical, Arts Center. Lets do this! I know there is so much to sort out still but I think we should tell Mr. Damocles the idea!"

After coming out of Mr. Damocles office Emmett and Marinette were overwhelmed and excited. They had one week to write a proposal for the board. It didn't have to be a professional proposal after all they were just kids. But they wanted it to be close to show how serious they were about doing this.

"Do you think we should get some help from the other students? I know we're excited and determined, but we are only two people with other responsibilities. If we want this to be a school dedicated project, now would be the time to start getting a few others involved."

"I couldn't have said it better myself Marinette, who do you think could help with the proposal?"

"Max is good with numbers, he could help us come up with a figure on purchasing the property and an estimate for remodeling. Plus if he let Markov get involved, we would have access to so much more knowledge."

"Yeah that little beast could have the square footage down on each room let alone the property faster than we could get our tape measures out. He could also find the best recommended companies for the job. And if he were in on any negotiations we would know that the best deal was being made."

"Let's not get to ahead of ourselves, while he could do all that, we should be able to do it ourselves. I think it would be more satisfying in the end. But we can listen to his advice, if Max even wants to get involved, the first step is to ask. Is there anyone else you can think of we need at this point?"

"What do you think about Chloe or Adrien? They must have some financial connections we could use."

I don't think we should,"

Marinette was suddenly interrupted by Emmett as he jumped back. "Marinette, your nose is bleeding!"

Shocked Marinette stood up quickly too quickly as it made her dizzy, she was expecting just a small spot but when she put her hand up to her nose she felt the warm ooze pool in her hand.

"I'm so sorry Emmett, I should go take care of this." Emmett followed her to make sure she was okay, it was only after the bleeding stopped completely did he let her leave for home.

Marinette headed home at a snails pace, but as soon as it was clear Tikki popped out, "Marinette! Your nose should not bleed like that, are you okay?"

"I'm fine Tikki, The school probably had dry air or something, I'll just use some nose spray and a hot shower to moisten it up again. Problem solved."

Tikki didn't believe this, her intuition was telling her something was going on, but she had no idea what it was. She thought her holder was coming down with a cold, since she had to use a tiny bit of extra energy to keep Marinette going during the last fight and patrol night. A cold wasn't a big deal other than her holder felt miserable.

"I think you should tell your parents. It was a lot of blood, if it happens again you could pass out, what if you're alone, or in an akuma battle?"

Marinette leaned against the building before going in to see her parents, "You worry to much Tikki, now hide, or my parents are going to find out who the cookie monster is!" Mari booped Tikki gently on top of her head, and they both laughed. Tikki did as she was asked cuddling in to Marinette's chest hiding behind her blazer.