Plenty of you have asked me to continue and have suffered from waiting so here is the next chapter.

Tbh I already have this whole story planned out it's only 10 chapters long lol

Enjoy!

Song: I Wish You Loved Me by Tynisha Keli

I (Wish) Things Were Different

I never thought I'd feel so out of place sitting here with my friends. We've always had the best time and conversations with the four of us, but I can't seem to put away my feelings long enough to just enjoy it.

I can't stop stealing glances towards his direction and I barely have said a word to him in short of 'hello.' I honestly didn't think it was possible, but Adrien looks even more handsome than when I saw him two years ago.

Calm down Marinette.

"So Adrien how was your flight? What exactlyare you studying over there in good ol England." Alya asked.

"It was fine, nothing special really I'm used to plane rides ya know?" He took a sip of his coffee and continued. "You guys know how much I loved school as a kid so I'm studying to become a teacher. I want to help the next generation exceed the same way Ms. Bustier helped us."

A teacher, I can see him doing that. He really is great with kids and it makes me wonder if he ever planned on having his own one day.

Wait...what am i thinking?

"So what are you guys up to?" Adrien asked.

"I've got an internship at the broadcast station." Alya said excitedly "You're looking at the next Nadia Chamack of Paris News."

"How about the first Alya Cesaire?" Nino said smiling at Alya. "I think i like her a lot better."

"You're cute. Tell Adrien about your gig."

Nino shrugged. "It's nothing special, I work part-time as a DJ. I do parties, clubs and other stuff like that. I'm currently working on a new mixtape, but I'm not sure if it'll take off."

"Of course it will Nino." Alya insisted.

"You're music is amazing Nino. You should have more confidence in it, you'll do great I'm sure." I spoke up as well.

"She's right." Adrien said and pat Nino on the shoulder. "You should have more faith in your talent."

Nino rubbed the back of his neck looking slightly embarrassed from our compliments. "Thanks dudes, it really means alot."

Our conversations continued and for a moment I felt my anxieties slipping away, that was until...

"So Marinette? What have you been up to these days?" I looked up at Adrien's eyes that were now staring in my direction. He was sporting that gorgeous smile of his and I felt my heart about to explode.

I took a few seconds to try to calm down so I wouldn't completely sound like an idiot trying to answer his question. "Nothing special really, I'm still trying to become a fashion designer." I chuckled nervously "I'm taking classes on fashion and design at the moment and I've applied for a few internships."

"Nothing special? You're finally going after your dream Marinette." His smiled brightened. "I think you're amaz...I mean that's...that's really amazing." He picked up his drink taking a long sip as he seemingly glared at the table and it almost looked like his face was turning red.

Alya's phone buzzed and she pulled it out to read her message. "Oh crap, I forgot I have to be at the station in the next 20 minutes." She got up from her seat. "Im really sorry guys, I really wish I could hang, but I gotta bounce."

"I'll give you a ride." I said about to get up from my seat.

"No it's fine, Nino can drive me." She said pulling him out of his seat. "He's got a gig happening over at the area later and he has to go and do a sound check before it starts. Right Nino?"

"Y..Yeah that's right. Sorry dudes." I noticed a single sweat dropping from the side of his face. Something very suspicious was going on here.

"Since it's your day off Mari why don't you guys enjoy the rest of the day, we'll catch up with you onceour works done." Alya smiled, and walked around the table to hug Adrien. "Nice seeing you again Agreste." Adrien returned her hug and then Alya walked over to me. "...and one for my best friend."

When Alya pulled me into an embrace she whispered into my ear.

"Talk to him." she says before pulling away and giving an innocent smile.

The more I think about it the more I can see that the two of them were deliberately trying to set me up by leaving me here alone with Adrien. I glared at Alya's retreating figure, if she could feel it I couldn't tell cause her and Nino happily left the shop.

Adrien and I sat back down and let the awkwardness from our silence begin to sink in. I didn't know what to say to him now that we were alone. I didn't know if i SHOULD or if I even WANTED to.

"So Mari?" He started, breaking me from my thoughts. "How have you been?"

"I'm...fine..." Not sure if I was telling the truth.

He nodded "That's good..."

The silence was back again, this time twice as awkward as the previous one. I looked at Adrien who was once again staring at the table while twiddling his fingers. I guess I wasn't the only one who couldn't figure out what to say.

Still I can't help noticing the fluttering feeling in my chest at just the mere sight of him.

How can someone make me so sad

But still I only want you to stay

I wanna say "I love you" so bad

But I don't wanna scare you away

Is it really possible that I could still have those feelings that I've tried so hard to bury?

Adrien nervously reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. "It's been a long time hasn't it...since we've seen each other and...talked."

I nodded and pulled a loose strand of my hair back. "Yeah...it's been awhile."

"I missed you." My heart stops and for a second I thought I misheard what he said, that is until I saw the serious expression on his face. "I missed you alot...I'm not sure what happened between us these past couple of years, but I do know that you mean a lot to me Marinette and I don't want to lose you." His face turned slightly red, most likely matching my own. "Do you think we could...continue where we left off...and still be friends?"

Friends...that's right. No matter what I feel, no matter what I do, he and I will never be more than that...friends.

All those times back then when he claimed to love me as Ladybug doesn't exist anymore now that he knows the real me.

Yet I do have to admit I did miss our friendship. I missed the fun hangouts as with him as Adrien and the joking on the rooftops when he was Chat Noir. If I can get that back...I guess being just friends is enough. Even if I know we'll never be more.

Please

I wish that you'll understand

That I wanna be more than just your friend

"We're still friends Adrien, we never stopped being that." I say, which in a way was the truth. Yeah I was hurt with what happened at the New Years ball, but I never wanted to break our friendship. His feelings are his own no matter what mine are. "I was dealing with some stuff back then I guess and I wasn't sure how to cope with it, but now I know that I was being ridiculous."

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked curiously.

"Not neccessary." I reached over and rested my hand over his. "It's not important, lets just take our friends advice and enjoy this day. Shall we?"

"That sounds great." His smile brightened, making my heart jump once again. "How about we find a more private place to talk so our kwamis can catch up too?"

"That sounds like a plan." We stood up from our seats and headed towards the exit.

Adrien steeped forward and opened the door for the two of us. "After you M'lady." He says jokingly.

I rolled my eyes at him, but thanked him nonetheless and we both headed towards the park.

I wish you loved me