M'Ladybug | Adrinette//Ladynoir

Chapter Eleven | Job Description

Shea stammered a quick apology and ran out of the art room, leaving Nathanael calling after her. She ran through the school, her bag thumping rhythmically.

She checked first period. Nothing.

Second. Nada.

The cycle continued as Shea sprinted from class to class only to find greasy desks and chewed mechanical pencils.

She slumped down by the water fountain, head in her hands. Someone had to have taken it. The real question was, what did she plan to do with it? Shea had poured her heart and soul into the brittle pages, and the thought of anyone--especially Chloe--seeing it made her want to puke.

She forced herself to stay calm. Now Chloe had leverage. She had years worth of heartache easily able to be plastered all over the school.

Come on Shea, you're jumping to conclusions, she thought, shaking her head to clear it.

But deep deep down, Shea knew she wasn't.

__((:__

Marinette and Adrien walked slowly down the sidewalk, each one stealing glances with the other one wasn't looking.

The pair was having a hard time wrapping their minds around everything that had happened yesterday--from Adrien's mom to the impromptu sleepover that had occurred.

Marinette cleared her throat, and attempted conversation. "So, are you ready to start work after school? I talked to my parents and they agreed."

Adrien smiled at her brightly. "That sounds good. I'm a little nervous though."

"Why? Baking pastries isn't exactly rocket science," Marinette said with a giggle.

"If I tell you, you cannot laugh." He paused as Marinette's head practically flew off from nodding too hard. "I've never had a real job before."

Marinette wasn't that surprised. "But you're a model," Marinette said.

"Yeah but that doesn't count. I mean, how much manual labor does it take to pose for a picture."

A lot for me, Marinette thought to herself, but instead she said, "Touché."

"It'll be easy though. You have nothing to worry about. I'll be there to help you every step of the way."

"What would I do without you?" Adrien asked, slightly sarcastic as crimson rose to Marinette's usually pale cheeks.

"But seriously, what would I do without you. Last night turned into a mess. You stayed with me even after all the horrible things my mom said to you. You're a really great fri-person Marinette."

Marinette's smiled gently, taking both of them by surprise and lacing her fingers through his. "It was nothing Adrien. I'd do it again anytime you need me."

With that Marinette gave his hand a squeeze before walking up to Allya, leaving Adrien in a stupor staring after her, surprised at how empty he felt the second she walked away.

__((:__

"It's gone." Shea said, nervously biting a nail.

Marinette looked at the girl in surprise. "Gone? As in not here anymore?"

Allya rolled her eyes. "No, gone as in with the wind. Of course she means gone."

"Sorry, sorry. I'm just a little distracted." Marinette mumbled.

"Look, we'll talk about your little sleepover with Adrien later—"

Shea's eyes nearly popped out of her sockets. "You had a sleepover with Adrien?"