Adrien Agreste was good at many things. Fortunately for him, multitasking was one of those talents.
The blonde model was seated at his desk, beside his best friend Nino. In front of him, Ms Bustier lectured the class on poetry techniques. His classmates were taking notes, furiously scribbling away, the noise of pens on paper almost drowning out the city noises from outside.
Adrien, however, wasn't taking notes, though everyone was under the impression that he was. This was because Adrien too was scribbling in his notebook, and making frustrated expressions every now and then. Despite this, Adrien was actually forming a plan, and writing the phases of his plot down, not the definition of anaphora.
Admittedly, this was a risky move. A quick skim of his page would be enough for anyone to realise that he wasn't taking notes. But Adrien was confident that he could get away with it, despite that he was a terrible liar. He possessed the uncanny talent of being able to listen while doing something else- at least enough to vaguely recall what had been said.
Ms Bustier stopped talking, leaving the class time to finish off their notes. Adrien checked his watch and began to pack away his belongs, seeing that the bell was about to ring.
"Remember to finish chapter twelve by tomorrow, class," called the teacher over the trilling of the bell. "Have a good evening!"
Adrien waited as Nino haphazardly stuffed his things into his bag. His classmates streamed past him, eager to get off campus. A boy in a red hoodie and a shorter one with glasses stopped in front of Adrien and Nino's desk. The tall one rested his elbows on the flat wooden surface, and Adrien caught the heavy scent of sports deodorant.
"Hey, Kim," said Adrien, tone light and friendly. He was on good terms with the arrogant class jock. Nino, on the other hand, was less polite.
"Yo, K-dog, you know that deodorant isn't something you bathe in, right?" slurred Nino.
Adrien, sensing that the situation was about to become as heated as his ensuite spa bath, quickly mouthed the words code blue at Kim and Max. It was the code for when Nino had had a long night as a DJ and was suffering from lack of sleep. The class had quickly found that tact was the right way to go around the tired DJ, instead of screaming," YO! NINO'S GOT RAGE!", which one junior student had found out the hard way.
Kim and Max nodded discreetly, and continued like nothing had happened. "So, Adrien," began Kim. "You got a date to the dance yet?"
There was a slight squeak from behind Adrien. He turned to see Marinette packing her bag, face slightly red.
"Sorry," she muttered. "Coughed." Her cheeks were steadily reddening.
Adrien gave her a smile. "No problem." He turned back to the others. "No, Kim, I haven't yet."
The athlete winked at him. "Got your eye on any particular lady?"
Yes, and her name's Ladybug, Adrien wanted to say. But if it got out that he was in love with Ladybug, the press would be all over it. He could just imagine the headlines. Instead, he went with, " Not really. You?"
To his immense surprise, Kim went red as his hoodie. This kind of facial colour was what Adrien would expect from Marinette, so it was an unusual sight, for sure.
"Uhh….," stuttered the tall boy nervously. "Well.. I kinda wondered if you could help me with that. Could you maybe put in a good word for me with Chloe?"
"Chloe?" Adrien did his best to keep a poker face. "Um, sure, Kim."
"Thanks, bro." Kim fist-bumped the model, unable to keep the huge grin off his face. He and Max left.
There was a snicker behind Adrien and Nino, who had been following the conversation with a slightly dazed look on his face. They both turned.
Alya and Marinette both stood there, giggling. They'd obviously been listening in to Adrien and Kim's exchange. Adrien didn't really mind. It wasn't like they'd been trying to be private.
Alya shook her head. "Poor guy," she said, tilting her head to the door. "He doesn't know when to quit, does he?"
"Give him a break," replied Marinette. "If he's really in love, then we should applaud him. Besides, you didn't quit and you got your guy." She sounded kind of wistful. Adrien wondered if she had a crush on Kim.
"True," conceded Alya. She smiled slyly at Adrien. "So, Agreste, were you telling Kim the truth? Or is there a special someone for the model? Don't worry, we won't spill." She winked conspiratorially at him.
Adrien felt his cheeks go pink. He laughed nervously. "I told Kim the truth, Alya. I don't have a date to the dance."
Alya looked at him. "Well, you can't take me. This poor, tired DJ is my date. You and Marinette could go together, though."
"Alya!" The bluenette hit her best friend, blushing furiously.
The blogger shrugged. "What? You guys would make a cute couple. And think of all the double dates we could do!"
Adrien started to feel uncomfortable. Sure, Marinette was kind and sweet, and sometimes feisty, but she wasn't Ladybug. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, though. Suddenly, he remembered that morning's meeting as he followed his friends outside.
"Actually, I might not come to the dance," he said, trying to sound convincing.
Alya choked. "Are you serious?"
Adrien bit his lip. He was expected at the dance as both Adrien and Chat Noir. If Adrien cancelled, it would leave him free to go to the dance as Chat with Ladybug. But if Adrien cancelled, people would talk, and maybe even get suspicious. He couldn't allow that to happen.
"I'm not sure yet," he answered carefully. "I might have a modelling commitment, but it isn't official yet."
Nino looked aghast through his weariness. "Your old man would make you miss out on the biggest dance of the year to go to some photoshoot? I knew he was strict, but that's harsh, man."
Adrien shrugged, and waved to his friends. "My ride's here. Bye Nino, Alya, Marinette."
He got into the sleek silver car that taxied him to all his commitments, breathing in the new-car smell that the vehicle never seemed to lose. Maybe his father bought a new car every couple of days. God knew that he could afford it.
As the Gorilla guided the car onto the road, Adrien glanced back to his friends through the tinted windows. Alya had her arm around Marinette, who was bowing her head, knees shaking slightly. Nino seemed to be comforting her.
What was wrong with Marinette?
Pulling out his phone, Adrien dashed a text off to Nino.
Adrien: What's the matter with Marinette?
To the blonde's surprise, his best friend quickly replied.
Nino: What?
Adrien: When we were driving off, I saw you and Alya comforting her. She looked like she was gonna fall over.
Nino: M is fine. She tripped a little. You know M.
Adrien: OK. Thanks Nino.
Adrien slipped his phone back into his pocket. In the front seat, his father's assistant, Nathalie, turned her head to look at him.
"Who were you texting, Adrien?" she asked, her voice calm.
"Nino," replied Adrien.
"Didn't you just speak to him at school?" There was no emotion in her voice, everything carefully controlled, giving nothing away.
Jeez, Adrien could really use her advice when it came to hiding his emotions.
"Yes, Nathalie. But as we were pulling away, I saw him and another girl comforting my friend Marinette. I thought she might be hurt, so I texted Nino to check that she was okay."
"How courteous of you," Nathalie said. "I will mention it to your father. Perhaps he would agree to let you attend this dance of yours."
Adrien stared at her. "You mean he doesn't want me to go?"
"I mean that he was unsure if it was sensible," countered Nathalie. "He had every intention of allowing you to attend. People would gossip if you didn't. Your father was debating whether to permit you to go with a female partner."
"Oh." Adrien went slightly pink. "I, uh, don't know if I'll take someone."
"Of course you will," said Nathalie coolly. "Your father has already decided on your partner. It will ensure that no one gossips."
"He picked a date for me?" Adrien asked incredulously. "Who is it?"
He was angry, sure. His father had no right to select who he took to the dance. That was Adrien's choice, and Adrien's alone. Besides, he was pretty sure that he wouldn't like his father's decision. But he was also very curious. As far as he knew, Gabriel had no idea of whom Adrien was friends with at school.
"It's your friend," replied Nathalie. "The mayor's daughter, Chloe Bourgeois."
(Cue ominous music).
Hi readers! Sorry for the late update, but I've been away on a technology-free school trip for a couple of days. I just wanted to let you know that for the next few weeks, I will be kept busy with athletic carnivals, swim meets, basketball finals, volleyball games, and possibly netball training/ games. I know that seems like a lot, but trust me, it'll ease up in a month or so. Until then, please be patient with me. Keep an eye out for my updates (there will be one soon). Thanks for reading, and stay miraculous!