At the school, Marinette was working on a sketch after classes had ended for the day when Adrien walked up.
"What are you working on, Mari?" asked Adrien.
"A commission piece; and no, you can't see it," said Marinette as she packed up.
"Oh, I know how important it is to keep your designs secret," said Adrien while following her out the school.
"Is there something that you need, Adrien?" asked Marinette.
"I was wondering if you would like to see a movie this Saturday with me," said Adrien while holding up tickets.
"Are… are you asking me out?" asked Marinette, her face going white suddenly as her eyes wide. She had also broken out into an obvious cold sweat and her hands started fidgeting at her sides.
"Just as friends," said Adrien as worry sat in at the sight of how Marinette was acting.
"I… I'm sorry," said Marinette before running away.
"Great, I scared her," said Adrien as his shoulder dropped and he ran a hand through his hair.
"Maybe you should talk to her reporter friend, I think there's more to this than her not liking you," said Plagg.
"You have a point," said Adrien as he noticed his car arriving. Meanwhile, Marinette had ducked into an alleyway.
"Are you alright, Marinette?" asked Tikki who had flown out of her purse to check on the girl who was breathing heavily while bent over and clutching her chest as if her heart was about to jump out.
"I… I'm good, Tikki," said Marinette, her body shaking as the words came out.
"Just a lot of bad memories came flooding back," she said.
"Adrien is not like the ones who hurt you, Mari, you don't have to fear him doing anything," said Tikki as she used her little hand to stroke her friend's cheek in an attempt to calm her.
"I know, I even flirt with Cat Noir but I just…," said Marinette before falling to her knees while breaking down crying.
"Oh, Marinette," said Tikki as she hugged her charge the best she could.