Shall We Dance?- A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction

Chapter 15

The classroom was nearly filled when the four of them walked in. Adrien's face was still on fire but he managed to swallow down the heat with a silent prayer that it didn't rush to any other awkward locations. All the while, Marinette and Alya walked in front of them, giggling and talking about who-knows-what and he wished that he had Chat's super hearing on him right now. If only to hear her voice more clearly. The four of them sat down at their respective seats before Marinette seemingly remembered something and reached into her bag to pull out two tiny packages that she handed to both him and Nino.

"Here are your orders gentlemen," she chirped. Nino took a quick look inside and raised his thumb at her before putting it away in his own bag. Adrien accepted his, slightly confused. Looking inside, he found a pink silk bowtie, mask, and pocket square, perfectly sewn of course and he blinked. Marinette only smiled at him. "You paid me for it remember? That was the deal."

"Yeah but... but I didn't think you'd...."

"Make it? Oh Adrien, can't you tell when I'm joking? Of course I was going to make it for you! I don't mind us matching for the ball."

"Excuse me," a voice screeched. They turned to find Chloé standing at the door, arms by her side, fist clenched, and her brow lowered over her eyes; fury raged in them. "Excuse me, you did not...why in the world would Adrien be matching you Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"

All eyes were on them now. Everyone else fell silent as they waited for the fall out to happen. Adrien's face paled but Marinette took a breath and remained calm. She was determined to not fall to Chloé today; today was not the day she wanted to be worrying with the spoiled blonde considering she had plans to contend to herself. So, she did the one thing she could think of. She channeled as much of Ladybug as possible (even though Ladybug was none to have her moments with her too). The dark haired girl politely folded her hands on the desk.

"Adrien and I are going to the ball together," she said evenly, "We determined that weeks ago."

Chloé unleashed an unearthly screech. Sabrina, standing behind her, covered her ears. "Impossible!" She stomped over to Adrien's table and swiped the package from his hand. He stood abruptly.

"Hey!"

"What? She couldn't make an appropriate suit for you either? Please! I could have one made especially for you in no time! Besides, I know that girl can't dance."

"Give it back Chloé," Adrien ordered. "You know my father is putting me in one of his suits. Mari just made me the accessories to match her dress."

"Have you even seen her dress? She probably doesn't even have anything made!" She motioned to herself. "I wouldn't be surprised if it wouldn't be some second-hand piece of trash. I on the other hand have an original dress all ready to go." She then spotted Marinette's outfit and deciding that she hadn't made her point clear enough, she snickered. "Besides, why would you want to go with someone who dresses like that?"

"Yeah, like that," Sabrina mimicked.

"And someone who likes that two-bit superhero! Chat Noir is nothing compared to Ladybug. Paris would be better off without him."

Adrien's heart dropped. He knew it. He knew Ladybug would be better off without him and his flirtatious nature; better without him always getting in the way or hurt. Marinette would be better off without him. The doubt had eaten into him every now and then but Ladybug always made it better; she assured him that he was needed and that she would be nothing without him. He knew all of this and yet, he wouldn't give up his miraculous for any reason. Paris meant a lot to him. He had friends now to protect. It was his home. He swallowed but said nothing.

He did flinch however, when from behind him, came the loudest bang he'd ever heard. It echoed around the silent room.

Marinette was standing now. Her hands were on the desk from where she'd just slammed them. So much for calm and not falling for Chloé. Everyone in the room physically backed off; they'd seen Marinette angry before but this was a new level of fury that they felt coming off her. If Chloé was ice, Marinette was an active volcano and this bitch was about to be burned.

"Don't you ever," she hissed, "insult Chat Noir again. Paris needs him as much as Ladybug. Ladybug needs him. She is nothing without him." Chloé flinched back as Marinette walked up to her. Getting in her face, Mari continued with, "Chat Noir is a kind, selfless, funny, witty, and charming hero. My words don't even do him justice! He's far more amazing than any of us deserve. He has and will always lay his life down for this city, Ladybug, and even you. If you can't show some gratitude you pretentious blonde bitch, then you can shut your god damned mouth or I will shut it for you." She blinked, flinching under Marinette's glare, but she gathered herself enough to stutter out, "I-I'm telling Daddy!"

"Go ahead. Even he won't save you." She humphed, thrust the package back at Marinette, before sulking off to her seat. Everyone in the class cheered loudly before returning to what they were doing prior to Chloé's impromptu melt down. Marinette smirked before facing Adrien. It changed, fading into a soft smile. "Here. Sorry about that."

He swallowed again. "Don't worry about it." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Chat Noir would be please to know that he's got such a wonderful number one fan." Marinette giggled.

"Good. He shouldn't doubt himself. Paris does really need him." She winked. "Even if it's to keep the girls' hearts a flutter."

"I have it on good authority he only has one girl in mind."

"And I'm sure she's happy to know that." She turned to go back to her seat. Madame Mendeleiev entered the classroom before he could say anything else and his chance at possibly escaping to show her just how grateful Chat Noir was, was lost.