October Nights

The Next Day

Marianette woke to a poke on her cheek and a pull of her hair. She had overslept. Again. Tikki was yelling her name trying to get her to come around, and by the frantic tone Marianette could assume she had been trying for a long time.

Marianette shot up in bed, "I'm up!" She yelled trying to stand. Getting tangled in the sheets she tumbled to the floor with a grunt.

After a moment of untangling she rushed to the bathroom to brush her teeth tugging on her pink pants. With her toothbrush still stuck in her mouth she found her hair ties, combing her fingers through her hair hastily trying to look presentable. She tugged on her white shirt from yesterday and a gray sweater dribbling toothpaste on the front.

She stared at the stain with disdain. She grunted spitting and rinsing her mouth rushing to her dresser for another shirt. The only one she could find was a black tee that had red lining on the collar and sleeves. She had gotten it from one of Ladybug's fans who really wanted the bad version of herself to come out. Whatever that meant.

She threw on the tee shirt looking in the mirror one last time realizing the Tee hugged her a little closer around the hips then she would have liked but was drawn back to reality with Tikki flying in her face.

"Marianette! We will be suspended if we are late anymore!" The little Kwami whined.

Marianette shook her head to focus grabbing her backpack, pouch for Tikki and her tablet before running downstairs. She flew through the bakery swiping a croissant and yelling goodbye to her parents who just chuckled in response.

Marianette pumped her legs faster hearing the final bell for school, and she could practically recite the lecture she was going to get. She was making good time until she rounded a corner coming to a complete halt knocking another person over.

They both grunted from the impact. Marianette sat up slowly rubbing out the egg forming on her head where she hit the bystander, "oh my gosh I am so so sorry! I was not watching where I was going at all!" Marianette stopped with a squeak when she realized who she had just hit.

In front of her Adrien was also holding his head looking confused as to how he ended up on the floor. He mumbled "it's okay" Marianette's cheeks flooded with color. Great. Just great.

She lunged forward to pick up the books he had dropped bumping her head into his again, as he had jumped for the same book.

He chuckled, "Now I'm starting to think it was intentional"

Marianette looked up, their faces inches apart, "No-no I swear! Never! I wouldn't dream of touching you- oh well no I have dreamed of you. My god. No! I wouldn't intentionally hit you!"

I'm moving away. That's it, never coming back. No way I'm living through this embarrassment. She thought to herself trying to look away but getting caught in his seafoam eyes.

His eyes were sincere and look amused at her stuttering. "Dream of me huh?" He said wistfully grabbing the last of his books standing and holding his hand out to help her up. Marianette could die right there.

Adrien's smile turned chestire, not unlike her feline friend who she had kissed last night. Guilt hung in her stomach dropping like a rock, her face paling. She felt like she had betrayed Adrien. He had barely noticed her, always a good friend but she swore up and down she loved him, yet kissed mysterious partners in the night.

Seeming to notice her hesitation Adrien's face softened, his hand still holding hers from helping her up. "I was just kidding Prin- Marianette" His face flushed at the slip but she noticed nothing.

His hand felt warm in hers, secure and safe. He squeezed slightly, the pressure making her stomach knot. He is holding my hand! Her mind was practically yelling. Marianette looked up from their touching hands to his face again seeing his blush deepening.

Could it be that she also made him nervous? She smiled wryly at this thought, could it be the great model was also someone who could be thrown off his game?

Confidence she never knew she had surged through her. She brought his hand closer to her bringing their faces an inch from each other, breath mingling.

"The best dreams. Maybe I'll tell you about them sometime" her voice dipping low. Where was this coming from?

Adrien gulped. Actually gulped! Marionette's inner self swooned at the reaction. She never knew she could have this affect on anyone, especially not Adrien.

Without another word she slipped her hand out of his walking towards class. She looked back over her shoulder realizing she didn't hear any footsteps. "Adrien?" He was still stuck in place, as if Lady WiFi had put a pause on him.

Worried Marianette turned towards him. Is this how I look when Chat flirts with me? She thought to herself.

Adrien's shook his head. The sound of his name making him come too, turning towards her clearing his throat. They walked into class together taking their seats, thankfully before the teacher arrived.

Nino immediately greeted Adrien who still had yet to respond. Marianette giggled, absolutely delighted that she could flirt even after the stutter she gave. Quick save.

Alya turned towards her looking at the blonde from behind, "What's with him?" Marianette giggled again. She shook her head shrugging her shoulders.

Alya not satisfied with that answer poked Nino who also shrugged. Alya sighed and looked to the source, "Hey Adrien? What's up? You okay?"

Adrien slowly turned keeping his eyes away from Marianette. As if bravado came surging back to him, he sat up straighter looking Marianette right in the eye giving a smile.

"Yeah just tired. I was too busy running around in someone's dream last night"

Dead. She was literally dead. Her heart had stopped, started and stopped again. He did not just do that. He had taken her one moment of flirtation success and turned it around at her. Marianette couldn't think, her face becoming a tomato.

Alya and Nino turned to her, "Girl what did you two do!?"

"N-nothing" Marianette stammered watching Adrien's smile grow. Yep dead.

"Alright everyone settle down!" Saved by the teacher, Marianette dipped her head down to her tablet trying to focus.

She felt a breath on her cheek looking up to see Adrien still looking at her. "Black looks good on you by the way" and he winked. Actually winked at her before turning back to the board.

Alya was smacking her arm repeatedly witnessing the entire thing. Marianette gave a quick thanks turning to her best friend horror stricken. What was happening! His smile and wink mimicking exactly what Chat had given her the night before. She was spending way to much time with him. His pick up lines and facial expressions now leaking onto the faces of her friends.

Alya mouthed "You are going to tell me everything!" Making Marianette blush even more. What was she even going to say? That a certain Cat made her feel confident enough to flirt with her crush from several years ago and it was well received? No way. Nope. Dead she was dead.