"Girl no offense-"

"I know Alya!" Marinette sobbed, "I suck."

Alya laughed, "I'm just teasing! You're not that bad!" Alya gave her friend a reassuring smile before she walked down to the front row where Nino looked like he was having a mental break down.

"Ugh," Marinette sighed as Tikki slipped out of Marinette's bag. They were sitting in the far off corner of the auditorium, so it didn't matter if anyone looked this way, no one would be able to see Tikki.

"Don't be sad Marinette, I think you're doing much better too!"

Marinette was sure Tikki was only saying this to encourage her, but she couldn't help but smile at her kwami, "Thanks Tikki."

Tikki smiled brighter and her stomach rumbled at the same time, causing Marinette to laugh.

"I think someone's hungry," Marinette started rumbaging through her bag for the cookies she kept for Tikki.

"Marinette, where are the costumes?" Kim asked from across the room.

"Uh, there're back stage," Marinette called back, her head still in her bag, where are the cookies?

"The stone begins costumes should be in the black bag!" Alya told them before he went back stage.

The class was practicing the scene were Ivan turned into Stoneheart for the second time.

And Alya wasn't lying actually- everyone in the class had a part in the play- and there were some people here whose acting skills were way worse than Marinettes'.

"Oh no," Sabrina said in a monotone voice, "Ivan has transformed into a monster again."

"We need- uh," Alix stuttered, "We need a- uh- line!"

"HERO!" Nino shouted, ""We need a hero!" is your only line Alix, how don't you remember it?!"

Nino looked like he was going to burst a vein; they had been practicing everyday for over two months now. Tomorrow was opening night.

"Relax Nino," Alix laughed, "I'm just messing around."

"It's not like this play is any important," Chloe said in a bored tone.

"You're just jealous because you weren't chosen to be Ladybug," Nathaniel said.

Everyone had a part in the play except for Chloe, who refused to participate, she was even mad at Sabrina for participating; Chloe was refusing to even acknowledge Sabrina's existence actually.

Chloe looked disgusted, "Like I would want to be in some amateur play, besides," she flipped her hair for a dramatic affect, "I've got a much more important role-producer!" This caused Aya to roll her eyes, of course Chloe wasn't really producer, they just told her that so she wouldn't complain to her father.

Just then Adrien came running through the auditorium doors, "Sorry!" He apologized directly to Nino, who looked like he was about to strangle Adrien.

"Photoshoot," Adrien said sheepishly. He went to place his bag near Marinette, he actually stopped to give her a warm smile too, but she was so busy still looking through her bag she didn't notice!

Nino sighed, "Okay uh, Adrien, don't bother putting on the Chat Noir costume, just go practice your fight scenes with the others in the back," the others were going to be Max, Kim, and Juleka who were already dressed as stone begins.

"And Marinette," she popped her head out of her bag when he said her name, "Don't bother changing either, let's just take it from when you stand up to Hawk Moth," Nino motioned for her to go on stage.

A look of panic swept across Marinette's face. She had forgot to bring Tikki's cookies!

"Uh, yeah but uh, first does anyone have uh some extra food?"

"I have a sandwich in my bag if you want it," Adrien called from the back of the auditorium.

I get to go through Adrien's bag, Marinette swooned. She probably would've kept daydreaming about what Adrien keeps in his bag, but Tikki's stomach growled again, causing Marinette to snap back to reality and grab Adrien's bag and snatch the first food like thing she could find...which happened to be a roll of camembert cheese?

She probably would've taken a minute to reevaluate her crush on Adrien, who keeps an entire roll of camembert in their school bag! But she was worried about Tikki! She wasn't sure how hungry Tikki was-normally her kwami never ate more than two cookies, but just to be safe Marinette took three pieces of cheese and handed it to Tikki, who was still hiding in her book bag.

The play's Hawk Moth was really just going to be a board with Hawk Moth's face drawn from a bunch of akuma drawnings pasted together, with Nathaniel standing behind it saying all of Hawk Moth's lines.

Marinette was about to read her lines but-

"Without your script Marinette," Nino sounded exhausted.

"Oh ah, ha?" She babbled and Nino snatched the script from her. Alya smiled and gave her a thumbs up. "Action!"

"Nice t-try! But we all knew-"

"Know!" Alya corrected her.

"But we all know who the good guy-"

"Bad guy!"

"-bad guy is here! L-Let's reverse the-"

"Let's not!"

"Marinette!" Nino yelled, "Start over!"

Marinette made a small grumble of defeated.

"Breathe girl!" Alya shouted.

Marinette nodded and took a deep breath. She had said all this before- she wasn't acting- she was Ladybug.

"N-nice try! But we all know who the bad guy is h-here! Let's not reverse the roles! Hawk M-Moth, no matter how long it takes, we will find you, and you will hand us your miraculous!"

"Great!" Alya beamed causing Marinette to smile.

"You left out 'You turned these innocent victims into villains'" Nino said causing Marinette's smile to fade. Alya punched Nino's arm and gave him a look.

"B-but great job!" Nino said nervously.

"You need to say it with more emotion! More power!" Rose said enthusiastically, "When Ladybug said it, I swear I never felt more save in my whole life!"

Marinette was about to start her babbling again when Nino cut her off.

"Have you been practicing?"

Well, not exactly Nino, Marinette thought, Not only did I have to make the Chat Noir costume and stone begins costume and help Nathaniel paint the board, and actually be Ladybug, no, I just haven't found the time.

"Cut her some slack," Alya said in her friend's defense, "She had to create the costumes too."

Bless your soul Alya Césaire, Marinette thought she could cry.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we only have use of the auditorium until 5pm and it is now 5:03," Max said.

Nino looked like he was going to cry.

"Great job guys," Alya said as everyone started to file out, "Remember to get here tomorrow at three so we can do a quick rehersal before curtian!"

"Chloe? Can we go home together?" Sabrina trembled.

Chloe completely ignored her only friend, and walked out the auditorium.

Pretty much everyone unimportant had left by now, just Adrien comforting a crying Nino, and Alya comforting an upset Marinette.

"Alya, just admit it, I can't act," Marinette groaned.

"Oh, everyone in their right mind knows you can't act," Alya teased.

"Then why did you guys cast me! Your play's gonna be a disaster because of me."

Alya laughed. "Are you crazy? Girl everyone here can't act, did you hear Juleka 'roar' earlier today?"

"You just need help memorizing your lines," Adrien couldn't help but over hear.

"Maaaaaybe you two should go over your lines together!" Alya said grinning.

Adrien smiled, "I'm cool with that, could we go to your place and do it?"

A-Adrien? In my house? Now?

"Please," Nino whined, "Please go practice."

Nino and Alya went off in different directions because they claimed they had some "unfinished work" to do.

It was a lot more awkward than Marinette thought it would be riding in Adrien's car with Adrien, by his bodyguard. It was even more awkward to think the bodyguard was going to be waiting in the car outside her parents bakery, for who knows how long.

"Good afternoon!" Adrien beamed when he saw Marinette's parents. He liked her parents, they were always so nice, to him and Chat Noir.

"Oh, hello Adrien," Sabine smiled when she saw him.

"We, uh, we're," Marinette wasn't sure what to say.

"We were hoping to go practice our lines," Adrien explained.

"Oh for the play! That's tomorrow right?," Tom asked.

"Uh huh, will we see you there?" Adrien asked.

"Of course! We'll be in the front row," Tom smiled.

"You two go ahead and rehearse," Sabine said, Marinette could've sworn her mom winked at her.

That was Marinette's queue to started walking upstairs before her dad could offer to bake Adrien some cookies.

Marinette wasn't sure what to say. Hell she wasn't sure what to do.

Adrien wanted to rehearse? But what did he want to rehearse? The moment Ladybug and Chat Noir met? The fight scenes? The kiss!?

They had never actually practiced the kiss scene at school; they always got to the part right after Ladybug gives her de-evilises Ivan's akuma, but then Nino always yells cut.

"Marinette?"

"Ah, huh?"

"I asked what scene was giving you the most trouble."

"Uh-"

"AHHHHHHHH!"

Marinette was cut off from a very familiar scream that came from outside.

"What was that?" Both Adrien and Marinette said at the same time.

Chloe Bourgeois was running through the streets, apparently being chased by...no one? Or so it seemed, until random things started flying towards her head.

"This looks a little too familiar," Marinette mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Ah!?"

Marinette had jumped on her bed and jumped up to looked out her trapdoor that lead to her balcony when she heard the scream. She didn't however notice Adrien had climbed up with her.

Adrien didn't wait to hear what Marinette had to say, he saw it for himself.

No doubt about it, they both thought to themselves, an akuma attack!

"Marinette, uh, I kind of have to go," Adrien stammered.

"Oh uh too me," Marinette stuttered, "I mean, me too."

"This reminds me of when Chloe was being hunted by Vanisher," Marinette said the second Adrien walked out the bedroom.

"I was thinking that too," Tikki hiccuped.

"Tikki? Are you okay?" Marinette quaked.

Tikki nodded a little too fast. The kwami looked a little tired.

Marinette looked a little bit worried, she considered how quickly she would be able to run to the healer Tikki showed her awhile back.

"Marinette," Tikki said, "You can worry about me after you take down Vanisher!"

"Mhm!" Marienette nodded. She figured Tikki always knew best- plus Tikki didn't look that bad, so she decided to trust her.

"Tikki! Spots on!"

Adrien ran and hid inbetween the alleyway of two houses nearby.

"Did you eat some of my cheese?" Plagg demanded an answer as he flew out of Adriens' bag.

"What? No," Adrien said, not really listening, "Quick, claws out!"

"Help me!" Chloe Bourgeois was dangling from the Eiffel Tower, it seemed like she was dangling from mid air, but it was really Vanisher holding Chloe by her leg.

"Ladybug and Chat Noir! Give me your miraculouses!" Vanisher shouted.

"What are you doing?!" Hawk Moth shouted in his lair, "You're not listening to the plan!"

Vanisher would've had the advantage if she just kept quiet, that was the original plan, but her anger for Chloe was too strong for her to be silenced.

"I wouldn't try that if I were you!" Ladybug had appeared just below where Chloe was dangling.

"Ladybug! Help me!"

"Lucky charm!" Ladybug threw her yo-yo into the air and down came a container of red glitter. Ladybug already knew what to do; she threw her yo-yo at the Eiffel Tower, and pulled to swing up to grab Vanisher.

Vanisher had other plans, she let go of Chloe's leg, causing her to fall just as Ladybug had passed her. Thankfully Chat Noir had jumped from a nearby building and caught Chloe before she hit the pavement.

"Don't worry you're safe now," Chat said to Chloe, "Run to the nearest building and hide."

Chloe looked like she was about to argue, but Chat didn't stick around to hear it. He extended his stick to go up and help Ladybug.

Ladybug swung around and landed at the platform midway of the Eiffel Tower, she wasn't sure sure if Vanisher was still here... but she had to be fast, her earring beeped, reminding her she only had four minutes left.

"Quickly! Grab her miraculous! Her earrings!" Hawk Moth shouted greedily.

Everything felt slowed down as Ladybug felt something like wind pass her ears, it had to be Vanisher. Ladybug opened the container and tossed it behind her, covering Vanisher from head to toe. Chat Noir had just pulled himself up on the platform at this time.

"Chat Noir, her pin!" Ladybug remembered from the last time that the akuma was in her pin, not her bag. Ladybug's earring beeped again, three minutes left.

Chat ran and tried to grab the pin, but Vanisher was quick, she ducked and stuck out her foot to trip him. Ladybug, however, was even quicker, she jumped over Vanisher and grabbed the pin, threw it on the floor causing it to break and the akuma flew out.

"No more evil doing for you little akuma," Ladybug threw her yo-yo and captured the akuma, "Time to de-evilise!"

"Bye-bye little butterfly," She smiled as the newly freed butterfly flew off into the distance.

"Another job well done milady," Chat Noir purred as he, Ladybug, and Sabrina came down from the tower.

Ladybug smiled at her partner, she would've said something but her earring beeped again, two minutes left.

"I've gotta go before I transform back," She looked at Sabrina, who looked absolutely terrified, "Will you take care of her?"

"You can count on me."

Ladybug smiled and threw her yo-yo to a nearby building, "Bug out!" She called as she left them.

Chat Noir stared at Ladybug as she left, smiling to himself.

Marinette had just gotten to swing in through the glass trap door that was over her bed when she transformed back.

"Tikki!" Marinette gasped as she saw her kwami, she looked even more sick than before.

"Come on I need to get you to a healer."

Chat was suppose to carry Sabrina home since she was so tired, but instead he brought her to Chloe's place.

"Chat Noir?" Chloe exclaimed as she saw him walk through her balcony, she thought he must've been here to tell her how brave she was in the face of danger...that was, until she saw Sabrina next to him.

"What is she doing here," Chloe shouted. Not only did Vanisher try to kill her, but Sabrina was still going to be in the play even though Chloe didn't like it!

"You two need to work out your problems," Chat explained, by two he mostly meant Chloe. Chat thought it would be best if the two sorted out their problems once and for all, that way Sabrina wouldn't turn into Vanisher every time Chloe wouldn't talk to her,

"I have nothing to say to her," Chloe huffed and turned away from them. Sabrina whimpered behind Chat. Chat sighed, he did not get paid enough for this.

"Come on you two are best friends! You-" He was cut off from another scream outside.

The three ran to the balcony to see ...another villain!

Chat looked back to Sabrina and Chloe, he would have to deal with them later...maybe as Adrien instead.

Marinate had just walked pass the school when she saw people screaming and running in the opposite direction. She wasn't sure what was going on until she saw a car being thrown in her direction!

"Look out!" Chat Noir leaped out from nowhere and was able to push Marinette out the way just before the car smashed into her.

"Are you okay princess?" Chat asked.

"Yeah fine," Marinette said, a bit annoyed that Chat Noir had landed on and was still on top of her, but he had saved her life.

"What's going on," she asked as Chat finally got up and helped her up.

"Another akumatized victim."

"Again?" Marinette sounded shocked. Hawk Moth rarely ever akumatized two people in a day.

"Don't worry about it, Ladybug and I'll stop Broadway," Chat said confidently.

"Broadway?" Marinette asked in a confuse voice. Even for Hawk Moth, that was a dumb name.

Chat laughed, "I know right, talk about a wicked good name," he punned, making Marinette roll her eyes.

"Chat Noir! Give me your miraculous!" Broadway shouted, he was a man dressed like The Phantom of the Opera. Broadway did not jump, he floated down from the top of the building across the street and landed in front of Chat Noir and Marinette.

"Quick run!" Chat pointed for Marinette to run into the school. Marinette took a quick look at Broadway, nodded to Chat and ran into the school building.

Thankfully the school was still open thanks to afternoon/night tutoring sessions.

"Oh no Tikki what do I do?," Marinette exclaimed once they entered the school. Tikki still wasn't feeling too well, there was no way Marinette was going to make her transform!

Poor sick Tikki looked at Marinette, she didn't need to say anything, but Marinette knew exactly what she would say, "Trust your instincts!"

Since Marinette didn't have to worry about anyone seeing them, she ran to the cafeteria, hoping to find some food for Tikki.

The doors were open and someone had just baked fresh cookies!

"Hurry Tikki," Marinette placed Tikki next to the tray and handed her a cookie.

"Marinette you need to go help Chat Noir," Tikki said before she took a small bite of the cookie.

"What? No, I can't leave you!"

Tikki shook her head, "You don't have a choice. I'm sure I'll feel better after I eat, and you'll be right outside, I can come to you."

Marinette bit her nails; she was sure Tikki would be able to find the way back to her but-

Marinette groaned, "But Tikki this is a job for-"

"For you," Tikki said, "Even without your costume, you're still Ladybug, you know that."

Marinette didn't look too sure... Marinette was clumsy and couldn't even walk without tripping over her own feet... Ladybug was so much...cooler.

"Stop that," Tikki said, "Don't doubt yourself. The people of Paris need you Marinette!"

There was something in her kwami's voice that made her want to believe...

And then she heard Chat Noir scream from outside and she knew that someone had to help.

Marinette knew deep down she'd couldn't do this alone... she needed Ladybug.

Chat was having an incredibly hard time fighting off Broadway. Broadway was skilled at close combat, and with a wave of the hand he commanded the tree to fall on Chat Noir's.

Chat hadn't notice the tree about to fall on him, was this it for Chat Noir?

No it wasn't because just then someone threw themselves at Chat, pushing him out the way. It was Ladybug!

"Throwing yourself at me already pri-milady!," Chat joked as Ladybug helped him up, he wasn't sure why he almost called her princess.

"No time for jokes Chat Noir, we need to get his akuma!"

"Ladybug! Take her earrings!" Hawk Moth shouted to Broadway.

Broadway waved his hand again, and another car was through at Ladybug this time. Everything seemed to slow down to Ladybug, she reacted a little bit too slow, Chat jumped and pushed Ladybug away, causing them both to fall as the car flew right pass them.

"Ladybug!" Chat shouted...but when he looked at her... he noticed Ladybug's mask...had fallen off?!

The girl who sat behind him in class, the girl who could barley even speak to him, the girl who trips over nothing! She...had pushed him out of the way...

"Marinette?!"

(A/N: oooh Marinette and Adrien are in a play and the villain they have to defeat is named Broadway, how original amiright. I hope you enjoyed and I promise chapter 3 will sound less rushed because I'll start writing that after my exams! Please leave a review cause you don't know how hype I get when I see someone likes this fic, or if you notice I did something wrong, I'll try and to fix that in a later chap!)