CRAZY

Paint the Town Red and Black

"Hey guys!" I greeted, finding my friends' picnic blanket on the grass of the green park.

"Marinette! I was wondering when you were gonna show up!" Alya chuckled, "Come here! Sit!"

I grinned and took my seat next to Alya. "So how have you guys been..." I stuttered, "Doiinng?" I had caught sight of the other boy they said they were bringing. Adrien Agreste?

He had neat blonde hair and emerald eyes that sparkled with the thought of another new friend. He held out his hand with a smile that could knock me over and I felt my face heating up at his warm gaze.

"Hi!" He said, "I'm Adrien."

"M-Marinette," I responded, shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Marinette!" He beamed. I sat back and took a sandwich out of my lunchbox. I stared at my lap, eyes wide, waiting for myself to stop blushing. Alya nudged me with her elbow and I looked up at her. She smirked and looked at Adrien, then back at me.

I gave her a look that practically screamed, "like that will ever happen."

I took a bite out of my sandwich and started to think. What had happened in my bedroom earlier? I saw a giant bug who basically told me I had magical powers and I was just acting like nothing happened? But she also told me not to tell anyone, so I kinda had to.

This was all so crazy, and happening wayyy too fast!

I was lost in thought when I realized Alya was talking to me.

"-inette!!"

"Huh?" I jumped.

"I said are you coming to the dance in a few months?" She replied, "At school?"

"Oh, yeah," I responded, "Of course. Need a chance to show off my latest design!"

"Design?" Adrien wondered aloud.

"Oh," I blushed, "Yeah! I'm aspiring to be a fashion designer someday!" I clutched my design book to my chest.

"That's awesome!" He smiled, "Could I see some?" My face started to redden more as I nodded and handed him the book.

He pulled back the cover and began gently flipping through the pages. I watched his expression anxiously as I wrung my hands, anticipating the worst, but hoping the best. After a while, he finally spoke.

"Wow!" He cheered, "This is really really good! I'd love to show these to my father sometime, if that's alright."

"That. Would. Be... Amazing!!!" I called, (probably a bit too loud.)

"You're gonna be a great designer someday, Marinette," Adrien sighed, "I'm glad you get to do something you like."

"You don't like modeling?" I asked, reading his sad expression.

"It's all ok, and it was fun at first," He explained, "But it's kinda hard to get a real high school experience when I'm missing classes all the time."

"Yeah," I said, "I bet that's gotta be kinda rough."

"Anyways," Alya began, "Adrien's transferring to our class! Isn't that great?"

"That's- aw-awesome!" I stammered. Alya pretended to yawn to stifle a giggle.

Adrien smiled at me gently, but blushed intensely.

I can't believe that just happened.

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I knew at that time what I needed to do. So once I got home from school for the day, I opened up my bag to tell Tikki my decision.

"So?" She asked, "Whad'ya say?"

"I say..."

I took in a deep breath.

"Let's do this."