The wind blows my hair around my face, and I sigh. If I want to make a good impression on Marinette, its probably good not to have my hair looking like a rat's nest. Luckily for me, I had a photo shoot, so I could wait for Marinette.

The bell rings and I watch the students pour out of the doors, and my eyes scan for Marinette in the crowd. "Cat!" she calls, lifting one hand and hurrying over. "Hello, Princess. Have a good day at school?" she nods, her bluebell eyes shining. She looks so much happier then yesterday, cheeks pink and a pretty smile on her face. "Wait, before you tell me, let me carry your bag." "Its not that heavy," Marinette tells me, and I smile at her. "Let me be your Knight in shining leather," I bow, and she laughs, handing me her bag.

We join the flow of traffic but when we get to the bottom of the stairs, Marinette lays a hand on my arm. "Cat, we forgot to hug!" "I think we can fix that easily enough. Follow me."

I lead her to shadier side of campus, where a small grove of trees shields us from prying eyes and the wind. Setting down her bag, I open my arms for a hug. "Its so great to see you," I murmur. "Cat, you saw me yesterday! But I know how you feel. I had dream about you, actually."

"Oh?" I pick up her bag and shoulder it, curiosity piqued as I look at her. "What was I doing?" "You held out your hand to me," Marinette says. "Then I woke up." "That's a pity," I grin down at her as we walk, green eyes sparkling. "I didn't even get a chance to meow you a serenade." "Did you have catnip or something?" she jokes. "No, but soon I'll be drinking Pumpkin Spice, with my favorite Princess in the world."

Marinette stops on the sidewalk, folding her hands across her chest. "Excuse me, I'm your only Princess, thank you very much!" "And I'm your only fur ball." "That's good, for I can only handle one of you." We banter as we walk to Starbucks, but the wind is relentlessness, making our progress slow.

"Cat, I think I got some dust in my eyes," Marinette shouts above the wind, and I take her hand leading her under a awning to get out of the wind. "You okay? Here, I think I can help." Gently, I wipe under her lashes, wiping away a small amount of sand from beneath her eye. "Its almost as if the wind is alive," Marinette muses. "If the wind were a person, I'd be flying a kite." Just then, the wind settles down and we continue on our way. "A kite? Why a kite?" Marinette asks. "Because it was one of the special things my mother and I did on windy days when I was younger." "You loved your mother very much, didn't you?" I nod.

We reach Starbucks, and its a relief to get out of the wind. We order two pumpkin spice drinks and head to a quiet corner. "Papa loves flying kites," Marinette sighs. "Its to bad my parents are so busy in the bakery, or I'd suggest we go to the park and fly one together." "If they need help, we could offer. After all, who could say no to this cute face?" Marinette gives a wary look as she sips her drink. "Save that expression for when your extra naughty, Kitty. But let me ask them, and see what they say."

I lean back against the plush leather seat, waiting to see what she finds out. She looks up with a smile. "Okay, we're on, but they told us not to rush. Oh," she turns her head, and I can hear tinkling sound, like music and I try to figure out where the sound is coming from. "Over there, through the open doorway, Cat. Oh, how I love the sound of wind chimes. May we get closer to I can listen?" "Lead the way."

The patio on the back deck is empty, save the wind chimes making melodies in the strong breeze. Marinette closes her eyes and listens, and she wears a very peaceful look on her face. I clear my throat gently, and Marinette opens her eyes. "Princess, would you like to dance?" She nods, and sets her cup on an empty table, and I gather her in my arms.

"Dancing is like hugging," I whisper as we move in a circle. "Your just moving as your doing it." "Oh, Cat," she rolls her eyes at me, but I notice she steps closer, resting her head on my chest. Once the wind dies, we stop, and look into each other's eyes. I want to kiss her soft lips, but its to soon for kisses, so I slowly step back and give her a bow instead.

"Thank goodness you two are here!" Sabine Cheng says, as we walk over to the counter. "Your father had a grand idea to make Cloud cookies, but we didn't know how popular they would be!" "We'll help, Mama. What do you want us to do?" "Go in the back and you'll find a tray of cookies. Frost the left side gray and the right side white. Like gray and white clouds, get it?" "Clever."

The kitchen feels wonderful after being out in the wind. "I'll take the gray cookies, you take the right. Got it?" "Sounds good, Princess, but one question. Can you show me how to frost?"

"And that's it. Thanks for your help, you two," Sabine says, smiling at us. "We we're wondering if you'd like to like to fly a kite with us." Sabine looks at Tom. "It wouldn't hurt to close up early for once Tom, and that does sound like fun."

It is fun, expect when the kite blows away. "I'll catch it!" Marinette says confidently. "Be right back!" she dashes off, and Sabine looks at me. "What are you dinner plans, Cat?" "I don't have any, why do you ask?" "A have a great big pizza, and I'd be delighted if you'd join us. Marinette told us this morning how much fun you two had yesterday." A warm feeling settles in my tummy. "I'd love to, thanks."

"I believe this is yours," I look up when I hear a familiar voice belonging to Ladybug. "Thanks, Bugaboo. Is Marinette on her way back here?" "She'll be along shortly."

Marinette comes back a few minutes later, and we explain how Ladybug returned the kite. "Makes sense," Marinette says, as we head back home. "She's much faster then me." "Marinette, sweetie, I invited Cat for dinner," Sabine says. "Great," she says, with a small yawn.

I rest on the chaise while Marinette takes a short nap up on her bed, and its nice to have some quiet time together.

I glance over at her desk, buttons and fabric spilling out of the drawers. One day she'll be a fabulous designer, having her name in every fashion magazine.

I doze off, dreaming I'm one of the models, and I strut my stuff for Marinette as I walk down an empty catwalk. She's in the front row, scribbling notes on her sketchpad and….

"Cat, time for dinner!" Marinette shakes me gently. "Hi, there," I smile at her sleepily. "Did you have a nice nap?" "I dreamed I was soaring over the city, just like the kite." "Well, sunset from a Paris rooftop is a wondrous sight. Someday, I'll take you, Princess." "I'd love that."

With such a busy day, Marinette and I are quiet at supper. "Can I come over tomorrow?" I ask. "Even if tomorrow is Saturday?" Marinette giggles. "Your welcome here, anytime. Hey, I'll make breakfast and we can check on the garden." "I'll be here," I grin. "Bell polished and suit waxed."

When the door shuts and I head downstairs, I feel a small ache in my chest, and I realize I already miss her. Its been years since I had a family outing or meal like that, I'd it made me realize how much I crave a family.

Detransforming in the alleyway, I walk inside my father's mansion. Its chilly and dark here in the foyer, but I resist the urge to rub my arms, for Father stands on the stairs.

"Nathalie told me you've been over at the bakery. Don't you think its a bad distraction from your homework?"

I feel a bitter taste in my mouth as I answer. "I can keep up with homework no problem, but I need a friend, Father." I brush past him as I make my way to my room. Father, alone in his grief for Mother, has pushed everyone away, including his own son, who would comfort him in a heartbeat.

I shiver again, and have to pull on a sweater as I pull up the Lady blog on my computer. Our friend Alya is no longer the sole writer, and there's a new video up on the sight. Is it my imagination or does Ladybug seem so much happier then she did even two weeks ago, for in this video, she's positively radiant.

I wonder what the change is, for I would notice a change like that being her partner. Well, if she wants to tell me, fine, and I'm just glad she's happy.

Keeping the thought of homework in mind, I work on it till midnight, until I can hardly keep my eyes open. I curl in a ball, that lonesome feeling squeezing me, coiling around my heart like a snake, hurt, but I comfort myself knowing I'll be with Marinette again in just a few hours.

I should get to know her as Adrien as well, but she seems more comfortable with the mask on for now. I sleep into dreamworld, waiting for the hours to tick by before I feel whole again, and feel loved by my best friend.