The Miraculous Adventures of Marinette and Adrien

19

The next five days went by in a blur. I didn't see Chat, nor any Akuma's, which was very strange. Maybe Hawkmoth was retaliating?
Chat Noir probably just got sick, like half the population of Paris.
In fact, even Bastille day was kind of drab, filled with sneezes and weak voices cheering at the floats going by.
The fireworks seemed sick too, not as bright an cheerful, and Ladybug and Chat Noir were no where to be found, much to Alya's dismay.
I was glad to finally attend an event with my family and friends, though, and not be worrying about my Miraculous timing out, revealing my identity to all.
I think I was scared about my identity being revealed because everyone would be so astounded.
Marinette? They would think, the quiet, weird, girl who sits behind me in History?
How could she be Ladybug? They're nothing alike!
I shook the thoughts away.
I should be happy. Right now I was at the park watching Manon while her mom was on the phone.
"Marinette?" I hear a voice ask.
I swivel around, my eyes going round as I behold Adrien Agreste... With his arm in a sling.
"Adrien!" I gasp, "What happened?" I question, rushing over to him, leaving Manon on the carousel.
I mean... I wasn't that far away from her...
"Ah, nothing." He says, brushing it off with a casual smile, "Over-confident in my skateboarding."
"Is it broken?"
"Uh... It's healing?" He says, scratching the back if his neck. Then he laughs.
I was a bit startled at the sudden change in emotions.
"We never got crépes, Marinette!" He says, his laugh ending in a short burst.
"The shoppe is always open." I say, smiling awkwardly, brushing my hair behind me ear.
Aw man! I turned this conversation to rubbish!
"Um..." He says, looking for something to keep the conversation going. "Oh, you're watching Manon again!"
"Oh, yes! You know Manon!" I say, glancing back at her, my hand still hovering near my ear.
"Hello again, Manon!" He says, waving to her as she spins by on the carousel.
She giggles, her eyes growing wide. A couple of seconds later, the carousel stops turning, and she joins our little circle.
"Adrien!" She squeals, sounding a bit like Tikki. "We took photo's together..." She says, scratching at her chin.
"That's right." He said, ruffling her hair, "You're a good model, Manon."
"Thanks." She says plainly.
"Manon! Time to go!" Her mother calls, "Thanks for watching her Marinette!"
"Anytime!" I say, calling back, and waving at both of them.
I turn back to look at Adrien, and he's staring intently at my face.
My cheeks redden, and he looks away quickly, scratching the back of his neck. For the second time. I was sure I knew someone else who did that...
"So!" I say suddenly, breaking the silence, "Would you like to come to the shoppe and get some crépes?" I ask him, wringing my hands at my hips.
He glances at his phone, checking the time.
"Now..?" He whispers, not looking up at me.
"I mean... If now is not a good time then-"
He glances up at me, and smiles, "Oh no, it's just... My Father is calling me to come home... Some big modeling deal." He looks down at his phone again, frowning.
"Oh..." I say, probably looking dejected. That's the second time that he's used his "Father calling him" as an excuse.
"Marinette," he says, grabbing one of my shoulders with his good hand, "I would really like to go get some crépes." He smiled.
"You would...?" I ask, blankly.
"Of course! I like hanging out with you, Marinette! Uh..." He says, checking his phone one more time, "Just... Right now I gotta scram..." He said, smiling, and then waved goodbye, turning to walk away after I returned the wave, my eyes widening, and my cheeks reddening.
Did Adrien Agreste just ask me out?
I glance up at him, my eyebrows raising higher and higher.
Did Adrien Agreste just say that he enjoyed my company?
My mind couldn't comprehend it.
But... What my mind could comprehend was a slight limp to Adrien's walk.