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How could I have forgotten it’s today? This can’t be happening, he thought as he gazed at the growing crowd of young women near his school. Most he recognized as ladies from his school, but others he couldn’t quite place. However, he knew they all had one thing on their mind and that was him.
“Lawrence, can you go you stop a few blocks from here?” Adrien asked his bodyguard as they approached the school. He couldn't handle this today. He’d just wanted an easy day at school with his few friends, not this throng of fangirls, who didn’t know him other than what they’ve seen in his pictures, modeling his father’s clothing line.
Without saying a word, his bodyguard drove him the few blocks, giving Adrien the reprieve he so desperately needed.
He checked the block for any signs of other fans before he exited the limo and thanked Lawrence, promising to be outside at the last bell to return home for his other scheduled activities for the day.
As Lawrence drove away, the delicious smells of baking bread and other sweets assailed Adrien’s senses, causing him to glance behind him. A smile spread across his face as he recognized the bakery as the one Marinette’s parents own.
He’d barely taken a step toward the front door when a loud squeal rents the air. Not stopping to consider his options, he dashed into the bakery and slammed the door behind him, holding it closed with his back. He can’t help thinking that his luck couldn’t be this bad all the time, but his thoughts are refuted as the loud squeal grew in intensity as more joined the first and grew closer to the bakery.
“Adrien? What are you doing here?”
A relieved breath left him as he glanced up to see Marinette behind the register. Her concerned frown caused his heart a momentary jolt, but he quickly brushed it aside.
“Thank goodness, Marinette. I need to hide. Can you help me?”
The squeals could be heard through the door as several young ladies rushed toward the door they saw Adrien enter.
Adrien sent Marinette his most pleading face he could, hoping his kitten eyes could work upon her as they’d done in the past as his Chat persona.
It seemed to work as a look of pure determination set across her features. She pointed to the display next to her and he gratefully hid behind it, dropping his bag next to him and proceeding to curl into the tightest ball he could.
When the bell chimed over the bakery door, Adrien heard several feet enter the small shop at once. He cringed as the shrill voices asked Marinette if they’ve seen the famous Adrien Agreste enter the shop, hoping Marinette will be happy to point out his hiding place.
“Oh, ladies, I’m so sorry, but the wonderful Adrien Agreste would never be seen entering this shop with his strict model diet. We have too many sweets to ruin that delicious model figure, you know. He must have slipped into the shop behind this one.”
One of the young ladies spoke up in refute, saying, “You’re one of his friends. Maybe you’re hiding him to keep him all to yourself.”
Several other voices agreed. The tide of righteous indignation began to swell among the small crowd as they watched Marinette’s face for any signs she might cave.
She surprised them and Adrien by laughing. Her laughter came from deep within her as she considered the accusation and how accurate it would have been only a year ago, but she’s grown up a lot since the days of her crazy crush on the handsome model.
“Well, yes, I’m friends with him, but I’d never try to lock Adrien away. He’s too beautiful to be hidden away, don’t you think?” She knew she’d gotten their attention and could only pray Adrien wouldn’t read too much into her words. As the other ladies started nodding in agreement, she continued, “Besides, I can help you ladies out. How about you leave your keepsakes for him to sign here? I’ll have him autograph them and return them to you tomorrow.”
Without much fuss or muss, the young ladies placed their magazines and other memorabilia on a bistro table near the register before heading back out the door. Their quiet acceptance of Marinette’s generous gesture not lost on them as they exited in peaceful fashion compared to the way they’d entered several minutes before.
When she assured the last one had disappeared from sight, she walked over to Adrien’s hiding place and gave him the all clear.
“Thanks, Marinette. You’re truly the best.” He dusted off his pants as he stood before he turned toward her and simply stared at her for a moment.
Feeling his gaze upon her, she fidgeted as she waited for him to say something. The longer he stared, the worse she fidgeted with her hands or her hair, certain something must be on her for him to stare so intently at her.
Fed up, she demanded, “Is there something on my face or something?”
He shook his head as if to clear it and said, “No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking.”
His hand crept up to scratch the back of his neck as he debated how to explain what he’d been thinking. He didn’t know if he could explain it, but he found he wanted to.
Before he could stop himself, he moved closer to her and dropped a kiss on her cheek. He noted the faint pink warming her cheeks as she gazed at him in confusion and wonderment, perhaps. “Really, thank you for letting me hide.”
“You-you’re welcome.”
They fell into silence, unsure what to say at that point as they watched each other, but that silence wouldn’t last long as Sabine walked into the front room and spotted them.
“Hello, Adrien dear. What brings you here today?” She glanced at the clock and her eyes widened at the time. “You two better hurry, or you’ll be late for school.”
“Yes, maman. Adrien just stopped by for sanctuary from his horde of fans.” Marinette recovered and even winked at him, causing his own cheeks to warm. “I was going to help him with a quick disguise and then, we’re going.”
“Okay, dear. It was nice seeing you, Adrien.”
“You, too, Ms. Cheng.”
The older woman smiled at him and turned back toward the kitchen, saying, “It’s Sabine, dear.”
With her mother gone, Marinette turned back to Adrien and led him to her family’s home above the bakery.
Soon, they were in her room and she rummaged through her closet until she came across the perfect piece to help disguise him as they walked to school: a large, black hoodie she’d made for another blond-haired boy who visits her from time to time. As she handed it to Adrien, she knew she’d be making another one for her stray cat since she would never ask Adrien to give it back to her, especially when his eyes lit up at seeing the design she’d made.
“This is Chat hoodie. Did you make this?” At her nod, Adrien beamed at her. “You’re amazing, Mari, you know that?”
“Thanks. Try it on.”
Without arguing, he pulled it over his clothes and pulled the hood over his perfect hair, fussing with it until it covered his face sufficiently. Once he was satisfied, he turned back to her and asked her opinion.
“Perfect, Mon. Agreste. You’re now hiding in plain sight. Shall we get to school before we’re late?”
“Lead the way, Mari.” He pulled his bookbag over his shoulder and proceeded to follow her downstairs when he paused. When she turned to him with a questioning look, he asked, “How can I ever repay you for today?”
She smiled at him. “You can start with that large pile downstairs. I can’t be responsible for you disappointing your fans.”
He groaned at the thought, but he’d do it for Marinette, his best friend aside from Nino.
On the way out, Marinette grabbed a few cookies from the kitchen, stashing a few in her purse and handing him one.
“What about ruining my delicious model figure and wrecking my model diet with one of these sweets?” A Chat-like grin formed as he teased her.
“One cookie won’t hurt you. Besides, Mr. Model, I happen to know you sneak sweets when you think no one’s looking.”
“Hey, it’s not my fault your bakery is my favorite hiding spot.”
All she could do was hum in agreement as they walked toward their school, reaching the front steps in time to hear the morning bell.