Miraculous Kat

Part Seven: Cutie and the Kat

"All right class, it's time to share what your projects are."

Two days had passed since the initial planning of the projects. During that time, Kat, Nathaniel, Marinette, and Adrien had acquired four extra phones (courtesy of one slightly reluctant Gabriel Agreste), made a website with the phone's information, and made some flyers.

Miss Bustier called each of the groups up and they explained what their projects.

"Ours is about expressing yourself," Rose explained. She would have gone on, but Chloe interrupted.

"No, that's a side note. We have designed a not-absolutely-hideous-clothing-line for students who need better, less disgusting clothes. It was my brilliant idea," she finished haughtily.

"O-kay. Next let's have Max and Kim."

The groups steadily progressed as class went on. Kat's group was very last.

"Our idea was to create a 'chat' for people who are feeling bad." Adrien turned to Kat. "It was actually Kat's idea."

"Oh, don't give me all the credit. It was Nathaniel's idea to make a website, and Marinette's idea to make it text compatible. And you were the one that got the supplies that we needed. I really didn't do much."

Marinette said nothing, but Adrien and Nathaniel both objected.

"You showed us how to make it work." Nathaniel's elbow brushed hers.

"You were also endlessly patient with all of us," Adrien added. Kat rolled her eyes as she realized that this was an argument she wasn't going to win.

"All right, all right, that's enough. Shall we get on with la presentacíon?"

"We shall." Adrien went to talk, but thought better of it. "Kat, why don't you explain? You'll do better than I will."

"All right," Kat sighed with exaggerated reluctance, then excitedly launched into the explanation. "We have dubbed our project 'The Chat'. So original, right? The Chat is a chat, obviously. If anyone ever feels sad, or mad, or just plain bad, they can call or text in to talk with someone. We even have it set up so if one of us can't talk at the moment, it will redirect the call or text to someone else. For example, let's say Nathaniel has to go do chores. He can redirect the call to me and I can continue to take it. We also have a website. On there, you can find all sorts of stress relieving tricks and stuff."

"That's a wonderful idea," Mrs. Bustier cooed.

"We also have flyers that we've put up around school, so anyone can call in. Nathaniel, if you will." Kat gestured to the stack of papers Nathaniel had in his hands. He began to pass them out. "There's only one number, and it goes to my phone. From there, I can direct people to the person best suited for their needs. Or the person that is currently free to talk. Oh, and Miss Bustier?"

"Yes?"

"I've spoken with Principal Damocles, and he said it was fine for us four to text in class, but only if it's for The Chat."

"Well, I suppose that's all right. You and Adrien seem to be smarter than our teacher's manual, and despite being late all the time, Marinette is a good student. I'm okay with Nathaniel doing this, too, as long as you keep him on track in class. That means no doodling, Nathaniel."

Nathaniel looked crestfallen. Doodling was his one way of getting through the school day. Kat put a hand on his shoulder and smiled.

"Don't worry about it too much, Nathaniel. I have a hard time not doodling, too. We'll just have to help each other get through the day," she giggled. Her smile was infectious, and Nathaniel was soon smiling too.

——After School——

"Hey, Kat, wait!" Nathaniel jogged towards Kat.

"What's up, hon?"

"I..." Nathaniel paused and glanced at Adrien, who was waiting while holding the car door open. Nathaniel shook his head. "Never mind."

"Aw, come on. What is it?"

Nathaniel glanced at Adrien again. Kat noticed and a knowing look crossed her features.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about Adrien, sweetie. You can go ahead and get in, Adrien. You don't have to wait for me to get in." Instead of getting in, Adrien closed the door and strolled up to where Kat and Nathaniel were.

"What're you talking about?" He asked. Nathaniel shyly shrunk into himself.

"Nothing," he said quietly.

"Nothing, huh? You weren't going to ask Kat if she could hang out?" Kat blushed at Adrien's question. Nathaniel stared at the ground. Adrien laughed. "Hey, don't worry about it. As long as my sister likes you, I like you. Maybe not as much as Kat, though."

"Sister?"

"Yeah, I'm Adrien's pretend sister. I'd call him 'my pretend brother', but I think I like just 'brother' better."

"Oh. Okay." Nathaniel started to smile, relief evident in his eyes. "So...do you want to hang out then, Kat?"

"Yeah, I'd like that," Kat blushed. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. They stood awkwardly for what seemed like an eternity because neither of them really knew what to do. Adrien watched for a minute, rolled his eyes, then intervened.

"So, Nathaniel, Are you going to come with us to my house, or do you want to hang out with Kat somewhere else?" That snapped Nathaniel out of it.

"Um...wherever you're comfortable Kat."

"Well, I haven't seen much of Paris yet. What about a tour?"

"That's a great idea!" Adrien exclaimed. "You two go explore, I'll go home. Just make sure you're back by like six."

Nathaniel and Kat grinned at each other and set off, Nathaniel leading, Kat barely two steps behind. Adrien waited until he couldn't hear them anymore, then got in the car to go home.

"Have you been to the Louvre? Oh, that new movie is out, have you seen it? Maybe we could go to the park!"

"I'll be happy with whatever we do!"

And with that, they set off in search of adventure.