꒷꒦𝙈𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣꒦꒷

Chapter 1

     It was a Halloween night in Paris. Kids were trick-or-treating and wearing their best scary costumes. Every Halloween, Marinette's parents always had their hands full because of the persistent trick-or-treaters. This is because Marinette's dad makes the most desirable Halloween treats in all of Paris. Marinette was an extra help to her parents, even though she kept making clumsy mistakes.

"Here, mom, let me help you!" She extended her hands out to her mom, who was holding a tray of ghost cupcakes.

Mrs. Dupain-Cheng hesitated. "Uh, well, sweetie, I don't think you'll be able to carry all of this."

"But mom, didn't you say I could help you tonight? I'm a baker in training!"

"Well, Marinette, some jobs are made for specific people. For us, it's baking. But for you, well, we're still working on the cooking department."

Marinette smiled. "It's OK mom, I understand. I am a bit clumsy around the kitchen, aren't I?"

Mrs. Dupain-Cheng laughed, "Don't worry, you'll get there. Now, go see if your father needs help."

Marinette nodded and marched to where her dad was. He was busily preparing his famous candy apple recipe.

"Hey, dad, do you need me to do something?" she asked, licking off the caramel on the wooden spoon.

Mr. Dupain-Cheng looked over at his daughter wearily.

"It's too overwhelming, Marinette. Many candy apple orders have been coming in a lot this month, mostly for parties, and I don't think I can catch up!"

A bag of coconut flour fell over and knocked over a salt shaker and a ketchup bottle, which all poured into the nice, rich brown caramel.

"Great! Now I have to make another batch of caramel! This is hopeless. We'll never finish all of this in time!"

Mrs. Dupain-Cheng cleaned up the mess, threw out the damaged caramel, and kissed her husband.

"Tom, we can do this faster if we all work together!"

"Mom's right!" Marinette hugged her dad. "We can do this together cause teamwork makes...uhh...?"

"A happier family!" Mr. Dupain-Cheng picked up his wife and daughter and brought them all into a family hug.

"So, let's get started!" The two went back to baking, mixing and decorating while Marinette went to wash the dishes.

"Marinette! Could you hand me the orange frosting? Up there?" her dad pointed at the top of the bread cabinet.

"Sure, dad!" Marinette got a stool and stood on her tippy-toes to reach for it. She was almost close to grabbing it, when her phone buzzed, startling her.

"Woah!-" She grabbed for the frosting and fell over. The orange paste squirted in her face as she fell backward. Luckily, her dad caught her.

"Thanks, Dad," she smiled and pulled her phone from her purse.

"Hello?" she answered the mysterious caller.

"Marinette, girl, where on earth are you at?" her friend, Alya questioned, "And...what's on your face?"

Marinette quickly licked off the orange frosting off her cheek. "Sorry about that. And...wait, what? What do you mean where am I at? Did you plan something tonight?"

Alya facepalmed herself. "Um, hello? Earth to Marinette? We've all been waiting for you for like, almost 1 hour now at the Pont d'Iéna!"

Marinette was perplexed about what her irritated friend meant, then she realized.

"OH NO! I completely forgot! I'm supposed to go tric1k-or-treating with you guys tonight!"

"That's right, girl."

"But...I can't go, Alya," she looked at her working parents. "My parents need my help tonight with all the baking. Sorry, Alya."

Mrs. Dupain-Cheng overheard the conversation and took off Marinette's apron.

"Don't worry, sweetheart! We'll manage without you!"

She glimpsed at her mom. "Are you sure?"

"Of course! You deserve a little break with your friends since you've been working hard tonight," her dad patted her shoulder.

"Really! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" She kissed both their cheeks. "Don't worry, I'll find some way to thank you, guys!"

She dashed upstairs to put on her Halloween costume, while her parents looked at her going.

"She all grown up, isn't she?" Mrs. Dupain-Cheng wrapped an arm around her husband.

"Indeed! She always supportive of her friends. One day, she's going to be great as Ladybug herself!"

                                                                                   ~~~~

"Alya, I'll be there in 20 minutes, OK?" Alya put a thumbs up and logged off the call. Marinette placed her phone on the bed and got some of her sewing supplies. She always wanted to be a designer ever since she was little. And her hobby fits her as well; she designed and made sunglasses for the famous rock-star, Jagged Stone, she made outfits for Luka's band, and she even designed the feathered hat her crush, Adrien, wore to the fashion show.

"Marinette, didn't you buy a costume?" her kwami Tikki flew out of Marinette's purse.

"Of course not, Tikki! I have all the supplies I need instead of wasting money. Besides, mine looks as good as the ones they make at the Halloween parade."

"You made one already?" Tikki zipped to the covered mannequin and tried to take a peek.

"Not yet, Tikki! I'm almost finished with it, so no peeking!" Tikki laughed and flew to her bed to wait for the surprise.