Dear Journal,

Well, today's the day of the Arts Fair and the day I play my piano piece for Marinette and Ladybug. My hands are sweating, so the sheet music sits in my bag so I don't get the pages soggy. I can hear some other pianist playing and my heart hammers like chords. I have nothing to be nervous about though, because Mama and Papa along with Marinette, and Father and Natalie of course are all waiting to hear me play.

I wonder briefly if Ladybug will drop in (after all, My Lady is full of surprises). I take a deep breath as I hear the music end the wild sound of applause. Then, "Adrien Agreste?" I stand and fidget with my bow-tie. I don't like them, but Mama got for me especially, and I don't want to disappoint her.

I walk out on stage, smiling for the audience and sit down to play. I find Mama and Papa's smiles in the audience, but then my smile fades as Marinette's seat is empty. Its not a big deal, you know how she's usually running behind, I tell myself. Hopefully, she make it.

"I wrote this piece for two special friends in mind. And now I will play the Flight of The Ladybug."

I take a breath and begin to play. When I wrote the piece, I imagined Ladybug soaring over the rooftops, the love I feel her making her soar. But then the music changes, the notes are quieter but still so sweet. A girl works away at her sewing, dreaming of her prince. A magical ladybug flies through her open window, leading her to her Prince.

When the music ends, I stare at the keys, my eyes blurry with tears. I'm startled by the wild applause that follows and I catch a glimpse of red. Casually, lifting my eyes to the roof, I catch sight of Ladybug smiling down at me, her eyes soft a gentle smile on her pretty features. Then she scampers away.

When I find Mama and Papa in the crowd there faces are wreathed in smiles, but it can't match my smile for Marinette was here. I lift her, spinning her around, hugging her tight. "Where were you? I was worried?" I set her down and she giggles, giving my cheek a peck. "Silly, I was checking out where the coffee was!" I burst into laughter. "Now, why I didn't I think of that?" "Adrien, honey?" Mama Cheng holds out a huge bouquet of roses. "These are for you." "Thank you. There lovely. Could you hold onto them until we held back home?" "Of course." I do pluck one from the bunch. "I have to go talk to someone outside. Should we all meet at the entrance in say five minutes or so?" Plans made, I head for the exit.

Once outside, I head towards one of the alleyways, looking left and right to make sure no one's following me.

"That was a beautiful piece, Adrien. I'm touched you dedicated to me and Marinette." Ladybug leans against the wall. "You deserved it. After all, if I had a once of your confidence and sass, I would have stood up to my father long ago." Ladybug peeks up at me with those bluebell eyes that take my breath away and takes my hands in hers. "Adrien, you already have the courage inside you." I rest my forehead against hers. "I don't want to live in a house fill of unhappy memories. I need to leave, Ladybug." I can feel her grip tightening on my hands. "Your not leaving Paris are you?" I can hear her voice rising in a octave and her breathing is faster to. "No. I'd get a place in Marinette's building." "That's-that's the girl you love, right?" I nod. "Adrien, I-" tears roll down her cheeks. "Ladybug, what's wrong?" "I wish, I wish I could tell you….who I am." I find a clean Kleenex in my pocket and wipe her face gently. "You know you can trust me with your life, Little Bug."

I don't know what comes over me to kiss her, but her lips are so sweet, so soft, oh my…..My hand cups her cheek. Yet, her lips feel familiar. Oh, why must my heart be always torn in two? "I should go." She pushes past me gently, and I can hear her footsteps running out of the alleyway.

When I get back to the Dupain-Cheng's, despite my thoughts about Ladybug, I feel happy. "Excellent job on my piece, my boy. I baked this just for you." I smile. Its a black and white cake, decorated with musical notes. "Its beautiful…."

"Don't just stand there, silly. Let's cut a slice!" I look up and want to take back the word "beautiful" with Marinette standing there on the stairs. "Oh, my love. You look like a Princess."

Marinette has changed into a red dress that shimmers gently in the light. "Why, thank you, Adrien. And may I say, you look like a Prince?"

Suddenly, the living room is filled with gentle music and I bow, taking Marinette's hand. "My Princess, may I have this dance?" she giggles, blushes and nods.

The world fades away, as I lean my head on her shoulder, and we begin to dance. Then, she lifts those bluebell eyes to mine, and I don't just Marinette in her eyes, I see my Lady. Even if we have yet to take off the masks, I feel in my heart that it is true.

We eat and dance and have cake, and its the best party I've ever been too. I cling tightly to Marinette as we say our goodbyes, but she whispers she'll see me soon.

I'm surprised as the car pulls up and Father sits in the back of the car. "Father?" I ask, surprised but happy. "What did you think of the piece?"

"Your piece was wonderful, Adrien. You should be very proud." "Natalie says from the front seat. Yes, now you can put that on your career list. "Father?" I turn to him, knowing he can hear the hurt in my voice. "You didn't come?" "Natalie recorded the whole thing for me." The happiness I felt only moments before fades away, only to be replaced with a burning anger. "Is work that important to you that you can't even be there for my special moments?" Father turns to me with a stern eye. "We're Agrestes. We make sacrifices." I cross my arms and stare out into the night. "Then maybe I don't want to be a Agreste."

"If you feel that way, you'll pack your bags tonight, and leave for London day after tomorrow." "No, Father!" Father turns to me, giving me a chilling smile. "Careful what you wish for."

When we get home, I race up to my room, slamming the door shut behind me. Thank goodness its time to meet Ladybug for patrol, and I race across the rooftops.

"M'lady, I need you to make a Voyage. And Please hurry!" I don't know how much longer I can keep my tears at bay, and once they fall, there's a good chance I'll be akumatized. "Cat, what's going on-" I take her hands. "I promise I'll explain when I get back." "All right."

She does as I've asked and before I leave I give her a kiss. "Be safe."

Once the portal has disappeared, I take in my surroundings. Water laps my feet, and my feet sink into th soft powdery warm sand. Now alone, I can let my emotions be free and cry. "Claws In."

If only I would kept silent, would this be happening? After tomorrow, will I see Marinette or Ladybug again?

The thought is to much to bear at the moment, so I fall into a thinking stupor, and lulled to sleep by the waves, I fall into a dream.

"Mama, Mama! We're covering Papa in sand, come see!" I giggle as my two sons, Hugo and Louis drag their mother over. Louis who is more sweet and sensitive, toddles over to pat me on the head. "Papa, do you like being all covered in sand?" "Sure," and give a fake yawn. "Its a perfect spot for a catnap." Emma, my oldest looks up and rolls her eyes. "Papa, no napping in the sand! Then you won't be a handsome fur ball for Mama!" "Oh?" I ask, hiding a grin. "Why not?" "Because! You'll be a lobster!"

"Lobster, Lobster! Clack, clack!" Louis tries imating a lobster and falls over in the sand giggling. "Cone on, Papa and you gleeful gigglers. Its hot enough to make lemonade."

Marinette shrieks as I shower her with sand as I sand up. Then we all go to our cabin we worked so hard to build on our little island.

Not only do we make lemonade, but we make chocolate chip cookies. "Bugaboo, you do make the best cookies…."

I wake with the hot sun on my face. Wait, if I was calling Marinette Bugaboo, she really is my lady, and we won't be kept apart for long.

I gave Ladybug a time to come get me. But when she asks whats wrong, I can't do it, and run with my tail between my legs.

I do as Father ordered and pack. Clothes, some pictures, and of course, I'll pack you to Journal, when the time is right.

Sighing, I sit crisscross applesauce down on my bed, and dial Marinette's number. "Hey!" she greets me, and just seeing the joy on her pretty face sends tears sliding down my face. "I have to leave Paris. I'm going to stay with Felix and Aunt Amile." A shadow like a curtain coming down crosses her face. "Your leaving?" "I mouthed off to Father I didn't want to be a Agreste. Now he's sending me away."

"Adrien, I know you'll find a way to fight this," her voice, though sad, is determined. "I love you, Marinette. Goodbye."

-Adrien Agreste