-5-

Marinette reminded herself to think positive. She could do this. This time would be the charm, the date that she expressed her feeling and got Adrien to understand that she wasn't talking about being just friends. With the mantra of 'I'm going to succeed' drumming through her mind, the girl went onward to date number four.

The weather should have been an indicator that things were not going to go well. The wind was fierce and the clouds rolled with the promise of rain. Marinette tugged together the buttons on her coat and strode a little faster. But luck wasn't on her side. A block away from her destination the skies opened and rain fell in heavy droplets.

Having her hair plastered to her forehead and her pigtails dripping rivulets down the neck of her shirt, Marinette trudged her way inside. Peeling her wet coat from her body, she took it in her hands to wring the water from it then shook it out to hang over the back of her chair. Alya murmured in sympathy, patting her dripping wrist in sympathy.

Adrien and Nino arrived together this time, the former had the aptitude to bring an umbrella and it reminded Marinette of the first moment she fell for him. That memory brought a sense of warmth to her chilled body. When the boys approached she noticed the concern on Adrien's face. "What happened to you?"

"Poor timing. I was almost here when the heavens opened and drenched me."

The model gave her a sympathetic smile and shrugged his jacket from his shoulders to drape it around hers. It took everything Marinette had not to sigh out his name in gratitude. He truly was wonderful.

But her happy thoughts were snatched away by Alya. "You guys are not going to believe this! I've captured more footage of Chat Noir bounding across Paris with roses and chocolates."

Inwardly Marinette groaned. Her partner had been doing his best to woo her since the mention of her failed dates. Little did he know that the object of her affection was still oblivious. Each patrol for the last few nights had been to her discomfort. She wondered when Chat Noir would get it through his thick head that Ladybug wasn't interested in him. Even though she had to admit the gestures were sweet.

Letting out a snort of annoyance, she picked up the menu to scan the breakfast options. Alya quirked an eyebrow. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just thinking about someone who's been getting on my nerves."

"Chloe?" Nino volunteered a guess.

"Um, no." Marinette said before she could consider her words. Her friends would now want to know who was annoying her and she couldn't exactly say Chat Noir.

Adrien's fingertips touched the back of her hand as he glanced to the side pointedly. "Lila?"

Very slowly, Marinette followed the line of his gaze and froze. There stood the lying witch, wearing a condescending smile as she sashayed over. Marinette grit her teeth and had to stop herself from grinding them.

"Hi everyone," Lila greeted with an overly sweet tone.

Marinette's fingers scrunched into a fist as Alya and Nino welcomed her with enthusiasm. Adrien however was quiet and it was then that she realised his fingers were still on her hand and there was a look of discomfort on his face. He knew Lila was a lying schemer too. She was so relieved that she had an ally in her crush that she missed how Lila managed to swindle an invitation to the table from Alya.

Throwing a glare at Alya that was immediately dismissed, Marinette considered how she could accidently on purpose spill her drink on Lila. Unfortunately, the brat would use such a ploy to her own advantage. So, Marinette was stuck listening to Lila pratting on about herself as if she were some sort of saint to be admired. It took everything Marinette had not to puke in response.

Even Adrien looked uncomfortable as Lila continued to shuffle her chair closer to his. Stroking his arm repeatedly and trying to lay her head on his shoulder. Once again, the breakfast date was a bust.

If that wasn't bad enough, Lila conned Adrien into giving them all a ride home. Which in theory sounded nice. Except there were only four available seats in car awaiting Adrien, meaning someone would have to be left behind. Unsurprisingly, Lila angled for that choice to be Marinette. "Oh, you live the closest, right?"

"Not really," Marinette all but growled. The not too distant thunder rumbled its support.

"We could make two trips," Adrien offered.

Lila was quick to dissuade him. "Oh, we don't want to put you out."

"It's not a problem," he assured her. "In fact, I'll stay here with Marinette and you guys can get dropped off first."

A feeling of triumph surged in Marinette's veins. Finally, Adrien was pushing back. Lila continued to suggest alternatives. Even going so far as to say she wanted to invite Adrien to her home. He politely declined in a courteous fashion that was impressive. Marinette supposed it came from years of getting out of sticky situations with Chloe.

Finally, Lila gave up. Acting as if the whole thing didn't bother her. When the car drove away, Adrien opened his umbrella as the rain started again. "She really is persistent," he remarked.

"Yep. But hey, it looks like you're good at verbal fencing as well as the real thing."

Adrien grinned. "Thanks. I don't understand why she finds it necessary to lie. I've suggested to her that she just be herself but she continues to act the same way."

"It'll come back to bite her eventually."

"Yeah, it's a shame she can't see that."

Marinette swallowed. It was the opening she'd been looking for. "Speaking of things not being seen…"

Adrien lifted a single blonde eyebrow as he waited for her to continue.

Her mouth became dry at his undivided attention. "I, um. Feelings, I wanted to talk about feelings."

"Is something on your mind?" he asked as he shifted his weight on his feet.

There was a flash of lightning and a crack of thunder. The pair instinctively moved closer under the shelter of the umbrella as the rain became heavier. "Well, I wanted to say that I l-" The sudden downpour drowned out her words. Instead, Adrien wrapped an arm around her back and guided her to a shop awning to keep them dry.

The rain pounding the pavement was so loud that knew she'd have to shout at him so he could hear. Knowing her luck, it'd ease off and she'd be yelling to the world. With a resigned sigh, Marinette decided to just enjoy being close to Adrien. She couldn't give up. Next time would be perfect.

Do you think Marinette will catch a break next chapter? Surely something has to go right soon!