A/N: So, last chapter I asked if anyone wanted to guess why Chat doesn't have the bell. While the literal reason is right, I was kind of looking for the symbolic reason ;) Irregardless (as Gretchen Weiners would say) it will be addressed at the end of the story :) As for how many chapters this will be...I'm aiming for about 25 chapters. Maybe more, maybe less, I'm not sure yet.

You may be wondering about Ladybug. I plan for her to make an appearance, along with other villains, but I'm still working out the deets ;)

I love reading each and every one of your reviews guys! Seriously, they make my entire day :'D

Chapter 4

On Thursday, Marinette walked to class with a frown marring her otherwise happy features.

She still felt horrible for what she said to Chat Noir. He may be a thief, but he was kind to her and saved her life twice. She could've ended up like any other of his clawed victims but he chose to leave her unharmed. And to think their argument started on the topic of pastries.

She wished she could apologize, but how would she see him? She doesn't exactly have his number. Would he even have a cell phone? Since the police can trace numbers and that?

Maybe she could get a spotlight set up on her balcony, she mused with a barely-contained grin of amusement. Yeah, have a giant pawprint in the sky and wait for him to show up.

She could picture his annoyed expression.

"What the hell are you thinking, Princess?! Now Paris will know I'm here!"

Then she'd shut him up with a croissant stuffed in his mouth and a giggling apology.

"What's so funny?" Alya asked with a grin as she sat next to her friend.

Marinette hadn't even realized she was giggling out loud. She quickly sobered as she thought of an excuse.

"Nothing! Just something that happened in the bakery yesterday."

"What happened?"

Marinette wanted to groan. Why did she have to pick a best friend that was always on the hunt for any kind of details.

"Ah, I just, dropped some flour and it got all over my dad. Nothing special," she replied with ease.

Alya stifled a laugh. "That sounds pretty funny."

Adrien walked in just then, wearing a frown Marinette thought similar to her own. Marinette visibly drooped. It hurt seeing her crush upset about something.

"Dude, you okay?" Nino asked once Adrien sat down.

"Fine," he answered brusquely.

"Your Pops on your case again?" Nino asked with a half-smile.

"Yeah. That's it."

It was plain as day that Adrien was lying. But she wasn't his girlfriend or even a close enough friend to press him about what was wrong. So, she was resigned to just sit at her bench and watch from afar, hoping he'd feel better soon. Nino resolved to leave Adrien alone and talk to Alya.

"H-Hey, um, Marinette?"

The girl in question swivelled her head to look at her red-haired classmate. He wasn't holding his sketchbook this time, but Marinette knew it couldn't be too far away.

"Oh, hey, Nathanael!"

Unknown to either of them, Adrien bristled in his seat.

"What did you need?"

"N-Nothing," the artist stuttered, a blush growing over his cheeks. "I just wanted to thank you for the cookies yesterday."

A loud and angry hiss ripped through the air.

Startled, Marinette darted her eyes around the room. No one looked like they could have made that noise. Maybe it was someone's cell phone?

Nathanael looked visibly shaken at the threatening noise too.

Marinette rolled her eyes. "Someone probably accidently left their volume up on their phone." She laughed lightly. "Don't worry, it scared me too."

Adrien covered his mouth with a hand, trying to muffle his devious snickers.

"But you're welcome for the cookies." Marinette smiled, not noticing her crush's behavior. "That's what a bakery is for, right?"

Nathanael matched her expression. "Y-Yeah, right."

Mme. Bustier chose that moment to walk in the classroom.

"Good morning, students. Please take your seats."

Nathanael was the only one out of his seat. Marinette stifled a giggle as he hastily retreated to his bench with a fierce blush coating his cheeks.

...

Marinette and Alya went to the former's bakery for lunch.

"I hope we get a good grade. That project took forever!" Alya moaned while eating her pastry.

"Same." Marinette nodded.

"So, are you going to Chloe's party tomorrow night?"

On Monday, Chloe sent out a mass text to everyone in their grade, inviting them to a party at her best friend Sabrina's house. Sabrina's parents are going to be gone for the weekend so that left their daughter with the house all to herself. Leave it to Chloe to take advantage of the situation.

"I don't know," Marinette mumbled, glancing down at her pastry. "Parties aren't really my thing."

"You have to go," Alya pressed. "Please?"

Chloe didn't ask them to go because of their wonderful friendship. The only reason they were invited was because Chloe wanted to be known as 'the girl who had the biggest party.' Basically, she only wanted them to contribute to the number of party goers.

"Come on, I heard Adrien will be there!"

In truth, Alya had no idea whether the model would be there or not. He hadn't said anything about the party. But what's a little white lie? And what's a party without your best friend there?

"He will?" Marinette asked.

"Definitely," Alya lied. She forced a smile. "Absolutely."

Marinette rested her hand on her fist. She wasn't one for drinking excess amounts, and she didn't perceive Adrien as the type to get wasted at a party. So maybe during the night they'd happen to sit in the same area and talk and get to know each other and kiss and profess their undying love for each other-

"I'm going," Marinette concluded with a nod of affirmation, determination lighting her sapphire orbs.

Alya grinned. "Excellent."

...

Nothing of interest happened on that Friday day. Adrien's mood seemed to lift a little, he was probably thinking about the party. The party that she'd be at. The party where they would finally start dating.

But what to wear? Marinette eyed her closet in distaste. She had no idea what Adrien would like. However, she was positive about some things.

Something flirty, but not obviously so. Showing skin, but making sure to leave some to the imagination. A little color...

Marinette groaned and reached for her cell phone.

"Hello?" Alya answered.

"Please help me!" The ravenette whined.

She heard a sigh. "Having trouble picking the outfit that'll make Adrien fall in love with you?"

"Yes!"

"I'll be there in ten."

Marinette grinned and starting bouncing up and down. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Alya laughed, saying 'no problem' and hung up.

...

Her best friend happened to find a pretty top Marinette had recently designed hidden in the back of her closet. It was a red peplum top, with black lace just touching up her neck, over her chest, and just barely kissing her shoulders. She wore a black mini skirt to complete the outfit and black pumps. Alya had done her makeup and hair and Marinette could honestly say she thought she looked good.

Alya wore a dark purple long-sleeved mini dress. The skirt poofed out a bit and the top had a leather covering over the chest. She wore high heels that perfectly matched the color of her dress.

When they arrived in Alya's car the place was already packed. Even from the car Marinette could hear the blasting music.

She was about to bite her red-coated lower lip but decided against it when she remembered how Alya would kill her if she ruined her makeup. How would she survive with the entire grade in a single house? Worse, how would she survive being in Adrien's presence? Would he think she looked pretty?

Alya parked the car a little down the road.

"Let's go!" Alya grinned in anticipation. Marinette responded with a nervous nod.

As soon as they were inside the smell of alcohol seemed to choke Marinette. Not to mention the heat radiating from all the drunk bodies. Music she didn't recognize blared out of the speakers, but no one seemed to mind the loud volume.

"Over here!" Alya took her friend's hand and guided her to a few rooms. At last, Alya found her target: the kitchen.

"Here." Alya handed Marinette an unopened beer and took one for herself. While Alya downed a large gulp, Marinette took a baby sip.

"Hey, there's Rose and Juleka!" The aspiring journalist shouted, pointing to the duo.

At the sound of their names their heads perked up. They smiled and made their way over to the two friends.

"Hey!" Rose smiled. "Isn't this party amazing!"

"So cool." Juleka grinned in agreement.

Chloe was nasty to the whole school, (except Adrien, of course) but even they had to admit it was a pretty good party.

"So, um, is everyone in our class here?" Marinette asked, not wanting to make it obvious she was searching for just one student.

"I think so," Rose replied. "I've seen just about everyone except Adrien."

Marinette's heart seemingly stopped. Adrien wasn't there?

Alya waved her hand dismissively. "He's a model, you know how models have to make sure their outfits are absolutely perfect before leaving the house."

The three laughed and Marinette felt a smile lifting the corners of her lips. That's why he's late. He's coming, he has to.

They talked for a little while until Rose and Juleka left to explore more of the house and possibly dance. Marinette and Alya left the kitchen and stood in the living room, watching a pair of boys play a racing game on the tv.

"Would you mind if I left to find Nino?" Alya leaned down and whispered in her ear. Otherwise she might not have heard her. "I'll come back."

Marinette frowned. She didn't want to hold her friend back from having any fun. She could survive by herself. She might possibly see Adrien.

"Yeah, go ahead, I don't mind." Marinette smiled encouragingly. "Go have fun with Nino, I'll be fine."

"You sure?" Alya questioned, raising an eyebrow. "I don't want to leave you alone..."

"No, no, go ahead! Maybe I'll see Adrien." Marinette smirked.

Alya copied her expression, although her eyes held a more devious look. "Alright. Go search for loverboy. If you need me, text me."

Marinette laughed when her friend disappeared. Alya was the one to get drunk at parties, so that text would be utterly useless in due time.

She started her trek into the next room. Couples were either grinding in the limited space available or making out on the cusions. She spied Chloe and Kim almost sucking each other's faces off on the couch. Gee, for someone who loves Adrien so much, why is she so willing to make out with another boy?

Kim happened to open his eyes and he spotted Marinette. She could see his grey eyes hungrily take her in as they darkened. Feeling an uncomfortable chill run up her spine, Marinette quickly made her way out of the room.

This time the room held groups of friends, all laughing and chatting and chugging their alcohol. The tv played a show Marinette didn't watch and a group of guys in front of it guffawed at something that happened to a character.

Marinette still didn't see Adrien, causing her to lose hope. She was so stupid, of course he wouldn't show up. He despised Chloe, why would he come to her party?

Oh well. She sighed. She may as well have fun without him.

She finished her beer and walked back to the kitchen. Hopefully she'd see Rose and Juleka and could hang out with them for the night.

When she got there she reached for another beer from out of the cooler but was suddenly face-to-face with a can.

She blinked in surprise, then looked to see who was holding it.

"Uh, hi, Kim," Marinette greeted awkwardly. What does one say when you just caught them heavily making out with someone on a couch? Should she pretend like it never happened?

Judging by the jock's smirk, it seemed his makeout with Chloe was far from his mind.

"Hey, Marinette. Great party, am I right?"

"Uh, yeah," she agreed, plastering on a smile. "It's great."

"You look great." His eyes were half-lidded and he winked.

Marinette shrank backwards. "Um, thanks. You too."

He only leaned toward her more, only serving to make her more uncomfortable. Her brain was telling her to get herself out of there, this guy was making her nervous.

"Well, I'll see you later," she hastily said and scurried away, to the front door. When she reached the outside she sucked in a mouthful of clean, cool air.

She shouldn't have even come here. Parties weren't her thing, they only made her self-concious and uncomfortable. Plus, Chloe hated her. She shouldn't have gone to a bully's party, even if Adrien might've been there.

She resolved to walk home, it was only a couple blocks.

That's what she said the first night she was almost mugged.

She tentatively looked back at the house, looking like it was pulsating with the musical beat and with the people dancing. She should probably go back...

"Wait, Marinette!"

Kim raced out the door, albeit a little clumsily. His gaze was unfocused when he reached the confused teen.

"Marinette, l-let me walk you home."

She didn't miss the slurring of his words. But he wasn't teetering on his feet drunk, he could still walk. Also, if she allowed him to walk her home she wouldn't be alone.

"Sure, thanks Kim." Marinette gave him an appreciative smile.

He grinned in return.

As they walked down the sidewalk something kept eating at her head. Should she have allowed herself to be alone with Kim?

She glanced up at the popular boy, and he gave her a smirk.

Nonsense, he was her classmate. He wouldn't try anything.

The streets they walked down were quiet. The Eiffel Tower was lit behind their backs and the crescent moon was high in the sky. Marinette smiled as she was able to spot the Big Dipper.

Kim suddenly grabbed her arm and pressed her against the side of a store's brick wall.

"Kim?!" Marinette cried out in shock. "What are you doing?!"

"I can't help myself," he slurred, bending his head to rest in the crook of her neck. He took in her strawberry perfume and grinned. "You look sexy."

"Kim, stop!" Marinette tried to wriggle out of his hold. "You're drunk! You don't want to do this."

"I know exactly what I want," he breathed, leaning back to look her in her terrified eyes. "You."

He slipped a hand beneath her skirt and Marinette gasped as his hand hovered over her female area.

"Don't touch me!" She yelled, manuevering her legs to try to get him to back off. "Get off me, Kim!"

"Come on, Marinette," he spoke, inching closer to her lips. "You want this too."

She squeaked as he crashed his lips onto hers and pressed a finger against her forbidden area. She tried getting out of his hold again but he only gripped her aching wrists harder.

Tears pooled in her eyes and fell when she squeezed them shut. Her own classmate, someone she's known since Kindergarden, was going to drunkenly take advantage of her.

In an instant Kim was ripped off of her. Marinette's eyes bulged and she gasped as Chat Noir held the terrified boy up against the opposing wall with a single hand.

His right hand gripped his neck so hard Marinette saw small rivulets of blood fall from where Chat's claws had dug. His left was out at his side, his claws ready to attack. He gave an infuriated growl and squeezed Kim's neck tighter.

"Ch-Chat Noir?!" Kim spluttered, eyes widened in horror.

"Who else?" Chat Noir hissed.