When the Phoenix Falls (Adrien Agreste)

Chapter 3: Stormy Weather

As the morning had dawned so sunny and warm, Colette had decided that she would spent the morning in the small park area next to her house. Armed with her satchel, a couple of sketchbooks, her phone, and a bright smile, she made her way to one of the benches near the fountain and began to draw anything that came to mind. She had been there for a little while when a familiar blonde approached her with an apologetic look on his face.

"Good morning, Adrien." She greeted him, offering a wide smile and an almond croissant out of the bag at her side. She always made sure that she kept a couple of pastries on her when she was out at the park, knowing that if people saw her with the branded bag they would be more likely to visit the bakery, which was only across the road.

"Hey, Colette. Sorry, but I can't really accept that, my father likes to keep me on a strict diet when possible and my bodyguard would probably tell him if I did take it."

"That sucks," Colette muttered, glancing at him sympathetically. "Do you need me to move out of the way?"

"If you wouldn't mind," Adrien answered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "My photographer was just hoping to get in some shots of me by the fountain, I think."

"Makes sense, if you get a break feel free to join me over there because I'll probably be here all morning and I don't imagine your photoshoot will be very interesting."

Adrien shrugged, "I'm used to them by now. Besides, it's what my father wants so I really don't mind."

"Suit yourself, but I'd you want to join, feel free." Colette told him, gathering her things and making her way across the park.

Neither of them had noticed the photographer, Vincent, snapping a few shots of the two teenagers as they sat on the edge of the fountain. Though he had been Adrien's photographer for many years, it was rare that he managed to capture such a genuine smile on the face of the blonde boy, and the girl next to him looked as though she had stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine anyway, so they looked like the ideal pair.

Taking a seat on a bench underneath a tree at the edge of the park, Colette went back to her drawing and did not think much more about the photoshoot happened so close to her, until she saw three familiar heads pop out from behind a tree. Raising an eyebrow and tilting her head to one side in confusion, Colette watched as Marinette, Alya, and Manon - the girl Colette knew Marinette was supposed to be babysitting - stood almost completely still as they observed something. When Colette realised that they were staring at Adrien, she rolled her eyes and went back to her drawing.

As much as she loved Marinette, she also knew that the girl was prone to be slightly obsessive and if Adrien was to be her latest fixture, it was going to be a very awkward year for everyone, especially considering how badly her last crush had ended. The last thing Colette wanted was for this to end in a way even slightly similar, considering how broken up Marinette had been and how shaken she still was.

She saw Marinette step out from behind the tree and begin to wave her arms around in the air like a lunatic, in a way Colette was surprised that Adrien hadn't spotted the girl yet, what with how avid her gestures were. Alya and Manon were standing next to the tree now, the elder girl crossing her arms as she watched her best friend completely freak out over the blonde. Colette could guess from the look she was giving the ravenette, that Marinette was probably explaining how the rest of her life would go if she managed to ask Adrien out, and Alya was in complete disbelief as to how she had ended up best friends with the girl.

Then they began to walk across the park towards where Colette was sitting, Marinette was taking huge exaggerated steps which made Colette wince from second hand embarrassment. It was clear she was trying far to hard to be subtle and was instead making herself stand out more than anyone would have thought possible. They were just turning around to walk back, with Marinette almost shoving the other two girls along, when Adrien turned to see them and offered a slightly confused but still kind wave and a smile. As he turned back to face his photographer, Marinette elbowed Alya excitedly and grinned, waving enthusiastically in Adrien's direction even though the blonde boy was no longer facing her. This continued for a minute or so before Alya pushed her friend's hand down and began to lead then closer to where the photoshoot was actually taking place.