Under Heaven (Miraculous Ladybug)

Chapter 4: Coffee and Red Dresses

   Marinette sighed as she put her head on her desk. These last couple of days have been wild and filled with tension. The last thing she needed was school. She closed her eyes and imagined being far, far away from this place.

"What's wrong girl?" Asked Alya.

Marinette looked over at her friend and sat up. She smiled at her friend.

"Sorry, just tired." She said.

"Well, your tiredness aside, me and Nino are going to this cafe down the street today at lunch, wanna come?"

"Sure!" Said Marinette.

Alyas face lit up. Alya was worried about Marinette lately. Not only did she seem more tired than usual, she seemed sad and not even Adriens prescience seemed to be fixing that. So now that Alya had solidified going out with her bestie and a boy she was kind of interested in, she couldn't be more happy. All she needed now was confirmation from Nino about getting his bestie to come along too.

When lunch rolled around, Marinette put on her happy face as her and Alya walked to meet Nino at the cafe since he somehow managed to sneak out of class early. But Marinette was confused on why Adrien snuck out of class with him. As they approached the Lé Grande Glaçage Cafe,  Marinette saw Nino and none other than Adrien sitting by the window. She turned to Alya.

"You tricked me!" Marinette almost yelled.

Alya doubled over laughing. She knew that if she told Marinette that Adrien would be joining, she might've not came because she might've been too nervous. Alya dragged Marinette into the cafe and pulled her over to the table. They took a seat at the round turquoise table and of course Alya just had to sit by Nino, thus leaving Marinetye to be next to Adrien. Once the waitress came they ordered drinks, Marinette had a vanilla latte which of course was her favourite. Alya and Nino did most of the chatting and Adrien made the occasional comment but Marinette just nodded along.

"So Marinette, the school dance is coming up, I know that Alya is going with me but who are you going with?" Asked Nino.

"Wait you're going with Alya!?" She exclaimed.

"Why didn't you guys tell me?" She asked.

"We were waiting until we made a formal plan. But really, do you got a date yet?" Asked Alya.

"No." Marinette muttered into her coffee cup.

Alya sighed at her friend and looked at Nino, and then looked back at Marinette.

"Maybe you don't have a date cause you haven't gotten enough sleep!" She said.

"What's that got to do with it!?" Marinette said.

Adrien his his smirk behind his own coffee cup. While he had the option of going with Chloé, whom had been begging him for weeks, he really didn't plan on going. He didn't want to dance with anyone but his lady.

"What are you smiling about? You don't have a date either!" Said Nino.

Alya bursts out laughing at that. Marinette looked surprised by this and Nino had a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Well I don't want to go to that stupid dance anyway." He muttered.

"Why not?" Asked Alya.

"I don't know. It just sounds kind of boring." He shrugged.

Everyone nodded in acceptance, including Marinette. She would love him to ask her but, if he would prefer not to go she would respect that. After all, not everyone enjoys those sorts of events and she wouldn't want to place any form of pressure on him. Soon lunch was over and the four walked back to school. Alya and Nino walked in front and Adrien and Marinette walked behind them.

"How have you been?" Adrien asked Marinette.

At first she was a little surprised at him asking her that question.

"I-I'm g-good. A-and how have you been?" She said.

He smiled at her.

"I'm good. You've seemed down lately, are you sure you're ok?" He asked with a voice tinged with concern.

"Y-yeah. T-thanks for asking A-Adrien." She said.

The rest of the walk was silent but Marinette was still glad for the smallest of conversation they had that day. And so was Adrien.

Once Marinette got home, she got to working on the dress. She finished the red bodice and skirt and was left to finish up the lace sleeves.

"That's stunning Marinette!" Said Tikki.

"Thanks!"

"Are you gonna wear it to the dance?"

"I'm not going." Marinette sighed.

" Oh Marinette, please tell me this has nothing to do with your issues with your alter ego" said Tikki.

"No it doesn't. It's just I don't have a date. I'd love to go but if I show up with no date I'll be embarrassed." She said.

"Don't let that stop you! Go with your friends! Look good and have fun and make those boys regret not taking you!" Encouraged Tikki.

Marinette smiled at her kwami. It did sound delightful and it sure as hell would make a statement. And she also knew that it would make Alya feel better.

"That's a great idea Tikki! I'll get Alya to get me a ticket for the dance! And I'll be sure to make a statement!" She said.

Tikki cheered with glee. Tikki worried immensely about Marinette, especially after the incident with the last Ladybug. The previous Ladybugs civilian name was Richelle and Richelle was an excellent Ladybug. She ended up getting married and having a son but after a horrifying incident with a mental hospital patient, she took her life. She feared that if Marinette continued to be sad and didn't allow herself to enjoy life, she feared that Marinette may also take her life.

"Oh Tikki! Look at it! I can't believe I actually finished it!" She exclaimed.

Tikki looked at Marinettes finished project with wonder. It was a masterpiece.

"You should wear that to the dance! And put on some red lipstick and some eyeliner and fishnet tights! You'd look amazing!" Tikki said.

Marinette nodded in agreement and kissed the top of her beloved kwamis head. At this, Tikki remembered how Richelle wasn't this loving with her and how Richelle and Marinette are different. Here before her was Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and she was not Richelle Agreste.