Just A Normal Girl, With A Normal Life

Chapter One - Normal

"Where were you! You told me you'd be there!" Alya shouts at me over the phone. "I was... busy." I say glancing at Tikki, then at the news. I frown. "Look my parents needed my help here, I'm sorry." I say, slightly disappointed that I missed Alya's big day.

"Marinette I'm starting to think I can't rely on you. During our entire friendship almost you've seemed secretive and you're never here for me when I need you." Alya says.

"Alya it's not like that. I don't mean to be secretive with you it's just..." I gaze at my Ladybug poster, "I've been very busy the past couple of years."

"With what? Marinette what could possibly be more important than your friends? It's not jut me you've rejected, its Nino, Rose, Julika, Luka, even Adrien." She says trying to guilt-trip me. "I have to go. I'll see you at school tomorrow, that is if you decide you wanna come." She says sarcastically.

Sigh.

"Tikki I've been so busy with my superhero work I forgot all about Alya's play." I say sadly as I slump onto my bed. "Do you think she's right? Do you think I've been too focused on Ladybug instead of my friends?"

"You're a great friend Mari! Don't worry about Alya. She'll forgive you. If she knew-"

"If she knew it wouldn't be so hard to keep her from getting mad at me. Alya's my best friend Tikki. I hate that I can't tell her I'm Ladybug." I say frustrated.

"I know it sucks Marinette, but if anyone found out who you were you'd be in danger. Imagine if you told Alya and then she got akumatized. What if she'd told Hawk Moth without realizing it and put you and Alya in danger? There are reasons you must keep your identity a secret." If she hadn't given me this speech once she hasn't a million times.

"I know Tikki." I groan and roll over looking out the window, wear I have a perfect view of the park. I see kids playing on the jungle gym, and parents being happy that their kids are safe. "It is nice seeing that Paris is protected from Hawk Moth. And it's even nicer knowing that I'm the reason for that." I smile as I watch the kids play happily.

-

"Alya!" I run up to my best friend trying to get her attention. "Alya I felt really super bad for missing your play for I baked you some I'm sorry BFF strawberry-kiwi macaroons!" I say very quickly and out of breath.

"Marinette, you don't have to bake me Macaroons to apologize. Just promise you'll make it to my next showing! Jagged Stone's gonna be there! And the mayor, and the most famous directed in all of France, Abella Albane!" She squeals and goes on about the school play she's directing.

As I pretend to listen to her I see Adrien's car pull up. My legs get shaky. "ALYA! He's here!" I squeak as I hide behind my notebook.

"And he's here every day. You need to get over your fear of talking to him. He's one of your best friends now, not to mention I think he likes you." She says as she nudges me in the side.

"Adrien doesn't like me. He's said it before. He likes another girl." I sigh and clinch the notebook I was recently using to cover my face.

"Hey Marinette, hi Alya!" Call Adrien as he walks towards us. "I heard your first showing was really good. Sorry I couldn't make it, super he- model stuff! Super model stuff." I watch his lips carefully as his charismatic voice echoes in my heart.

"So Marinette what did you do yesterday?" He asks. I go stiff. "Oh! Er um yknow... same!" He looks at me funny. "I mean I wasn't doing super model stuff! Cuz I'm not a super model! Only gorgeous people are supermodels. NOT THAT I THINK YOU'RE GORGEOUS!" I look over at Alya who's rolling her eyes with a "smh" look. Sigh.