Chapter Text

Marinette tapped her pencil against her cheek, absently zoned out of everything around her. Her mind was on her latest fashion design, tragically stuck on the colour. Blue? No. It would clash with the accent colours. Red? No, definitely not. Her last 3 designs were varying shades of red. Suddenly, she felt an elbow at her side. She quickly glanced to Alya who was motioning to the front of the class. “Marinette?” Mlle. Bustier smiled.

“S-sorry?” Marinette stuttered.

“Do you have any input on why Romeo reacted to Juliet’s supposed death in the way he did?” Mlle. Bustier asked. Marinette took a few seconds to put her thoughts together before speaking so as not to embarrass herself any further in front of her class. She took a deep breath, hoping not to stutter.

“Well... Romeo and Juliet are young, right? Um... Around our age. And with their families being very... overbearing there’s a lot of pressure on them both. They don’t really know any better, and this is second and first love, respectively.” Marinette said. She noticed a few of her classmates who had turned to look at her, namely Adrien. He smiled at her before turning back to the front of the class.

Alya leaned close to Marinette “Girl, your face is bright red just from Adrien looking at you?” Marinette swatted her away gently before covering her lower face. She was already overwhelmed by the attention from her class, and the attention from Adrien specifically flustered her more than anything.

“Very well said, Marinette!” Mlle. Bustier said, smiling softly. “Now, if you could all read to the end of the book, to act 5, scene 3, page 14 for tomorrow.” As if on cue, the bell rang. Everyone packed up their books and supplies in unison. Suddenly, Marinette’s books were knocked off her desk. She looked up to see Chloe and Sabrina passing by, looking back smugly. Marinette took a calming breath while standing up to retrieve her books.

“Don’t worry, Marinette. I’ve got it.” Adrien said, picking the books up from his row of seats. Marinette stopped in her tracks, watching him as he handsomely picked up her books.

“How very gentlemanly of you, Adrien.” Alya said, stepping down to stand beside Nino.

“Thank you, Adrien.” Marinette said, doing everything in her power not to stutter or slip up. He handed her the books, not seeming to notice her shaking hands.

“It’s no problem.” He smiled before turning to Nino. “Nino, we’re still on for ice cream, ri-” The dull passing noise from the street below was broken by several screams outside. The 4 students turned to the window to see an ice blue girl in a vibrant figure skating outfit shooting frost from her hands at the students below.

“Another super villain? That’s the second today.” Nino sighed. “I wish we got school off on days like this. Right, Adrien?” He looked back, only to see his friend quickly backing up.

“Oh, man. Nino I’m so sorry but I totally forgot that I have Chinese lessons today. Like right now.” Adrien grimaced. “I swear we’ll get ice cream tomorrow, okay?”

“Whatever you say, man.” Nino waved him off, watching Adrien speed out of the class. “We’re never going to get ice cream until Christmas, at this rate.” Nino shook his head as Alya rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Well, Nino, I’m not doing anything, and I doubt Marinette is either, so maybe the 3 of us could get ice cream?” Alya suggested. She glanced to Marinette, knowing she would feel like a third wheel despite Alya's best efforts.

“Aaaactually, I can’t.” Marinette said, already half out the door. “I have to babysit tonight.” She rushed out of the class and down to the girls’ bathroom. She quickly checked the stalls to make sure she was alone before speaking. "Tikki, this is the second akuma attack today and the 5th this week. Do you think this is anything to worry about?" She watched the red kwami fly out of her purse.

"We can worry about that later, Marinette." Tikki said urgently, hearing distant screams. Marinette nodded her head.

"Tikki! Spots on!" A pink light surrounded her as she transformed into Ladybug. She briefly adjusted to the suit before rushing out through the courtyard of the school and onto the street where Chat Noir was already waiting for her, leaning against a light pole.

“Always lovely to see you, my Lady.” Chat said, reaching for her hand and leaving a kiss on the back. He stood up straight and smiled, glad Ladybug offered no protest to the sign of affection.

“Not the time, Kitty.” Ladybug tapped at the bell against his neck before turning to the street. “Do you know anything about what happened?”

“Nothing beyond ‘No one will ever be able to disqualify me from the rink if the whole world-” He imitated a high pitched voice, moving his arms in an almost more feminine way. A shriek came from down the street where the icy girl stood, freezing bystanders to the ground as they tried to flee. Chat Noir snapped back into position “But we can get to the why later.” Chat Noir said, extending his staff. Ladybug nodded her head.

“Let’s do this.” She said using her yoyo to swing closer to the akuma victim as Chat Noir ran below.