Get Well Soon - A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic

Chapter 2: The Pun

Low murmurs buzzed throughout the classroom as students discussed the latest news.

"Did you hear about Adrien?"

"Rumor has it he crashed into a streetcar while shooting his up and coming ad."

"Oh really? I heard that a mountain lion imported from Africa attacked him."

"I heard he simultaneously burst into flames. They're removing half of his face to repair the skin damage!"

Marinette ducked her head as she made her way towards her desk. Ever since the accident, worry had eaten away at the girl. Was Adrien alright? How badly was he hurt? Did he fracture his ankle? His hip? His spine? Was he having both limbs amputated due to the bone-eating bacteria that had infected the wounds inflicted after his fall? The gossip spreading across the classroom wasn't easing her over-active imagination.

"Girl, just try to relax. You know that Adrien's going to be fine. The doctor said he had a mild concussion and a bruised rib. Not a ruptured spleen." Alya reasoned, resting a comforting hand on the teen's tense shoulder.

Before Marinette could respond, a shriek akin to a banshee pierced the room.

"You two!" None other than Chloe Bourgeois roared, barreling towards them with force rivaling that of a thunderstorm. She stuck an accusing, ostentatious finger in Marinette's direction. "It was her! Only Marinette could be the cause of such a tragedy!" She announced, earning the class's undivided attention.

"And how do you figure?" Alya countered, quick to defend the girl in question.

"Because she was there!" Chloe answered while her partner in crime, Sabrina, pulled out a newspaper or "documented proof" showing a picture of Marinette at the site.

"Her helpless, little love-sick, school-girl charade undoubtedly distracted Adrien. There's no other way to explain it." She huffed.

Marinette ducked her head in shame. So Alya and Nino weren't the only ones who knew about her crush on the model? Was it that obvious?

"That's the most ridiculous explanation I've ever heard!" Alya defended. "Adrien invited both Marinette and I to advise his directors on their latest project. They wanted ideas for a modern day commercial from a teen's perspective. Nothing more, nothing less."

Chloe snorted. "Is that what he told you? I'm sure he was just being charitable. Reaching out to help the needy is a weakness of his."

"And what if he was trying to be nice? His asking showed that he considers us good friends who could be of great help to others. That's more than you'll ever be Chloe." Marinette shouted with an uncharacteristic bite to her words.

Before the fight could escalate any further, the school bell intervened.

"Good morning class. I hope you all finished last night's readings." greeted. "Before our quiz, I'd like to take a minute to hear your interpretations of the material."

As most of the class engaged in the lesson at-hand, Marinette couldn't help but dwell on her outburst from before.

What if Chloe was right? Maybe coming to the set was a bad idea? And here she thought ladybugs were supposed to bring good luck.

Marinette sighed for the umpteenth time that day as she spun in her recliner. She couldn't get the horrific incident out of her mind.

"Don't let Chloe's words bug you so much, Marinette." The teen's kwami advised, hovering in front of her downcast eyes.

"I can't Tikki. Adrien will never see me as anything but a clumsy, basket case that needs fixing. Apparently everyone else sees me that way too."

"What do they think of Ladybug when they see her? Is she a messy, train-wreck just waiting to happen or is she a brave, kind, smart and funny superheroine that has saved Paris countless times?"

"Marinette is nothing like Ladybug. She's rendered incapable of speaking coherent sentences in Adrien's presence and fails miserably at telling him how she feels whenever the opportunity presents itself. She can't even look at him without blushing fifty different shades of red."

"That's where you're wrong. Marinette, you can do all of these things. It just takes a little time. It shows that you care enough to get to know him before jumping at the chance to go out with him. That's what separates you from all of the other girls who throw themselves at him." Tikki reasoned with a reassuring smile.

For the first time that day, Marinette grinned. "Maybe you're right Tikki. I mean, he's stuck by my side this long. Just the other day we watched a movie starring his mom. He even told me that I was the only person he'd watched this movie with." She whispered with a slight blush.

"But like you said, I want to keep showing him that I care. What could I do that would make him feel a little better?"

"Well I like chocolate chip cookies, but a get-well card would also be nice." The kwami suggested.

"That's not a bad idea." Marinette praised with a gleam in her eyes. "That's it! I'll deliver a batch of cookies and the card at his manor before evening." She resolved with a fist in the air.


(Adrien's POV)

" I've brought you a package from one of your classmates." Nathalie announced, handing an ornate basket-full of cookies with a note strapped to the side.

"Thanks Nathalie." Adrien repeated as he had the last time she'd brought a gift. Not even 24 hours had passed and his spacious room now resembled that of a crayon box with one too many colors smashed inside. Balloons, hearts, cards and trinkets from friends and fans alike littered the floors.

In the midst of tossing the basket aside his other presents he stopped to glance at the note written in neat, squiggly cursive.

Hope this "bakes" your day a little better - Marinette

Adrien didn't know if it was the pun or his friend's nice gesture, but he couldn't help but laugh.