16 is a great age, carefree, young, and the ability to be spontaneously living in the moment. This was not the case for everyone.
Relationships, friends, saving the people of Paris on a daily basis and all that comes along in between, life could get hectic for our heroes.
Gazing out of the window, a slight breeze caressed her face. The sun shining behind some clouds and the familiar sounds of the day-to-day hustle and bustle of the city of Paris seemed so distant although it was only outside the window. Her mind occupied.
Not sitting in her usual spot due to a classroom reshuffle, Marinette was sitting next to Juleka, slightly awkward due to the recent termination of Marinette and her brother's relationship. Luka had no hard feelings towards Marinette, he knew her heart was only borrowed for a time before it was to be returned. Luka could hear Marinette's melody change around different company, and there was a particular tune her heart played each time the name of the person who it truly belonged to was mentioned. Although Luka would be there for Marinette as a friend, he could not continue down this path alongside her. Juleka was not cold towards Marinette, but her gestures towards her were not as warm as they had been before the relationship had begun.
The bell signalling the end of class came, and the occupants of the room stood to leave.
"Bye Ju-" Marinette started but Juleka darted straight out of class, head down, face covered.
"Hey girl! Any less awkward today?" Alya had come over to her friends side after being sat next to Ivan.
"Not really" Marinette hung her head, "I didn't want to hurt anyone in all this, "I-I just wish it could have worked but it wasn't fair on either of us."
The friends made their way into the court yard, there was an unusually large crowd congregating by the main door. The girls made their way over to have a closer look, Marinette's heart sinking with the suspicion of what was to come.
"Mr Damocles, are you alright?" A younger student had asked their principle who was slumped defeatedly on the floor.
"That's not Mr Damocles anymore"
"He's been akumatised-"
"Take cover..."
Voices of students sounded out in a panic after Mr Damocles was engulfed and transformed into his akumatised form. Marinette ducked into a cleaning closet without noticing that it was already occupied.
"Mari-"
She looked up startled, greatful Tikki hadn't made an appearance already. Stood in front of her was an equally startled Adrien, he looked like he was a deer caught in headlights. Something black seemed to fleet behind him. Marinette wasn't sure so she didn't pursue it. Green eyes met blue as a few moments passed by as they each internally panicked.
"Good hiding place huh?" Adrien said rather awkwardly.
"Yeah-" Marinette was finding it difficult to not show her panic. How could she transform to deal with an akumatised Mr Damocles without looking crazy for going out into harms way to find a different place to hide.
They both looked at each other briefly then turned to the door. Neither had fear in their eyes, more annoyance at the situation they had inadvertently gotten themselves into. Neither noticed as they were both equally faced with this dilemma of having to transform but not being able to so in the company of one of their fellow students.
"Chloè Bourgeois!" Mr Damocles bellowed out, "you have threatened ME with DADDY for the last time!"
"Chloé," Adrien moaned, raking his hand down his face.
They listened intently, with panic and strain on their faces, both facing the door, both fighting the urge to transform in front of the other. On one hand Marinette felt calm, knowing Adrien was safe on the other, she was waiting for the opportunity to escape to go and save Paris.
Adrien was standing slightly behind Marinette, to the point he knew if he breathed too heavily, she would feel it on the back of her neck. He noticed how petite she was, the way her hair was moving, her scent-
'Stop looking at Marinette like that,' internally chastising himself, he had distracted himself from what was going on, on the other side of the door. 'Wait for the noise to die down and make an excuse to leave.'
"Sounds like the coast is clear." Marinette whispered with determination in her voice, bringing her finger tips to her chin in thought.
"You wait here while I check on the others."
Before Marinette could say anything, Adrien was out of the door. Although Marinette would have given anything to have alone time with Adrien out of the sights of prying eyes, she didn't have time to think about it now.
"Tikki! Spots on!"