If there was one thing Marinette could say about Chat Noir, it was that he was smug. Chat was smug, and he would do anything to get what he wanted. She knew that from how he persistently went after her alter ego, Ladybug. Lately, however, he wasn't flirting with Ladybug at all. He wasn't all over her or anything. It wasn't like him… but with Marinette, he had his charm on full blast. It confused her more than anything; at first she thought that Chat knew who she was, but now she wasn't so sure. He still made hints that he knew who she was, but Marinette knew her secret was protected. Chat couldn't have figured it out. He couldn't know. But then again, he could know everything. He was a clever kitty, after all. And Adrien! He had talked to her often throughout that week, through texting and at school. While she still had a crush on him, her heart was being tugged in two directions. Chat and Adrien…

Her phone buzzed, and Marinette glanced at it. It was Adrien texting… of course it was Adrien. He was constantly trying to get to know her, but Marinette didn't know if she could do this. She wanted to be with Adrien more than anything, of course she did, but maybe it was better that she didn't pursue a relationship with him. She couldn't talk to him like she could talk to Chat Noir. Chat Noir understood her, Chat Noir also had a secret… Adrien was just… perfect. He was too perfect, and she couldn't compare to him. If they dated, Marinette knew that she would have to deal with constant criticism. Especially when it came to the media. She also knew that she was being unfair and just plain moody. Marinette wanted to fall in love, but she didn't know which boy to fall for… or which boy would catch her… She needed to find out who Chat was. She was sure that would solve her problem. If she knew who he really was, she could figure out what direction to go in.

I need to see you. The message said, making Marinette sigh. She couldn't see him today. She couldn't handle it. He made her feel like her head was going to explode. Their hands brushed together once, and it made her feel like she was losing her mind. She wanted to be with him, but he made her crazy…

I can't do anything today. Super busy with the bakery and stuff. Sorry. She replied, guilt flooding through her.

I could help. He texted back immediately.

That's not necessary. I'm fine. I can see you tomorrow or something… why do you need to see me?

I have a surprise for you :3

She smiled at the cat face, thinking of Chat Noir. She was so comfortable around him. He was her best friend… but Chat didn't know that she was Ladybug. He didn't know how she felt about him. Would he hate her for not telling him sooner? How would he feel?

"What's wrong, Marinette? Chat got your tongue?" A small giggle came from beside her, pulling her out of her thoughts. Marinette looked at Tikki, and chuckled.

"Oh, Tikki… which boy do I choose?" She sighed.

"That's what you're worried about? Mari, you're unbelievably strong. Whichever boy you choose will be the right boy. You always make the right decision in the end… Maybe you shouldn't worry about choosing."

"Right. I have to do my homework and then I have to save the world as Ladybug…" Marinette sighed. "I just wish I had some more time for love…"

"That's not what I meant, Mari… I just meant that… maybe things will work itself out… why don't you just think of things you like about both boys?" Tikki suggested, a wide smile on her face. Marinette nodded, slouching in her chair. She was grateful for the quiet of her room, and for Tikki's company. She had plenty of time to think…

Adrien, the boy who was full of bright light. The boy who excelled in everything he did… but to him, Marinette was just an invisible girl… she was an invisible girl who falls for boys that shine like stars. Chat and Adrien were both stars, one a hero and one just a normal, beautiful boy. Chat was charming, kind… he was her best friend, even if he didn't know that. She would be his if he asked. If he was serious about her, and didn't flirt around… she would be his… Even though she had wanted to be with Adrien for so long, but it seemed like that was another lifetime ago. She had a very big crush on him, but she was only a little bug and he was a garden. Adrien Agreste was unreachable, and she had finally come to terms with that.

A hand on her shoulder threw her out of her thoughts, causing her to leap from her chair, hit her knee on her desk, and almost fall onto her butt. She glared up at her intruder, softening only a bit when she saw that it was her silly cat. She rolled her eyes, ignoring the stinging pain in her knee.

"What are you doing?!" She snapped, folding her arms over her chest.

"Marinette, I called your name like a billion times. You just stared at the wall with this weird expression…" He looked around her room. "You're into this guy?" He chuckled.

Marinette blushed. "N-no! I was just… ah… never mind. Why are you here, silly kitty?"

"I wanted to talk to you…" He looked away from her.

"So talk… Is this important? What's going on?"

"I just wanted to drop in and tell you that I can't see you for a few days."

"What? Why?" She frowned.

"Because I need to… do a few things. I just… It isn't safe for me to be seeing you right now."

Her face fell. She didn't know anything about this… "Oh." She said simply. "Okay."

"I'll be back soon enough, princess." He gave her a small smile, and took a step towards her. "I promise." He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, and was gone.

The day that Chloe had bumped into Chat Noir had been one of the worst days of her life. Adrien hadn't spoken to her in a while, which was her fault… but she still missed him. They had grown up together. She was moping around Paris thinking of ways to fix this, when the black cat approached her. He charmed her with his kind smile and his soft words. He made sure she got home safe, not that there was anyone to come home to, and even came inside to see her for a while.

This had continued on for a few days. She listened to him talk about his home life, about Marinette and about Ladybug. She had felt a connection to him. She had felt something. And it made her feel alive. Chloe knew that she could be a nicer person. She knew that people could like who she really was… but it was hard for her. It was easier to be hated than to be loved, and it was much too late for her redemption. Nobody liked her anyways, and it wasn't like she could just take back everything she had done.

No, happiness had come to her in the form of a leather clad gentle-cat, who made stupid jokes and who made her laugh. She had realized, in that small amount of time, that she didn't really like Adrien Agreste. She had realized that she could find someone else… like Kim or someone in their class. Or Chat Noir… but Chat, like Adrien, was enamored by Marinette. Chloe didn't hate Marinette, not at all… in fact, she wanted to be friends (although it was much too late for that to happen). She was just tired of everyone picking Marinette over her. She was so tired of someone she cared about choosing a stranger over someone they knew their entire life.

She wouldn't lose this happiness… which is why she had to do it. It was why she had written Chat Noir an anonymous letter describing awful things… things she would do to Marinette if he didn't stop seeing her.