Just Fine

Early Days

Marinette Dupain-Cheng

She was a beauty. A true beauty. But she couldn't see how beautiful she was. Her insecurities were all that she saw. Her short body, her annoying freckles, and so on. But, nevertheless, she was a happy girl. Nothing could bring her down.

The kind of stuff you'd criticize yourself for, whether they actually applied or not.

She wore her hair in two perky pigtails. Red ribbons hung tied in bows around the tails. Her style had changed throughout the years, as her design skills got better. Though her style was muted compared to the things she would sketch. She now wore cardigans, in a variety of colors, to match the chilly air Paris sometimes provided. Simple tank tops and jeans would go with it. Although it was strange to see such an amazing designer wearing such simple clothes, it looked nice.

Perhaps she was outwardly expressing the qualities of herself she thought other people would want to see. The simple ones.

She wasn't sure when she started doing that, or what triggered the idea that maybe she shouldn't be so openly herself. She factored it into growing up.

Her senior year had finally rolled around, filling her with excitement to finally live a little. To be able to do things on her own. To be, an adult.

It was december.

Adrien was 18, and Marinette was still 17.

Her crush still remained for the blonde, if not gotten bigger.

She watched his face and body mature throughout the years. His rounded baby face grew into more of a man's. His jawline sent shivers down her spine. His hair had been cut, but still left long, parted in a neat way to the side. His body was muscular, and proportioned perfectly. He was tall and lean, a perfect model.

Marinette sighed and stared out the bakery's window, still in her pajamas. Which were also simple, a pair of gray sweats and a white tank top. Her mother was preparing breakfast for the soon-to-be adult in the kitchen.

The smell of fresh eggs and bacon danced in her nose, making her shut her eyes, just enjoying this moment. Her home always smelled delicious. Whether it was the smell of sweets in the oven, or meals on the stove, she always loved the joy it filled her with.

"Breakfast is ready dear!" Her mother walked in with a pan of steaming eggs.

Her mother's smile made the corners of her eyes crease into little crows feet. Marinette gave her a warm smile in return.

"Thank you Mama." She started helping her mother fix 3 plates of eggs, while her father walked in with the fresh bacon. More delightful smells filled the room as they prepared themselves some food.

They ate together, as a family. Talking and laughing, about nothing really. But, it felt good.

They finished their meals and put their dishes into the sink. Marinette offered to wash them, but her parents insisted she get ready, since she had woken up early for once. So she snuck a cookie for tikki and made her way to her room.

It was true, Marinette rarely woke up on time, and was forever late to school. She did have an excuse, but she couldn't use it. What was she supposed to do? Walk up to the school like 'hey sorry I was late, I was busy saving you 'cause haha, I'm Ladybug.'

No. She wasn't going to do that. She had thought about revealing herself to Chat, but decided against it. It could put them in danger. If the word got out, and reached hawkmoth, he would attack them as civilians. He might also hurt people they care about.

It's not that she didn't trust Chat, but he'd been affected by an akuma before. Who's to say he won't do it again? It wasn't his fault, but she didn't want to take the chance unless she really needed to.