I rub my head, trying not to look at the clock. I've had a headache all day, and I can't wait to go home. And I signed up today for a special art class, and was not going to pass that up. Headache or no headache.

I peek up at the clock, and give a soft groan. Still a hour left of class? If I just lie down for ten minutes….. "You okay, Marinette?" I jump a little in my seat as Ms. B is staring at me, waiting for a answer. "I have a headache. Can I go to the nurse's office?" "Oh, I'm sorry. How about….Adrien? Could you walk Marinette there?" Adrien nods, and I stand up.

"When did the headache come on?" he asks, as we walk down the empty halls. "During lunch. The lunchroom is always so noisy." Its not long before we reach the door to the nurse's office, and I grab the handle to go in. "Marinette?" "Yes?" I turn, looking up into Adrien's green eyes. "What do you have going on after school?" "I have a special art class that I don't want to miss." "Why?" "Oh, I was just thinking we could hang out sometime. Anyway, I better get back to class."

I sigh, as I watch him walk away. Not only was the lunchroom noisy, I felt all alone. Sure, I have friends at school, but when you have to keep most of your life a secret, its hard to get close to anyone.

The nurse is kind, and she lets me lay down on a cot, and I close my eyes. I like how nice and quiet it is, and next thing I know, I fell asleep.

A soft vibrating sensation on my arm wakes me, reminding me that school ends in ten minutes. I hurry back to class, just to catch my homework assignment. "You feeling any better?" Adrien asks, as we head to the locker room. "Much. Thanks for taking me." "Your welcome. Well, I better get to fencing."

Art is my very favorite subject, and I feel ten times better after the class ends. As well as being Paris's superhero, Ladybug, I want to be a fashion designer.

I'm surprised to find Cat Noir waiting on the steps of the school. "Is something wrong?" I ask, walking over to my partner. "No, I was in the area, and wanted to know if you wanted to hang out."

I feel a smile growing on my cheeks. Cat is my very best friend, and every time chance we get to hang out, I grasp it. "When you mean, "hang out" are you looking for a snack, or company?" I tease him as we walk down the steps together. "Well, I wouldn't turn down a snack, Princess, but I really wanted some company." "I felt the same at school today," I begin, telling him how sweet Adrien was walking me to the nurse. We head upstairs to my parent's apartment, and I unlock the door.

"Make yourself at home, Kitty. I'm going to change and then I'll find us something to eat." "Okay."

I hum as I change into jeans and a nice sweater. I've read if you feel alone, it can bring on headaches, but with Cat here now, the headache seemed to have disappeared entirely.

I trot down the stairs. "So, what would you…." my voice trails off as I see Cat with our family photo in his hands, a wistful expression on his face. Because of the secret identity issue, I can't know to much about my partner, but my curiosity is flaring up strong. "We took that when Grandma came to visit," I tell Cat as he sets back on the shelf. "Your really lucky to have parents, Marinette." I step closer. "Don't you have a family?" Cat looks nervous, and I can't blame him. He's just trying not to break the rules. "I'll keep the secret. And if you get in trouble, I'll talk to Ladybug." Cat lets out a breath. "My mother died when I was younger, and Father works all the time. I know I crack jokes all the time with Ladybug, but this Kitty really needs a friend." "Your not the only one," I whispered. Cat opens his arms for a hug, and I enter his embrace like its a refuge. "I'll always be your friend, Marinette." I hug him a little tighter. "thanks, Cat Noir." I straighten up. "Now, what would you like for snack?"

"Well, my favorite snack is crackers, cheese and apple juice, but I'm fine with whatever, Princess." "Crackers, cheese, and juice sounds good to me."

I make a small plate while Cat pours the apple juice, and we sit down the kitchen table facing each other. "I don't want to bring the party down, Marinette, but I was under the impression you had lots of friends." I sigh. "Its not that I don't. But most of my friends left for college, and we haven't really stayed in touch." A few of my classmates are still here, but the ones traveling to college in America left last year. "I guess you know, its kinda hard to be friends with a superhero." I munch on a cracker. "Then, why are you here? Not that I'm not glad you are." "Because I'm...tired of being alone, Princess. And I want to get know you better." I blush, taking a drink of my juice. "Normally, I would sew after school, but since I had an extra class today, I like to relax by gardening up on my terrace." Cat perks up, looking interested. "I'd like to see it, if that's okay."

After our snack, I lead upstairs to the terrace. "I haven't started much yet, but all of the seed packets are in that bin over there." "I have time if you would like a gardening partner." I giggle, sticking out my hand. "Partners."

Cat scoops up the dirt while I drop in the seeds. As we work, we talk, and its nice to open up to him without the mask. We plant pumpkins, squash, and some flowers, for Autumn is quickly approaching. "Just think," I drop another seed in its hole. "Soon it will be Sweater Weather, Pumpkin Spice…." "Ooh! Pumpkin Spice? I love Pumpkin Spice!" I laugh. "As you know, I love coffee, so we'll have to make a date." As soon as the words "date" leave my mouth however, I want to take them back. Not that I wouldn't date Cat Noir, but I don't wreck our friendship. "What are you doing after school?" Cat asks. "Just sewing class, and then I'm free." "May I pick you up from school?"

Despite the chilly air, I feel my cheeks grow warm. "I'd love that." Cat straightens up, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Should we give the plants a drink?" I nod, and walk over to the hose, coiled like a snake.

I untangle it, and turn on the water, but still nothing happens. "Here, let me try," Cat says, trying to be helpful. "MEOW!" Cold water gushes everywhere, soaking Cat as he picks up the hose. Frantically, I turn the knob to shut off the water. When I look up, I find a very wet Cat, sopping wet and standing in a puddle. "Oh, Kitty, I'm so sorr-" I snort, and then I crack up, holding my stomach as I double over. Cat glares at me a moment, then begins to laugh as hard as I am. "I do look silly, don't I?" "Nothing I warm bath won't cure. Come on."

After I fill a tub of water for Cat, I go back up to the terrace to finish what we've started. Nikki sits on the railing. "I think someone has a crush," she sings, grinning. "I don't have a crush on Cat!" I hiss, but my cheeks give me away, as they turn as rosy as autumn apples. "Uh-uh. But isn't nice to hang out with him?" I nod. For the first time in months, I haven't felt alone, and my heart isn't heavy with loneliness.

Cat and I play video games we'll his hair dries, and even when I invite him for supper he declines. "Its not that I don't want to, but I should get home. May I have another hug?" I nod, that warm feeling I felt earlier coming back.

During supper, Mama and Papa notice my distraction and they ask about it. "Cat Noir wants to hang out after school," I tell him. "He wants to get coffee." "Sure, go ahead. And please tell him he's welcome here anytime."

I nod, thinking of his expression when we looked at our family photo. "I'll make sure too."

I have homework before patrol, yes, even superheroes have homework, and then its time to leave. Cat and I get hot chocolate to stay warm, and he seems extra happy. It couldn't just be because he hung out with me this afternoon, could it?

Cat sighs happily as we wait for the lights of the Eiffel Tower click on. I'm happy that I can bring so much joy, for he brings so much joy to me.

When I get home, I write in my diary before turning off my light. Cat and I have always been friends, but what if he wants something more? And who is Cat behind the mask?

Little do I know at the end of the month, secrets will be revealed. During the night, I wake, for I can hear the wind howling against the windowpanes.

Looks like it will be a windy tomorrow, the perfect day for warm drinks. I snuggle back down, wondering what Cat is doing right now.

Hopefully sleeping, like I should be. Closing my eyes, I drift away into a dream, where Cat holds out the hand of friendship and I take it gladly.

Friends with Cat Noir. Ah, that's a wonderful thought. Now, I have to get to sleep!