Accident of the Evening

Turns

Adrien hurried into the dance studio, hoping he was early enough to be able to change in privacy. He had woken up late, and therefore set his whole routine half an hour behind. Thankfully he was rarely late and the photographers hadn't minded the time to themselves. They were preparing to do the photography for the Parisian Ball and were grateful for the chance to play around before he arrived.

Unfortunately, being late for the photo shoot, meant he was consequently late for his lecture, so when everyone went for lunch break, he had to stay back to catch up the notes. He missed the chance to see Nino, seeing him heading towards the journalist building with a slight spring in his step, probably to spend time with Alya; and therefore rushed to the studio still dressed as himself.

He didn't even notice the music as he shuffled to the change area. It wasn't until the person dancing stopped the music and called him out that he realised.

"Excuse me? Are you lost?" a familiar voice asked. Adrien turned and felt his face flame as the lady with the scarlet mask blinked at him in confusion. She was wearing the red tulle skirt over her black dance tights and leotard with new red and black ballroom shoes.

"L-Ladybug," he stuttered and she blinked again.

"Um, yeah. You, you're Adrien, right? Adrien Agreste?" the boy nodded and looked at the floor. Where had all his confidence gone?

"Y-yes. Sorry, I didn't think anyone was in here, I was, um," he trailed off as he took in that her hair was styled differently and her blue eyes were surrounded with a shimmery powder. She looked surreal.

"It's okay, but I should tell you, I'm waiting for someone. For a private lesson, I mean," she added quickly, shaking her hands in front of her in panic. "I mean, it's Chat Noir, we have a dance class together, now, I mean, this period."

"Oh?" was all he could muster.

"Yes, Madame Bustier cancelled the normal class in order to help us finalise our routine for the ball."

"Oh," he said again.

He mentally slapped himself and could hear Nino's laughter in his ears. The great Adrien Agreste lost for words because of a pretty pair of blue eyes. And boy, they were pretty.

"So, um, you must be excited," he said awkwardly. "Dancing at the Parisian ball must be pretty exciting."

Wow Adrien. Excellent conversation skills, he scolded himself.

"A bit," she confessed. "Though I guess for people like you and Chat Noir it isn't as exciting. I've never been before, you see," she explained as she moved a little closer to him.

"You've never been?" he asked and she shook her head. "Well, I'm sure you will love it. I hope your date shows you a good time."

"Date?" she exclaimed. "Chat Noir? What? N-no, we're not... I mean, not like that. He's a great guy but I just don't see him that way. I mean, I like someone else, I mean, I, ugh." She trailed off and turned around, letting her shoulders sag for a moment.

"So, um, how long have you been in here for?" Adrien asked, changing the subject despite wanting to ask more about who Ladybug liked.

"Oh, um, over an hour? I've been trying to figure some things out and dancing normally helps."

"Normally?"

"Y-yeah, it's dancing that's got me caught up," the scarlet lady gave a small laugh. "I just can't figure it out," she confessed with a sigh.

"Maybe I could help?" he asked and he saw her cheeks turn pink beneath the mask. "I mean, I don't know if I'm as good as Chat Noir, but I certainly try," he added with a small smile.