Sorry if I confused anyone this past weekend. I don't have my phone, which is what I usually use to upload chapters, so when I tried to use my computer, the formatting was screwed up.
I'm sorry to say that my updates are not going to be on their usual schedule. I may not even be able to upload another chapter this month. I do hope you all continue to follow my story despite my inactivity. I promise to let you all know when updates return to normal.
Anyway, here's chapter five!
Edited: June 9, 2021
Chapter Five
Adrien Agreste
It had been nearly three weeks since Adrien had won the photography contest, meaning he had attended seven modeling shoots with Marinette. He had to admit, the first few shoots were pretty awkward, but now he was actually pretty comfortable with Marinette. Yeah, he still had his moments of idiotic babbling, but he had managed to have a whole conversation with her the other day. The more he talked with her, the more he fell in love with her. Now he knew for sure that Marinette Dupain-Cheng was the most amazing and perfect girl he had ever met.
"Adrien! You're going to be late!" Emilie called from the bottom of the stairs.
"Coming!" Adrien called back, checking his appearance one last time in the mirror. Today was Marinette's birthday, and he was determined not to make a fool of himself. He had already wrapped and packed her gift in his backpack and had spent the past ten minutes practicing his greeting to her in the mirror.
"Adrien! I mean it!"
"Alright, alright!" Adrien grabbed his bag off his desk chair and bounded down the stairs. His mother handed him his usual breakfast; Adrien kissed her cheek.
"Happy birthday! Er, I mean, bye!" He dashed out, his cheeks burning. He was already making a fool of himself, and he hadn't even seen Marinette yet.
He forced himself to walk to school, not wanting to look like a gasping, sweaty fish when he saw Marinette. He wanted to give her the gift before class, and so he spent the entire walk practicing his greeting in his head.
"Hey, Marinette! I heard it's your birthday, so I got you this!"
No, too long.
"Happy birthday, Marinette!"
Yeah, short and simple.
He shook away his thoughts when he reached the school. Marinette was just climbing out of the limo when he arrived, and all of Adrien's practiced confidence flew away, causing the blonde to duck behind the stairs, clutching Marinette's gift and attempting to regain his composure.
"What are you doing, dude?"
Adrien jumped out of his skin and whirled around, coming face-to-face with his best friend.
"Nino! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Well I wouldn't have scared you if you weren't hiding behind a bush."
Adrien scowled but didn't move from his spot. Nino's eyes landed on the gift in Adrien's hand. He raised his eyebrows.
"Is that for Marinette?" he asked, a sly smirk on his face.
"Maybe."
Nino laughed and dragged Adrien out from behind the bush, shoving him towards the model climbing the stairs. "Give it to her, dude!" he whisper-shouted, crossing his arms as he watched his friend stumble up the stairs behind Marinette. Adrien glared at Nino and then took a deep breath.
You can do this, Agreste.
"Er, Marinette?"
She turned around and broke into a smile when she saw who had spoken.
"Hey, Adrien."
Her smile took Adrien's breath away, and his prepared greeting flew from his mind once again.
"I, uh, um..." He glanced down at the gift in his hand, trying to remember why he was holding the box, but Sabrina shoved him aside before he was able to say anything.
"Marinette!" Sabrina squealed, throwing her arms around the raven. "Happy birthday!" She whirled around and grabbed the gift Chloé was holding and handed it to Marinette. Then the redhead wrapped her arm around Marinette's shoulder, leading the model into the school, Chloé trailing behind them.
Adrien sighed and trudged into the school, the gift dangling dejectedly beside him.
"Cheer up, Adrien," Nino said, wrapping his arm around Adrien's shoulders much like Sabrina had done to Marinette. "You can drop it by her house later today."
Marinette Dupain-Cheng
Marinette wiggled out of Sabrina's grip as soon as they entered the school. She ignored the redhead's protests, turning to Chloé and wrapping her in a hug before waving at the two girls and running off to find Alya.
"Marinette!"
The raven whirled around and brightened when she saw her friend waving from one of the benches. Marinette slid into the seat beside Alya, looking over her friend's shoulder at the notebook she had balanced on her knees.
"I'm writing a song," Alya explained, holding the notebook up for Marinette to see.
"Can I read it?" Marinette asked, reaching for the notebook.
"It's not done yet, but I guess so." She handed the notebook to Marinette.
"This is really good, Alya," Marinette said when she had finished reading the lyrics. "I didn't know you were a songwriter."
"I'm a singer, too," Alya said, her cheeks turning pink as she spoke. Marinette gaped at her friend.
"How did I not know that you could sing?"
"It's not something I share with a lot of people," Alya admitted, shrugging. "And you're pretty dense sometimes."
"I am not dense!" Marinette protested, playfully swatting Alya's arm. Alya laughed and held up her hands, leaning away from Marinette.
"Okay, okay, I take it back!" Alya gasped out between giggles. Marinette laughed and dragged Alya back onto the bench. There was a beat of comfortable silence, and then Alya gasped.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" She dug through her bag and then pulled out a black box. "Happy birthday!"
Marinette took the box from Alya's hand. She opened it and gasped. A necklace lay in the box, gleaming up at Marinette. She gently lifted the jewelry from the box, studying the charm dangling on the end. The charm was a silver heart with a small black microphone and a small black heel intertwined in the middle.
"It's a friendship necklace," Alya explained. "The microphone represents me, and the heel represents you." She pointed to each charm as she spoke, then looked up at Marinette. "Do you like it?"
"No, Alya, I love it." She wrapped the brunette in a hug and then held up the necklace. "Can you put it on for me?"
Alya nodded, took the necklace from Marinette's hands, and unclasped and fastened it around Marinette's neck. She then slid back, allowing the raven to spin back around and face her.
The five minute warning bell rang, causing both girls to scramble up from the bench, grab their bags, and sprint to their first class. They slid into their seats mere seconds before the official bell rang, signaling the start of class. Miss Bustier entered a moment later, smiling widely.
"Good morning, class!"
"Good morning, Miss Bustier!"
Miss Bustier turned to the board and began writing; Alya leaned towards Marinette.
"Do you think your mom would let you have a birthday party?" she whispered. Marinette shook her head.
"I asked her this morning. She said we don't have time for silly parties."
"Don't have time? She's a multi-millionaire! She can make time!"
Marinette shrugged. "She doesn't like deviating from her schedule." But Marinette suspected the real reason her mother hated parties was because Tom had always been the family's party planner. Marinette could almost remember the excited look on her father's face as he twirled her around the room, singing happy birthday. She could faintly recall being placed on his shoulders as they made their way to the store to buy balloons and a cake of her choice.
But those memories were blurry, replaced by the lonely nights trapped in her room, celebrating with her stuffed animals and the single cupcake Nathalie had handed her after dinner, her two presents balanced on her bed, waiting to be opened.
Marinette shook her head, clearing away her thoughts. She turned her attention back to Alya.
"All it would take is a few hours," Alya was saying. "You know what? I'm going to talk to her myself."
"Oh, Alya, I don't think that's a good ide-"
"Nonsense. Let me handle this, Mari. I'll talk some sense into that darling mother of yours." She patted her friend's hand and turned her attention back to Miss Bustier.
This isn't going to end well.
Adrien Agreste
Class passed quickly, and, all too soon, it was lunchtime. It was a half-day today, meaning the students could leave school as long as they signed out during lunch. Marinette and Alya signed their names and walked out of the school, chatting along the way. Adrien watched them pass, noticing Marinette's concerned expression as she listened to Alya.
"Hey, dude, are you going to give Marinette her gift?" Nino asked, sitting down beside his friend.
"Oh, yeah! I nearly forgot!" Adrien exclaimed, jumping up, grabbing his bag, and dashing to the sign-out sheet. Nino couldn't help but snicker as he watched the blond boy scramble around the room before racing out the door.
By the time Adrien reached the Dupain-Cheng mansion, Alya and Marinette were long gone. Adrien glanced around, looking for some way to get his gift inside. He saw a mailbox by the gate and cautiously walked towards it. He reached out and grabbed the handle, trying to pull open the mailbox door, but it refused to move. He tried again, pulling harder this time, but the mailbox stayed shut.
He considered leaving the gift on the ground by the mailbox, but he worried someone else would steal it or it would be forgotten and become a weathered mush of material.
I can just give it to her tomorrow, he decided, stepping back, but before he could get very far, a camera shot out of the gate and pointed at Adrien.
"What are you doing?" a harsh voice demanded. Adrien jumped back and gulped.
"I, uh, have a gift. For Marinette." He held up the package for the camera to see. The voice on the other end remained silent. "I-I'm one of her friends," Adrien said, lowering the gift back to his side.
"You're the boy who won the photography competition, aren't you?"
"Y-yes ma'am," Adrien stammered, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
"Very well. Place your gift in the box, and I'll be sure to give it to Marinette."
The mailbox opened; Adrien stepped forward and placed the gift in the box. The mailbox slammed shut the moment Adrien removed his hand. The camera had disappeared back into the gate, leaving him alone on the pavement.
I guess that's my cue to leave. He walked away, feeling a little lighter now that he knew Marinette would get his gift.
--
Adrien had to pass the school on his way from the Dupain-Cheng mansion to the Agreste bakery. When he rounded the corner, Adrien could see Nino seated on the front steps, waiting for him.
"So, how'd it go?" Nino asked as soon as Adrien was within earshot.
"I mean, I put the gift in her mailbox, so I guess pretty good."
"You didn't give it to her?"
"She wasn't there."
"Did you at least sign it?"
Adrien froze, his eyes widening.
"I'm guessing that's a no."
"I forgot to sign it!"
"Yeah, that's definitely a no."
"I can't believe I forgot to sign it!"
"Hey, dude, calm down. We can tell Marinette tomorrow."
But Adrien had his head in his hands, repeating the same phrase over and over again. "I can't believe I forgot to sign it!"
Nino sighed and shook his head. This is a lost cause.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng
Marinette and Alya reached the gate leading to the Dupain-Cheng mansion. Marinette pressed the buzzer on the side of the gate and stepped back. The camera jumped out of the gate, just as Marinette expected.
"Oh, Marinette. You're home early," Nathalie said through the microphone.
"We had a half-day," Marinette explained. Rather than answering, Nathalie swiveled the camera to face Alya.
"Who is this?"
Marinette opened her mouth to respond, but Alya beat her to it.
"I'm Alya Césaire. Marinette's best friend."
The camera was silent for a moment.
"Yes, Marinette has mentioned you. What are you doing here?"
"I want to talk to Marinette's mom."
"Why?"
"Because it's Marinette's birthday, and I want to throw her a party."
Nathalie was quiet for another moment.
"I'm sorry, but Ms. Dupain-Cheng is incredibly busy right now."
"Oh, well, I can come back later."
"Oh, no, don't bother. Ms. Dupain-Cheng is busy all day." The hidden message was clear: Ms. Dupain-Cheng already said no, so leave it alone.
But Alya, of course, was far too stubborn to give up that easily.
"Well, if Ms. Dupain-Cheng is too busy to talk, could you at least give her a message?'
Nathalie sighed. "Very well."
"Tell Ms. Dupain-Cheng that Alya Césaire would like to throw her daughter a birthday party. She asks that Marinette be allowed to attend this party and would love if Ms. Dupain-Cheng would also attend." Alya turned to Marinette. "You have my number, right?" Marinette nodded.
"Good." Alya turned back to the camera. "Alya can be contacted via Marinette and sends her best regards. Got that?"
Nathalie sighed. "Yes, Alya, I got your message."
"Please see that it gets delivered."
Marinette had to hide a snicker. Alya's curt attitude to Nathalie was more than a little funny. The brunette turned to Marinette, a smug smile on her face. She wrapped the raven in a hug and then strode off down the street, turning around to wave at her friend before disappearing around the corner. Marinette waved back, then turned just as the gate swung open, allowing her to enter back into her lavish prison.
Alya Césaire
Alya knew Sabine wouldn't call her back. In fact, deep down, she knew Sabine wouldn't let Marinette have a party at all. Alya sighed and rolled onto her stomach, grabbing her phone off her nightstand and typing a text to Marinette.
Alya C: Hey, do you think your mom would let you come over today?
If Marinette could get out of her house, maybe Alya would be able to throw a party for her whether or not her mother allowed her.
But her hope was crushed a moment later.
Marinette DC: I don't think so. She's not in the best mood today and something came up at work.
Alya C: That's dumb! It's your fricken birthday!
Marinette DC: Yeah...
Alya C: I'm gonna go back and knock some sense into that woman.
Marinette DC: No, Alya, don't! You'll only make things worse!
Alya grit her teeth. Marinette's mother didn't seem to have a heart at all.
Alya C: I can't believe she won't let you have a party.
Marinette DC: It's alright, Alya. Really. I'm used to this.
Alya C: Just cause you're used to it doesn't mean it's right.
Marinette DC: I know, but it's really okay Alya. We can celebrate at school tomorrow or something.
Marinette DC: Oh, I got to go. Nathalie's calling me. Love you xxx
Alya C: Love ya too Mari xxx
Alya clicked off her phone and flopped back on her bed, her anger coursing through her veins. Parents always ruin everything.
Adrien Agreste
Nino eventually managed to calm Adrien down, promising to help the blond fix this mistake tomorrow. Adrien trudged home, still cursing himself for forgetting to sign the gift.
This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't chickened out earlier, he scolded himself as he pushed open the bakery door. Emilie looked up when the bell jangled and pursed her lips at her son's expression.
"Adrien, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Adrien muttered, waving off his mother's concern. "I'm just tired."
"Oh, well, why don't you go upstairs. You can go to bed early tonight, and you'll feel better in no time."
Adrien nodded and trudged up the stairs, dropping his backpack on his desk chair and flopping onto his bed. Tikki wiggled out of his shirt pocket and perched on the pillow by his head.
"Come on, Adrien. Everything will work out. There's no need to stress over this."
Adrien sighed and turned his attention to the window. "I know, I just..." He trailed off when his eyes caught on a weird floating object. "Tikki is that—" But his question was cut off by cackling.
"An akuma!" Tikki and Adrien shouted at the same time.
"Tikki, spots on!"
Marinette Dupain-Cheng
Marinette flopped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed once, alerting her of a new text, but Marinette ignored it. The text was probably from Alya, and Marinette didn't feel like talking to her best friend right now, especially since Alya only wanted to talk about how angry she was at Sabine. Not that Alya didn't have a right to be angry at Sabine, but Marinette didn't want to think about her mother right now.
"Cheer up, kid," Plagg said, popping another piece of Camembert in his mouth as he watched Marinette sulk. "We could always sneak out as Chat Noire and do something fun."
"Wouldn't that be taking advantage of our powers?"
Plagg shrugged. "It'd be a special treat."
Marinette sighed and flopped back on her pillows.
"Or we could continue pouting," Plagg murmured sarcastically, turning his attention to the muted television. The screen was currently playing some cheesy romantic story. Plagg gagged and reached for the remote, but the movie was interrupted by Nadja Chamack, who was commenting on some footage taken by the school.
"Uh, kid? You might wanna see this."
Marinette sat up as Plagg turned up the volume.
"...these floating objects appear to be huge bubbles carrying adults into the air. Could this be another akuma or—" Nadja was cut off as the screen shifted again, this time to a video of Alya, but this Alya was blue and pink from head to toe, and she was sneering at the camera.
"Good evening, boys and girls. I am the Bubbler, and I'm here to stop those strict parents who keep their kids from having fun!"
Marinette tuned out the rest of the akuma's message and jumped out of bed.
"We need to stop her before Paris becomes completely adultless. Plagg, claws out!"
So, yeah, I'm leaving y'all on a cliffhanger...please don't hate me. I'm hoping to post Chapter Six soon after I finish writing it, but I don't know when that will be since I've been feeling very uninspired lately.
Until next time my lovely readers!
~ sierramtns