If last night had been a dream, this morning was a nightmare.
Okay, yes, that was an exaggeration on both counts. Last night hadn't been a dream, though it was certainly surreal. And this morning wasn't quite a nightmare, but it wasn't fun either.
Marinette lifted her head from her pillow, groaning. She slammed her hand down on her phone screen. The horrible ringtone that had woken the girl in the first place came to an abrupt halt, and the face of Alya Cesaire filled the screen. The redhead opened her mouth, no doubt about to rattle off something long and important, but Marinette got there first.
"Alya, what gives? It's early and I was sleeping," grumbled Marinette.
The blogger snorted sarcastically. "You would have been late anyway, take it as a favour. Boy, have I got a bone to pick with you, girl!"
"Was it really so important that it couldn't have waited two more hours?" asked Marinette yawning and checking the time.
Alya glared. "Yes, it is so important, and yes, it's gonna wait two hours. I was simply calling to warn you, as we all know that you function about as well as a microwave with a fork in it in the mornings. So get up, eat up, and prepare yourself for a serious tongue-lashing. And girl, I noticed that you haven't been eating much lately. Cut it out, okay? If you're trying to get that perfect Ladybug body, then stop. I've seen you in a bathing suit, and if I was Adrien, I'd be falling for you hard."
Alya didn't seem to notice her friend's face darken when Adrien was mentioned.
"See you in a bit, M. Don't you dare fall back asleep." The redhead hung up, leaving Marinette confused and angry. Confused because she had no idea what she'd done to deserve a scolding from Alya. Had- had she found out about Marinette's secret? No, she couldn't have. After all, she'd mentioned Marinette trying to get 'that perfect Ladybug body'. Marinette snorted to herself. If only Alya knew…..
Marinette slumped back into her pillows, wishing she hadn't been woken up. Her bed was so warm and cozy, and the pillows were so soft. School was hours away…
Her eyelids began to droop. Tikki flew up. "Uh-uh, Marinette! You heard what Alya said! No going back to sleep. You should get up and get ready for school."
"Tikki, it's cold, early and I'm going through an emotional crisis," came Marinette's voice, muffled through her thick duvet.
Tikki sighed, flew down, and tore the covers of her chosen, earning a furious cry.
"Tikki!" protested the girl, snatching her blankets back. Tikki held firm.
"No, Marinette. I get that you're going through a tough time, but wallowing in bed isn't going to solve anything. You'll only feel worse, and that'll mean Adrien has won. You don't want that, do you?"
"Are all kwamis so manipulative?" grumbled Marinette. "I wasn't wallowing, Tikki. I just wanted to sleep! It's cold!"
Tikki wordlessly pointed at Marinette's fluffy pink dressing gown, which the kwami used as a bed on chilly winter nights. Marinette groaned, but pulled it on.
"I'm not getting out of bed yet," she said sternly, tugging the hood over her silky blue locks.
When her kwami tried to object, Marinette continued. "Instead, I'm going to lie here, and read my novel for English, so I can get a head start. Okay?"
Tikki considered the idea, head tilted to one side as she thought. "I guess that would be fine," she admitted. "But no more than twenty minutes, okay?"
"Yes, mother," said Marinette with a cheeky grin, picking up her novel and beginning to thumb through it.
Adrien spat a mouthful of toothpaste into the sink, then gargled mouthwash, all the while glaring at his kwami, who was hovering beside him, munching camembert. Adrien was very tempted to pour mouthwash over the cheese, just to see if it made it smell any better. At this point, where he was going through an air freshener each day, Adrien was willing to try anything. He'd already earned some raised eyebrows from wardrobe and makeup when he'd shown up to shoots wearing camembert-scented clothing. He'd also heard a few comments about the rich having odd tastes.
On second thoughts, maybe the mouthwash wasn't such a good idea. He didn't want Plagg any angrier than he already was.
Last night, Adrien and Plagg had had their biggest argument ever. Adrien had jumped through his window and detransformed, flopping down onto his bed. He'd been almost over the moon. The evening had been like a dream. His plan was going well so far, and Adrien was overjoyed.
Plagg didn't agree with his chosen.
The minute Chat Noir had become Adrien again, Plagg had rounded on him. "I hope you know what you're doing," he'd snarled.
Adrien had replied that of course he did and that there was nothing to worry about. Plagg had still been angry. He'd started yelling at Adrien, ranting on and on about how much pain he was causing Ladybug, how selfish he was, and how he wished Adrien wasn't so blinded by love that he couldn't see the outcome of his 'airheaded plan'.
Adrien had snapped back at Plagg, and they'd argued back and forth until Plagg had dropped the bomb.
"Do you realize, that in order to keep Ladybug safe from akumas, that it can drain a kwami's power?" Plagg had roared. "Ladybug is heartbroken, and therefore vulnerable. Tikki will be doing everything in her power to keep her safe, but it's tiring. Ladybug's powers may start to weaken, and it could have a terrible effect!"
Adrien had, quite frankly, been shocked. He'd thought that the whole 'keeping Ladybug away from akumas' thing had been as simple as regular meditation and advice. But apparently, it was taxing on Ladybug's kwami, her source of power.
If Adrien wasn't happy about it, then Plagg was devastated. It was clear to Adrien that he had feelings for Ladybug's kwami, but they seemed to be complicated.
The model ran a hand through his hair. He had some things to think over, and fortunately for him, he had a mind-numbing Chemistry lesson today, which would be put to good use.
Lucky him.
Marinette strode purposefully up to the girl in a familiar flannel shirt. She'd had a pretty good morning, considering her emotional status. She had made a good start on her novel, had a hot shower, and delicious breakfast. Her hair was on its best behaviour, and she'd finally gotten the opportunity to wear the poncho she'd knitted last summer. She felt fresh and clean, and was determined not to let Alya's tongue-lashing spoil it.
She reached her friend, and cleared her throat.
"Hi, Alya."
The girl spun around, sneakers squeaking against the pavement. She raised her eyebrows at Marinette. "Hi, M. Cool poncho, I like it." She continued to stare at the bluenette, evidently waiting for something.
Marinette realized what it was, and sighed. Running a hand through her silky locks, she spoke. "What did you want to tell me off for, Alya?"
The blogger gave a satisfied smirk, which quickly darkened into a thunderous scowl. Marinette tried to mentally prepare herself before the hurricane hit.
Alya glanced around, checking that no one was in earshot, then grabbed the front of Marinette's poncho and pulled until they were almost nose-to-nose. "Why," she whisper-shouted, "for the love of all that is good, did you TURN DOWN ADRIEN AGRESTE?" She yelled the last part, breathing heavily.
Marinette gulped. "How did you hear th-that?" she stammered nervously. When she found out, she was going to make them sorry.
Alya glared, and whipped out her phone, Ladybug charm bouncing as the redhead tapped in some commands, then shoved the device into Marinette face. The secret superheroine blinked as she read the display, which was an exchange of texts between Nino and Alya.
NINO: Yo, Als, is Marinette busy this Friday evening?
ALYA: Dunno, why?
NINO: Because I just asked Adrien if he wanted to hang on Friday since you're busy, but he said no because apparently he asked Marinette if she wanted to get ice-cream and she hasn't given him and answer, so he doesn't want to get double-booked.
ALYA: I swear that's the longest text you've ever sent me.
ALYA: WAIT
ALYA: ADRIEN ASKED M OUT?!
NINO: Yep.
ALYA: Holy crap that girl is dead. WTH is wrong with her?
Marinette pushed the screen away and smiled nervously up at her friend. "Yeah, well, about that," she began, twisting her fingers nervously, "My, uh, parents have been really busy and they have to cater for a wedding on Saturday so I'll be helping them out," she finished. Truthfully, her parents were doing no such thing, and most likely she'd be sitting on her room or on patrol on Friday.
Alya looked at her friend skeptically. "So you'd rather help in the bakery than go out with Adrien, aka THE GUY YOU'VE BEEN CRUSHING ON FOR THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS?"
"I don't really have a choice, Aly-" cut in Marinette, but the blogger was having none of it.
"Where is your brain, girl?" she cried. "Your parents totally ship you and Adrien! They'd understand! I swear, you've been totally out of it the past few days!"
Marinette shrugged. "I've had to play catch-up on heaps of work, so I've been pretty tired. Plus, I've got a project…"
Alya just rolled her eyes and checked her watch. She flicked a glance towards Marinette. "Don't you dare move," she ordered. Without another word, the flannel- wearing blogger marched off, striding purposefully towards the crossing between the school and Marinette's house.
Marinette immediately realized what her friend was up to, and sprinted after her, cursing. "Alya!" she cried, catching her friend just before she crossed the road. "Don't you dare!"
Alya brushed Marinette's hand off her shoulder. "I told you not to move," she said sternly. "This is for your own good." The redhead suddenly dashed across the street, quickly rounding the corner and disappearing into the bakery.
Marinette swore, but didn't bother following. By the time she got to her friend, Alya would have finished her conversation with Marinette's parents. Sure, she meant well, but that didn't mean there wouldn't be consequences- consequences that would fall right on top of Marinette.
Well, she couldn't do anything about Alya, at least not now. Marinette spun on her heel and began to march back to school.
Nino Lahiffe was going to be sorry.
Five minutes later, Marinette walked into the classroom and took her seat, a smirk worthy of Chat on her face. She'd marched into the classroom, grabbed Nino by the shirt and dragged him out the door, much to the DJ's annoyance. He'd protested for a few seconds, but had shut right up when Marinette had gotten stuck into him. She had ranted for a solid minute about what had just happened, and that next time something like this occurred, there was absolutely no need to tell his girlfriend. Nino had apologised quickly, and the furious girl had softened, and told him that she understood that his intentions had been good. Nino had practically ran back into the room, and Marinette stayed outside, firing off texts to Alya, demanding that she tell Marinette exactly what had gone down in the bakery.
Now, as Marinette took her seat, the redhead came flying through the door, arms full of books and face as red as a tomato. She flopped down next to Marinette, breathing heavily as the final bell went off.
Ms. Bustier raised an amused eyebrow at the out-of-breath Alya. "Cutting it close, Miss Cesaire," she remarked dryly, earning a chuckle from a few students- Marinette included.
Alya flipped her hair and grinned at the teacher. "I like to keep you on your toes, miss," she joked.
Ms. Bustier smiled back, then began taking the role.
Marinette elbowed Alya. "Did you talk to my parents?" she muttered. "What did they say?"
Alya flashed her a smug smile. "Yes, I did, and guess what?"
"What?" Marinette whispered, her throat dry.
"You and Adrien are getting ice-cream this Friday: no exceptions, no excuses."
Crap.
Hi readers! Thank you so much for your patience with me! I took a while with this chapter because of my basketball commitments. I am absolutely terrified for my final, so writing makes a good escape! And it's even better when you guys read my writing! Thanks to the readers who left reviews/ favourites/ follows! Sorry that I don't reply to reviews very much, but just know that your comments are greatly appreciated! Love you guys!
~xoxo Miss Eucalyptus Writes.