7:00 a. m. on the dot, Adrien's alarm clock rang. Adrien groaned, rolled over and slapped the thing, pulling the covers over his head. It was always hard waking up on a rainy day, but soon he rolled out of bed.
He walked into the bathroom, and grabbed his toothbrush, staring at himself in the mirror. "Plagg," Adrien asked his Kwami with a mouthful of paste, "Does anything feel different about today?" "You mean, its a cheese and walnut day?" Adrien spat and rinsed, grinning at his Kwami. "No, not about food. But he should go to Leo's soon." Leo's Cheese Store was the shop Adrien bought Plagg's cheese.
He sighed, thinking of Marinette, drawing her cute little face in the foggy mirror. Marinette! That was the difference. Sure, they hadn't been hanging out much yet, but already Adrien felt lighter, happier. If only he could tell Marinette that he was Cat, but he knew he couldn't.
Dressing quickly, Adrien stopped daydreaming and walked to the kitchen for breakfast. Gabriel stood at the stove, frying pancakes. "Good morning, Father. Nathaile." "Morning, Adrien. Remember you have a photo shoot this afternoon." Gabriel said, sliding the small tower of hotcakes towards his son. Adrien didn't like his father's pancakes, and he didn't want to go to the shoot. But shoots meant money, so with a sigh, he nodded. "Chin up, Adrien. Your a Agreste," his father said, sternly. Adrien stared down at the food, suddenly losing his appetite. Papa Dupain wouldn't talk to him like that. At least, they could figure something out.
Adrien took out a pen from his book bag, doodling on a napkin. He drew his father with wild hair and a long black cape. Maybe's he one of those evil warlocks, Adrien thought. "Time to go, Adrien," Nathaile said, interrupting his thoughts.
Thunder rumbled on the way out to the car, but it wasn't the only thing rumbling. Adrien's stomach growled, and he pulled out his phone to place a order. Saying goodbye to Nathaile, Adrien hurried through the rain up the steps to school.
"Adrien?" Adrien turned in surprise to find Mama Cheng standing in the doorway. "I brought you your food. I hope-is something wrong?" Adrien smiled at her, as he took the bag. "Just missing Marinette right now." And my mom. Adrien fought back the wave of emotions, but he couldn't stop a tear sliding down his face. "Hey, let's have a talk," Sabine said, gently. Adrien led her to a empty classroom.
"I'm sorry, I don't have a mom, and my dad isn't around much." "Oh, honey. Your welcome to our home anytime, just like we told Cat Noir last night. And even if Marinette isn't around, we can always talk to me or Tom." Adrien wiped his eyes and nodded. "Thanks for kindness, Sabine." "Your welcome, now eat your breakfast before its cold. And don't worry about the money, sweetheart."
Sabine's visit was one bright spark to Adrien's day, though today he didn't have any classes with Marinette, who herself wasn't having such a great day….
Marinette shifted in her seat, for she's was having trouble paying attention. Her stomach was bothering her, and she raised her hand. "Yes, Marinette?" "May I go to the nurse? I'm not feeling well." "Of course," her teacher said, scanning the room for someone that could with her. "Kagami, could you take her and come back?" "I'd be happy to, Miss."
Marinette stood up, gathering her books. That's when she heard it: whispers and giggles, and one of the boys was even pointing at her pants. Marinette gasped in horror as she noticed red on her pants. Great, her monthly had started and she hadn't noticed! Marinette felt her lip wobbling, and she bit it hard. "Hey, we'll take get you taken of care," Kagami said kindly, putting an arm around her shoulder. Felix hurried up to her, whispering, "here. Tie this around your waist, Marinette. It will help."
"Thanks, Felix," Marinette whispered, gratefully. Once at the nurse's and she got cleaned up, Marinette pulled the curtain across her room, and lay down on the bed. Now, without eyes staring at her, she could cry. Before Adrien came to school and they'd become friends, she'd gotten teased and laughed at. But Adrien had to leave early today, so she was alone. Well, not totally alone, she had her other friends.
Once the bell rang, Marinette walked to lunch, Kagami and Felix catching up to her. "Feeling better?" Felix asked kindly, and Marinette nodded, reaching out to squeeze his hand and then Kagami's. This was one of the reason they knew she was Ladybug, because they helped her in so many ways.
"Hey, Marinette," one of the bullies in their class yelled across the room, "did you spill paint on yourself?" Felix growled under his breath. "I'm going to have a word with him."
Marinette's spirits lifted slightly as she got her burrito at lunch. But when she checked her messages, she found one from Cat. "Can't make it till later, but I'll try. Xo, Cat"
Marinette slumped back in her chair. "This day sucks," she whispered. She saw Felix coming over to her and Kagami's table. "I told him a few things," Felix said. "I don't think he'll bothering you soon, Marinette." "Just be careful, Felix. Just because your the Peacock holder, doesn't make you invincible."
When Marinette got home, she wasn't even hungry for a snack, and wandering up to her room. "Sometimes I wish there was a potion to make friends, Nikki." "Hey, speaking of potions, you should try on your costume to see if it fits." "Your right!" Marinette took out her witches costume for Halloween, and settled her big black hat on her head.
"Looking good," Marinette said, looking in the mirror. She decided to sew for a bit, before putting it away.
A knock at her door an hour or so later, had her looking up in surprise when Cat came in with a frightened meow. "What have you done to Marinette, you….you...witch!" Marinette laughed. "Cat, its me! This is just my costume!" "Nice," Cat said. "Can I see you twirl?"
As Marinette did so, something happened. As she twirled, her bad mood flew right out the window. "Do you ever wish there were potions to make friends, Kitty?" Marinette asked, patting the spot next to her on her chaise. "Maybe not a potion for friends, but making a father nicer." Marinette looked at him in surprise. Cat rarely mentioned his father. "Was that the reason your here later?" Cat nodded. "I really wanted to hang out earlier. I'm sorry." Marinette gave him a hug. "Not your fault, and your here now. I didn't have the greatest day either."
Cat's voice was gentle. "Want to tell me about it?" Marinette did, and it all came out. Even though it was hard, she was glad she was telling her partner. When she finished, she realized that her hand had somehow slipped into Cat's. Marinette blushed. "I'm sorry," she stammered. "For what?" Cat looked confused. "Aren't you and Ladybug…." okay, she was Ladybug, but she wanted to know her partner's feelings. "Its not like that, but I respect it. Though, I know deep down she does love me."
Marinette wanted to talk more, but she felt sleepy. Cat yawned after she did. "I think I'm going to lie down for a bit. You can nap in your box for a box if you want."
Cat nodded. Supper was only an hour away, and he curled up in his box and fell asleep…..
"Ah, I've got it! A potion that will make my father good!" Cat's long cape swirled as he poured the potion into a beaker. His father took the drink, gulping it down. "This is good!" Soon, magic filled the air and Gabriel's stern face turned into a smile. During the swirling process, Cat had detransformed, and Gabriel stared at his son. Then gave him a hug. "I've sorry I've been distant. Can you forgive me?" Adrien smiled, only hugging his father tighter…
"Cat? Cat?" Marinette's voice brought cat back to reality and to his sleeping box. "Princess?" What happened?" "You were meowing and whimpering. Did you have a bad dream?" she stroked his fluffy hair. "It was a good dream, but bad too. Because what I dreamed could never happen in reality."
"Sounds like you could use a hug." Cat nodded. They stayed like that a minute before Mama called them down for supper. They went downstairs, holding hands, not realizing how much they needed each other.