Manchote

Chapter Seven-- Adrien's POV

"Please, father," Adrien pleaded. "This girl I'm asking to hang out with, she's new to school, and doesn't have many friends. Just like I was. Please can we get together? It won't be for very long, and my bodyguard will be there the whole time."

Gabriel Agreste wouldn't even look at his son. Adrien saw his fist clench, and he glanced over at the portrait of Adrien's mother. He couldn't possibly have known that Adrien had stolen the book again, could he?

The silence before Gabriel spoke again was deafening. Adrien wasn't sure whether or not he had been caught and was about to be reprimanded, or if he was going to get an answer in response to his request. He knew it was already

"Fine," Gabriel finally said. "But only for a short while. And make sure your bodyguard stays with you."

"Thank you, Father!" Adrien turned around and walked out of the room, forcing himself not to skip instead. He could barely contain his excitement. Or, if he was being honest, his shock.

"Can you believe I'm allowed to go, Plagg?" Adrien asked as soon as he knew he was out of earshot from anyone in his house.

"Mmhmm," Plagg responded absentmindedly, nibbling on a chunk of camembert cheese from Adrien's pocket. "You better hurry, Adrien. You're already late."

Adrien sighed. "I know, Plagg. But there's one more thing I need to get before we leave."

Adrien walked quickly to his room and gathered a small bouquet of white roses he'd bought the day before.

"White roses symbolize new beginnings. Fitting, right?"

"I would have preferred cheese."

Adrien chuckled. "Not everyone is as obsessed with cheese as you are, Plagg."

"I don't see why!" Plagg protested.

"Come on, Plagg. We need to go."

Adrien texted Corinne back as soon as he was in the car, letting her know he was on his way. He was anxious she would have already left. He felt guilty it took him so long to respond, but hopefully she understood.

As soon as Adrien got to the park, he started scanning the space for Corinne. His stomach dropped when he didn't catch a glimpse of her face, or her black hair.

"She must have left," he said to no one, but something felt off. Adrien realized that the park was almost entirely empty. The only person in sight was Mr. Ramier feeding his pigeons. He looked up when Adrien started walking towards him.

"Can I help you, young man?"

"Yes, sir. Did something happen? Where is everyone?"

"They fled the park after a monster attacked. I couldn't leave my darling pigeons though." The man stroked one of the birds at his feet and made a cooing noise.

"Um, thank you," said Adrien. "Did you by any chance see a girl around my age? Black hair a little past her shoulders, blue eyes?"

The man shook his head, and Adrien left him to search the park again. He tried calling Corinne, but she didn't answer.

"I don't know, Plagg," he said. "She must not have left her home, but something still doesn't feel right."

"Maybe you should check her house? If she didn't leave, that's where she'd be, right?"

Adrien thought it over and decided the kwami was right. If Corinne was anywhere, it would be her grandmother's bookstore.

"Do you remember where we dropped my friend off yesterday?" He asked his bodyguard. The man nodded. "Can you take me there? I, uh, forgot that she had asked for a ride here." The man didn't seem to buy the excuse, but after a moment he nodded and gestured to Adrien to get in the car.

Adrien's panic continued to rise as they neared the bookstore. He hoped he would find Corinne safely at the bookstore, but he couldn't shake the feeling that that wouldn't be the case. Luckily, though, he knew he had another option if Corinne was missing.

To find her himself. As Chat Noir.

He'd rescued her from danger before. He could do it again. And Ladybug would surely help, if he asked.

"Bonne journée," Adrien said in greeting to the woman who answered the door at the bookshop. "Um, I'm Adrien? I'm a friend of Corinne's. Do you know where she is?"

"I-" The old woman froze. "She left around half an hour ago. I assumed it was to meet you at the park like she said, but if she's not with you-"

"Don't worry, ma'am. There must have been a miscommunication, is all. It was nice to meet you!"

Adrien's heart hammered as he gave a small wave goodbye to Corinne's grandmother. He stole a glance at his bodyguard, waiting at the car, but he was certain he wasn't going to be driving anywhere soon. He darted away from the car, running until he was sure he was out of sight.

If Corinne wasn't at home-

The thought struck him with panic.

If Corinne wasn't at home, it meant she'd been kidnapped. And Adrien was the only person who could save her.

Well, with help.

"Marinette?" Adrien asked frantically as soon as his friend picked up the phone.

"Adrien?" She asked. "What's wrong? Is there an akuma?"

"No, not an akuma, I don't think. But- I need your help. I need Ladybug's help."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

Marinette hung up. Adrien took a deep breath. In a second, he was transformed.

He was going to find Corinne. He had to.