The Birds and the Bees, and the Ladybugs and the Black Cats

The Birds and the Bees

Lunch break was over.

Marinette wished that she could transform into Ladybug and leave her house from her balcony. That way she could avoid seeing her parents. But of course that wasn't really an option.

Unable to stall any longer, she mentally prepared herself for another awkward moment and went downstairs to the bakery.

Sabine smiled when she saw her. "Have a good afternoon!"

"Thanks," she replied, keeping her head down. A quick glance out of the corner of her eye, and she saw that her father was also keeping his gaze away.

Okay, at least this wouldn't be awkward.

When Marinette got to the door she opened it up just as someone else outside was reaching for the handle.

Okay, maybe this would be awkward.

Adrien pulled his hand back when he saw her there. "Hi," he said, blushing.

Her face flushed pink. "Hi," she squeaked back.

"Are you ready to go?"

She nodded as a voice called out from behind her.

"Hi Adrien!" Sabine said.

"Hi Mrs Cheng," he said back, giving a small wave. "Hi Mr Dupain!"

"Hi Adrien," Tom replied, nodding at him. "How's school going?"

"Great."

Then, there was silence.

Sabine smiled at the couple. "Will you be coming over after school today Adrien?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Oh no, I can't. I have fencing practice."

"Maybe tomorrow then."

"Yeah, maybe."

Another silence.

"Okay, bye," Marinette finally mumbled, pushing Adrien through the door.

Once outside, they both exhaled and walked hand-in-hand to their school. Every few steps they glanced bashfully at each other, but with their minds occupied with certain thoughts, neither could think of anything to say. Not until they reached the door.

Adrien cleared his throat. "So uh... how was your break?"

"Fine. You know, the same as always. Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary happened or anything like that. Uh, what about yours?"

"It was fine."

Silence again while they walked up to the classroom. Being a little later than usual, they were the last students to arrive and reached their desks just as the bell rang.

"There you two lovebirds are," Alya whispered to Marinette when she sat down. "I thought maybe you were too busy with each other to bother showing up for class this afternoon."

"Too busy with each other?" Marinette repeated in a whisper. Alya couldn't possibly be talking about what she thought she was talking about.

"You know, too busy making out or something," Alya clarified, nudging her with her elbow.

"Something?" she repeated again, her heart sinking.

The girl laughed. "Oh come on, you two can barely keep your hands off of each other."

Marinette could only stare at her best friend. Did Alya think that she and Adrien were already having sex? Is that what everyone thought?

Meanwhile, Adrien and Nino were having their own discussion.