The gig at the Bourgeois hotel had been a close call, Chloe had been her usual obnoxious self and it had nearly cost them the performance when one of the stage directors quit on the spot and stalked off. Fortunately Tiki stepped up and helped out where she could, to take some of the extra strain of the other directors. When it was over we asked the director to come back and apologised to him for Chloe's behaviour, explaining that as the mayors daughter she was very spoilt and no one could really do anything about it due to her fathers status. He had accepted the apology and agreed to work for them again, provided he got time off if they ever had to another gig with 'that girl' so involved. Everything was settled and the major crisis diverted for now, but I was not looking forwards to dealing with Chloe again.
Sighing I checked my clock to see how long I had been day dreaming and saw it was 8:45 already and school started in fifteen minutes. Screeching I launched myself of my bed and raced around my room getting ready, before plowing out the door and sprinting to the school.
Just barely sliding in the door as the tardy bell rang I flashed a sheepish grin at the teacher and dashed up to my seat. "Girl I thought you were getting better at the whole turning up on time thing?"
"I just had a lot on my mind this morning and completely missed the passing of time. Sorry, at least I didn't oversleep this time."
"True but still girl, you gotta get a grip on this."
"Yeah I know, I will." I slammed my mouth shut when Madam Bustier looked in my direction, and pretended to be dutifully taking notes. When she moved on, I looked up and actually started paying attention to the lesson. By the time lunch came around I was stiff and ridiculously bored, standing and stretching I yawned and scooping up my bags made my way to the exit of the school.
"Hey girl, are you heading back home for lunch?"
"Yeah, you want to come?"
"And miss an opportunity to get free pastries from the bakery? Of course I'm coming, just let me ask Adrien and Nino if they want to come."
"Kay." Waiting patiently I riffled through my bag for my ladybug phone, the one I used for any of my 'professional' business. Opening up the message bar, I checked to see if I had any new messages. There was a little bold 1 next to Fu's name, clicking on it I read the text and groaned.
"Hey they said yes! Girl? Hey Marrinette you okay?"
"Yeah yeah fine, just a bit tired. I was up on time today."
"But weren't you still nearly late to class, and you only live over the road! How do you do that?"
Scowling at Nino I muttered "I was distracted okay!"
This sparked a round of 'tease Marrinette mercilessly' which I was not enjoying. Thinking back on my text, the frown on my face only deepened, I was not looking forwards to this afternoon.
Living just over the road ment that the walk home for lunch was thankfully brief and very shortly we were all gathered around the kitchen table, surrounded by enormous piles of pastries.
The rest of school passed in a blur and soon the bell was ringing and I was dragging my heels leaving the school. Spotting the black town car that was here to pick me up, I ducked away from Alya and made for the car. Slipping into the car, I started getting into the slinky black dress waiting for me. As soon as the dress was on I started on accessories, while Tiki started on hair and make up. Pulling up at the curb I grimaced, smoothing the mask over my eyes I peered at Tiki and said "do I really have to do this?"
"Yes, now move your butt." Giving me a firm shove towards the opening car door, I sighed and exited the car with as much grace and poise as I possessed in my being, which was a surprisingly large amount. Pasting on my best fake smile I waved to the many cameras and signed some autographs, posed for some selfies and finally made it into Le Grande Hotel. The foyer wasn't much better as it was packed with paparazzi, that immediately tried to mob me the second I walked into the room.
My body guards cleared a path for me and I made my way over to my chair and sat down, as soon as my butt touched the pillow covered seat, questions flooded me from all angles. Tiki screaming "SHUT IT!" finally allowed me to breath and I spared her a grateful smile, nodding back she continued "one question at a time. We will choose who speaks, or no one does. Got it?"
Pointing at a blonde reporter and nodding for her to speak the woman immediately shot out, "Who is the crush you mentioned in your impromptu interview with Ladyblog reporter Alya Cesaire?"
Mentally face palming at the level of maturity demonstrated in the question I smiled and said "I don't see any need for that piece of information to become public knowledge, beside I'm dating Adrien Agrest so an old school crush is no longer relevant." Especially when I am dating said crush.
The woman seemed mildly upset that I didn't answer her original question but pleased at the same time with the information she had gained and said "so your confirming the roomers of you dating the famous model Mr. Agrest?"
"One question each please."
The woman frowned but nodded and started making notes on her little pad of paper, the next person was picked and so the course dragged on with continual questions and answers mostly about my love life, or other related topics. After four hours of questioning I was so done! It was gone seven, I was tired, hungry and had frankly had enough. Turning to Tiki I covered the mic in front of me and said "can we call it a night, I'm exhausted?"
Studying my face she nodded and said "okay thats it guys, its time we go. Ladybug is very busy and needs her rest, if she is to perform on Saturday." With that she stood and the body guards held everyone back as we traveled out front to the car, where unsurprisingly there were even more fans. Stifling a groan, I smiled and waved as I shuffled out to the car. I was still graceful but it was less so than usual because of my tiredness, which was why it was possible for what happened next to occur.
The toe of one of my ridiculously tall heels caught on a wrinkle in the red carpet and I went stumbling forwards, right into a pair of strong arms. Blinking up at my saviour, I caught sight of a pair of very familiar green eyes. Smiling I straightened up and saw Adrien standing with our school friends, Alya was there and so was Nino, even Julika and Rose where there.
Waving I said "thank you for catching me."
"N...no problem Ladybug."
Shaking my head slightly I leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on his lips and said "thank you." Shooting him a wink and a wave I said "bye everyone, I gotta go. My bed is calling me, but your all coming to my concert on Saturday right?"
"Of course!" Alya answered for everyone with that and the others just nodded their assent with the comment.
Smiling I said "cool, see you there then." Waving I turned and strode towards the black town car waiting for me. As soon as I was tucked into the back seat, Tiki settling beside me, the car took off. Carefully sliding out of the black dress I pulled on my pink capris and white top as well as a simple red hoody. Tiki helped me take of the make-up and brush my hair out of the fancy up do she did, pulling it back into a simple braid. "Thank you Tiki."
"No problem Marri, have a good night."
Giving my best friend a tight hug and I tired smile, I clambered out the car and stumbled up to my front door. Slipping inside I called a hello to my parents and smiled when they handed me a still warm plate of dinner. "Thank you."
"Don't worry Marrinette, just eat and go to bed sweet heart, you look half asleep already."
Smothering a yawn I said "okay mama, good night."
"Good night sweet heart."
Ascending the stairs with the plate clutched in one hand, I sat down at my desk and ate the food, barely tasting anything before discarding the now empty dish and changing into pyjamas. Clambering into bed I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
AN: okay this was a really short chapter, sorry. I just really struggled here and don't really know what I'm doing any more, suggestions are very welcome. I was thinking of doing some more on civilian Marrinette's school life but I'm not sure, maybe I should do more Ladybug scenes and of course Chat's first performance is coming up. ARRRGGGHHHH! Okay the next chapter may be a bit slower coming as I am going back to school and I only just finished writing this chapter before posting it, so I am going to sit back and write a couple chapters ahead. Hopefully. so yeah, if you have any requests on things you want to see happen or just a random idea I am all for hearing it. I am really lacking inspiration for this and if something doesn't change this story is going to get put on semi-permanent hold until I can figure it out.
So yeah after that really long authors note, uh please review and give me some ideas PLEASE! Thanks! ;)
-SL xx