Her Red Mask

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The date

When Alya left with Blue, Marinette was left with a big pile of tears and sadness. She felt horrible inside. How did this happen? Ho-how did I let this happen?

"Marinette, don't let this bring you down," Tikki said lovingly.

"Tikki I-I-I don't understand. How? Why? He won't like me for me. Who am I kidding? No one would like me for me. I'm not worth it- worth anything. I'm too easily manipulated to see how things are. To see the big picture. But that's just me. The gullible me." She sobbed, bringing her head to her knees.

"Marinette," Tikki said with a stern voice.

"Yes, you are gullible and maybe to easily manipulated but that's because your a great person with a kind heart. You're never afraid to risk your life, with or without the mask." Marinette rose her head with a few silent sniffs.

"Your a brave, undefeated soul. Your a talented, beautiful, smart girl with a personality to match. You love your family and friends and would do anything for them. I guess what I'm trying to say Marinette is that... you're one of the greatest people I know. This Earth needs more people like you. Don't be discouraged Mari, because you have everyone here to fall back on." Tikki flew to Marinette.

"Thank you Tikki" Marinette mumbled, bringing the kwami in for a hug.

"No Mari, thank you." Tikki whispered, slowly floating away as Marinette fell into an uneasy sleep on her couch.

___

Adrien was having a hard time concentrating. He was letting Plagg win for god's sake! Smashing as many irritated buttons on the controller, until the game was over. He owed Plagg so much cheese now.

"That's one case!" The cat kwami cheered, reclining into a victory position.

Adrien was too irritated to scoff. He scratched his head, throwing the controller out of his line of sight. He could hear Plagg's voice of reason, but he didn't care. God, there was so much on his plate right now.

"What was that for?!" Plagg screeched.

Adrien put his hands on his face. What was he doing? His hands balled into fists as the cherry music of the game continued to play. "I- I don't know Plagg."

"You threw my favourite controller!"

"But I bought it."

Plagg rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter." He flew closer to Adrien and put his small hands on his back. Adrien gave a long sigh. He couldn't even play his favourite game without getting frustrated.

"You can talk to me kiddo." Plagg flew to where Adrien could see him. He tried to muster a smile, which backfired and ended up making Adrien snort.

"I know."

"So-"

"So what?"

"Talk to me!"

"Oh." Adrien felt stupid. What else did he mean? "Right."

"I won't even take camembert as payment."

Adrien rolled his eyes. Despite Plagg's attempts, he still couldn't get over it. And it wasn't just that.. Maybe telling Plagg would actually make it better.

"You promise not to laugh."

Plagg gave a mischievous smile. "I'll try." But Adrien raised a serious eyebrow. Plagg shook his original expression for a solemn smile. "Yeah, whatever."

Adrien took a deep breath. "I feel like I have no control whatsoever on what is happening in my life."

Plagg gave a snort but tried his best to cover it. "I thought you were over your emo days."

"Seriously Plagg!" Adrien threw his hands up in exasperation.

"Okay, sorry, sorry, keep going."

"..Well for starters, my dad is missing. And as much as I never really like him as a kid.."

Plagg finished his sentence, "Now that you've grown up, you realize how important he is, eh???"

"Yeah. That. And second, Ladybug."

The cat kwami rolled his eyes. "You think you would have gotten over your crush."

(Somewhere in Paris, Marinette had a chill.

"What's wrong?" Tikki asked.

"Nothing. I just felt like someone was talking about me.")

Adrien put his hands up in protest, but looking around the room, it was evident that Plagg was right. So many posters.. "Okay. Yeah. I still like her.." He felt his cheeks heat up as he admitted it.

"So what's the problem? I mean, it's okay to like someone right?" Plagg really is oblivious to most things.

"Well..I'm frustrated. I- think I'm close to tracking her down, and then she just goes away!"

Plagg looked away. "Or you do."

Adrien remembered how he was going to ask Marinette whether she was Ladybug, but thought it was a stupid idea. He regretted it, especially when he didn't come back to Paris for a few years. Even if he was wrong, at least he would have ruled out one person. But he also remembered how he wished it would be Marinette. "Yeah. That."

___

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLA!!