Marinette had been spared having to speak to Adrien at the end of the train ride, due to Mrs. Bustier-which she was eternally grateful for. She could praise the woman, it was just so awkward and Marinette berated herself relentlessly on her way home for falling asleep on him-she was angry at him.

He'd said those words as if she didn't have feelings, and as if she couldn't hear. Or word wouldn't make it's way back to her-she was sure Chloe would be sure to mention it when they got back to school next week.

But instead of focusing on Adrien, she thought of her newfound friends, she still couldn't get over the fact that they were still so nice! Their school was the opposite direction of the Dupain-Cheng bakery than Marinette's was, and to be honest, Marinette had no idea that there even was a school that way.

When she got home, she was greeted with hugs from her parents and she made her way upstairs, Tikki quickly flew out of her purse.

"Wow, Marinette! Not only are you good at saving the day, you're also good at making new friends!" Tikki quickly took in her masters' downcast expression and stopped talking.

"Marinette what's wrong?" Tikki held her masters' hand as Marinette sat on her chaise, she took off the hoodie slowly and held it in her hands.

"I don't know Tikki," Marinette nuzzled her Kwami's cheek as she grasped the hoodie tighter. "I feel," She took a deep breath. "I feel, like, like I did something wrong." She looked down and took another deep breath. Tikki settled in her lap as Marinette sat back against her chaise.

She felt tears gather in her eyes for an unknown reason. And she thought of Adrien, how he looked when she'd woken up, to find him still sleeping, peaceful and with his hands in her hair.

She wished, oh how did she wish, for her love to be requited. She wanted him to feel the same, she wanted to see him look at her with eyes of love and passion. She wanted him to hold her and kiss her, and do everything that sounded just like a dream.

She was sobbing now, tears fell from her eyes as she thought of that non-existent fantasy. Tikki sat on her shoulder, hugging the side of her neck as Marinette cried.

"Marinette, if you aren't happy," Tikki started as her master buried her face into her huddled knees, she gasped loudly for air, her tears not allowing her to do so. "Then maybe it's time to move on..." Tikki's words were true, and they made it harder to stop crying.

"He doesn't deserve you Marinette..." Tikki knew full well what she was doing when she said those words. But no matter how much Master Fu wished it, he couldn't persuade a broken heart. And Tikki would not let Marinette fall into something where no happiness laid for her.

Marinette cried herself to sleep that night, burying her head into her pillow to stifle her sobs didn't make her feel any better.

The many texts she received form Alya, Nino, Rose, Juleka, and Adrien throughout the night didn't help her sleep either.

Eventually, she just turned her phone off and fell asleep with tears in her eyes. Wishing for a better day tomorrow.

She didn't see the shadow that watched her through her window, or how he touched the glass longingly with trembling fingers.

When she woke up the next morning Marinette found that she felt just a bit better, perhaps crying had made her feel better. Letting your emotions out is better for you after all.

She sat up-careful not to wake Tikki- and reached for her phone as she got out of bed. She blinked as she turned it on, she had 23 missed calls from Alya alone, 2 from Rose, 1 from Juleka, none from Nino- unsurprising- and 4 from Adrien.

Which was a surprise.

Not looking at them though, she had 4 missed calls from Indila, 7 from Manon, 2 from Paige, none from Jasper-unsurprising- 2 from Damien, and 5 from Jack.

The kindness her friends showed her warmed her heart, it really did.

But looking at texts she had a TON of those to look through.

She went to Jack first, wanting to see what he said.

Jack

Hey, I hope you gave me a real number

This is Marinette's phone number right?

Marinette I was joking, I don't think you'd give me a fake number.

Are you okay?

Marinette?

She was so warmed by his words, he was worried about her!

Marinette

I'm sorry Jack! I fell asleep and my phone was turned off!

and no I wouldn't give you a fake number you dork!

While she wanted to know what he had to say, she also had to text other people.

She went to Indila first

Indila

Hey there fashion chick! what's poppin? ~

Marinette? Well maybe you're eating dinner or something, but tomorrow the gang is hanging at the park, and we were wondering if you wanted to go?

Marinette

That sounds like so much fun! Sure! What time do I have to be there?

She got an instant reply from Indila.

Indila

How bout 1:30 ish? We can go swimming too, it's supposed to be really nice today!

Marinette

That sounds great! I'll see you then!

Indila

See you then fashion chick!

She liked talking to Indila, she was nice and beautiful, but she didn't flaunt it. She was kinda a dork, but in the best way possible.

She went to look at Alya's texts, but she couldn't bring herself to do it, she couldn't click on her best friend's name, or Adrien's name, or Rose's or Juleka's. She felt guilty again, but at the same time, she felt happy.

She got to do things with people who welcomed her, not friends that she thought she could depend on, and then they went and called her a liar, and as hard as she tried to push the thoughts away, they kept invading.

She sighed as she walked over to get dressed. She looked out her window, and found it to look blazing outside. A hot Saturday, and she didn't think she'd be able to wear her normal outfit again today.

So she threw apart her dresser and looked for something to wear. She almost sighed in relief when she found the dress that she'd had in mind. Typically she didn't wear dresses-they were a bit impractical when it came to being Ladybug.

It was a light lavender, and went nicely with her hair, which she brushed out when she finally got done getting dressed. She contemplated throwing it back into her usual hairstyle, but she decided against it.

She was feeling a bit more adventurous than usual, so she put it up into a bun that her mother taught her about, her bangs shaped her face nicely in the mirror.

The sundress tied behind her shoulders and she felt just so beautiful, she felt like just putting in that little bit of effort really made that big difference.

"Tikki are you ready to go?" She grabbed her handbag, which she was happy that it went with her dress, and watched as her Kwami woke up slowly.

Tikki wasn't a morning person either, so she woke up slowly and watched in astonishment as Marinette picked her up and set her down in her bag.

It was already 12:30, so she had an entire hour left, and she wanted to go for a walk, she never really got to just look at Paris anymore, all she was ever doing was jumping from roof to roof.

She set out to walk to a park that was farther than the one right next to her home-this one had more water sights than regular parks. She'd never been, and today was looking out to be a day for trying new things, so she set off, giving her parents kisses and hugs as she did so.

She made it about halfway there before her phone started to ring. She was surprised and took it out of her bag. Tikki looked up at her worriedly as she pulled it out.

Alya

Alya was calling her again. She still felt the lingering guilt from earlier, and as she reached down to answer it, she stopped. She couldn't bring herself to tell her best friend that she wanted to be alone, that she didn't want to talk to her right now.

But it had to be done, because she couldn't keep avoiding Alya. And by god, she wasn't Ladybug if she didn't pick up this phone!

She quickly hit answer as she sat down on a bench, trying desperately not to trip, her trembling legs made it hard to do so.

"Marinette! I'm so happy that you answered! I was worried sick about you girl!" Alya said into the phone, the relief clear in her voice.

Marinette let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding in, Alya was just worried about her! She had no idea why she was so worried!

"I'm sorry Alya, yesterday I just wasn't feeling all that well." She answered lamely, 'not feeling all that well' didn't even begin to cover it.

She heard Alya sigh over the line-it almost sounded disgusted- and then a small giggle from her. "That's alright girl! Hey I have a question, are you busy today?" Alya said it quickly and completely nonchalantly.

"Uh, why?" She responded lamely-yes she was busy today is what she should've said.

"Lila invited us all to a party, she just got back from America where she was helping raise funds for homeless animals. She's so brave." Marinette couldn't help her internal thoughts -liar, that sounds fake even to me- she quietly snorted so Alya wouldn't hear.

"So I was wondering if you wanted to go, Lila said that I could bring a friend, oh wait-did you already get an invite from Lila? I guess I shouldn't ask for you to come with me when you're already gonna be there!" Alya laughed and Marinette winced visibly.

No, she hadn't received an invite from Lila, and she didn't plan on being someone's runner-up for an invite to a bitchy liars' party. She knew how her best friend thought of Lila-that she was the best person in the world because she did all these extravagant things-so she wouldn't say anything about Lila being a liar this time.

She gave up.

"No, I don't want to go," She said it probably too quickly. "Goodbye Alya." She hung up and shoved her phone back into her bag, narrowly missing Tikki. She rubbed at her arm awkwardly, still feeling a little guilty.

Something in her honestly made her feel that the person on the other end of that line wasn't her best friend.

She quickly pushed those thoughts away. Alya could go be buddy-buddy with Lila all she wanted, but Marinette would never play Lila's little game.

"Marinette, are you okay? What did Alya say?" Tikki whispered loudly from her bag, she smiled down at her Kwami, Tikki was always so concerned for Marinette's health. She couldn't have asked for a better partner.

"Everything's fine Tikki, it's nothing."

She made her way down a flight of stairs, wanting to walk by the river, and she smiled. She had never been totally alone, without responsibilities, even when she had been younger her parents wanted her help always in the bakery.

So today was a day for herself, and she planned on enjoying it to the fullest. She had fully planned on doing that, until she was almost crushed by a crowd of people.

"Hey!" She screamed, being crushed was definitely not on the agenda today, so she quickly made her way around the crowd of people, going as far to go up and away from the river.

She sighed as she walked silently through a short cut, people were being a bit loud today and she couldn't deny that she had a headache. She stretched her arms up, in hopes of getting her blood flowing again, but she felt a yank on her hand and she gasped as she was pulled behind a corner.

Her mind screamed at her to do something and she heard a shushing noise as she was pulled up next to a wall, someone's hand was over her mouth and the other was next to her head.

"Please don't scream! I promise I'm not gonna-Marinette?" The voice startled her and she looked up through the dim light at the shining green eyes of Adrien Agreste. She felt her heart hammer against her chest at how close he was, and his breath ghosted across her face as he breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm so sorry Marinette!"He whispered quietly but happily. "You know the drill though, crazy fan mob!" he laughed lightly and she couldn't deny that she loved the way his eyes lit up as they landed on her own.

She didn't dare move, she had no idea why. She was mad at him for goodness sakes! But her body told her to stay still, to play prey right now, and maybe she might escape without damage.

They didn't say another word-to be fair Adrien's hand was over her mouth still- but they stayed in that position. The crowd completely ignored their presence as they ran by, and it felt like her world was spinning.

Why did her heart hurt so much? Why did it clench as he removed his hand and instead placed it beside her head just like his other? She wanted to cry, why were her emotions being like this?!

She didn't know if she wanted him to stay right there, or if she wanted him to get away. Her head hurt and she felt so lightheaded, she moaned as a huge wave of nausea hit her. What was happening to her?

"Marinette! Are you okay!?" Adrien quickly grabbed her anywhere he could that wouldn't violate anything. She felt so sick all of a sudden, what was wrong with her? Was it because of Adrien?

She pushed his hands away as she slid to the cold stone beneath her. She needed space, she wanted air. Tears formed in her eyes, this was so embarrassing, and it was just a terrible thing to have happen in front of anyone really.

"Just hold on Marinette, it'll be okay." His voice was soothing and she tried with all her might to believe in the words that he said. He sat next to her, and he draped one arm over her shoulder, she thought she saw him pull his phone out.

"I've got you, Princess."

What? She thought internally.

"Natalie, I need your help." Was all he said, and Marinette didn't really pay attention after that. She was too focused on calming down, but before she knew it the clopping of heels approached them.

"Is this her Adrien?" a steady voice said, and she felt him shift next to her as he nodded. She could barely make out the feel of his hand on her neck, holding her steady against him.

"Alright, let's get her up and-! Ahh!" A small cry of pain left the older woman as she tried to pick up the girl, the sudden pain flashes were back. Adrien looked on worriedly as Natalie breathed in deeply trying to soothe the pain.

"Natalie, please don't push yourself, I can carry Marinette, just please, be careful." She must be dreaming, Adrien? Carrying her?

Yeah right...

She unknowingly lolled her head against his chest in her delirious state and groaned.

She didn't even get to feel him pick her up before she passed out.

When she did wake up, the first thing that she noticed was that she was definitely not in her bed. It smelled completely different, and the fabric felt way different too. She shifted but didn't get up, it was just so comfortable, and the pillow felt like heaven.

"Mhhhmm." She groaned as she sat up-knowing that she'd have to sometime-she let the blanket pool at her waist, and she noticed the her hair was out of the bun she'd placed it in this morning.

But another thought occurred to her. Where was Tikki!? She looked around frantically for her bag, and she didn't even look at the room that she was in, she just really needed to find her bag.

"Tikki!" She whisper-yelled, she stepped out onto the floor and found that her bag was placed on a couch that was in front of a large wide-screen TV. She grabbed it quickly and opened it. She nearly screamed when she didn't see Tikki in there.

"Tikki!" She called louder now, wishing on every god out there that Tikki wasn't taken out of her bag and she had just left of her own violation.

That she was safe.

A red whizzing caught her attention as Tikki came from an upper level of the bedroom, she quickly hugged her Kwami, feeling so relieved.

"Oh Tikki I was so worri-"

"Marinette?" She froze, looking over her shoulders at Adrien as he entered the bedroom, from what appeared to be the bathroom.

She quickly hid Tikki behind her back and she heard the small whizzing sound as Tikki zipped into her bag.

"Adrien? Wait, w-what? Why are you here? Or I mean uh, why am I here? No um, where is here?" She finished lamely, and she resisted the urge to smack her head against a wall.

He smiled softly at her and stepped in front of her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, and it was only then that Marinette noticed the sun was setting.

"Marinette I was so worried about you." He said, and she felt her eyes widen involuntarily.

What? What is he saying? She thought as her heart increased speed dramatically, she felt her face get red.

"When you collapsed I didn't know what to do, you looked so sick, and in pain." He looked her right in her eyes and they looked tired.

"I called Natalie immediately, and I took you back to my home, because I felt better knowing that you were here." He sighed softly as he closed his eyes, he let his head fall forward, and suddenly his hands felt so hot on her shoulders.

"You scared me," He said it so quietly she almost didn't hear it. "I didn't know what to do." He was repeating his words from earlier, like he didn't know what else to say, his voice was so small and pitiful.

"Please," he met her eyes, and she felt his right hand shift to the side of her neck. "Never do that again." She looked deeply into his eyes, she found only fear and relief there, the green sparked beautifully with the sunset, and she gasped as his words registered.

She felt the tears again, and she nodded at him as she let tears fall from her eyes. She promised that after today, she would never cry so much again. She hiccuped and gave a small meek sob.

How could I have doubted you? She thought as he looked worried again, he wiped away her tears, and he was saying words that she couldn't hear.

Why did I doubt you? Her thoughts continued to go on as her heart drummed against her chest, she was afraid it might pop out.

I love you, how could I? She lurched forward and hugged him, burying her head into his chest as he fell rigid, as if he didn't know what to do.

She grasped at the back of his shirt with one hand, and the other blindly reached for something, anything to hold onto. Why? Why was she doing this? She was distraught at his words from yesterday still, but she thought that she should get this one thing.

She felt fingers interlace with her own. His hand was big, and warm, and just...just...

So wonderful.

She felt his other hand pull her closer as he intertwined his hand in her hair. He pulled her to him and buried his face into the crook of her neck, he just sat there, and Marinette did nothing but let more tears fall from her eyes.

Being like this just reminded her of how it would never be a reality.