Her Red Mask

Chapter 1

Chapter 1:

After highschool, Marinette finished her studies at IFA Paris and got her dream job in the fashion industry. She was on a repetitive cycle. Wake up, rinse, eat, go to work, come home, eat, sleep. She was walking home from her favourite coffee shop after a day in the office. It was a gray day. The rain was off and on. It started to shower down. As the rain slid down her back, Marinette drew her umbrella. When's my next deadline? Hmm... I need some more designs. Alya could give me a little inspiration. Deep in thought, Marinette bumped into a man.

"Sorry sir, I didn't mean to-" She cut herself off. As she pulled her umbrella up to get a better look, his face immediately reminded her of someone. His blond hair, his green eyes. Adrien?

She was plucked from her thoughts.

"Hey umm are you alright? You blanked out a bit"

"A-a-Adrien?" The name escaped her mouth before she could close it.

"How did you know my name?"

That's great. Way to go Marinette. Now... this is awkward.

"It's Marinette."

...

"Ughhh Tikki" Marinette sighed as she slammed her face into her pillow.

"What's the matter Marinette?" she said with concern.

"It's just, I haven't seen him in so long. The conversation could've started better. And then-" She was cut off.

"Marinette, you did well today. You talked using actual sentences. Seeing as you haven't seen him in a long time, it was a given that he wouldn't recognise you. And he gave you his number! "

"I suppose you're right. Though I still think I could've handled the situation better. I mean...." She sank into her blankets. She thought back to the fight with Hawkmoth. The scar on her thigh. She wishes things went differently. That she and Chat Noir caught Hawkmoth. But instead, they let him get away.

"How about we ring Alya? She'll cheer you up!" Tikki dialled the phone and lay it gently next to her head. Marinette slid her hand out and slowly rose from her duvet. Tikki's always encouraging.

"Thanks, Tikki," Marinette whispered.

"I haven't seen Marinette in a long time Plagg." Adrien finally got home.

"Get me my cheese and then I'll play therapist."

"Plagg you already had some on the way home!"

"Give it to me or you will regret it," Plagg said sternly.

"Fine. But that's all you get until tomorrow." Adrien said while going through the fridge.

"Now you may carry on pouring your heart out," Plagg said with a mouth full of camembert.

"It was weird seeing her again. It brings back a lot of old memories."

"And feelings..." he said with a Cheshire grin.

"Shut up." What does he know? I don't like her... do I like her?

"Hey, hey kid? You okay? Maybe you should go see her. She always fixed your problems." Adrien remembers his afternoons he'd spent with her. He would tell Marinette everything and she would instantly make it all better with a flick of a switch. Then there were movie nights. Tom and Sabine (Marinette's parents) always invited the stray in. He had fun with the Dupain- Cheng's. Being there felt like he was home. Having a home felt good. He felt wanted. Like he belonged.

"Kid, kid. Hello! Earth to Adrien! Are you there?" He heard the grouchy voice of his friend calling him back.

"I'm here. What did you say again?"