A/N: MariChat had their first kiss, huzzah! But poor Marinette, torn between two different guys... ;D Their kissing scene was the most passionate thing I've ever written, so I'm glad that it seems I did a good job :)

Chapter 11

Marinette didn't bother trying to cover the love bite with makeup, all she needed was a t-shirt that didn't reveal too much below the neck. That way for sure no one would see it. No one would've seen it yesterday, since she kept her head down for the whole day.

When Alya came in she was bombarded with questions about her behavior yesterday. Alya thought it was safe to ask since the designer seemed to be in a better mood. Marinette responded that she was just having some personal issues.

Personal may not have been the best excuse, because it only made her best friend even more curious about her dilemma. Marinette reassured that it was over and done with, that Alya didn't even need to worry. She rose and eyebrow and later grumbled about it, but for the most part she let the issue rest, something that Marinette considered a miracle.

Adrien bid Marinette his usual 'good morning' but left it at that. He didn't turn around once to speak to her, give her any secret smirks or winks, nothing. He acted like they were simply acquaintances. They kind of were, Marinette thought, but she hoped he thought they were something a little more given his recent behavior. She frowned, she was really hoping they were getting somewhere.

Speaking of getting somewhere, what about her and Chat Noir? Were they getting somewhere? Should they just forget about the kiss and remain friends? Although he didn't seem to want to be 'just friends'. But she likes Adrien-

"Miss Dupain-Cheng? Are you with us?" Mme. Bustier called out to the daydreaming student.

Chloe and Sabrina snickered from their seats. Marinette sent a quick glare in their direction before replying, "yes, I'm sorry, Madame."

"Pay attention, this will be on the test on Friday."

"Yes, Madame."

Mme. Bustier continued with her lecture while Alya rose an inquiring eyebrow to the blackette. Marinette grinned sheepishly and shrugged.

...

At the end of the day Marinette and Alya hung out in the former's room.

"Girl, you know I'm going to keep asking until you tell me." Alya smirked. "Journalist's intuition."

Marinette sighed and placed a hand against her forehead. Okay, Alya, here's the truth. I love Adrien but I made out with Chat Noir, yes, the same Chat Noir that steals from Paris on a daily basis. I thought I was a slut because of this but Chat convinced me of the opposite and now I'm feeling kind of better.

"It was nothing, Alya. Just-I-" She had to make this excuse good. "I was on my period!"

Hm. It seemed plausible. How she acted yesterday could easily be blamed for that.

Alya's face immediately softened in understanding. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry. And my bothering you probably didn't help. You must want to kill me right now." She chuckled good-naturedly.

Marinette let out a shaky laugh that she hoped didn't sound too nervous. She was never a good liar. "It's okay, I'm feeling better."

"Let's have some chocolate, chocolate makes everything better!"

Before Marinette could stop her the sneaky girl left the room, most likely to head to the bakery. She shrugged to herself with a smile, she didn't mind feasting on chocolate from time to time.

...

Since Sabine wanted to make sure Marinette and Alya would have room for their respective dinners, she only gave them two chocolate éclairs to have each.

"So," Alya spoke through a mouthful of the delicious food. "Any luck with Adrien? I think he's starting to show some interest." She winked mischievously.

Marinette blanched and almost choked. "No! No way, he doesn't like me..." Her heart started pumping faster at the possibility. "Do you really think so?"

"I really think so." Alya grinned. "Nino's trying to get it out of him, too. We got nothing yet, but the model has to let go of his perfect facade sometime..."

Marinette squealed in delight. "He might like me! What do I say? What do I do?"

"Just act cool and calm," Alya advised with a smirk. "Don't let him know you like him."

Marinette tilted her head. "But I do like him, shouldn't he at least get the hint?"

"No! You have to make him think, make him wonder if there's a possibility the cute girl that sits behind him may like him." The aspiring journalist winked.

Marinette couldn't help the blush that rose to her cheeks.

Alya checked her phone. "Crap, I got to be home soon. I'll see you tomorrow, girl!"

"See you!"

Alya grabbed her stuff and went out the trapdoor. Marinette bit her lip to suppress another happy squeal. Adrien might like her, the boy she's been in love with for two years may like her!

...

It was before dinner that Marinette realized that Alya left her science book at her desk. No matter, she could return it to her tomorrow at school.

Later that night, Marinette was sewing a dress she designed when she heard the tapping on her trapdoor she was getting used to.

"Come in!" She called, not too loudly to alert her parents.

Chat Noir dropped down on the bed, then made his way down the staircase to see her sewing. Marinette stopped and turned around to see him smirking with a red rose settled between his teeth.

He dropped to one knee and held out the flower to her. "For you, my Princess."

Marinette accepted it with a blush coloring her cheeks. Great, Adrien may like her and now this alley cat steps up his game. The choice should be simple: reject Chat Noir because he breaks the law and Marinette shouldn't want any part of that. Adrien was the safe choice.

Although, what if she can make him a hero? But then that'll complicate everything even more! But if she didn't try then she'd be selfish-

Marinette groaned and placed the thornless rose on her desk. She covered her face with both hands and let out another groan of indecisiveness.

"Everything alright, Princess?" Chat Noir rested a comforting hand on her shoulder and began to rub in small circles.

The girl sighed and revealed her face to him. "Why do you have to be so..."

He smirked. "Sexy? Charming? Irresistible?"

She chuckled. "Annoying."

Chat Noir gasped with false hurt. "You think I'm annoying? Why do you think so lowly of me?"

Marinette tapped a finger against her chin, glancing up at him playfully. "Well, your cat puns are one thing."

"My puns are clawsome! How do mew not think so? You need to get a sense of hufur."

Marinette grinned. "That last one was pushing it, and you know it."

He shrugged. "I shall nefur admit depaws." The thief brightened. "Get it? Depaws, but since cats don't have feet, and the real word is defeat-"

"I get it." The designer shook her head, though with a small smile playing on her lips.

"You like my puns." He grinned. "Admit it."

"I will admit no such thing."

"Okay," he trailed off to grab her hand and haul her up. She squeaked in surprise at the sudden movement but fell silent at the close proximity between them.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his body. "You like me, at least admit that." He grinned.

"I-I-"

"I know you do." He bent his face closer to hers. "You enjoyed every second of our kiss."

Marinette bit her lip, fighting back the furious blush that she knew was probably already staining her cheeks. "I still like that other guy in my class."

"You like me," he purred, dropping his head to her neck to plant a kiss there.

"I, well-"

"Marinette?!"

The two, startled, whipped their heads to face a very shocked Alya Cesaire.

Marinette immediately paled. "A-Alya, it's not-"

"Not what it looks like?!" She screeched. "I come back to get my science book and you're rendezvousing with Paris's top criminal?! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Alya-"

"Now what a minute," Chat Noir interrupted.

"No," Marinette returned the favor. "Chat, I think you should go."

"But-"

Marinette fixed him with a stern look. "I mean it. I can handle this on my own."

"Yeah, don't you have a store to steal from?" Alya sassed, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

Chat Noir narrowed his eyes at her. He released an angry hiss before stomping on the ladder to Marinette's bed like a child and leaping out the trapdoor.

Marinette looked down at the ground. "Alya-"

"Don't 'Alya' me! What are you doing with Chat Noir?!"

The blackette looked up to meet her hazel eyes. "Can we please talk about this?"

Alya glared at her best friend. "You better have a hell of a good excuse to explain why you're-you're-gallivanting with that criminal!"

"Alya, please, not so loud," Marinette begged, not wanting her parents to hear and get involved.

"And why shouldn't your parents hear? They deserve to know their daughter is an accomplice to the city's number one thief."

Marinette growled and angrily glared at her. She was beginning to get tired of her friend's attitude. "I'll explain everything if you'll just shut your damn mouth!"

Alya's eyes widened. She'd never seen the friendly designer so angry before, and to have that temper targeted on her?

Marinette, not relenting on her furious look, sharply pointed to the chaise. "Now sit down, shut up, and let me talk."