-1- Each Other's Company

Six Months Before

Marinette stares in awe at the screensaver on her computer. "Adrien..." She sighs with a smile. Today's the day. She's going to tell Adrien how she feels about him, confess absolutely everything. Alya just about had a heart attack when her best friend called to share the news. "It's time. I'm going to tell him today, Tikki."

"I'm proud of you, Marinette," Her kwami answers with a sneaky grin. "Just remember to use your words this time."

She rolls her eyes. "I've been getting better on the stuttering and stammering, just so you know."

"You stammer more?" The red bug teases.

She hides her bashful face in her hands. "Ugh! What if I mess up? What if as I'm telling Adrien I love him the school catches on fire? O-Or quicksand appears and swallows us whole? Or-"

"Marinette, calm down!" Tikki taps her chin and as her holder looks up, she pats her cheek. "None of those things are going to happen. You're going to walk up to Adrien. You're going to open your mouth and actually speak words. You're going to tell him how you feel and before you know it, you'll be together. Happily ever after. The end."

"I wish it was that easy, Tikki," She mumbles. "How do you know everything will work out? What if Adrien doesn't like me back? What if he only still sees me as a friend? Do you know how embarrassing it'll be if I confess my love to him and he doesn't feel the way way?! I won't be able to show my face in Paris again! I'll have to move! My parents will have to homeschool me and I'll never live my dream of becoming a fashion designer!"

"Marinette, Alya's here!" Sabine shouts from downstairs. Her friend's footsteps echo as she runs upstairs.

She opens her purse. "Hide, Tikki!"

The trap door flies open. "Girl!" Alya cheers, running over to hug her best friend. "I can't believe you're telling Adrien! You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this day."

"Actually..." Marinette fakes a cough as she climbs up to her loft. "I think I'm coming down with something." She dives on the bed and hides under the blanket. "I'm sick. I won't be able to tell Adrien today. Or ever!"

Alya shakes her head. "Girl, no. We have waited too long for this!" She climbs up the ladder and snatches the blanket off. "You're going to march your butt out of this bed and get dressed. Then we're walking to school and you're going to confess to Adrien. If you chicken out now, you'll never do it."

"That sounds absolutely terrifying!" She whines, slumping over to her desk. "How am I supposed to face him without falling over my words?"

"Easy. All you have to say is..." Alya pauses and adds a high pitch to her tone. "'I love you, Adrien!'"

Marinette glares at her. "Two things. One, I don't talk like that. Two, easier said than done."

"Come on. Get dressed." Alya pushes her towards her closet. "We're going to be late for school."

"Can we at least wait until lunch?" Marinette pleads, pouting. "I don't think I can sit through an entire class period after telling Adrien I love him."

She sighs. "Fine. Your choice. We can wait a few more hours." She points a finger at her. "But you will tell him today. No excuses."

Marinette lifts her right hand. "No excuses."

***

Marinette and Alya stand at the front entrance of the school, watching as Adrien climbs out of his car. He and Nino share a handshake. "This would be the perfect time," Alya points out, watching over Marinette's shoulder. "Class doesn't start for ten minutes. Ten minutes to confess your love..."

"How do I even start the conversation?" Marinette asks as Adrien and Nino start walking up the steps.

"You could say, 'Thanks for catching me, Adrien'," Alya says with a smirk.

"Why would I say that?"

She bites back a grin. "Because you're so clumsy."

Before Marinette can turn to question her, Alya shoves her forward, sending her flying down the front stairs. Adrien's eyes widen as he jumps in front of Marinette to catch her. His hands grab her waist. Her cheeks burn red. "Are you okay, Marinette?" He asks, unknown of what his touch is doing to her.

Her heart beats in her throat as she stands up straight. "Uh, yeah. Fin. I mean, I-I'm fine." She looks at Alya, who beckons her to keep talking. "Thanks for catching me, Adrien."

"No problem," He says, laughing. They both notice her book pack spilled open. "Let me."

"I got it."

Marinette and Adrien bump heads together.

"Sorry," They whisper at the same time.

Nino walks off and stands beside his girlfriend. "Let me guess. You pushed her?"

"How else are we going to get those two clueless idiots to talk to each other?" Alya defends.

"We should just lock the two in a room together," Nino suggests, watching as Marinette stammers over her words. He laughs. "That's what Ladybug did. Look at us now. Maybe then something would actually happen."

Alya's eyes widen with a plan. "Nino, has anyone told you what a smart boyfriend you are?"

"Not today."

She elbows him. "Come on. Let's do it! Let's lock them in the janitor's closet during first period."

"The janitor's closet?" He questions. "That's not romantic. Besides, how are we going to get them both in there without making it so obvious?"

"I'll think of something..." Alya turns to watch Marinette and Adrien with a grin.

Adrien picks up her sketchbook, open to a page of fresh sketches. "Have you been drawing more designs, Mari?" He flips through. "Wow. These are amazing!"

A smile grows on her face. "R-Really?"

"Yeah, you're really talented." A certain sketch catches his attention and he stops turning the page. A black suit with green undertones on the collar and cuffs, with a ladybug pin on the front of the jacket, and a red ball gown with black lace across the skirt with a set of black elbow-length gloves. "Woah. Did you really sketch this? This is your best work!"

Marinette leans forward and glances at the page, eyes widening in embarrassment with a squeak. A few weeks ago, she had a dream of going on a date with Cat Noir and was inspired. Though she'd never admit it, she fantasized about the dream. A lot. With her cheeks burnt red, she snatches the sketch book and shoves it in her bag. "Haha. Thanks! I sketch a lot in my free time. It's just something I do, like a hobby. Except not a hobby!" She corrects, adding, "Because I want to be a fashion designer. Well, you know that already. Heh..."

"It almost reminds me of Ladybug and Cat Noir," Adrien points out. He helps her stand. "I also noticed the ladybug pin on the suit. Are you a fan of Ladybug?"

"What? Me, a fan of Ladybug?" She waves her hand and laughs. "No! Well, maybe. I guess you could say that. I wouldn't say the biggest fan or her best friend. I mean, how could we be? I don't even know her! But you've met Ladybug before, right? She's saved your life a few times?"

"Yeah..." The thought of his lady put a smile on Adrien's face. He couldn't wait until their next patrol. He notices the weird look on Marinette's face and scratches the back of his neck. "I mean, we've run into each other before. And you've met Cat Noir, too, right? I heard you fought Evillustrator together."

"Of course! He's saved my life a bunch, actually." Marinette nervously laughs.

"Maybe I could model some of your designs," Adrien tells her and her heart drops to her stomach. "Like the derby hat you made for me."

Marinette nods fast. "Yes! That would be awesome." Behind her, Alya clears her throat with a cough and she turns to look at her. Give me a minute, She mouths to her friend before facing Adrien again. "Uh-"

"ADRIKINS!"

Oh no, Marinette thinks with a frown. The blonde runs over and shoves her out of the way. She falls on her stomach with a groan, her pink jeans torn at the knee where she scraped herself. "You know the words 'excuse me' exist, Chloe."

"I heard from Sabrina that we're doing a project in Miss Bustier's class and we get to pick our partners," Chloe says instead of apologizing. She grabs Adrien's hand. "Obviously you're going to be mine, right?"

Adrien ignores her and takes his hand back. He kneels down beside Marinette. "Are you okay?" She nods and he glares at Chloe. "Did you really have to push her out of the way?"

"That obsessed, goody-two-shoes is always in the way," Chloe scoffs, rolling her eyes.

"Back off, Chloe," Alya says, coming over, angry. "That attitude of yours is going to get in the way some day, too."

Chloe's eyes widen and she says, mockingly, "Oh, no! Marinette's sidekick is coming to save the day! Oh, what shall I do?" She rests her arm over her head, sighing. "If you're not careful I'll have my father expel you."

"Will he expel me before I...?" Alya raises a fist.

"Alya, don't." Marinette grabs her wrist. "Chloe's not even worth it."

Offended, Chloe snaps back, "I am too worth it! I'm worth at least a hundred diamonds. It's not my fault if you're all blinded by my shine." She turns around and storms off.

Adrien helps Marinette stand. "I'm sorry about Chloe, Marinette."

"It's okay. She's always been like that."

He keeps her hand in his and asks, "Are you okay to walk?"

"I think so." Marinette takes a step forward and winces in pain. "Umm. Maybe not."

Alya's eyes widen, a new change in her plan brewing. "Hey, Adrien? Why don't you take her to the nurses office?" She winks at Marinette. "Nino and I will explain to Miss Bustier why you're late."

Marinette starts blushing. "I-I'm sure Adrien doesn't want to miss class."

"I don't mind." He smiles at her.

Marinette grins. "Okay..."

Alya runs over to Nino. "New plan, Nino. We're going to lock Marinette and Adrien in the nurse's office!"

"That sounds a lot nicer than the janitor's closet."

She rolls her eyes. "Once Marinette and Adrien are there, we're going to distract the nurse and lock them in. Can I count on you?" Nino nods. "Good. Now we wait."

Adrien wraps an arm around Marinette's waist. "Is this okay?"

Marinette nods fast, unable to speak. Her cheeks burn red. "Y-Yeah. You're fine. I mean, it's fine!" She holds her backpack to her chest as Adrien leads her to the nurses office. She feels her side bag move, and looks down to see Tikki grinning at her. She closes her bag and blushes even harder. She couldn't think straight with Adrien's warm arm around her waist. They walk into the nurse's office.

"All I can do is an ice pack," The nurse says before even looking to see the damage done. She glances up and looks at Marinette's knee, groaning. She uses her pen to point to an empty room to her left. "Just go sit in there. There's ice packs in the freezer. Help yourself to any drinks and snacks."

Adrien and Marinette go into the other room. She sets her backpack on the counter as he grabs an ice pack out of the freezer. As she goes to sit down, she hits her knee against the couch. "Ow!" She shouts, biting her lip.

"Here, Marinette." Adrien sits down beside her, placing the ice pack on her knee. He holds it for her. "Does it feel better?"

"Yes..." She whispers with a big grin on her face. Her eyes widen. "I-I mean it's good! It's cold." Adrien laughs and that makes her smile grow. The bell rings. "You don't have to stay here with me."

"It's fine, Marinette." Adrien makes himself comfortable beside her, showing he's glued there until she's feeling better. "I really wasn't in the mood to go to class today." A first for him. He wanted to be anywhere else than where he was supposed to be. He's tired of having his life drawn out in schedules and never having a thought for himself. So if he got to miss class and spend time with Marinette while doing it, he was going to do it. "Besides, I like it here... with you."

Adrien wants to stay with me? Marinette stops herself from squealing and clears her throat. All she can think about is what Alya told her this morning. Was it the right time to finally tell Adrien?

Outside the room, Alya and Nino walk in, carefully hidden from their friends. "Nurse?" Nino asks. She doesn't look up. "There's a kid in the hallway with a bloody nose."

"What do you want me to do about it?" The nurse asks, waving her pen around.

"Your job?" Alya questions with an eyebrow. "Maybe you could go check on him?"

"Fine." The nurse sighs and stands up. "Show me where the kid is." Nino leaves with the nurse, turning to give Alya a thumb's up.

Alya sneaks over and pulls the door shut, locking it from the outside.

Marinette and Adrien's heads snap towards the door.

"Did that door just shut?" She asks with wide eyes, her heart racing in her chest. Anything horror-related was a big no for her. "By itself?"

"I don't know." Adrien walks over and tries to open the door. "It's locked."

"WHAT?!" Marinette jumps up and instantly regrets it. She sits back down, holding her knee. "How did it just lock?"

Outside the window, Alya pops her head up and smirks. Marinette looks over with wide eyes. She holds a piece of paper to the window: NOW'S YOUR CHANCE! TELL ADRIEN!

Glaring, Marinette reaches over and grabs a pencil, chucking it at the window.

Alya ducks in time just as Adrien turns around. He squints at the pencil on the ground. "Why did you throw that pencil?"

"Uh, I thought I saw a... spider!" She laughs. "It's gone now."

"Oh. Good. I hate spiders." Adrien sits back down, this time a little closer, and resumes holding the ice pack for Marinette. "I'm sure the nurse will be back to unlock the door."

Marinette laughs, saying, "That is if the nurse remembers we're in here."

"Right?" Adrien chuckles. He looks at her. "It's not so bad, being stuck in here with you. At least we have each other's company."

Marinette grins at him. She's stuck in here. Alone. With Adrien. And he's not complaining. He sounds almost glad that he's stuck here with her. As she continues to stare at him, she can't help but wonder if Adrien feels the same way for her as she does for him. As more than a friend. That's all she wants to know, but it's a risk she's too scared to take. The ice pack's cold and numb against her knee and she doesn't realize Adrien's hand is still there. "Yeah. It's nice not seeing Chloe, too."

"I'm really sorry about her, Marinette." Adrien stares down at her knee. "I didn't think she was like that at all."

"She's always been like that," Marinette says, frowning. "All the time."

"Not when we were kids," He whispers, sighing. "She used to be nice."

Snorting, Marinette whispers, "I find that hard to believe." Her smile turns into a frown, like Adrien's, and her shoulders fall. She didn't like seeing him not smile.

The door opens fast, almost slamming against the wall. Marinette and Adrien stare with wide eyes at the nurse. "You're still here? You, Model Boy. Get to class. Only one student allowed in here at a time."

Marinette's heart sinks. There goes her alone time with Adrien.

"Please, can I stay?" Adrien pleads with sad eyes.

The nurse shakes her head, not budging. "Look. Unless you have an injury, you need to go back to class. Otherwise I have to give you detention."

Adrien looks around the room. Smiling, he picks up the pencil on the floor and jams it into his thigh.

Marinette screams. "Adrien?!"

"There. I'm injured." He smirks at the nurse. "Can I stay now?"

The nurse stares in disbelief and shakes her head. "I don't get paid enough for this. You both can stay until lunch. Keep the noise down in here and don't interrupt my show!" She closes the door behind her.

"ADRIEN!" Marinette jumps to her feet and walks over. "Why did you do that?!"

"I told you. I didn't want to go to class." He drops the pencil and groans, finally realizing what he's done. "Wow. I did that a lot harder than I meant to."

Shaking her head, Marinette hands him her ice pack. "Here, you crazy cat."