Ladybug and Chat Noir: The Discovery

Chapter 5

Adrien's P.O.V.

"Today's the day," I tell a sleepy Plagg, "today's the day I'm gonna tell her."

"You sure about that?" He yawns, "Yesterday you seemed pretty set on not telling her."

I shrug, "I have a...feeling things are gonna work out."

"Okay, but it's your funeral," he warns, "if you mess this up, it's on you."

"I know, I know," I wave him off, "I got this."

I grab my scarf before running downstairs and out the door, towards the waiting car. Once inside, I pull out my phone and send Nino a text.

Can you get Alya away from Marinette for a little while?

It's only a second before he replies.

Yeah, why? You gonna make a move?

I grin, Maybe...

The drive to school seems ten times longer this morning due to my increasing anticipation. As the building comes into view through the tinted window, my hands begin to swear and my heart begins to beat faster. The sound of my rushing blood fills my ears.

What if she rejects me?

What if she laughs it off?

What if she says she doesn't believe me?

What...

"Adrien!" Plagg's sharp cry break me from my reverie, "Breathe, okay?"

"Uh-huh," I nod, struggling to slow my heart rate, "I got this."

"I'm not so sure," he says, his voice full of doubt, "you seem pretty nervous."

"It's just my imagination," I assure him, "nothing more."

He nods, "Okay, but as I said before, it's your funeral."

I dismiss it, "Yeah, whatever."

As we pull up, I see Nino dragging Alya away from her best friend. Marinette stands speechless, standing alone in the center of the courtyard. Thank you, Nino, I think. Slowly, I push open the car door and step out, keeping steady eye contact with my target. She blushes adorably, turning her gaze to the ground.

I smile as I approach, "Hey, Marinette."

"H-Hey, Adrien," she stammers, keeping her eyes locked on the ground, "what's up?"

I shrug, "Nothing much. How about you? How was your morning?"

She finally looks up, "N-Normal, I guess."

"Cool," I nod, "did you get that history homework done?"

Marinette is clearly gaining confidence, "Yeah. It was kinda hard, though. Did you get question ten?"

"Not really," I admit, rubbing the back of my neck, "I'm pretty sure my answer's wrong."

"Same," she gives me a small smile.

"Listen," I say, trying to direct the conversation in a more serious direction, "there's something I want to talk to you about."

Now she goes stark white, "S-sure. Wh-what is i-it?"

"Well, I kinda have a secret..."