Chapter 4: Chat Up a Tree

Marinette's POV

"It's just one dance. I'll be right back." Chloe dragged Adrien to the middle of the dance floor as the music changed to a slow song. What a coincidence. Marinette rolled her eyes as Alya crossed her arms over her chest.

"What a queen bee, thinking she can get whatever she wants." Marinette felt her friend's arm wrap around her shoulder. "But this is one thing she's not getting. You and Adrien really seemed to be hitting it off tonight."

Marinette's face lit up as the music swelled around them. "Alya, this has been the best night ever! I'm not stuttering around him anymore and I actually feel comfortable, like we've been friends forever." Her eyes darted to the ground as the night's earlier blush returned to her cheeks. "I think he might actually like me."

All of a sudden, Nino stepped in front of the girls, a frantic look on his face. "Uh… why don't we wait for Adrien outside? It's… um… nice out." Marinette knew he was trying to hide something, but he was effectively blocking her view. She felt Alya physically turn her around and push her towards the exit.

"Good idea, babe. We could use the fresh air." No matter how forceful she tried to make herself sound, Alya could not hide the anger and panic laced in her voice. Marinette shook her off.

"Guys, the song's almost over. Adrien will be done in… a… second…" Her voice trailed off. Marinette saw what her friends were trying to protect her from.

The tears didn't start until she was halfway down the street. If only there was a way to erase the image of Adrien kissing Chloe! How could she be so stupid? Of course, Adrien only wanted to be her friend when he had someone like Chloe. Marinette was a fool to have read into Adrien's friendliness and think he returned her feelings.

The cool air of the evening stung Marinette's lungs as she gasped for breath. There was only one place she could ride this out: her secret garden.

Chat Noir's POV

Chat didn't understand why Marinette would run off by herself - on tonight of all nights! Who knows what kinds of people were out there looking for trouble. He would get his answers, but he had to find her first. The question was, where did she go? Chat landed quietly in Marinette's balcony, hoping to find her safe at home; however, one glance through her bedroom window told him that wasn't the case.

"Where could she be?" Chat curled his claws around the balcony railing, overlooking the illuminated city. Suddenly, he remembered. One afternoon, during one of his visits, Marinette had pointed out several of her favorite spots in Paris. She would often choose one to go and design or decompress. But there was one place, hidden in a little- known park, that she spoke of with absolute reverence. That's where she was.

Chat sprung off the balcony, catapulting himself in the direction of the park. "I'm coming, Mari."

General POV

Before he ever reached the ground, the sound of sobs reached Chat Noir's ears. He landed with a soft thud in front of a massive weeping willow tree. This was Marinette's "Inspiration Tree" in her secret garden; the perfect place to design the latest fashion or hide out from the problems of the world.

Marinette stifled her sobs as she heard the rustling of the willow vines. "Who's there?" Her voice quavered, still weak from crying.

"Just a knight checking on his princess." Marinette groaned.

"Go away, Chat. I don't feel like talking." She curled further into the nook created by several tree limbs.

"Why don't you come down? I'm sure the grass is softer than the tree."

Her puffy eyes narrowed. "I'm fine, thanks."

"Well, if you won't come down, I guess I'll have to come up." Chat scaled the tree before Marinette could protest. The moonlight was obscured by the willow vines, but Marinette could just make out the outline of her friend… and how close he was.

"You know these limbs are really meant for one person, right?"

Chat's teeth gleamed in the dark. "I guess we'll just have to act like we like each other." He wiggled next to her until Marinette scooched over, barely enough room for the two of them. An awkward silence settled over the teens.

"So… is this the 'project' you were so secretive about?" The hero gestured to Mariette's costume. She smiled weakly.

"Yes. I chose a Chat Noir inspired costume."

"It looks great."

"Thanks. You really do inspire me." Marinette froze as she uttered those words, willing them to return from whence they came. As the wind rustled the vines, the awkward silence returned. Chat attempted to keep the conversation alive.

"I thought you were going out with your friends tonight. Why are you up a tree crying? Did something happen?" Chat Noir could not see her face in the dark, but he noticed how still she became.

"Chat…" She was hesitant to reveal her secret to someone other than Alya. His gloved hand enveloped hers.

"Princess, you can tell me anything. But if you really don't want to, that's fine. We can just sit here. I'm always going to be here for you." He squeezed her hand. The two sat in a more comfortable silence.

"The guy I like kissed another girl tonight."

Chat did a double take. He had never seen her show interest in anyone before and he was with her almost every day.

"What?Where did this happen?"

Marinette sighed. "It was at this party my friends and I stopped at while we were out trick or treating. I understand why he would choose her over me. She can offer him so much more than I can," her voice moved to barely a whisper. "…even if she is a giant brat." She sniffed. "I just thought…" The tears began to flow again. Chat wrapped her into himself, doing his best to comfort his sobbing friend.

Chat realized that the guy she liked must have been at Chloe's party and she had seen him kiss someone else while he had been dancing. A hot anger bubbled up within him. What idiot would be that oblivious to the affections of such an amazing young woman?

"Marinette, I am so sorry." Chat brought her face up to meet his. Even if he did not yet fully understand his feelings for this girl, it hurt him to see how devastated she was… even if it was over another guy. "Do I need to go teach someone a lesson? I would be more than happy to kick the butt of the guy missing out on the girl that would make him the luckiest person on the planet." He used both hands to wipe the tears from her cheeks, then to cup her face.

Marinette giggled slightly. "I don't think that kicking Adrien Agreste's butt will help me much, but thanks for the offer, kitty." Touched by Chat's kindness, she pulled him into a full hug. Marinette was shielded from the look of utter despair and horror on his face.