Chapter 24 – Thanks to Eclectic Taste

The rest of the school day was something of a blur. Or at least it was to Adrien. With his mind partly occupied in his quest for the perfect song, he was only half taking in his actual school work. Before he knew it, the bell rang and he was packing up his bag and racing down to the waiting grey sedan.

"Adrien!"

He paused at the sound of his name, looking over his shoulder for the owner of the feminine voice. Not that he really needed to look to know who it was, he'd recognise that voice anywhere. Marinette was waving at him frantically from the top of the metal staircase.

Adjusting his bag strap on his shoulder, Adrien reversed his direction and hurried up the stairs to his partner. "Do you need help?"

"I just… I just wanted to check you're okay."

The model looked at her quizzically. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You've seemed preoccupied, all day." She admitted with a sheepish drop of her head, peering up at him through her dark fringe.

"Sorry, I've had a lot on my mind," he replied cryptically while giving her a hot once over.

Marinette's cheeks pinkened at his less than subtle ogling. "Did you… I mean would you like to hang out later this afternoon? You know…" she waved vaguely at towards the rooftops.

Sinking his hands into the pockets of his jeans, Adrien couldn't help but smile at her awkwardness. She was such a sweetheart. Hopefully soon she'd be his official sweetheart. And while he would have loved more than anything to spend time with her, he had a secret mission of his own to complete.

"You should take it easy," he said as he reached for her wrists, staring pointedly at her hands. He leaned in close to whisper, "Wouldn't want your yoyo slipping out of your grasp at a critical moment."

She blinked up at him, seeming dazed. He wasn't sure if it was from his words or his proximity. "Oh," she uttered with clear disappointment.

"How about I call you instead?"

That had the smile returning to her face. "I'd like that."

"Me too," he added with a wink. "But I've got to get going before I get the hurry up," he said with a nod in the direction of the waiting car.

"Okay," she breathed, "Talk to you later, Adrien."

Damn the way she said his name gave him chills in the best possible way. "Until then, Marinette." And given how she looked at him, she liked it when he purred her name in return.

Once at home, Adrien scoured his music collection. He was supposed to be doing piano practice, but as usual, he'd set his iPod to play a previously recorded session. Besides, he'd be playing for real later.

Tapping his finger against his chin, the model slowly paced as he eyed his wall of CDs. Many had been gifts from his childhood days. Yet he still liked purchasing his music in a physical sense. Opening the CD case and perusing the booklet inside was something he treasured. It was a learned trait he'd shared with his mother.

Suddenly his eyebrows shot towards his hairline. His mother. She'd had a vast collection of CDs. Dropping to a crouch, Adrien found the section he was looking for, duplicate copies of CDs his mother had loved. The collection was on the eclectic side of things. So many genres, even in different languages.

Adrien's finger traced along the CD spines and stopped at her English favourites. When he'd been little she'd told him about her time as an exchange student, travelling to Australia. There she'd gleaned a small bounty of CDs he'd later grown up with. A smile spread across his face as he found one by Savage Garden. Damn, his mother had loved that band. And as he turned over to read the listing of songs on the album he found what he was looking for.

Thanks to those of you who shared possible songs. I had actually already picked out what Adrien would find but thought it would be cool to see other people's choices ;)

Anyhow, I hope you're all staying safe and healthy - so far so good for me too. Until next chapter, stay beautiful! :)