Sorry this chapter isn't my favorite, hope it's still good. Maybe more tomorrow, but if not, there will be more on Monday!
-Chapter 14-
-Adrien-
Walking into school, Adrien had rarely felt better. Now with Lila off his shoulder and a class presentation with Marinette impending, he felt at peace. His mind was still working on full acceptance that his longtime crush was actually Marinette, but he knew it would all come together because there was no one else Ladybug could be. As the bell rang, Adrien walked into the classroom, and watching as Marinette made her way in. She was somewhat fidgety and when she greeted Adrien, her sentence was fragmented, "Hi Adrien, I was still thinking about you- you and I! And the. . the presentation!" She blurted and Adrien shook it off. Once he revealed his identity to her, everything would be perfect between them, he assured himself.
Alya and Nino went first, presenting on an American novel called Anne of Green Gables. After them was Rose and Juleka talking about all the themes in Romeo and Juliet, because Rose. Following them was Chloe representing her and Sabrina on 1984. Chloe ended her presentation complaining about how she'd gotten nightmares from the book, but Adrien was just glad she'd read it. Miss Bustier called him and Marinette up next and he gathered up his notecards and Marinette's display panel for them to display her drawings she'd created for their analysis. While Adrien set up the first drawing, a simple calligraphy of the title of the book, Marinette gave the introduction. "For our novel, we analyzed Pride and Prejudice and made several discoveries about the depths of the book and. ." her head turned the slightest way towards Adrien as she finished, "ourselves. Your turn, Adrien."
-Marinette
She watched and listened as Adrien talked about the character development, turning the page of drawings to show an iceberg. "In the story, Mr Darcy is like an iceberg," he explained. "We only see him as snobby and mean, until Elizabeth discovers all the good in him." Then he turned and gestured to the drawing. "Mr Darcy is an iceberg. We only see one fifth of an iceberg, the rest of the iceberg is submerged under water, completely hidden. Just like in the story, Mr Darcy acts like he's above everybody, and Elizabeth resents him for it." Adrien gestured back to Marinette.
"But when Elizabeth sees what he's done for her, showing his true colors, Elizabeth has a change of heart, a shift in perspective." Marinette said, and she could swear she felt Adrien's eyes almost piercing her. "Just as we all are sometimes, Elizabeth is blind, and can't see everything through her pride. Elizabeth's pride is representative of a paradigm shift as she learns to truly see Darcy. She was missing something right in front of her." Marinette moved the picture to the next image that she'd drawn of her interpretation of Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth had medium length dark hair and blue eyes, and Darcy had light hair and green eyes, as he extended his hand to Elizabeth. It wasn't rooted in any specifics from the book, just Marinette's perception. She and Adrien had planned to end their presentation after Adrien wrapped it up with a short theme speech, so Marinette stepped to the side to let Adrien conclude.
"The deep rooted theme of Pride and Prejudice is to not be blinded by our pride and prejudge others. In Elizabeth's case, it nearly cost her the one she loved." Adrien glanced at his notecards, where he was supposed to simply conclude, but he kept talking. "I learned a lot about myself studying this book. I found I'm a lot like Elizabeth, that I can't always see what's right in front of my face. That I couldn't always tell who I loved." She definitely saw Adrien glance a smile at her. Marinette felt her heart nearly flatten as she heard him speak, and she knew she had to tell him. Not now. But tonight. She brought herself back to the present where Adrien was actually wrapping up their presentation now. ". . and that's our analysis on Pride and Prejudice." The class clapped, and Miss Bustier congratulated them on a job well done. As they settled back in their seats, Marinette could tell Miss Bustier was proud of them, but Marinette wasn't so sure she was going to be very proud of herself.
-Adrien-
The rest of school was near torture. The day seemed to drag by, each class taking extra long. But as soon as the final bell rang, Adrien quickly stood up and turned to Marinette. "Can I pick you up at 6?" He asked, feeling a tingle spread through him in excitement. "Sure," Marinette answered. She still looked extra fidgety and Adrien wondered if she was okay. He gave her a concerned look, but she seemed to shake something off and move forward. She and Adrien left the classroom together, but as they started off down the hallway, Adrien heard Alya clear her throat. He and Marinette both whirled around to face Alya and Nino who were standing smugly against the wall. "So. . lovebirds. Have you finally come to?" Alya asked, her reporter voice sneaking it's way in. Adrien saw Marinette's face turn bright red. Clearly she didn't have her Ladybug persona on at the moment.
"You could say I have," Adrien said, channeling just a little bit of Chat into his voice. Nino raised an eyebrow. Alya and Nino exchanged looks, before turning back to Adrien and Marinette. "I certainly admired your presentation today in English." Alya said almost blankly. Adrien felt a little bit of annoyance well up in him as he answered Alya's sass, "If you must know, we are going on a date tonight, so I think you'll be pleased that your matchmaking is starting to pan out." Alya cracked a smile and she and Nino looked satisfied but Marinette was redder than ever. But as he and Marinette moved to walk down into the courtyard, Adrien noticed Chloe yelling into her cellphone (probably at her father) as well as Lila watching him walk. He guessed that Alya and Nino weren't the only ones that had heard Adrien's announcement.
-Marinette-
All too soon, Adrien was knocking on her door. She ran down the stairs with Tiki in her clutch. She'd changed from her usual outfit into a different pink shirt and black jeans with pink shoes. She'd decided to take her hair out of her pigtails and left it down, but she was still stressed about what to say to Adrien. She opened the door and stepped out with him, watching his eyes as he took in her new appearance. "You look great, Marinette." She muttered a thanks as he opened the car door for her and she slipped inside. As Gorilla began the drive, Adrien seemed to realize something. "Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you. I told my father I was going on a date with you. He wants to say hello before we go off on our own." Marinette nodded, "That's fine." as they kept driving, but it only set her nerves on a higher intensity.
They pulled up to the curb of the Agreste Mansion, and Marinette had not been prepared to see Gabriel Agreste standing outside his home with Natalie beside him, anticipating their arrival. Adrien emerged first, then held out his hand to Marinette as she stepped out. Mr. Agreste smiled lightly, "Good to see you again, Ms. Dupain-Cheng. I find my son's choice exceptional." Marinette wasn't sure quite what to say. "Thank you, Mr. Agreste. Adrien is dear to me." She managed to say, still not perfectly literate around her fashion idol. Adrien was smiling as he watched the exchange and Mr. Agreste held out a small white box to Marinette. In answer to her somewhat surprise, he explained, "This was something Adrien's mother owned. I would like you to have it." Marinette took the box in her hands and slowly pulled off the lid, finding a pearl bracelet within it. Adrien saw it too, and his eyes looked a little sad. It seemed clear that Adrien could remember her wearing it. "Thank you so much, Mr. Agreste. This is truly a treasure."
-Adrien-
Soon enough they were off again in the car, and Adrien watched Marinette stare at the pearl bracelet that his father had insisted she put on right away. As the sky began to darken, the Gorilla stopped the car, and Adrien slipped out, offering his hand to Marinette again. He was taking her to the place. The place where she'd been once before. The place she'd suggested he take Ladybug. And here he was, fulfilling the request. The evening sun was setting over the river, the water flowing in peaceful waves, and just as he'd planned, the bench had a red rose waiting on it. He turned and saw her look of surprise as she whispered, "Adrien, this is beautiful." It was the perfect place to take his Queen.
****Thanks for all of the reviews! My account's been having trouble allowing me to moderate and answer all of them, but thank you for all the feedback and compliments. I've always wanted to be a writer, but I've never shared any of my work. Thank you all so much!