Tales of the Bug and Cat: Book 2

Chapter 23: Signs

Monday, February 12th, Morning

"Marinette!" Their teacher called out. "You're late, again."

Marinette smiled weakly as she closed the door behind her. Alya hid her smile behind her hand, and Nino and Adrien chuckled. "Sorry...I was helping my dad with some things in the bakery, then I realized I left my homework on my dresser. Then, there was this pigeon tha-" 

"Oh, Marinette." The teacher shook her head. "As pointless as it is for me to say this, please be on time tomorrow."

"I will!" Marinette went over to her seat, slightly embaressed, but also used to it. Alya smirked at her as she sat down. Behind her, Nino and Adrien gave her thumbs-up, further teasing her.

"Not as late as yesterday." Nino leaned forwards and whispered.

"So, continue the story, Mari!" Alya scooted closer to beat hear Mari's whispers under the teacher's voice.

"After class!" Marinette whispered. She heard Adrien chuckle behind her and was glad he no longer sat in front of her, where she spent all class looking at him. Though, she still spent most of class thinking of him.

~~
[After class]

The second the bell rung, Adrien and Nino came around to the side of Marinette and Alya's desk.

Adrien leaned in. "You left off with the pigeon." He reminded Marinette.

Marinette blushed a bit more as Adrien looked at her. "Uh-uh, well, the pigeon kinda attacked me. It was weird. I avoided it but then I needd to stop by my locker and then I ran into Chloe. She was leaving school early, and I don't know what that's about, school just started." She finished her story and took out her binder.

"I'm still shocked we're no longer battling with Chloe." Alya said, grabbing her bag and phone. "After she went out with Nathaniel, or became friends, or whatever happened around the time of that dance last year...she's changed."

Adrien smiled. "I'm proud of her. She's grown a lot these past months, and whatever caused it, she hasn't been a bully to others." 

Marinette shrugged. "It is weird though." She stood up, with her bag and walked with her friends out of the class. "We've been fighting for years, and suddenly she just calmed down. I'm happy that we can be civil, but it's weird."

"Wait, dudes, we have to hurry. We have a lab in science, remember. Gotta get there early to set up." Nino realized as he checked the time on his phone.

"You two go ahead, we'll catch up." Alya linked arms with Marinette, and slowed her pace. 

"Your choice. Just don't be late!" Adrien winked at Marinette, and smiled as he and Nino headed off down the hall. 

Marinette watched Adrien walk away. Laughing about something with Nino, shaking his head. She smiled, but then groaned and leaned onto Alya. "Oh, those eyes!"

"Here we go!" Alya teased, patting Marinette on the head.

"When he winked, I think I died!" Marinette dramatically exclaimed. The girls laughed as they continued down the hall. "Every time I look at him, my checks go red and my mind goes blank."

"Your mind used to go blank. At least now you can hold conversations and hang out with him without near fainting!" Alya laughed.

"I don't know how you can like Nino and not just die like I do!"

Alya watched the boys head down the stairs. Nino smiling and putting a hair to his face from whatever Adrien had said. "I keep my chill better than you do, I guess. Still, you work with him, and you're able to be completely professional! That's progress!!" She moved one hand through the air in a jazzy arch.