Marinette was in her temporary new seat in the back of the classroom. It's a wonder she never failed any of her classes, since she was always distracted by one thing or another. She tried her hardest to focus so she could actually pull her weight on the project, but all she could think about was patrol and her conversation with Tikki last night.

I can't possibly actually be in love with Cat Noir. She couldn't believe she actually had to have this conversation with herself, either. She thought about the expression on Cat Noir's face last night. And that's probably the exact reason he wouldn't talk to me last night. She sighed. Tikki's right. Marinette knew she was the problem, but she didn't know what she could do to fix it.

The sound of laughter came from the front of the classroom, breaking into her thoughts. She knew, without looking, exactly who that laughter belonged to. Marinette looked up from her paper to the front of the class where Adrien sat laughing with Meg.

Ah yes, my other problem. She'd been so distracted about Cat Noir, that she'd forgotten about Adrien possibly falling for Meg. Well at least Cat Noir got my mind off of it like I knew he would. Marinette watched them talk and laugh together, her mind filling with dread.

Maybe Tikki's right about more than one thing, thought Marinette. She resolved to take Tikki's advice and tell Meg about her crush on Adrien. Hopefully it wasn't too late and a disaster could be avoided and a potential relationship saved.

Marinette pushed all of her worries out of her mind until the appropriate time and did her best to contribute to the project with Max.

Class ended and Marinette grabbed her books quickly, hoping to catch a minute with Meg. She waited until Meg was finished talking to Adrien before approaching her. I hope it isn't too late, she thought desperately.

She caught up with Meg in the hallway.

"Meg, wait up!" she called after her.

Meg turned and smiled at the approaching Marinette.

"Hey, girlie. What's up?"

Marinette realized she had no clue how to actually say what she wanted to say. Oh boy.

"Not much, I was just hoping we could talk."

Meg checked the time. "Yeah, I think I can spare a few minutes before gym. Something on your mind?"

"Actually yes…" Marinette hesitated. She realized what she was about to ask of Meg was a little selfish.

Meg looked at her expectantly, with a smile on her face.

Marinette sighed, "Never mind. It isn't important." She said, regretting the words instantly.

"Marinette, whatever it is, you can tell me."

There was kindness in Meg's eyes, and Marinette couldn't say what she needed to say. After all, it wasn't Meg's fault that Marinette could never form a complete sentence around Adrien. What she wanted wasn't fair.

"I think I know what's got you bugged," said Meg.

"You do?" asked Marinette, a little surprised.

"Yeah. Look Marinette," Meg looked around to make sure there wasn't anyone else within hearing distance. "It's no secret that you have a crush on a certain someone."

"What?!" Marinette began to panic.

"I mean, it is a secret," Meg backtracked quickly, "But it's not a secret to me."

"How did you know?" Marinette asked her, wondering if she'd been too obvious or if maybe one of her friends spilled the beans.

"I just know things," answered Meg. "And Marinette, I think there's something you should know."

Her heart sank for a second. The tone of Meg's voice told her that she should be afraid of what she was about to hear.

"Adrien is already in love with someone." Meg told her.

Marinette's heart sank deeper. Her worst fears were confirmed.

"I know this must sting, Marinette, but you have to trust me. It's for the best." Meg's words were like salt in the wound.

"How could this possibly be for the best?" She whispered.

Meg touched her shoulder and met her eyes. The corners of Meg's mouth turned up into the tiniest smile. "Because now you can stop being afraid."

Meg held her gaze for a moment conveying a message that Marinette didn't quite understand. Is she talking about Cat Noir? But she couldn't possibly know about that. Marinette wondered what Meg actually meant by her statement.

Meg's smile got a little wider. "Yes, Marinette. I think you're thinking what I'm thinking. Let go of Adrien, and let those other feelings in. Trust me."

Meg was smiling from ear to ear now. She hugged her tightly and ran off in the direction of gym class. Marinette looked down into her purse.

"Tikki, what just happened?"

Marinette sat in her next class, yet again unable to focus. Her problems just got ten times worse. She was positive that the "other" feelings Meg referred to were her possible feelings for Cat Noir. But in order for Meg to know about that, she'd have to know I'm Ladybug. How could this happen? Her identity was at risk, and she was stuck in school. And on top of all of that, Adrien was in love with someone else. I wonder who it could be. She shook her head. Focus Marinette, you have bigger problems right now. With everything that was going on, Marinette felt like her life was spinning out of control. She needed school to end already.

The bell finally rang at the end of the day, and Marinette hurried to get out of the classroom. She ran down the front steps of the school, catching a glimpse of Meg getting into the car with Adrien. She winced at the sight as she ran towards her destination. Part of her wondered if Meg was the girl that Adrien was in love with. Now's not the time, Marinette, she thought to herself.

"Where are you going?" Tikki asked her.

"I think Meg knows about me, Tikki. I have to talk to Master Fu."

Marinette ran the few blocks to Master Fu's dojo and found him inside sitting on the floor.

"Master, we have a problem." She said urgently.

"Calm down, Marinette. There is not a single problem that can't be solved." He was always so calm. She didn't know how he managed it.

"I don't know about this one, Master." She said, a bit calmer. His mood was contagious.

"Sit down, and I will pour you a cup of tea. Then you can tell me about it, and we can figure out what to do together."

Marinette did as she was told despite her anxiety.

Master Fu poured the tea, took a long sip and said, "Now, Marinette. Tell me what is going on."

She felt like she was about to explode. "Master, there's a girl at school, and I think she knows my secret identity. I don't know how she found out, but I'm almost positive that I'm right. "

"Hmm, this is a problem." Master Fu said thoughtfully.

"I'm sorry I failed, Master. Nobody was ever supposed to find out my secret," she put her head down.

"I know that it is not your fault, Marinette. You are always very careful to keep your identity a secret. I trust that you did not cause this." He was always so reassuring.

"What should I do?"

"What did this girl say to you, exactly?"

Marinette was a little embarrassed to talk boys with Master Fu, "Uh… she told me…not to be afraid… and to… let the feelings in." She felt her cheeks getting warm.

Master Fu smiled, "Ah, your feelings for Cat Noir."

Wakahsdksdfadf! She did her best to minimize her freaking out.

"How did you know?" she asked him nervously.

He laughed, "When you live to be as old as I am, you pick up on things like that."

"What should I do about that, Master?" Marinette asked, taking this opportunity to ask for more advice. "Cat Noir says he loves me, but he doesn't even really know who I am."

"Of course he does. He's by your side every day."

"He's by Ladybug's side every day. He doesn't know Marinette." she was doubtful that he'd like her if he knew what she was really like.

"Marinette, you ARE Ladybug. I chose you because you have Ladybug inside you. I knew it from the moment we met."

She was quiet.

"And do you love him?" he asked her.

"I don't know, Master. I didn't think I did until recently…but now…I'm so confused." she put her head in her hands.

Master Fu smiled and took her hands in both of his, "Listen to your heart, Marinette. It will lead you to make the right choice, like it always does."

Marinette smiled, grateful to have Master Fu as a teacher and as a friend.

"Thank you, Master." She said as she stood up to leave. "But wait, what do I do about Meg?"

"From what you told me, it does not sound like she poses a threat right now. Be patient, and find out what else she knows."

Wayzz, who'd been sitting nearby with Tikki, suddenly spoke up.

"Someone's coming. Hide, Tikki!" He zoomed into the Miracle box, and Tikki went into Marinette's purse.

The door opened, and Adrien ran in.