In which Kim gets his just desserts... ;)

Chapter 15

"So, Lila, welcome to our school!"

Marinette stared at her best friend's phone screen, listening to her previous interview with the famous actress. That afternoon they decided to have lunch by themselves to have some girltime, though Marinette suspected it was because of Adrien. They didn't talk at all that morning, and she knew it was because she practically ran out on him on Wednesday.

She was already awkward around her crush, but this was a whole new level.

Meanwhile, on the screen, Lila Cagna simply let out a girlish laugh that Marinette knew was fake. "Why thank you! It's such an honor to go here!"

She could hear Alya chuckle. "We should be saying that to you! So, what made you decide to come to Paris?"

Lila's olive green eyes looked skyward, the picture of innocence, then settled back on the unseen interviewer. "Paris is so beautiful! The city of romance, it's always intrigued me. I simply couldn't resist any longer!"

They go back and forth, with Lila mostly just complimenting their city. She claimed Italy was getting boring, which was another reason why she moved to France.

"I can't wait for this to get in the paper, and not just the school one. Imagine how many outlets would kill for this interview!" Alya squealed, taking her phone back and biting her lip to try to keep her excitement at bay.

"I'm happy for you, Alya," Marinette told her truthfully. She honestly wondered how much money Alya could get from that exclusive interview.

"Yeah, I-girl, is that Kim?!" Alya picked up a menu to partly shield her face, hazel eyes on the small group of football players like a hawk.

"Really?" Marinette asked. She could turn around and see for sure, but it'd be obvious she was looking. A small bubble of fear grew in her stomach, memories of the night of Sabrina's party making a comeback in her brain. She instinctively gripped the hidden ring in her shirt and couldn't help the smile that came to her lips.

Chat Noir made sure Kim wouldn't even look at her. The jock still followed through on his promise, although he was gradually regaining his normal attitude. Kim wouldn't dare to try to approach her in the restaurant.

Alya's eyes narrowed. "That asshole. What a prick."

"He has to eat too, you know," Marinette said quietly, taking a sip of her drink.

Alya paused, then started lowering her menu. Her mouth was revealed to be twisted into a wicked smirk.

"Mari, go outside. I got the bill."

Marinette rose an eyebrow. "But-"

"Go. Outside." Alya's smirk never wavered as she gave the order. "Trust me."

Marinette knew better than to try to disuade her from whatever it was she was going to do. With a sigh, she grabbed her purse and walked out of the cafe, making sure to keep her head down lest she accidently lock eyes with her attempted rapist.

The raven-haired teen watched through the clear windows how Alya grabbed her half-consumed milkshake. She slapped some money on the table then started walking determinedly to the back of the cafe.

Marinette felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her eyes widened in realization as her face paled.

Alya approached the table of jocks with a sweet smile. Kim picked his head up to grin and say something, and that's when his face, chest, and legs were drenched with the strawberry milkshake.

As Kim stood up, bewildered and angry, his teammates all started howling with laughter. Alya whipped out her phone and took a crystal-clear picture before charging out of the cafe.

"Come on, girl!" Alya shouted, laughter seeping out of her voice as she grabbed a shocked Marinette's hand and ran back towards the school.

"I can't believe you did that!" Marinette panted, still being dragged by her best friend. "Why would you do that?!"

"That asshole deserved it!" Alya called back over her shoulder. "He had it coming."

Marinette chose not to say anything to that. After a few more minutes of running, the girls stopped at the steps of the school, breathing deeply with their hands on their knees.

"That," Alya stopped to take another breath, "was hilarious! Want to see the pic?"

"I still can't believe you did that." Marinette shook her head. "What if he-"

"I seem to remember you saying that a certain thief was going to rip him apart if he even dared to glance in your direction." Alya grinned. "Kim's not going to do anything."

"But what about you?" Marinette retorted, concerned for her best friend.

The aspiring journalist rolled her eyes. "Please, I can take whatever roid-boy comes at me with."

Marinette couldn't help the burst of laughter that sprang from her mouth. Alya joined in too and soon they were a mess of laughter and tears on the school steps.

"Did we miss something?" Nino asked, amusement lacing his tone as he and Adrien met up with the pair of girls.

"Just something amazing!" Alya answered, still cackling. "Look!"

She whipped out her phone and four huddled around it to see the picture. Marinette bit her lip at Adrien's close proximity. But he didn't seem to mind being close to her.

There, in perfect quality, was a standing, raging Kim, drenched in strawberry milkshake.

"Oh my God!" Nino laughed. "What the hell happened?"

Adrien covered his mouth with his knuckle to hide his own chuckling, his green eyes were dancing with devious mirth.

"Let's just say Kim made a big mistake, and it was high time he paid for it," Alya replied cryptically with a grin. Marinette shot her a thankful smile, glad she didn't spill on the real reason why.

"Well, looks like you got him good," Nino snickered. He wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders and planted a chaste, but loving kiss on her cheek.

...

After school Marinette hurried to her room, but remembered to greet her parents, of course. She whiped out the roll of spandex and got to work, her sapphire eyes were gleaming in anticipation.

Saturday was in two days. Two days to create this costume, two days to show off her artistic genius. Hey, this design is her favorite one, she can afford to be a little confident about her designing skills.

"Marinette! Your friend is here to see you!" Tom's voice calls out, partly muffled from the closed trapdoor.

The blackette groaned. She loves seeing her friends, but now isn't exactly the best time. Still, she can't be rude and ignore them. So, she rises out of her chair and walks downstairs to the bakery.

Her lips autotmatically widen into a smile at the sight of the red-haired artist. He's clutching his sketchpad and shuffling his feet nervously.

"Hey, Nathan!"

The shy boy looked up, a blush coloring his cheeks when his eyes land on her. "H-Hey, Marinette!"

"So," she trailed off, going towards the display case. "Chocolate chip, again? Or something different this time?" She asked sweetly with a smile.

"Ch-Chocolate chip, please," Nathanael mumbled.

"Coming right up!" She grabbed the tongs. "How many?"

"Ten, please."

While Marinette was getting his order ready, she heard the bell go off, signaling a customer coming in. She couldn't see, due to her back being turned, so she announced that she'd be right with them.

Marinette finished putting the cookies in the box and placed a sticker on it, a leaf one since it was still Autumn. She beamed as she sat the cookies on the counter. "Okay, that'll be-"

Her mouth dropped as she saw Adrien right behind Nathanael. The blond smiled and waved.

"Uh...t-that'll be..." Marinette could barely get out the price with those stupid green eyes seemingly staring into her soul. What was Adrien doing in her bakery? Didn't he have fencing, or a photoshoot, or at least have to keep up a strict diet, meaning no sweets? Facing him in school was one thing, but in her bakery?

Marinette breathed and told the price to the waiting, albeit slightly puzzled, redhead. She can relax, she has the home field advantage.

Nathanael pushed his hand in his pocket and handed her the correct amount of money. "Thank you, Marinette," he said, smiling though still blushing madly.

Focus on Nathanael, ignore the wonderful blond standing behind him, her mind chants. "You're welcome!"

Nathanael's eyebrows furrow. "Is that a ring?"

Marinette blanched at his words. Her hand snatched the ring and tugged it back inside her shirt, it must've fallen out while she was bent over getting the cookies.

"Uh-ah-no! I-I mean, yes!" She stuttered. Her eyes flickered to Adrien, who green eyes twinkled with what looked to be amusement...although with a hint of smugness as well.

Jerk, he was probably enjoying watching her squirm.

"It's just a ring I designed," she lied smoothly. "I think it turned out well." Thank God he didn't see the emerald paw print.

"So, a boy didn't give it to you?" Nathanael asked shyly. Marinette noticed Adrien's jaw tighten for some reason.

"Nope!" She lied through her teeth.

"M-Marinette?" Nathanael's face was as red as a tomato by now. The blackette wondered worriedly if he could pass out with too much blood flushed to the face. "I-I-so you don't have anyone special in your life?"

The designer frowned, looked down at the counter and bit her lip. Why was he asking these personal questions?

"Umm," she mumbled. "Not really, at the moment." What was she supposed to say, that she may be dating Chat Noir?

The artist's lips curved up in a shy smile. "Marinette, I was wondering-"

"Some of us have other things to do," Adrien barked out.

Marinette's startled blue orbs snapped to Adrien's fiery green ones. She blinked in astonishment. She'd never heard Adrien use that tone of voice on anyone before. It was bizarre, to say the least.

She never pegged him to be an impatient person, usually he was patient and sweet to everyone, even Chloe.

But, she surmised, even he must have his limits. He must have a photoshoot to get to and only has a limited time to be in the bakery.

Nathanael startingly turned back to the blond, blocking her view of both men's faces, before locking eyes again with Marinette. "Um, I'll see you in class tomorrow!" He grabbed the box and practically ran out the door.

"I-I'm sorry, you were left waiting for so long," Marinette apologized to Adrien. "I didn't think-and you must have a photoshoot-"

Adrien calmed her down with an easy grin. "It's alright, sorry I got a bit impatient back there, it's a horrible flaw." He chuckled. "I just couldn't wait to try one of these pastries, they all smell so good."

The designer found herself blushing, pride surging in her veins at her parents's work. "Thank you, I'll tell my parents you said that."

"You're welcome," he replied. His eyes trailed over the many treats in the display cases set up around the bakery.

"I was able to convince the Gorilla to let me stop by here before my photoshoot," Adrien said suddenly, chuckling.

Marinette giggled, she couldn't help it whenever he referred to his bodyguard/driver by that name. It was mean, she knew, but she just couldn't help herself.

Adrien looked at her out of the corner of his eye and grinned.

"So." Marinette cleared her throat, "Anything in particular you're looking for?"

"Not really." He shrugged. He turned to her and smiled. "What do you recommend?"

"We-Well, macarons are a classic. And they're not that fattening." Marinette eyes bulged and she gasped when she realized what she said. "N-Not that you're fat! You're not fat at all! You're in good shape, great shape! You have nice muscles and-" Oh God. Did she really just say that?!

Adrien's smirk just kept curling deeper and deeper.

Marinette's face reddened deeper and deeper.

"I'm so sorry!" She apologized. For the accidental insult, or for her embarrasing rant, she didn't say.

Adrien released a chuckle. "It's okay. Macarons actually sound great!"

"I-I'll get them for you, then!" She squeaked, almost choking. Could a hole just please swallow her up now? "H-How many?"

"Five will be good. Oh, and with buttercream filling, please."

"S-Sure! O-Of course!"

Marinette hurriedly gathered the pastries, taking care to give him the best looking ones. After gently putting them in the box and placing a sticker on it, she turned to the counter, and almost dropped the box.

Adrien was leaning on elbow on the counter, lips pulled up in an innocent smile, looking every bit the model he was. Even his hair was styled perfectly, not a golden strand out of place.

After her initial awkward pause, she strode up to the counter and shakily told him the price.

He reached into his jeans pocket and fished out the money, though it was more than the total. Marinette turned and was about to get his change when he lightly touched her wrist to stop her.

Marinette's cheeks flared at the gesture.

"Keep the change," he informed her with a wink. He picked up the box and casually strolled out of the bakery.

Marinette lifted her wrist to her face so she could be eye-level with it. It still tingled from his touch.

"Marinette, who was that?" Sabine came in, asking curiously.

But her daughter couldn't tell her, due to her being a pile of passed-out mush on the floor.