"Hey, what's wrong?" she takes off her backpack, sitting down beside me. "Guess I'm just lonesome," I sniffle, wiping my eyes. "You probably think I'm a wimp." "Adrien, everyone needs friends. I need a friend too, as I get lonesome." My eyes widen in surprise. "Yeah, but your cool, Marinette." she laughs gently.

"You know, when I'm feeling upset or down, making pastries helps me feel better." "Huh?" "When your rolling out the dough, you can take all your frustrations out on it. How about you come to the bakery with me after school and we can hang out?" "I'd like that. Thanks, Marinette."

In the distance, we hear the bell, and Marinette rises to her feet, stretching out her hand to me. My favorite class of the day is art, where I paint a view of the ocean at night, a moon path leading out to sea. The dark colors and calming sea stir something within me. Chloe of course has something to say about my painting. "Looks good, Adrikins! But wouldn't you rather paint clothes from your latest fashion line?" "No, I'd rather paint…." My voice trails off as Marinette enters the art room, handing my teacher a stack of yellow notes. Marinette looks my way. "Me?" at the same time Chloe says, "Her?"

My teacher smiles. "Good idea, Adrien." my idea is to paint a picture of Marinette and show Father, telling her what a talented model she is, and he'll let her model with me in my next shoot. I get so lonely on set….

"Adrien? The bell rang," my teacher breaks me out of my daydream. "Oh? Sorry, see you later!"

After school, I'm putting away my books before meeting Marinette up front and Mr. D (the fencing instructor, not the principal) comes in. "Don't forget about your fencing lesson on Friday, Mr. Agreste!"

"Thanks, I'm looking forward to it!" I grab my backpack and hurry to the entrance. "Sorry...I'm...late!" I pant, hands on my hips. "Adrien, I wasn't going to leave you behind!" Marinette giggles. "Come on, lets go!"

Before we start baking, Marinette gives me a tour and we eat a snack of cheese, crackers and apple juice. Again that homey feeling settles in, and I feel happy.

Marinette gets a case of the giggles after we assemble two balls of dough and I want to whack it with the rolling pin. "Give me that!" she squeals and I hold it over my head. "You want it? You want it?" I laugh, holding it just out of reach.

But she does a surprise sneak attack, and begins to tickle me. "Okay, I give!"

When we calm down, she takes the pin, and begins to demonstrate. "This is the right way to roll out dough."

I watch her move the pin back and forth. Seems simple enough. It is, until the pin gets stuck halfway through my dough ball.

"Here," she says, gently, coming behind me and sliding her fingers through mine. "Back and forth, that's right." I'm paying attention to her words, but I love the feeling of her fingers laced through my own. Is this happiness?

"I'm going to try to convince my father to have you come to a fashion shoot. It would be so more fun if you were there." "I'd like that. I'll have to check with my parents, but I'll let you know." The warmth of the oven is nice, and I feel a bit sleepy.

"So, any projects your working on right now?" I ask Marinette. "Well, thanks for your generous donation," I wink at her, "I was able to buy a new sewing machine, and I'm currently working on a secret project." I raise my eyebrows. "Secret, huh?" "Yeah, I… oh, the pastries are done!"

Marinette pulls them out of the oven, and they smell incredible. I hear Marinette's phone vibrate and she pulls out her phone, getting a strange look on her face. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I guess there's a delivery at the back door I need to sign for? I'll be right back." I wonder why she sounded nervous, but I don't give it much thought. After the pastries cool, Marinette lets me take one home. "Keep me posted on the shoot," she says. "Yeah," I tell her, shoving my hands in my pockets, suddenly feeling shy. "I...had a really nice time, Marinette. I feel so much better."

Her cheeks turn the color of blossoms. "I didn't have the day you did, but I enjoyed too. Your a good friend, Adrien." "Will I see you tomorrow at school?" I have to work hard not to stammer out the words.

"Yes." "Then, sweet dreams, Marinette," I lean down, kissing her cheek lightly, catching a whiff of strawberry perfume.

That night, I dream of Toxinelle and I playing a game of chase across the rooftops under the moonlight. When we run out steam, Toxinelle removes her mask, revealing the beautiful face of Marinette.

It takes awhile for me to shake the cobwebs of the dream loose, and I find myself in bed. That's when the pain in my cheek and below my jaw set in. It isn't horrible, but its not comfortable either. I head towards the bathroom, looking at myself in my mirror, gasping in horror.

Tiny web-like cracks are located where the area of pain is, and I try to catch my breath. If my Father sees this, I'm toast.

"Plagg, what is this?" I croak, tearing my face away from the mirror to look at him. "Use your Cataclysm to much and there are consequences." "Why didn't the Supreme tell us?" I wonder what I've gotten myself into.

"The Supreme only helps himself, but don't try anything funny, for he can destroy you or Toxinelle in a snap. He's one to be feared."

I look again in the mirror, making two vows.

1. Keep Toxinelle safe

2. Get the Butterfly Miraculous at all costs

I hear Nathalie calling me its time to get up, so I slap on some makeup and hurry downstairs.