Dear Journal,

I'm drinking tea as I write this before bed, because apparently Truth gas, makes you spill the truth and makes you sleepy. Which is dangerous for cats, because you know how much we love to snooze.

Plagg is glaring at me, wondering why I'm not curing my sleepiness with cheese. It all started at school this morning…..

The day started like any other day, only we were taking a test when it happened. One moment your writing your answer about prymaids, the next you hear a loud boom.

It wasn't long till I met up with Ladybug. "Let's wrap this up quickly," I tell her, twirling my baton. Ladybug giggles. "Why, Kitty? Were you at the Groomers again?" "No, I was in the middle of a important test." "Yeah, a cuteness test." "Are you flirting me, Bugaboo?" "Cat, what did we say about flirting?" I boop her on the nose. "You talked about it. I just stood there and looked cute."

"Enough of the chit-chat! I am Truth, and I'm going to take your Miraculous!" The villain holds a book with the title "Book Of Truth" scrawled on the cover. "Funny, Chat is my name in French."

We dodge Truth's Lasso and we battle till she blows blue dust in our faces. "M'lady, I'm feeling a bit strange…." "Cat, I have always loved you!" Even if I feel a bit woozy, I know she loves someone else. "Nice try, love. You've been hit by Truth, haven't you?" "I like Adrien Agreste!" she shouts, clapping her hand over her mouth. "Okay, I don't need to know all your secrets. Here." I hand her my belt and she wraps it around her mouth.

I need to think of a way to lure Truth closer, who is just out of reaching and laughing. "Ooh, the bug has a little crush!" Yeah, on me! Wait, me as Adrien? Aw, Bugaboo! But I can't focus on that now. I need to find out why Truth got akumatized in the first place. "So, did someone tell a lie or what?" I ask.

Truth stomps her foot. "Oh, you think your so perfect! Betcha get straight As. They said I cheated!" Keep talking, keep talking. I shift quietly, trying to creep up on her using the chimneys.

I get in position. "Cataclysm." Then I pounce. "Don't worry, just tell your teacher the truth." I slide my hand across her book. "No!"

"Pound it!" "So, it is true?" I ask, leaning on my staff with a wide grin. "Do you have a crush on Adrien Agreste?" Ladybug gives me a sad look. "You know I can' t answer that."

She helps the young girl to her feet. "See ya around!" If I hurry, I can finish the test before lunch.

Speaking of lunch, I figure its a perfect time to fill out the application form from the bakery. "You must really love our croissants if your thinking of applying!" I look up into Marinette's face. "Please sit. And its not only the croissants I like." I can feel my face growing warm, and Marinette's cheeks are two rosy apples. "What else?" "I like you, Marinette." She peeks up at me, and I wonder if she heard me in the noisy room. But just then, I feel her hand wrap around mine underneath the table. "I like you too, Adrien."

After school, I head home for Cheise lessons, but I cannot wait to get to Marinette's. "You seem to be far away today, Adrien," my tutor says. "Yeah."

Natalie lets me go, as long as I promise to head home before dark. When I get up to Marinette's room, all the lights are off, and she's lying on her chaise.

"Hey, you feeling okay? Its not like you to be doing nothing." I walk over to her, placing my hand on her forehead. "You don't feel warm, so that's a good sign. Would you like some tea?" "Yeah, tea sounds nice."

We go down to the kitchen, and I fill the kettle with water. "Mother always told me that tea always would make you feel better." I click on the stove and turn. "Adrien?" "Yes?" "May I have a hug?" I nod, gently pulling her to my chest. Its then I feel my cotton shirt getting wet. "Hey, you can tell me anything," I whisper, resting my chin on top of her head. "I like someone, but I don't know how to tell them, and I like you too. Has there ever been the secret that wasn't yours to keep?" "Yes. But there's always a right time for everything." "That sounds like good advice. So, who is he?" I put the teabags in the cups and start adding the hot water. "Cat Noir." I nearly burn myself. "You like Cat Noir?" "Yeah, he's sweet and gentle. Caring. A good listener." No way can I tell her about my crush on Ladybug. "I like someone too. But that doesn't make you any less special, Marinette." "Oh."

She quiet as we play a few rounds of video games. After dinner, she says she's turning in early. "You sure your okay?" I ask, as I stand at the door. "I'll see you at school tomorrow," comes her reply.

Good thing I have patrol, because I wouldn't be able to sleep. Even Ladybug seems sad. "I found out the guy I like like's someone else." Her voice sounds dull, and I slowly reach for her hand. "I know the truth can seem cruel, but everything will work out for best." "Thank you, Cat. You always know the right words to say. Even if it is a pun." Its not long before we're both yawning. I fall asleep quickly, dreaming of ladybugs and princesses.

In the morning, Plagg won't leave me alone. "Plagg, just five more minutes." "No. If you want to cheer up your sweetheart, bring her a morning coffee." "I don't have a sweetheart." "Doesn't matter, Marinette is your best friend. Now, up!"

My palms sweat as I cross the courtyard to find Marinette. I nearly drop the cup when I find her, sitting at one of picnic tables. Chewing thoughtfully on her pencil and writing in her diary.

"Marinette? I brought you some coffee," Marinette looks up and a smile crosses her face. "Aw, that's sweet. Please, sit."

Maybe someone put some "love potion" in our drinks, because Marinette reaches out her hand, and we hold hands across the table as we drink our coffee. Even during the movie during biology we hold hands for a bit, until I get a bit fidgety.

There's just enough light to scribble a note to her.

Adrien: Don't worry, if you fall asleep on my shoulder, I don't care if you drool!

Sliding the paper across, Marinette reads it, gasps, then looks at me, eyes blue fire. Then she scribbles back.

Marinette: Very funny, Agreste. I don't snore and I don't drool.

Adrien: Fun facts to know. And I never said you snored.

Marinette: Who are you, Cat Noir?

Adrien: Meow? Sorry, lips are sealed.

Just then the lights snap on. "Looks like you enjoyed the movie," Alya grins. "Uh….." Marinette stammers. I laugh.

Heart light, I'm on fire in fencing class. After, I find a small note in my locker. I unwrap it curiously.

"Okay, maybe I do snore a little. And maybe drool. Maybe.

Marinette

"Isn't she the cutest, Plagg?" "Adrien, when will you decide between your two cheeses?" I stare at him, suddenly serious. "Plagg, you know I wish she were Ladybug."

Then I realize I never dropped off the application for the bakery. Heading over quickly, I find Mama Cheng at the counter. "We'll certain take you into consideration, Adrien. Marinette's upstairs making cookies. How about you head on up?"

"Why do like hanging out so much here?" Marinette asks awhile later as we cut cookies. "It feels like home. Its warm and cozy, and…." I pause. "There's so much love here." Marinette snorts. "What?" "I believe you, but how many chick flicks do you watch and aren't telling me?" "Very funny. But speaking of movies, it will be awhile before the cookies are done."

To my surprise, Marinette does fall asleep with her head on my shoulder, and should I be disappointed she didn't drool?

She's a bit embarrassed when she wakes up, but I assure her I didn't mind. Even I take a short snooze while Mama Cheng gets dinner.

At supper, Papa tells stories from his day, and soon we're all in stitches laughing. Its hard to say goodbye, but the happy memories linger.

This is what its like to have a family.

"You have a happy glow, Kitty," Ladybug tells me that night. "Just a good day," I tell her. "You want to take a walk along the beach?"

Ladybug opens up about her day, and she's get bold enough that she slips her arm through mine as we walk. "M'lady?" I stop, the moon shining down on us. "yes?" "What happened to the secrets?" "We still have secrets to keep, but we are friends, aren't we?" "Friends." Its such a beautiful word.

I had stop and glare at Plagg for minute, because he thought my last sentence was sappy. "Shoo, go eat cheese or something." "You might regret saying that," Plagg says, as he retreats to the darkness of his cupboard.

Maybe its time to take Marinette on a proper date, maybe to the movies. Its supposed to rain again tomorrow, so it be the perfect time to go.

I switch off my light and climb into bed. Morning will come in a blink, and then I can text Marinette. But I'm excited, and sending a text wouldn't hurt, right?

Adrien: Can't sleep. You up?

Marinette: I couldn't sleep either.

Adrien: Would you want to go to a movie tomorrow? I'll buy snacks.

Marinette: You have me at the words "snacks." But can we get coffee too?

Adrien: So demanding. But that's what I love about you.

Marinette: Your a dork.

Adrien: Yep, and proud of it. See you tomorrow.

-Adrien Agreste