"This is a disaster, Tikki!" Marinette whined.
Marinette clasped her hands over her head as she curled into a ball on her bed and rolled side to side. Tikki was the only one she can talk to about since none of her friends knew of her secret of being Ladybug. She had to rely on the wisdom of her Kwami, who normally always give her the best advice even in messy situations like these. If only Marinette listened to Tikki more often, she probably wouldn't be in half of the drama she dragged herself into. Tikki's sighed as she wasn't sure what she could tell her, but she would do the best to help out her owner.
"Marinette, you just have to follow your feelings on this one," Tikki advised. "I wouldn't recommend going to the dance as Ladybug since Hawkmoth might try to take advantage of the situation and everyone could be endangered."
"I know, Tikki," Marinette sighed. "I shouldn't have told him I'd come as Ladybug."
"Besides, Luka really seemed to want to take you to the dance, it would be unfair to go back on your world, but if you want to be with Adrien, then you have to make a choice, Marinette."
Marinette's fingers gripped onto the edge of her shirt and her eyes closed. After taking in what Tikki's advice in her mind, Marinette knew that she had to make a choice and she had only four more days to do so! Tikki went over to Marinette as she nuzzled against her cheeks.
"Everything will be fine, Marinette, like I always tell you, trust your feelings," Smiling at Marinette, Tikki lightly placed her tiny hands on Marinette's cheeks giving her a hug.
A small smile formed on Marinette's lips. She knew that Tikki always trusted and believed in her, that's why she could always rely on her and see her more than just a magical creature. Tikki was like a family member and a friend that changed Marinette's life for the better.
"Thank you, Tikki," Marinette said softly.
Now, Marinette had a huge challenge to face. Who was she going to choose to go to the dance with?
The atmosphere of the school seemed more lively than ever with the anticipation of every student for the upcoming dance. There was beautiful posted made by Marinette that was plastered all over the school walls. There were mixed emotions between anxiety for finding a date and joy for those whose invitation was accepted. Adrien arrived at school with the biggest grin on his face.
His emerald eyes widened and sparkled like precious gems. All he could think about was Ladybug coming to the dance with him! Ladybug actually accepted his invitation and he couldn't wait to see her and dance with her. It was almost like a dream come true! Meanwhile, Marinette was sitting on the bench as her eyes were glued to the ground. She couldn't ask Alya for advice since she didn't know she was Ladybug. This was harder than she imagined. Choosing which boy to go to the dance with.
Her scattered thoughts distracted her so much, that she hadn't noticed that Adrien had sat next to her. Adrien noticed that Marinette seemed upset about something. He remembered giving her advice as Chat Noir about asking her crush to the dance. However, Adrien didn't know who she liked, yet he only hoped his advice helped her. Adrien's brows furrowed as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Marinette, is everything okay?" Adrien inquired.
Marinette flinched as soon as she felt Adrien's hand on her shoulder and heard his voice. Her face had frozen as she stared at Adrien and her brows raised as if she had seen a ghost. She nearly fell over when she jerked her boy from his grasp.
"A-Adrien?" Marinette sputtered.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Adrien apologized.
"O-Oh N-No you didn't at all!"
Marinette brushed her bang behind her ear as she avoided making eye contact with him. Marinette exhaled softly. Great, Adrien was the last person she wanted to see right now! She knew she had to make a choice, but then again, Adrien doesn't know she's Ladybug. Marinette relaxed as she calmed herself down and regained her reason back. Adrien gave her a soft smile, but he still could sense Marinette's uneasiness.
"I'm glad I didn't, I was just worried about you," Adrien said gently as his eyes never left her.
"W-Worried about me?" Marinette questioned.
"Yeah, you don't seem happy."
"Well, it's just I haven't decided who to go to the dance with."
Adrien's expression was filled with curiosity since he assumed she was going to ask her crush to the dance. He saw by her face that she seemed confused about the situation. Adrien rubbed the nape of his neck as he looked down at his feet.
"Did someone ask you to go?" Adrien asked.
Nodding her head, Marinette's eyes finally had reached Adrien. "Well, Luka asked me to go the dance with him and I accepted, but…"
"But?"
"There was someone I wanted to ask, but he already has a special girl he wanted to go with."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Marinette," Adrien apologized.
Marinette sighed as she couldn't tell him he was the boy he wanted to ask. She couldn't tell him that she's sad that he was going to the dance with someone else, that someone being Ladybug. Adrien felt guilty even though he was clueless to who Marinette wanted to go with, but he had given her advice and it failed her. He wanted to take responsibility somehow.
"Are you going to the dance with anyone?" Marinette asked.
Marinette's question had caught him off guard since he couldn't tell her he asked Ladybug to the dance. His eyes seemed to dart around the area and the other student. He tried to think off what to tell her without giving away his secret crush on Ladybug.
"Well, I asked this girl, she doesn't go to our school, I'm not sure if she even goes to school-" Adrien began. "I mean, I'm not sure if she can come to our school. She's really busy."
Marinette had known he was lying, but he wasn't exactly lying either. After all, No one knew was Ladybug except Marinette. Marinette pretended to accept his cover-up. Even though she understood why he couldn't tell her, but she had never expected Adrien would be in love with a superhero.
"That sounds rough, but at least you're going to the dance with someone you really like," Marinette said giving him a fake smile to cover up her disappointment.
Adrien's cheeks soon flushed red at Marinette's comment. He was indeed lucky to be going with Ladybug, but something at the moment made him feel sorry for Marinette. He wanted to cheer her up the best as he could since she was always there for him.
"Cheer up, Marinette," Adrien told her. "I'm sure you'll have a great time with Luka! He seems like a pretty nice guy!"
Her throat felt swollen as she could feel the tiny pain in her chest from his words. Part of her wanted to blurt out the truth and tell him that he was the one she rather had gone to the dance with, but in the end, she didn't have the courage to tell him that. Especially when he looked happy and excited for Ladybug to come.
"Thank you, Adrien," Marinette responded.
"You're welcome, Marinette," Adrien beamed. "Ready for class?"
Marinette nodded with a small smile and the two of them with to class together. Tikki who took a peek out of Marinette's purse as she heard their conversation, her small antennas had dropped down as her eyes were filled with sympathy for Marinette's sadness. The school day had come and gone, Marinette left the school after saying goodbye to her friends. Despite the conversation earlier, Marinette still didn't feel it was right to go to the dance with Luka, when her heart was filled with Adrien. Marinette decided to go see Luka and maybe tell him half the truth and decline his offer to the dance after all.
Marinette arrived at Juleka's and she was welcomed by her mother, Marinette smiled as she felt awkward for visiting so suddenly. But she knew what she had to do.
"Why hey there, Lassie!" Anarka smiled. "What can I do for ye?"
"Hey, Ms. Couffaine," Marinette greeted. "Is Luka home?"
"Aye, of course," She told her. "He's in his room, why don't I whip somethin' up while yer visitin'."
"N-No, I won't be here long, I just needed to talk to him about the dance!"
"Oh, is that it, lassie?" Anarka teased. "Well, I won't be disturbin' ye two."
Marinette smiled as she headed towards Luka's room, she can hear the beautiful sound of music playing from his guitar from outside of his door. Marinette always admired how passionate Luka was about music. Marinette knocked on the door when she heard the music stop and the soothing sound of his voice from his bed.
"Come in," He ordered.
"Hey, Luka," Marinette smiled.
"Hey, Marinette, I didn't expect a visit so soon."
His fingers glided against the strings of his guitar as he resumed playing his music once more. Marinette had taken a seat next to him on his bed as he played his song. Marinette felt nervous, could she really decline his offer to the dance.
"I can tell something is on your mind," Luka spoked.
His aqua eyes had grazed over Marinette softly as a smile didn't leave his face. Marinette wondered if Luka was a mind reader since he always seemed to know what was in her head before she could say anything. It made her feel self-conscious, yet she really liked that about him. He understood her even if his mind was on music, he always had taken the time to consider her feelings. Her stomach did somersaults as she suddenly didn't feel so great about her decision.
"Well, I wanted to talk to you about the dance," Marinette told him.
Luka continued playing his song, but he nodded at her words. His fingers ceased as they rested against the strings and his attention had averted towards Marinette. His face was always filled with a smile, he never seemed mad or disappointed about anything.
"Having second thoughts?" Luka asked.
"Well, I, I," Stammered Marinette.
Marinette wasn't sure if she really wanted to reject him, he was kind to offered to go with her to the dance when she found out Adrien already decided to go with someone else. The guilt inside her only continued to eat at her. Right now, she lost the resolve she had earlier when she came here. Luka was patient as he waited for Marinette to speak. She sighed as she folded her hands and rest them in her lap. Her eyes stared at them avoiding Luka's eyes for a moment.
"I know you wanted to go with Adrien," Luka told her. "I'd admit, he's pretty lucky to a wonderful girl like with him on your mind."
"Luka," She held her breath as she paused.
"I just want you to be happy, Marinette," consoled Luka as he flashed her a kindred smile. "If you want to go the dance with Adrien instead, I won't stop you. Just listen to your feelings and do what you feel is right. Emotions are like music. You just have to go with the flow and find the right melody, otherwise, your song will sound like this…"
His fingers tugged at the strings at random playing notes that sounded unharmonized. Marinette understood what he meant, even though he was using music as an analogy as usual, but it helped her clear her mind. She had known he was right about the advice he had given her. He was sweet and caring. She can tell he genuinely cared for her. He liked her for herself and she wasn't sure how he felt about Ladybug. Marinette's fingers gripped on her thighs as she turned her head towards Luka.
"Hey, Luka, how do you feel about Ladybug?" Marinette blurted.
"Hm, well, I think she's cool. She always helping save our city, I say I admire her." Luka answered.
"Yeah, sometimes I wish I could be like Ladybug," Marinette sighed.
Marinette wondered if she acted more like Ladybug all the time, would Adrien fall in love with her? Ladybug and Marinette was one in the same, but they were also their own person. Comparing herself to her alter ego, it felt a little depressing. Especially since she knew the one she loved only seemed to like her when she was Paris's beloved superhero.
"In some ways, you are like Ladybug," Luka agreed. "Yet you shouldn't compare yourself to a superhero. You're smart, talented, and compassionate, Marinette. You're little shy and awkward at times, but I think that what makes you unique. You don't have to be prefect to be liked by someone. I admire Ladybug, but she's not like you. Honestly, I like a girl who doesn't hide behind a mask and be true to herself."
His words had caused her cheeks to fall into a deep shade of red. She wanted to speak, but it was as if he had stolen her breath. Her heart started to pound against her chest as she felt overwhelmed with happiness that he liked her as Marinette. Marinette's thoughts were jumbled with many emotions at the moment. Maybe she should give up on her love for Adrien, perhaps going to the dance with Luka is a better choice. After all, Adrien liked Ladybug, but he only saw Marinette as nothing more than a good friend.
"Luka, I still want to go to the dance with you after all." Marinette smiled.
Luka only smiled in response as he began to play the guitar once more. Marinette drew herself closer to him as she closed her eyes and listened to the beautiful melody that filled the air. Everything seemed at peace and she believed she made the right choice in the end.
Marinette headed back to her home after her visit from Luka. She let out a soft sigh and she felt her head dreamily drifted off to the idea of being with Luka at the dance instead. Tikki had floated near Marinette who sat in her computer chair and spun around in her chair.
"You seem happier, Marinette," Tikki commented.
"I decided that maybe going to the dance with Luka isn't a bad idea," Marinette told her.
"What about Adrien then?"
"Tikki, you and I both know that I can't go to a dance as Ladybug," Marinette sighed. "Besides, if Adrien likes Ladybug, then that means he won't ever like plain and boring Marinette."
"You're not plain and boring, you're really special," said Tikki as she opened her arms wide and gave Marinette a bright smile. "I'm sure Adrien still need time to get like Marinette, besides we're still not sure if he has feelings for Ladybug."
"I know, Tikki, but…" Marinette groaned.
She wrapped her arms around herself as she closed her eyes, she wasn't sure if he loved Ladybug or just really admired her. She didn't want to jump to the conclusion that Adrien did love Ladybug, but why did he ask her to the dance if he didn't like her. After all, he did write that heartfelt letter. Marinette remembered the love letter on Valentine's day that she found, what if the girl he wanted to write his letter to was Ladybug and not her? She brought her hands to her face while she buried herself into them. She was still confused more than ever, but she already made her choice. She decided she would put aside her feelings for Adrien and enjoy her time at the dance with Luka instead.
"Well, Tikki, I need to prepare for the dance and first thing I need to do is figure out what dress I'm going to make for it," She told Tikki.
"Sounds like a plan, Marinette!" Tikki smiled.
Marinette opened up her design sketchbook and she began to doodle away many ideas that came to her head. The dance was in four days and she had only four days to prepare and make the perfect dress for her date.