Beep, beep. I groan, fumbling around and finding the "off" button on my alarm clock. Every day is the same: Get up, shower, eat breakfast, go to school and after your scheduled activities. I wouldn't mind as much if Father let me out of the house to see my friends once in awhile.

I sigh, if I had any friends that is. Most of the girls in my class think of me only as "Adrien Agreste, fashion model" or a rich kid. I maybe both of those things, but there's so much more to me then meets the eye.

I sigh as I turn on the shower, and the hot water does feel good. I'm always to cold in the house and I wonder if its due to the lack of warmth and love in this house. What is a normal family's life like, anyway? Even before Mother disappeared, she and Father were always busy: Father with his fashion business and Mother acting and modeling. Maybe someday I'll know what a normal family is like.

Getting dressed quickly, I grab my school bag and walk down to the car. I pause and look over at the massive closed doors to Father's office. I wish he'd come out and say, "Have a good day at school!"

But this is the world I live in now, Father disappeared along with Mother, his attention now devoted to his work.

I stare out the window, watching the fluffy white clouds in the sky. At least its the weekend. I start to head towards the steps, deep in thought when someone crashes into me, and their book bag crashes to the ground.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Its Marinette Dupain-Cheng, one of my classmates who lives at the bakery. She's very nice, but shy. "No worries, Marinette. Everything okay?" I hand her bag and she slings it back onto her shoulders. "Mom and Dad went away for the weekend. I guess I'm just missing them. Silly, right?" "No, especially if your close with your parents." We continue to talk as we walk up the steps together. "Aren't you close with your father?" I shake my head. "Well, if ever you need someone to talk to, my parents love seeing you. Oh, there's the bell!" She scurries away before I can say anymore.

I head to my locker and place my things inside, and Plagg snuggles down on my book bag. "Marinette's a nice girl, how about getting to know her better?" I smile softly. "I'd love to, Plagg. But you know how shy is." "Ah, but that's only as Adrien. Not when your Cat Noir."

Hm, he's got a point. But for right now, I the only thing I can think of is class.

I'm just getting in the car when my phone rings and I pull it out hastily from my bag. "Oh, good, I caught you before you went to the photo shoot, Adrien. Its been canceled." Even though I don't like photo shoots, and least its something to keep my mind busy.

At home, I'm as restless as a cat and finally I work up the courage to ask Father if I can take a walk. "Just be home by curfew," he says. My mouth drops open in surprise. This hardly ever happens, or maybe Father is to preoccupied.

My feet seem to drawn towards the bakery, and I duck around a corner as I see Marinette looking out over the city from her balcony. She looks pensive, and I wonder what she's thinking. "Time to be a curious cat," I whisper. I spring up to her balcony using my baton and she turns to look at me, a slight smile on her face.

"Good evening, Princess." I give her a little bow. "Are you on patrol, Kitty? Or just on a prowl?" she asks with a little giggle. "Can't a Kitty check on his Princess? Its been to long, Marinette."

Marinette and I (wearing the mask) are friends, but its not like we see each other often. "Your just in time, I was about to have a cup of tea."

I follow her to her little table and chairs, finding it graced with a teapot and a small plate of cookies. "My parents are gone this weekend, so I'm trying to keep myself busy." I sit down, watching pour the fragrant tea. "I thought your calendar would be booked with friends and shopping." "That would be nice, but I don't have a lot of friends. But I'm glad your my friend, Kitty."

I notice a couple of bags of potting soils and some packages of seeds. "What are those for?" "Oh, I'm going to start my annual balcony garden." "Need an extra hand?" "Only if you have time. But enjoy your tea." "I always have time for you, Princess." I'm not sure if its the hot tea, but Marinette's face flushes pink.

After we finish our tea, I help her open the bag, pouring it into the containers. The rich, earthy smell relaxes me, though I've always felt calm around Marinette. She's a really sweet person. "Here's the fun part," she grins and opens a package of flower seeds. "Planting the seeds. Take your two fingers like this," she demonstrates pushing her fingers into the dirt, "and make a small hole. Then drop in the seed. You want a seeds to be several inches apart so they don't crowd each other."

I copy her movements and soon we planting side by side. "You know, a seed is like a friendship," I begin. She looks at me, listening. "At first you'll kinda shy and hiding your true self. As you grow closer you blossom and flourish, trusting each other." "I've never thought about like that before," she says. "Though even I'm not sure of my true self," she mutters beneath her breath. I want to ask what she means by that, but I decide not to push it. "Marinette, there's a medival festival tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?" "Like a date?" she whispers. "As friends. I'd be going anyway, but its always more fun to go with a friend." "I'd like that, Kitty. Thank you."

The sky is turning orange, and I blink with surprise. How did the afternoon pass so quickly? The saying "time flies when your having fun" is true. I laugh quietly to myself and Marinette looks at me curiously. "Do I get to hear what's funny?" "I thought how time passes so slowly when your alone. But when I've with you, time flows so naturally. But I should be going, Princess. May I pick you up at nine?" "Buy me a Starbucks, and you've got yourself a deal."

"I think I can afford it." I trail my fingers down her cheek. "Sleep well, Princess."

When I get home I'm still thinking about the nice time I had. That lonely feeling I usually carry with me is gone for the moment.

Supper I eat alone, and I again I wonder what meal times are like in a family's house that spend time together. The food is hot, but there's no joy to the meal. Feeling sleepy after, I climb into bed, and plug in my headphones, listening to music. I groan softly as an ad break cuts in, but my eyes open as I listen.

"What kind of friend are you searching for? This voice activated quiz will only take minutes, and who knows, maybe you'll end up with your soulmate!" I roll my eyes at the last line, but I'm willing to take the quiz.

Question 1: Do you like

A) A loud friend

B) A quiet friend

C) Do you like to be alone

"B," I answer the voice. I'm alone enough already. Marinette maybe quiet but she opens up to me as Cat.

Question 2: What kind of social things to do you like:

A) Partying

B)Going to the movies

C) A relaxing evening at home

"C," after a long day, I'm ready to curl up, but I'd hang out if someone wanted to.

Question 3: Which of Question 2's answers sounds the most appealing to you?

"All of the above."

"Thank you. You have a completed this short quiz. Hold a moment and your answer will be available shortly." Jazz music begins to play, then cuts off shortly. "Your ideal friend is shy, yet bold ready to try on new adventures. Based on your results you are a good listener and want to help others. Your also protective of your friends."

It switches back to the music playing before, but now I'm awake. The only one I ever protected was Ladybug, but since there is no villain, there's no need for Ladybug now. I still love her, and wish her the best whenever she is.

Just before I turn out the light, I get out of bed and shuffle to the bathroom. "You know what kind of friend I'm looking for, Adrien?" Plagg asks. "Plagg, you would be friends with a piece of cheese if cheese had feelings." "Maybe so, if it could last that long! But I miss Nikki."

"I know, buddy." I look out the window and wish on a star. Please let me get closer to Marinette, please? After Ladybug left, there's a void in my heart.

I'm restless during the night, tossing and turning and finally jumping out of bed. Plagg opens one sleepy eye. "You okay?" "I need to run on some rooftops, get rid of this wandering itch."

For awhile, I sit on a rooftop watching the Eiffel Tower lights light up the city. The night air is balmy and warm, why waste it sleeping? After the lights click off for night, this black cat disappears into the darkness of the night. I take a lap along the rooftops, but when I pass by the Dupain-Cheng bakery, I skid to a stop. Marinette's bedroom light is on, what is she doing up so late? Maybe she likes to sew at night? Just then, the light clicks off and I head back towards the mansion.

I don't think Marinette would appreciate it if I was tired and fuzzy tomorrow. Happiness at seeing her sends little fizzes in my heart and as I leap back into my window, morning can't come soon enough.