Early morning, golden hour. If I rise early enough, I love this quiet time of morning. Dawn's fingers steal into my room, lighting up my room in a ethereal glow.
After showering and taking my pain medication for my arm, I get dressed in front of the mirror, a boy with golden hair and emerald green eyes staring back. I touch the cool glass, the boy in the mirror mirroring my movements.
"Who are you?" I whisper, staring intently back at myself. I used to be a model and "a golden" child for my father, who I hardly ever disobeyed. But who am I, really? And what do I want to be when I'm older?
Maybe it's a consequence, but we are studying that very subject in school in small groups, and I'm paired with Marinette. This is Black Cat lucky or what?
"Of course, for now, you'll all students," Ms. Bustier says. "But one day, I see the future of students being bright, from a robot builder, to a published comic book duo." She claps her hands. "Let's head over to the library now, and you'll break into small groups."
Marinette finds us a table in a quiet corner, and she looks adorable in a off-the-shoulder pink top and jeans, white ribbons adorned in her cute pigtails. "Everyone already knows what you want to be, Marinette," I tell her once we're settled. "A fashion designer."
"It was Grandma who got me hooked," she blushes, giggling. "No pun intended. She was knitting one day when I was five, and I climbed into her lap and asked what she was doing. I haven't looked back since."
If I told Marinette that when I was younger, I wanted to be Cat Noir, would she figure out my identity? And as pawesome as the black clad superhero is, Mother was actually the one who came up with him.
"I wanted to be a superhero," I tell Marinette. "Cat Noir, actually." Marinette looks confused. "Ladybug and Cat only showed up in Paris a few months ago, Adrien." I take a deep breath.
"Actually, my mother and I drew a few stories about a cat superhero named Cat Noir. I would ask her to read them over and over, and soon the paper books we made got all crinkly. He helped people you know."
"I think you already have a superpower, Adrien," Marinette's eyes are fixed on my face. Oh, no! She can't know I'm Cat! (Though I'd love it if she did) but M'lady would not be happy.
"Your kind and gentle, a great listener. You stick up for others." I run my hand through my hair. "Yeah, but that's not as exciting as designing, or being a doctor." Marinette finds my hand. "Adrien, the world could use more of you. And," her voice grows soft. "I love you the way you are."
Love? To me, love is pink and soft, a blanket you can nestle in and be safe. Love is all things good.
"No one knows who Cat Noir is," Marinette says. "But if he we're anyone, I'd want him to be you. And even if you weren't, your my best friend."
When I woke up this morning, I wondered who Adrien was. Though I won't model again (the only exception would be Marinette) I do want to be a father someday, have a family.
And for now, I can enjoy protecting Paris by Ladybug's side. I lean over, surprising Marinette with a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, Marinette. Your my best friend, too."
