Sorry for the delay. I haven't abandoned the story! Hope you like the chapter!
Marinette
"Look Alya, I know you're mad but you've got to see my point of view too," I tried to explain, as we walked down the stairs and along the corridor.
"Your point of view? Excuse me, but I've been pushed aside for too long, Marinette! Maybe you should look at my point of view instead," Alya declared, placing her hands on her hips.
"Okay," I sighed in defeat, "what do you want to know?"
"Everything! From top to bottom."
"Fine," I said wearily.
I explained to her about the day I met Bloom, and how I bumped into Adrien at the park. Of course, I skipped a few details, like how Bloom was a fairy and the fact that I, Alya's best friend, was Ladybug.
Slowly, Alya's annoyed expression turned to that of curious, as I continued my story.
"…And that's all, really." I finished with a smile.
"That's all? THAT'S ALL?!" she screeched.
"Yeesh, Alya," I exclaimed.
"Girl, that is some major gossip! So you and Adrien have been practically dating all this time and I had no idea? Wow, my observation skills need some polishing," Alya said to herself.
"They sure do, Alya. Adrien and I aren't dating."
"Oh sure," Alya said, rolling her eyes. "Like meeting at the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero wasn't a date!"
I blushed. "Well, it was nice to just hang out," I said with a quiet smile. I turned to her, nervous. "You're not mad for me not telling you this before?"
"Well," Alya said, pretending to think, "I was a bit. But you're my best friend, Marinette," she said earnestly, "and I could never stay mad at you forever."
"Aww, thanks Alya!" I said, giving her a hug.
"But promise me you'll update me on the 'Adrienette' situation from now on, ok?"
I wrinkled my nose. "Excuse me?"
Alya laughed mischeviously. "It's just my ship name for you both."
I rolled my eyes at her. "You're insane, you know that right?" I said to her, as we walked outside but I couldn't help but smile. Adrienette. I liked the sound of that.
"Marinette!"
That voice was so familiar to me know, I could hardly forget it.
"Adrien!" I said, as a grin broke out on my face. "What's up?"
He panted, holding his chest a little before smirking at me. "I wanted to see you, of course," he said flirtatiously, doing a very Chat-like bow, "but alas, my fair maiden is required by a certain lady."
Instead of blushing and giggling, I felt strong, confident and sassy Ladybug come out a little.
"My my, did no one tell you that this fair maiden," I said, lifting my hand airily, "is not yours?"
A look of surprise crossed his face. He clearly didn't expect me to respond this way. But he just shrugged and smirked again.
"As much as I would like to continue this frolicsome exchange further," he said in a very posh voice, "we are needed." He leant over to me, and whispered into my ear. "Bloom wants to talk to us. She's at your place."
How strange. I nodded, wondering why she needed to talk to us. He smiled back.
"Well Alya, I guess I'll-" I stopped as I looked at her stunned expression.
Oh god. She had witnessed our silly conversation and if she wasn't convinced that Adrien and I were dating before, she was now.
"I'll catch up to you later?" I asked nervously.
Her eyes were shining. "No need," she said, and she sounded as if she was trying to hold back an elated squeal. "I've got all the info I need."
This time she smirked. Winking, she walked off.
"What was that about?" Adrien asked.
"Never mind, fair swain," I said grandly. "Shall we depart?"
He chuckled. "It would be my pleasure, fair maiden," he said, offering me an arm to take. I took it.
We looked at each other. And we couldn't help but laugh at our madness.
"Who knew you were so old-timey, Adrien?" I giggled, as we walked over to the bakery.
He laughed back. "It's quirky, and I like that," he said with a shrug.
"Well I'm quirky," I commented as we came to the front door. I winked at him. "Does that mean you like me?"
"Um…I…uh," Adrien stammered, blushing beetroot red.
"I, I was just joking Adrien!" I said, sweat forming at my brow. Dang, I hadn't meant to sound so flirty! "I know we're just friends, and all…" I trailed off quietly. I looked down.
"Just friends?" he asked. I didn't look at him, but could I detect a little annoyance in his voice? But when he spoke, he was calm.
"Marinette, look at me."
I obstinately shook my head.
His hand reached out and cupped under my chin, gently turning my face to face his. Startled, I couldn't speak. His eyes searched mine, as if to see if I was hurt or not.
"Marinette, I do like you," Adrien said gently. "And I think we're a little more than just friends-"
"There you guys are!"
The door opened abruptly and Adrien and I jumped, both flushing red.
Sky motioned for us to come inside. "You'd better hurry, Bloom needs your help," he said gravely.
I looked at Adrien in shock. "We'd better go in."
"Marinette! There you are!"
I smiled at Bloom and walked over to the counter. "Hey, what are you doing at the cash machine?" I asked.
"Your parents left me in charge of the bakery," Bloom explained, "but I have no idea what to do!"
"Wait, what? Why would they do that?"
She sighed. "They had to go deliver a package. They saw me and Sky in the neighbourhood and asked if we would mind just looking after the shop for an hour."
"Of course, we couldn't say no," Sky said smoothly, walking over to us, "but," he said rather sheepishly, "we're a bit confuddled."
"I know a bit of baking," Bloom offered, "but your bakery is exquisite, Marinette! I have no idea to make half of these things!" She said in desperation, slumping to the floor.
I couldn't help but giggle. "Oh all right, I'll help," I said finally, bringing Bloom back to standing.
"You will? Oh thank you!" The redhead gave me a hug.
"Yep! And the blondies are going to help." I looked at the both of the boys. "You two, no time for messing about," I said sternly, as Adrien and Sky had begun a game of rock, paper and scissors. They looked at me dejectedly.
"Don't give me those puppy eyes! Come on, we have work to do! Sky, you're in charge of asking customers what they want, and giving us the orders. Adrien, you're on the cashier, just log down the requests and take the payments. Bloom and I will focus on the baking."
"Yes ma'am!" they shouted, saluting at me simultaneously.
"We'd better get started, I see some customers," I noted, as the door opened.
And just like that, we were off to work. It wasn't easy being in charge, but I had to make sure everything was running properly.
"Wait Sky, Madame wants a chocolate ganache, not a gateaux," I corrected him, as I ran to the pantry for fresh supplies.
"And Adrien, the pink button gets out the cash desk," I pointed out, as I came back with hands full of packets of ingredients. I set them down on the counter and pressed the button. A small 'ding!' sounded and the cash desk came out open, with notes and coins in separate compartments. "See?"
"Of course, thanks Mari!" he thanked me, before attending his customer again.
I blushed at his nickname, but I had work to do.
"So here's the recipe book and I've got the ingredients for making the soufflé." I set down the book on the counter. I pointed at the instructions.
"Follow these, and you can't go wrong," I smiled.
Bloom nodded determinedly. "All right, let's bake!"
Elbows covered in dough and faces covered with flour, we baked goodies one after the other, with me running around the bakery here and there to make sure everything was alright.
"Merci Monsieur! Au revoir mademoiselle!" I called to the leaving customers. They smiled and waved back.
"We're back!"
"Maman, papa, welcome home!" I dashed to greet them.
"Wow, the bakery looks fantastic!" My father said with a broad smile.
"That was all your daughter, sir," Adrien said with a smile.
I protested, keeping my head low to hide the crimson colour that was rushing up to my cheeks.
"It truly was all Marinette," Bloom voiced, walking over to where I was and holding my shoulders. "She's a wonderful leader," she said earnestly.
"That's my girl!" My father said proudly, ruffling my hair. "In fact, you've all worked hard. How about you go to the park with some macaroons? It's a lovely day out!"
"That's a great idea Tom!" my mother said. She went behind the counter and brought out a fresh packet and handed it to me. "Go get some fresh air dears," she added.
"Ok! We'll be back soon!" With that, I started walking.
"Hold on a minute, Marinette." I stopped at my mother's words. "Where do you think you're going?"
I turned around, a confused expression lacing my face. "Huh? Didn't you say we could all go to the park just now?"
"We meant Bloom and Sky," Tom said.
"The macaroons were for them honey," mother whispered to me. She raised her voice louder, making her expression sterner. "You and Adrien need to get back to school."
Adrien and I turned around to look at each other.
"School?" we said simultaneously, annoyed. Then we realised the implication of the word.
"AAH, SCHOOL!"
"We're gonna be late, bye mom, bye dad, see you guys later!" I said, the latter gestured towards the fairy and the hero, as Adrien and I started running.
"Think you can outrun me?" Adrien asked, panting slightly but with a smug smile on his face.
I smirked back. "I know I can, Agreste," I shot back.
Regardless, we weren't late to class. (And for those who were wondering, I won. Adrien claims he let me but we all know that's not true.)
Sure, our classmates looked at us strangely, wondering why we were breathing so heavily yet smiling so widely at the same time, but then again, who had to know?