Thunderstorms Series: Part 3 (Drenched)

Chapter 22

As they drove up to the school, Felix stepped out of the car first, Adrien stepped out a little later after reading a text that he received from Marinette. It said that she would be there soon.

"I'm going to wait on Marinette." Adrien said.

Felix shrugged and turned toward the school, seeing Alya and Nino. Felix let a faint smile grow and started to walk toward them. Alya noticed Felix and waved him over. Adrien watched as Nino threw his arm around Felix's shoulder and smiled. Felix didn't seem too happy about the contact and took his hand off of his shoulder but he could tell that his cousin was happy to have friends.

"So you gonna tell us about your thing." Alya hinted at his miraculous.

"Only if you tell me more about yours and his." Felix smirked back.

Adrien saw Marinette and rushed to her side, wrapping her in an embrace. Marinette smiled and hugged him back.

"Your fans are going to get jealous. Come on kitty." Marinette laughed.

"You like being my girlfriend buggaboo." Adrien winked, interlacing his fingers with hers.

Marinette smiled at him and let out a soft giggle as they headed to class. As they entered the class, Marinette sat at her usual seat beside Felix. She didn't mind sitting beside Felix now. She glanced over at Alya and Nino who were still focused on their school work. She now had Alya and Nino on her side. She wasn't alone anymore in this fight. She trusted them.

Class went by slowly but still ended nonetheless. Adrien saw Felix pass him and thought it odd that he left Marinette unattended. Felix took off to talk to Alya and Nino instead. Adrien stood by the doorway and waited for Marinette to collect her things. As she walked down the steps she saw Adrien waiting for her.

"Felix didn't wait for you?" Adrien asked.

"No... only boyfriends do that... right?" Marinette giggled.

"Yeah... guess you're right." Adrien smiled. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah," She replied.

They started out of the building toward the steps to go to his car when they saw Lila at his car instead. She was talking to Nathalie. Adrien and Marinette exchanged worried and skeptical looks. As they approached the car they saw Lila walk away. Very odd. Usually she would have at least made a comment or stayed to try and be around Adrien for some reason. Adrien opened the car door for Marinette, letting her slide inside. He then slid inside after her.

"Where is Felix?" Nathalie asked.

"I don't think he is coming with us? I saw him leave with Alya and Nino. He might show up later." Adrien said, thinking.

"Why was Lila here? What did she want?" Adrien asked.

"Oh Lila Rossi? The girl that was just here? She was wanting to know the location of your next photoshoot. She has done photoshoots with you before and they were a hit for the brand to show off the girl clothing. So we were thinking about letting her model with you." Nathalie replied, looking at him from the car mirror.

"I would rather have Marinette model the girl's clothing. She's a designer after all. She knows all about clothing and poses." Adrien smiled.

Nathalie looked toward Marinette and saw her eyes wide with surprise. It seemed like the idea was even a surprise to her as well.

"Adrien? Would that be wise? Your girlfriend being advertised? Everyone would be extremely upset. Only a small percentage of people know that you are dating this young lady. Imagine what would happen to the company and all of the girls' hearts if you were to tell them you weren't single." Nathalie said.

"But I'm not single."

"You need to at least let them believe you are." Nathalie shot him a glare. "You know that is the best for your Father's company and his designs as well as your modeling career."

Marinette frowned. This was her fault. She loved him but he needs to think about his career as well. He shouldn't sacrifice his career for a photoshoot.

"It's alright! I wouldn't want to model anyhow! I couldn't! I have no experience!" Marinette smiled awkwardly.

Adrien turned to look at Marinette and frowned.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"I'm sure. Really." She smiled.

"How about this... Why don't you come with me to the photoshoots to watch then? You can meet the photographers and meet everyone behind the scenes. You'll be able to get your feet in the door for later." Adrien said cheerfully.

Marinette smiled and nodded. Adrien and Marinette rode toward the Agreste mansion, passing the Parisians on that bright sunny day. As they were driving home, Lila was walking home with a smirk on her face. She unraveled a piece of paper that was stashed within her clenched hand. There was an address written on it. Lila pulled out her phone and followed the address. As she made her way there, the neighborhood got darker by the second. It was almost as if that part of the city was abandoned. Most of the windows were boarded up and it looked like something out of a horror movie.

Still she went to the address and walked up the door. Regardless, she smiled and confidently knocked on the door. After a few seconds the door opened with a loud creak. Lila tilted her head slightly to try and see within but it was too dark to see. The door then swung open and there stood Hawkmoth smirking down at her. Lila smiled up at him.

"Come in... Lila." He smirked.

"Of course... Hawkmoth." She replied.