Dear Journal,
I don't care if I made Father mad today. Everyone in my class has friends over, so why I can't I? I had been studying Chinese all morning (because I had to, and because it was nice to hear a voice) and I started to feel lonesome. Father must of noticed at lunch. That's another thing. Father hardly ever eats with me, so that felt different. "Adrien, why aren't you eating your chicken and mashed potatoes?" Father asked. I guess I was poking at my plate with my fork. My mind wasn't on chicken, it was on Marinette. "Could I have a friend over?" "Adrien, be serious. You know the rules. Besides, who would you have over?" "Marinette." "Hm."
I hold my breath as Father strokes his chin. "The girl who won my hat contest. What would you be doing anyway?" "Playing video games." Okay, maybe not a great answer, but Plagg keeps kicking my butt, and if I have to lose, I want to lose to someone who isn't my Kwami for a change. "That's useless waste of your time, Adrien. You could be studying piano or fencing." Keep your cool, keep your cool. "I was planning to have her listen to the piece I've been working on." "Fine. But only for a few hours."
"Thank you, Father." I start to eat, appetizing returning. When I get to my room, I flop down on my bed, and pull out my phone.
Adrien: Whatcha doing?
Marinette: Sewing buttons. Its deadly boring.
Adrien: I'll be your knight in shining armor and save you by asking to play video games.
Marinette: I love you! Freedom! Oh, cheese and crackers, you weren't supposed to see that!
Adrien: To late.
Marinette: I'll be over as soon as I find my dragon. And Adrien?
Adrien: Yes?
Marinette: Its a bit hard to play video games in a suit of chaimail. Bye!
I make a cheese and cracker plate and add some grapes for something sweet. Plagg hovers and I wag my finger at him. "Don't touch the cheese. This for Marinette." "Yes, Emperor Kuzko." "Hm, not a bad idea." The doorbell rings and I'm walking downstairs as Nathalie lets her in. She's so lovely, the thought crosses my mind as I watch her look around with awe and she stands with pink cheeks.
"Come on, let's head up to my room." I take her hand. "Have you been in my room before?" I ask, as I lead her in. "A few times. I forgot how big it is though." "I like your room better." "You have everything, and you like my room better. Why?" "Because I…." I look down at our intertwined fingers. "Because I only need you to be happy." I want to kiss those soft peach lips, but resist. "ready to play?" "Don't you mean, ready to get beaten?" "Ooh, fighting words!" "Hey, your the one who mentioned chain mail." I lean close to her. "How to do you know so much about that anyway?" "I'm a designer. What if its needed someday?" We look at each and burst into giggles. "Wanna watch a movie?" "Which one?" "Emperor's New Groove." "Totally." We munch on snacks, and Marinette nearly chokes on a cracker at one of the funnier parts. I pat her back until she calms down. "You have such a cute giggle." The air condition kicks on, and Marinette shivers slightly. "Cold? Here?" I drape a blanket around her shoulders. "Thanks." We get into the movie. That is until I feel something against my shoulder. Marinette's asleep against it, and I feel warm all over.
She doesn't sleep long, just enough for some drool. "Did I drool on you? Oh, I'm so sorry!" "Don't worry about it." I hand her a Kleenex and our fingers touch. Electricity flickers between us, and I stand up quickly. I want to be more then friends with her, but what if she says no?
"You wanna hear what I'm been working on on the piano?" she nods, and follows me over. She sits down on a bench, looking at a picture. "Is that your mom?" I nod. "She was the one who gave my love of piano." "You look like her, you know." "Marinette?" "Hm?" "Would you….would you...be my girlfriend?" Marinette's face goes white. What did I say? "Adrien, I like you so much, but right now, my heart is in two different directions." "Is there someone else?" Marinette bites her lip. "Cat Noir." Of course it would be my alter-ego. "So, am I up for some competition?" "I wish you wouldn't talk like that." "I'm sorry." "Maybe I should get going." "I didn't…" "Its not you, Adrien. I promise."
That night on patrol, I barely speak and Ladybug keeps asking me what's wrong. "Just love problems, Bugaboo."
On the way home, I catch sight of Marinette looking out over her balcony. Taking a detour, I scramble up to the railing. "Good evening, Princess." Marinette smiles sadly and she walks over me. "What? No smile tonight?" "Oh, Cat, I feel as if I made a mistake today. I'm no good in the love department at all!"
"How about we make some hot chocolate and talk about this?" I cup her cheek, and I note that she leans into my hand. "Okay."
In the kitchen, we sip hot chocolate. "The boy I like asked me to be his girlfriend today," she says. "I didn't know what to tell him, because I like you too. And…." Marinette stares out the window. "Marinette," I turn her chin so she's looking at me. "You can tell me anything." "What if I'm not the girl he thinks I am?" "I-I don't understand, Princess." She opens her mouth, but a crack of thunder shakes the house and she rushes into my arms. "Its okay, its just thunder. Its okay, sweetheart." I pull her to my chest, and to my surprises she wraps her arms around me. I press a kiss to her soft hair. "Want me to stay until the storm dies down?" she nods.
I hold her until the storm settles, and I head back home. What was she going to tell me? What secret could possibly be hiding? Sure, I have a secret too….. I nearly fall into the room when it hits me. What if Marinette is saying no because she's Ladybug? It does make sense.
Maybe I should was a bit hasty. After all, its not like we're not friends. I change into my pajamas and send her a text after crawling into bed.
Adrien: Hey, I just wanted to let you know, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable.
Marinette: Its not your fault. I'm just not ready. And you didn't make uncomfortable. In fact, I really enjoyed today.
Adrien: Good. May I buy you coffee in the morning?
Marinette: Have a mentioned how sweet you are? Yes!
Adrien: I'm sure you have, but you can do it more.
Marinette: Oh, don't you go getting a big head on me, Agreste. Your hats won't fit!
Adrien: Smiley face
Adrien: I need to head to bed. Sweet dreams, and don't let the bedbugs bite.
Marinette: Don't let Ladybug hear you say that.
Adrien: Would she be an offended?
Marinette: Nah. She would just think it would be a bad pun.
I grin. That only makes me want to do it more. In the morning, I pick Marinette up outside the bakery. "Ready for coffee?" I giggle as she yawns. "I'll take that as a yes." "I'm not really a morning person. At least until I've had my coffee." "I know you want to take things slow, but may I offer you a good morning kiss on the cheek?" "Yes." I give her a soft kiss on her right cheek and the blush I'm beginning to love blossoms like a pink-colored rose.
The coffee shop is busy and crowded, and Marinette slips her arm though mine as we wait. She's standing quite close too. "Do large crowds bother you?" I whisper, stroking one of her pigtails. "I don't like the noise." Before I can respond, some hotshot bumps into Marinette, nearly splashing her with coffee. "Hey!" I give the jerk a angry look. "Did you not get manners with your change?" Anger, hot and boiling rises up in me. You don't treat my Princess and get away with that. "Adrien!" Marinette tugs on my arm. "What's with you? I'm fine!"
I have to take a couple of deep breaths to calm down. "Your right. I'm sorry. I just feel very protective of you." "That's sweet. No one's done that to me before." "Adrien?" The barista calls our drink order, and after picking them up we head to the more peaceful patio.
We talk about our futures, or at least Marinette does, because Father still rules the roost. That thought makes me cranky, and Marinette notices. "You'll figure it out. You have time. For now, it could be my best friend if you like?" I perk up. "I'd like. I'm really your best friend." "Well, besides Cat. But I don't see him that often." She sighs, playing with her straw. "You don't sound happy about that." "He could have any girl in Paris, and he chooses me to hang out with. The clumsy girl. Why me?" "Why not you? Maybe he put his trust in you, because he saw how pure and sweet you are. Your always willing to help others even if you don't like them, and will always give a hug. Your a lot like Ladybug, you know."
"Your wrong. Ladybug is graceful and confident, and...and everything I'm not." "You don't have to be Ladybug for him to like you, Marinette. He likes you for you." "You seem….very knowledgeable about Cat Noir." Marinette narrows her eyes staring at me. Then she leans back and sighs. "You remind me of him, sometimes. Just you don't, well," she blushes. I lean forward. "Yes?" "You don't pun as much."
Oh, Princess, I would love to pun more.
-Adrien Agreste