Chapter Five

Alya's eyes continued to shift towards Marinette throughout class like a hawk watching a mouse. The object of the intense glances tried her best to still the tapping of her stylus and jiggle of her knee. All this nervous energy was only ramped up by the view in front of her. Adrien's hair wasn't quite as perfect as normal, and going by the way he was spacing out, she could only assume it was due to distraction.

Marinette was pretty sure she knew what was causing the boy to daydream and it was hard not to smile. Heck, she was trying her best not to flutter off into fantasy land herself. Alya cleared her throat and the threatening haze of euphoria evaporated. What was she going to say to her best friend? Given how well last night went Alya would expect her to be moping. She had supposedly lined up Adrien with Ladybug in the hopes of it failing miserably and having her crush fall into her sympathetic arms.

It had seemed like a rational explanation at the time. Now, not so much. Adrien said he wanted to see Ladybug again and if she disclosed this to Alya she would discourage the idea completely. The logical part of Marinette's brain knew it was best to keep the whole Ladybug date to a one-time event, yet she craved more attention from Adrien, primarily the sort that involved more kissing.

Just looking at him made her burn. To know that he was interested in her, even if it was while wearing the spots, had her heart doing flips. Adrien Agreste wanted her and that was worth the bedlam, wasn't it? Her train of thought was derailed as the bell went. The heat in her veins cooled as she packed up her things. As soon as the last item was placed in her bag, Alya grabbed her wrist and hauled her out the door.

Adrien lifted a waving hand and his mouth opened to say something as Alya dragged Marinette along. Her stride was far too fast, stopping the blonde from saying anything beyond one syllable and leaving him standing in bewilderment. As ordered, Nino gave his friend a pat on the back and started up a conversation.

Alya finally stopped in a secluded corner of the library and sympathetic eyes fell on Marinette. "Nino told me about the date. Adrien couldn't stop gushing about it. I didn't think he'd be disappointed with Ladybug, it must be killing you."

The bluebell gaze widened. Adrien had gushed about her! "I, uh, um…"

"You don't have to say anything. I know you're not the greatest with words when you're emotional. But there's got to be something we can do to swing this in our favour."

Marinette didn't dare speak. She suspected that if she did, she'd merely dig the hole she was in deeper. So, she gave a firm nod.

With crossed arms, Alya began pacing as her eyes darted about in thought. She suddenly stopped. "What if we tell Chloe? She'll be beside herself if she thinks Adrien's about to slip through her fingers."

"Do we really want to unleash that sort of fury on Ladybug?"

Alya cringed, "Good point. Although she might keep her distance from Adrien."

"I think there's too many unknown factors here. While Chloe can be counted on to be completely selfish, she's also unpredictable and an emotional hand grenade just waiting to go off. She'd probably call up her Daddy to organise some sort of betrothal between her and Adrien just to make sure she gets him."

The bridge of Alya's nose crinkled. "Good point, she always brings out the threat of Daddy when she doesn't get her way. But there's got to be something we can do to turn the tide your way."

Marinette picked at her nails. "Well, he's keen to talk to me. I know it's about Ladybug but maybe if I can keep him talking, then he might realise what's in front of him."

Alya gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder but didn't look convinced. "That's a possibility." A sudden screech sounded from outside. "What was that?"

The girls ran to the exit, standing at the top of the stairs to see a slimy dripping monster standing beneath the twisted basketball hoop. "Oh no, an akuma victim."

With a flick of the wrist, Alya had her phone in hand. "Looks like it's time for a live stream to the Ladyblog."

"Right, we'll I'm going to find somewhere safe to hide."

"You'll miss all the action."

Marinette continued to back her way down the steps while holding the rail. "I'll be sure to watch your blog." Luck seemed to be on her side as she found the nearest classroom empty. Slipping under one of the desks she quickly transformed and opened the far window to jump out to the street side of the school. Tossing her yoyo, Ladybug quickly made her way to the roof to survey the beast below.

Chat Noir plopped down beside her and held his extended staff across his shoulders with his wrists resting at each end. "Hi milady," he said in a steamy tone that had her confused. Flirting was nothing new from her partner but he seemed to be laying it on thick today and he'd only greeted her.

Pursing her lips in irritation, Ladybug looked away as she said hi back. Her head cocked to the side as she watched the lumbering movements of the blobby creature below. "I've got no idea where the akuma could be. Do you think this one is like Horrificator?"

Twitching a single shoulder, Chat tossed the staff to the opposite hand and rested his elbow on her shoulder. "Maybe we should get closer?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Are we talking about the same thing, Chat?"

"Depends, I don't see a purr-oblem in us getting closer too."

Groaning and shaking her head, Ladybug tossed her yoyo and swung to the steps. Chat Noir came spiralling down the extended staff with a sultry smirk.

"What is with you today?" she snapped as she bounded halfway down the steps.

He tilted his head and fluttered his eyelids at her. "Let's just say there's been a stirring of special feelings in my heart today."

"Save it for later, Chat. You need to concentrate on the akuma."

Scrunching his eyes, Chat Noir quickly shook himself and some of the lovesick glaze left his eyes. "Right, akuma, okay."

At that moment the creature rose up from all fours, raised a single hand and curled its elongated fingers to create a thick ball of goop. Ladybug immediately recognised the threat and launched off the railing, she spun in mid-air, suspecting that Chat would need encouraging into action. She was right, flicking out her yoyo she snared the end of his staff and gave it a yank as her toes touched the ground.

Chat Noir careened over the handrail, narrowly missing the goop yet somehow managing to land on his feet. Surprisingly pleased by his own save, he turned to his partner and bowed with a wide grin. Having his back to the creature, he completely missed seeing the second ball of goop flying his way.


Has Ladybug's antics with Adrien unknowingly messed with Chat Noir's attention span? You bet. Will they come away from the akuma unscathed? Find out next chapter...