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“Damn it.” Adrien muttered, putting his hand over his head as the rain started. He clicked his teeth in annoyance and took off running back to school.
He should have known better than to fake a lunch time tutoring session just to sneak away. His bad luck always came back to bite him. His foot slipped on the edge of the sidewalk, his knee slamming into the pavement as the palm of his hands met the wet cement.
Glaring up at the sky, he said it heavily, “Just once, once can’t you cut me some slack? What have I ever done to you?” He let his head hang, letting the increasing rain soak through his jacket.
“Just once, please.” He begged the universe that liked to mock him at every turn.
Maybe I can just stay here and no one would notice. - He thought, scoffing to himself. I wish.
The rain suddenly stopped, and a pair of black ballet flats entered his line of sight. He looked up, catching brilliant blue eyes.
“Hey, are you okay?” The pigtailed girl offered him her hand, and he stared dumbfounded. She was beautiful.
“Y-Yeah, thank you.” He put his hand in hers and she helped him stand with a smile.
“That looked like a nasty fall.” She commented. Adrien lifted his hand, wincing as he saw the angry red scratches. Not that scratches were going to stop his fencing practice this afternoon. His father would never allow it.
“I’ll be alright.” He said easily, planting a perfectly practiced smile to his face.
The bluenette blinked, her smile faltering slightly. “I doubt that, but okay. Here.” She held out the umbrella to him, a crash of thunder sounding overhead as he took it with a blush forming on his face.
She kneeled down, messing with the hem of his pants before standing with a smile. “There, now at least you won’t trip when you take off again.”
He held the umbrella back out to her and she smiled so brightly, the cloud seemed to part just for her. “Keep it.” She told him. “I live at the bakery there, I’ll be alright.”
She started to walk off, making him turn to her as she moved from under the safety of the umbrella. “You’ll get wet.”
“A little rain never hurt anyone.” She said as she turned back with a smirk, the rain sparkling like diamonds in her dark hair. “See you around. Be careful running through the rain Sunshine.”
He watched breathlessly as she literally walked, WALKED, through the rain to the bakery, as though the rain didn’t exist.
It was such a strange act to him, for her to be so calm in the rain. Most girls he knew hated the rain, and hated it messing up their hair. But her, she didn’t look like she cared one bit.
He found himself smiling, genuinely smiling.
“See you soon. I hope.” He whispered, feeling his phone buzz in his pocket. Seeing the text from Nino asking where he was, he took off back towards school, feeling lighter than he had in a long time.
…
“Hi.” He said politely.
“Adrien, what’s up!” Another person called out.
“Hey.” He said, lifting his hand to wave with a smile.
“ADRIKINS!”
He sighed heavily, turning to find the blonde heiress rushing up to him. He let her tackle him, clinging to him for a second before he patted her back so she would let go.
“Good morning Chloe. Did you enjoy your weekend?” He asked.
“Ugh, you wouldn’t believe it. It’s ridiculous Adrikins, absolutely ridiculous!” She started before complaining about her weekend spa trip and everything that was wrong with it.
He tuned her out halfway through, used to her idle complaints about otherwise normal acts that shouldn’t bother her so much.
“Good morning handsome.”
He cringed as he heard her voice behind him, turning slowly with a practiced smile. “Good morning Lila.”
“Ugh, what do you want, Rossi?” Chloe asked annoyed.
“Can’t I say hi to my future Prom King?” Lila asked smugly.
“We don’t know that I’ll win.” He said on repeat for the hundredth time. “And prom is still months away.”
He walked into the classroom, going straight up to his best friend, “Nino. Sup man.”
Nino took off his headphones with a knowing grin, “Sup my dude.” They bumped fists before Adrien sat down next to him. Lila and Chloe were still exchanging unpleasant words, and Adrien rolled his eyes.
“How was your gig this weekend?” Adrien asked the up and coming DJ.
“I hate that you missed it for that show dude, but your bro’s got your back!” Nino held out his phone and typed something quickly. Adrien’s phone went off and he checked it, absolutely beaming.
“DUDE! You recorded the entire session?!”
“Yeah man! I was feeling great at the start and it just went wild.” Nino said proudly, Adrien pushing his shoulder and getting a bigger smile from his best friend.
“I’m sorry I missed it. I’ll listen to it at lunch to relive your glory.”
“I caught the end of your show during my break.” Nino said, his expression sarcastic and unimpressed. “I don’t understand how you look like a damn god from every angle dude.”
Adrien laughed, “Could you be any more sarcastic?”
“I don’t know.” Nino said smirking, “Want me to try?”
The boys laughed, and their teacher walked in. “Everyone, can I get you to settle down please. We have a new student.”
“Joy.” Alya muttered from behind them. The budding journalist was dating the DJ, but she’d made it clear from the beginning that she didn’t bow down to anyone just because they happened to have some talent. Alya was a journalist, so her eyes weren’t blind to the truth of the people who held such esteem. It was one of the reasons Adrien liked her so much. Being her friend had been as easy as being Nino’s.
“This is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Her classification is Art. Marinette?” Miss Bustier called her into the room, and Adrien’s heart soared.
It was her, the girl who gave him the umbrella.
She caught his gaze and her eyes widened slightly before she smiled, saying it calmly, “I’m happy to be here.”
“Alya,” Miss Bustier called. Alya raised her hand, and Marinette took the seat next to her as Adrien fidgeted, wanting more than anything to turn around.
Class started and Adrien was trapped, not able to focus on the lesson at all with the beautiful girl sitting behind him. It had only been a week since she gave him that umbrella, and he hadn’t been able to get her off his mind. Though he knew that for someone as beautiful as her, she probably didn’t even remember him.
The sudden bell startled him, and Nino snickered. “What’s got you so jumpy? Sleeping with your eyes open again?”
“Y-Yeah, I guess.” Adrien said, turning in his seat to gather his things. He saw dark pigtails leaving the room, and heard Chloe huff.
“Art. I wonder what pitiful medium she uses, not that she could really be any good.”
Alya smirked, “Just because you are Art classified and don’t have a real talented bone in your body, doesn’t mean you have to flaunt your jealousy.”
“Me? Jealous of that nobody?! Get your facts straight Cesaire.” Chloe said before crossing her arms and stalking out of the room.
“Not gonna lie though, I am curious.” Nino said as the trio made their way out of the room. “Miss Bustier said her classification was Art, but didn’t tell us her medium.”
Alya hummed, “That is strange. I wonder why.”
“We’ll find out soon enough I’m sure. She must be really talented to have gotten into this school in the middle of the year.” Adrien reminded them.
They entered the cafeteria and sat at their usual table with their lunch trays. A few of their other classmates joined them, but Adrien couldn’t focus on their conversation.
His eyes instantly caught a blur of dark blue, and he grinned, standing up and waving over to her, “Hey, Marinette!”
It seemed like every pair of eyes turned to look at him before focusing on the girl who stopped in her tracks to stare at him in horror.
…
Marinette entered the classroom nervously, listening to the teacher announce her name and classification. She was glad that Miss Bustier remembered not to share her art medium. The last thing she needed was anyone finding out that she was the secret designer ‘Ladybug’. The fact that Gabriel Agreste found out should have been worrisome enough.
But she was grateful that he did, and for him giving her a chance to further her skill and study here.
A set of familiar green eyes pulled her attention and she couldn’t help but smile at the way his eyes lit up. He looked so innocent, so genuinely happy. It was just like the day she’d given him the umbrella.
She ended up sitting behind him, and she noticed that he kept fidgeting most of the morning. Marinette frowned to herself, wondering if he even really remembered her.
She had been surprised seeing him walk in the doors this morning. The surprise stretched when she realized that he couldn’t pass by anyone without them looking at him or calling out his name.
As much as it upset her, she knew she’d have to keep her distance from him to keep her identity safe. The agreement she made with Gabriel was that no one find out that she was Ladybug. At least, not until he had a chance to announce that ‘Ladybug’ was going to be part of the Agreste Brand.
They were working on a new line together that integrated her unique style and his brand of high fashion. The line wasn’t set to be released for six months at least, so she had to stay under the radar until then.
Even if it meant avoiding the kind-eyed boy who looked like he needed a friend, despite being surrounded by a sea of people.
No. It would be better to stay away and keep her distance. Attention was the last thing she needed, and Adrien Agreste couldn’t take two steps without drawing attention. She slipped out of the classroom at lunchtime, hoping to eat fast before finding a place to hide and sketch for a while.
She practically shoveled her salad, thinking - damn this is good, nothing compared to the food at my other school - before happily getting up unnoticed and putting her tray away. This would be easy. She was a new face. She could blend into the background and enjoy -
“Hey, Marinette!”
She froze in her tracks, staring in horror at the handsome blonde waving at her from across the cafeteria with a beaming smile on his face.
Every set of eyes in the cafeteria went from him to her, and she felt her heart fall to her stomach.
So much for staying invisible.
She should have never given him that umbrella.
“Why don’t you come sit with us?” Adrien called out as he walked over to her, completely unbothered by the stares of the entire room.
“I, uh, I was just, going to, uh, why?” She managed to get out softly, frowning despite his megawatt smile.
“I wanted to thank you,” he said, “For helping me that day, with the umbrella.” He looked down, rubbing the back of his neck, “I know you probably don’t remember me,”
“I do.” She said quickly. “And you don’t have to thank me.”
“I know, but I want to. I’ll introduce you to my friends, and you can hang out with us. I know it’s not easy being at a new school in the middle of the year.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her with him across the room before she could react.
“Adrien wait, this probably isn’t a good idea. People are staring.”
“Let them.” He said, winking at her.
She snorted, “You’re a flirt, aren’t you?”
“Only with beautiful girls.” He said smirking, laughing softly when he caught her rolling her eyes.
His hand squeezed hers as he told the stunned group at his table, “Guys this is my friend Marinette.”
She waved awkwardly, feeling her eye twitch as everyone introduced themselves, staring back and forth between them in confusion.
A resounding screech echoed behind them, and Adrien pulled Marinette behind him as he turned around. “Chloe,”
“WHAT IS THAT NEW GIRL DOING HOLDING YOUR HAND?!”
Adrien blushed, letting go of Marinette’s hand and explaining, “I grabbed her hand, please stop shouting.”
“You listen here Maritrash.” Chloe started, ignoring Adrien’s comment. “Adrien Agreste is not only out of your league, he’s not even in the same universe as you so don’t defile his air with your commoners aura.”
“Chloe, you can’t,”
Marinette put a hand on his arm, making him stop mid-sentence. She slipped her hand into his, a bright smile on her face. “Given that I work exclusively for Gabriel Agreste, I don’t think he’d mind that I was dating his son.”
Chloe’s jaw dropped, the collective gasp of the room starting to whisper within seconds of Marinette’s words.
The bluenette stared up at him, asking easily, “Right, Adrien?”
Adrien knew what she was doing, and he had to give her props for coming up with such a lie so quickly. “Right. Sorry Mari,” he threw the nickname at her, hoping she’d catch that he was willing to play the game, “I didn’t think we were telling anyone yet.”
She shrugged, but had a smile on her face that flipped his heart in a way he didn’t know was possible. “I knew Chloe wouldn’t like it, but better she finds out about us now rather than later.”
Adrien nodded, finding that the words came easy. “True. So please Chloe, try to stop yelling at my girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend?” Nino and Alya echoed behind them, Nino in surprise and Alya in a level of excitement Adrien recognized without having to turn around.
“GIRLFRIEND?!?!?!” Chloe screeched, stomping her foot.
“They are obviously lying, Chloe.” A calm voice said.
Adrien turned and saw Lila walking towards them. “Everyone knows I model with Adrien for Gabriel. I’ve never seen her there, so there is no way she’s ever met Adrien before today. Much less be actually dating him.”
Chloe visibly started to seeth while Lila smirked. “Go ahead. Tell me I’m lying.”
Marinette pulled out her phone, staring at Lila while she pressed a single button and holding the phone out. The ring could be heard around the room, as did the voice who responded before the third ring began.
“Miss Dupain-Cheng. What can I do for you?”
Adrien’s eyes nearly bugged, “F-Father?”
“Is Adrien with you? Excellent. I expect nothing less.” Gabriel said coolly.
Marinette smiled apologetically, “Mister Agreste, yes Adrien is with me. I’m sorry for bothering you. You said if I had any requests, to call you personally.”
“I did. I take it you’ve finally decided. As I said, if it’s within my means to give it to you, I did mean that you could have anything for signing on with me.”
Chloe and Lila were glaring daggers at the phone, hearing the words straight from the great fashion icon himself. Marinette hadn’t been lying, and Adrien’s eyes went to Marinette’s face.
Even he didn’t know about his father signing on another designer, especially not one his age. It was completely unheard of.
“With your blessing,” Marinette stared back at Adrien, holding his surprised gaze, “I want to date your son.”
“Hmm…” Gabriel hummed. He was only silent for a breath before he spoke again. “Adrien. I take it you have no objections to being in a relationship with Miss Dupain-Cheng, since you are with her now.”
“I thought I wasn’t allowed to date anyone until,”
“Miss Dupain-Cheng is not only exceptional, but is in a league of her own compared to the riff-raff I begrudgingly let you associate with. Given her soon to be status, she is the only person I’d ever allow you to openly date. If you don’t wish to,”
“I DO!” Adrien said, grabbing Marinette’s wrist to bring the phone closer. “I do, I really do. I want to date her.”
“I’ll amend your contracts and have them waiting at my office once school has ended. I expect you both here to go over the additional terms and conditions without delay.” Gabriel said.
“Yes sir.” Adrien and Marinette said together, smiling shyly at each other. The line disconnected and Marinette put her phone away.
“So,” Marinette said sounding a little smug, “You were saying Miss Rossi?”
Lila’s hands balled into fists at her sides, Chloe storming off without another word. Adrien didn’t let Lila get a word in even if she could, and pulled Marinette’s hand to get her attention. She was barely looking at him when he led her out of the cafeteria and outside to the courtyard where they wouldn’t be overheard.
He started laughing, truly laughing before wrapping the amazing girl in his arms and swinging her around. “Marinette I don’t know who you are, or how in the world you managed to pull that miracle off just now, but I promise, I’m going to make sure you don’t regret this.”
She giggled, “It’s not hard to make miracles happen when you are telling the truth. I had actually just finished signing all the papers with your father on Friday when I ran into you by accident.”
He set her down, asking curiously, “How do you know my father?”
“He reached out to me actually, asking me to sign on with him. We are collaborating on a project, a new line for the Agreste Brand.” She said, staring down at her feet as she fidgeted with her fingers.
He smiled, his voice not hiding the absolute wonder in his voice. “Marinette, my father doesn’t reach out to people. People go to him. Who are you?”
Marinette looked up, her cheeks tinged pink. “The truth? I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but I want to tell you. I don’t like secrets, but this is something you can’t share with anyone.”
That made him intensely more curious and didn’t try to hide it. “You can trust me. I promise.”
Marinette sighed heavily, looking around to make sure there was no one around. She pulled out her phone and opened something, flipping it around to show him a picture. It was one he instantly recognized. It was the logo for the anonymous designer that came from out of nowhere a few months ago.
No one even knew if the designer was male or female, and the rumor around the circuit was that the designer was actually a team of people. Not that Adrien believed rumors. He’d been curious about the ‘Ladybug’ designer, and the mystery around them drew even more attention.
Their designs were on par with top brands, a few people saying that Ladybug was the next Gabriel Agreste.
“That’s Ladybug’s logo. What about it?” Adrien asked, not understanding why she was showing him the now famous logo.
“This is the reason your father signed me on to work with him, and why I’m suddenly attending this school. Being at this school is my internship to work with the company full time. The line we are collaborating will be my ‘showcase’.” Marinette explained, seeing Adrien frown in confusion.
“I don’t understand. What does Ladybug have to do with you?” He asked, the answer clicking as he asked the question. The look in her deep ocean eyes spoke volumes, and he knew what she was going to say before she said it.
“Because I’m her. I’m Ladybug.”