Chapter 5

Marinette

"Good morning sweetie," my mother greeted me, "time to wake up."

I turned over on to my side to look at the clock.

"8:45! School's already started!" Yelling, I threw over the covers and started to take out some clothes when I realised something.

"Wait, today's a Saturday. That means no school. Mom!" I groaned, annoyed.

She laughed. "I was wondering if you could help out at the bakery today," she said, "just for a few hours. Then, you can have the day for yourself."

Pleased by her proposition, I went to get dresses. Tikki came out of her little sleeping place, in the little bag I made for her.

"Marinette, I feel like today is going to be a very interesting day," she told me, quite knowingly. I looked at her questioningly, while doing my hair.

"What could be more interesting than yesterday?" I asked, "After meeting with the Guardian of the Miraculouses? Well," I said as I thought back to yesterday, "now that I think about it, he didn't say much. He just thanked me for the book and told me to await his further notice. Oh, as well as revealing that he knew my identity!" I exclaimed, tying my hair tightly.

She laughed and the sound was like a peal of bells. "Yes, well I feel a strange intuition, if that's what you call it."

Not fully understanding her cryptic message, I ran downstairs. I grabbed a croissant and started eating, waving at my dad who was baking another batch of rolls. He smiled at me, before continuing rolling the dough.

"Marinette," my mother called, "Can you come here please? I have someone I think you might like to meet."

Unsure of what she meant, I finished my croissant and walked to the front of the shop. Beside my mother stood a girl, with long, red hair tied up in a long plait and bright, blue eyes. She wore a pink outfit that looked like she was going to a school. Her smile was warm and bright and something about her made me feel as if she was strong; powerful yet kind.

"This is Bloom," said my mother, introducing the beautiful girl beside her, "she just told me that she came to Paris recently, and has never been shown around here properly before. Of course, she's heard all about Ladybug and Chat Noir, as well seeing the main attractions, but has never really seen Paris as seen by a Parisian."

The red-head walked up to me and held out a hand. "Hi," she said, her voice gentle yet commanding, "I'm Bloom. It's really nice to meet you. I've tried some of your pastries here and they're delicious!"

"Thank you!" I smiled back. She seemed like a genuinely nice person. After the Volpina incident, I could tell what people's personalities were like. Bloom's was shining.

"You know, I could give you a tour of Paris, if you'd like," I offered, "I mean, just the important bits, you probably don't want to be hanging around with a teenager all day…" I rambled.

She laughed; it was such a pleasing sound. "You seem like a really nice girl, I would love it if you could show me around!"

My mother nodded in approval. "Marinette, you can take as long as you like showing this charming girl around Paris. I think your father and I will be alright with the bakery for now."

"Okay Maman," I grinned, as I kissed her on the cheek. I waved to both my parents and led the way out. I touched my pocket to make sure Tikki was with me.

Maybe Tikki was right, I thought, this could turn out to be an interesting day.

Adrien

Working on my physics homework, I looked at the time. 9:00. As if any teenager would be doing homework, on a Saturday in the morning. Ugh. I almost wanted an akuma to happen so I could go out as Chat Noir, where I could feel free. At least I wouldn't be stuck in the house all day.

"Adrien?" Nathalie called, behind the door. I told her to come in. She walked in, with a clipboard in her hand. What new torturous routine had she planned for today?

"Adrien," she repeated, "your father would like to speak with you. We have a visitor from another country and he would like you to meet him."

My father wanted to see me? Well, this was definitely something. And a visitor? I wondered who it was.

"Please tell my father I will come down in a minute, Nathalie," I requested as she nodded, and left my room. I opened my jacket and let Plagg fly out.

"What do you think is going on, Plagg?" I asked my kwami. Instead of shrugging like usual, he narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not exactly sure Adrien, but one thing's for certain; things are about to get interesting."

At his cryptic tone, I got worried. "Oh no, Father hasn't found out about the missing book, has he?"

"Relax, I really don't think it's that," and with that, Plagg went into my jacket again. I went out of my room and down the steps to the main entrance. Standing at the head of the table stood my father, Gabriel Agreste and another young man, with short, cropped blond hair. He wore a blue and yellow hoodie but something about him made me feel as if he had power hidden inside of him.

"Adrien," said my father in a strict tone, "this is Sky, one of my clients. He has recently arrived at Paris and his father and he are interested in some of our designs. While I prepare some of them for him, I would like you to show him around Paris. He has not been sightseeing as of yet."

The man, Sky, came forward and held out a hand. "Hello," he said, and he sounded friendly, "I'm Sky. I've seen a lot of your press clippings and the designs are fantastic! In fact," he turned to face my father again, with a smile, "I was just telling Mr. Agreste that my father would be very interested in buying many of your products, back where I live."

"Wow, that's very kind of you," I started, as I looked back at my father. His expression held no emotion but I knew he was telling me not to mess things up, as this could be a big business opportunity for him. I cleared my throat.

"I would be more than happy to show you around Paris, Mr Sky-" I began but he silenced me with one hand.

"Please, just call me Sky. All my friends do," he said with a grin.

I grinned back. "Let's go," I declared, as I led the way out. I felt the stares of both my father and Nathalie bore into my head but for once, I took no notice. Finally, once Adrien Agreste was able to be free without having to put on the mask of being Chat Noir.

Marinette

"So how do you like Paris, Bloom?"

She turned her bright, blue eyes towards me and they were sparkling. "I love it! All the amazing monuments, the beautiful shops and even the people are wonderful here! I can see why they call it the city of love."

I laughed. "I'm glad you like it! Shall we get some ice-cream?"

We paid for our treats and sat in my favourite park, just across my home. The sun was bright and kids were playing nearby. I smiled in contentment.

"So Marinette," Bloom began, "tell me about your life here."

I thought about it. "Well, I go to the Francois-Dupont College, which is just nearby, my best friend is Alya Cesaire, her mother works at the Grand Paris Restaurant by the way, my parents are bakers but you proably know that already-"

Bloom laughed. "No Marinette, I want to know more about you."

I blushed. "Oh, um, well I love designing. I hope to become a designer one day. I'm inspired by Gabriel Agreste's fashion line, you know, the billboards that I've shown you around Paris. And, well, I kinda have a crush on his son, Adrien, who goes to my school."

"Really?" Bloom asked, interested, "tell me why you like him so much."

"Um, well," I began to stutter, just like I always do when I talk about him. "He's gorgeous for a start, I mean his blond hair, green eyes…"

"Is that why you like him, then?" Bloom asked, "because he's beautiful?"

I blushed once more. "No no, that's not the only reason, though it's part of it," I said laughing and she joined in too. "It's because he was truthful to me. We kinda started off on the wrong foot, but he came clean and apologised. I've never seen anyone accept their mistakes so easily, and I try to follow in his footsteps. He's kind to everyone, even Chloe," I said, my nose wrinkling with disgust, "and even though he has a lonely life, he's always upbeat and there for his friends." I realised how much I'd spoken, and embarrassed, I looked down.

When I looked back up again, her eyes were shining, was it with love? How could she love me already, when we'd barely met?

"Marinette," she said softly, "you are a jem of a person. I can feel that you are so pure, so good both on the inside and the outside. I'm so glad to have met you."

She gave me a hug and I felt tear prickling at my eyes. I've never been complimented like this before, so wholeheartedly.

It was then I knew, no matter how far we were, I would never forget Bloom in my life.

Adrien

We walked past the Louvre, Champs-Elysees and the Eiffel Tower. I finally decided that we both should take a rest, so I suggested to Sky we go to a park for some refreshments. It wasn't far from my school; in fact, wasn't it just opposite Marinette's house?

Sky was an amiable guy. He opened up about himself and I got to learn a bit about him too. He fenced too, he said, and I was eager to see if I could beat him. Sure, he was shredded, but being Chat Noir has its perks too, right?

We walked over to the little park where I sometimes had my photoshoots. "Want an ice-cream, Sky? It'll be on me," I offered. He smiled.

"Thanks, Adrien. Hey, I'll make it up to you someday." It wasn't a passing comment; when he said it, it sounded firm, and resolute.

"Nah, don't worry about it, its fine." I went over to the ice-cream cart and bought two chocolate cones. Handing over Sky's ice-cream, I noticed a familiar face.

"Hey look, its Marinette!" I announced while Sky looked at me dubiously. "Sorry," I apologised, scratching my head, "she's a classmate of mine."

"Well then," Sky grinned, putting out one arm in their direction. "Let's go say hi, shall we?"

Hi guys!

Thank you so much for reading! If you would like to give a review, that would be great.

From this point in the story and onwards, there will be few references to the Winx world. This is now really focussed on Ladybug and Chat Noir, as you will see next.

Thanks again, and please keep reading! :D