The Naked Truth

Chapter 1 -- A Broken Heart

Betas: Khanofallorcs, Agrestebug, Etoile-Lead-Sama, genxha and magicianofesperance. Thank you all so much!

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by (c) Thomas Astruc, TS1 Bouygues, Disney Channel, Zagtoon, Toei Animation. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

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"Are you sure you will be alright, darling?" Sabine looked at her and frowned. "We can always split, if you like. Your father can go and I can stay."

Marinette gasped. "No, Maman! I can't possibly expect you to stay here and miss out on the wedding celebrations. I'm already sorry that I can't be with you."

"Don't be silly now. We have spoken about it too many times, Marinette. It's your first week back at school. It's a crucial year, you don't want to miss your first week and have to play catch up!" Sabine moved a rebellious lock that had started to worm its way through to Marinette's eye and smiled softly.

"Yes, we have spoken about it, and that's why you should know that I will be okay. I'm only sorry that I won't be able to take your place at the bakery while you're away, but I'm sure Paris will survive with us being closed for a few days." She smiled, trying to show to her mother that she was confident. "You go to Marseille, Maman. Enjoy the wedding and then take those few days off as a holiday for yourself. You haven't had a proper holiday in years."

"She's not wrong, you know," interrupted Tom, his moustached face emerging from the front door. "We really haven't had a proper holiday in years. Marseille is so beautiful. And so is the hotel we booked." He looked at his daughter decisively. "You will be careful with those boys while your daddy's not here to protect you, won't you, ma baguette ?"

"Boys?" Marinette blushed crimson. "What boys, Papa? There's no boys... at all."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "I'm talking especially of a certain blond model who's made your heart flutter for the past few years..."

"Papa!! You know that Adrien would never do anything to me that would cause your concern." She lowered her gaze. "I'm just a friend to him, I've always been and I'll never be anything else."

"Never say never, my little muffin. He's a male. And no healthy teenage male could resist your charm, Marinette." He gently stroked her cheek, making her look him in the eyes. Then, with his enormous hand, he patted her cheek and smiled softly. "Just make sure that the mice won't party while the cat is out of town."

Marinette giggled. "Don't worry, Papa, my virtue is safe."

"Maybe your virtue is safe, Marinette, but not your school record. If you don't hurry, you'll end up being late on your first day! You know that it takes you a good ten to fifteen minutes to walk to school now." Sabine gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as Marinette looked at the clock on the kitchen's wall and panicked.

"Aaaaaaah... See you in a week's time, Maman, Papa! I love you!" she said and quickly grabbed her bag, before waving at them, and ran out of the door.

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Adrien sighed as the sedan stopped in front of Lycée François de Salignac. His anxious thoughts melted away when he felt the soothing purring coming from Plagg behind his neck. He smiled and gently scratched the wee kwami's head. Plagg had spoken to him so many times in the last few days about it, but he couldn't help but feeling nervous.

He had been so lucky in the last few years: he had always ended up with Marinette, Nino and Alya. They had been able to reproduce the seating arrangements they had in Collège even when they started Lycée, because they had all ended up in the same class again. Almost all of their classmates had, to be honest. Only Max had moved to a technical Lycée that was focused more towards Information Technology, and Kim had decided to focus on a swimming academy rather than continuing his studies, and was now training in order to compete professionally for the French national team. Alix had been placed in a different class last year, but at least they could still hang around at break time, since she attended the same school. Everyone else had stayed in the same class, including Chloé and, unfortunately, Lila too. But every year, on his first day, Adrien couldn't help this growing feeling of anxiety in his gut, not knowing if he was going to see his friends every day.