Rogue

Chapter One

Rolling over in bed, Marinette groaned as she read the numbers on the alarm clock. Nearly six in the morning. At this time, she'd be better getting up before her alarm went off.

Yawning, she headed to the kitchen, where iced coffee was needed before she could properly start her day. Since she'd made the executive decision to get up early, she had plenty of time before she needed to head to class.

Tikki was raiding her personal cookie jar, and Marinette took a moment to relax and sip her coffee as she regarded her kwami fondly. Despite Hawkmoth being a villain of the past, it was comforting that she'd always have Tikki by her side now that she was the Guardian. Along with most of the rest of the kwamis.

Blinking, she shoved those thoughts out of her mind and turned to heat up some croissants her dad had left the last time he was in her apartment. Smiling, she nibbled the end as she headed upstairs to get dressed.

An hour later, she was feeling much more relaxed and ready for the day. As she got her books together, her phone buzzed. A text from Alya.

A: girl where are you? don't tell me you forgot class started early today

Gulping, Marinette let out a soft gasp and grabbed her things, racing towards the door. Tikki watched her in confusion, but she only had time for a wave before bolting outside.

M: omg i completely forgot that was today!! pls take notes for whatever i miss

A: ur lucky i love you M

Skidding around a corner, Marinette cursed her luck. Of course the one day she got up early was the day class started early...and she forgot. As usual. A small, bitter chuckle escaped her. Guess not everything changes, huh?

She had to run right by the Ladybug and Chat Noir statue every day, and as usual she averted her eyes as she dashed by. Ladybug hadn't made an appearance in years, and she didn't want to think about the last time she saw Chat.

Checking her phone, Marinette was wondering if she could cut through a building to make it quicker when a movement caught her eye. She looked up, confused, just to see a shadow disappear behind a roof. Marinette halted, prickles going down her spine. An uneasy feeling filled her chest, her Ladybug senses all screaming at her.

Then her phone buzzed with another text from Alya, and she shook her head sharply, taking off again. The bad feeling would just have to wait for later.

~

"You're lucky you were only fifteen minutes late, Mari," Alya chuckled, stretching as the friends left their eight a.m. lecture.

"Of course. The one day I woke up early," Marinette bemoaned her ability to always be late. "Come on. I need another round of coffee in a bad sort of way."

The best friends chatted as they left campus, automatically heading towards their favorite coffeeshop. Although they only had one class together, Marinette was glad they made a point to hang out so often. Who knew where they would end up after college?

"So, what's the scoop with that internship in America you applied for?" Alya ribbed her. "Don't leave me in the dark. I remember you said you were supposed to get your answer this week, right?"

Marinette laughed nervously. "Yeah, this week. I haven't heard back yet, though. I'm just waiting for the rejection."

"Don't sell yourself short, Mari! Your newest designs are amazing. I'm sure they're going to love it. And if they don't, it's their loss." Alya was always her number one supporter.

"Thanks, Al." She looped their arms. "You and Nino are going out tonight, right? Any fun plans in particular?"

Conflict immediately settled on Alya's features, and Marinette was on high alert. "What? Did something happen? Are you guys okay?"