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Adrien took in a breath. This was it. This was what he was preparing for all week. Today was Friday and that new romance comedy was coming out. Marinette’s been telling everyone in class how excited she was to catch it. And this was the perfect excuse to ask her out… on a date.
It’s been a few weeks since Adrien realized his feelings for the lovely girl in his class. Marinette was always there for her. Always sweet. Always kind. Always… wonderful. The thought of her continued to make his heart skip a beat. He couldn’t deny it any longer.
He was in love with her.
Adrien waited patiently by the door of the classroom. Marinette was alone inside as she fixed up a few of her papers for class.
“Any second now…”
Adrien heard her footsteps and soon she stepped out. Adrien watched as Marinette turned and smiled at him waiting outside the classroom.
Oh, how he loved her beautiful smile.
“Adrien? Were you waiting for me?” She asked.
He nodded.
“Yeah. Haha. Didn’t want you walking alone to the cafeteria.”
Her adoring gaze gave him butterflies in his stomach.
“That’s sweet of you. I told everyone that they didn’t need to but it’s very kind that you did. Want to have lunch together? I was planning to go back home. Mom will love to treat you to some delicious pastries.”
The thought of freshly baked goods from their bakery immediately made his stomach grumble but he couldn’t get distracted now.
“Actually there was something else. I’ve been meaning to ask you… would you like to watch that new movie, ‘Love Squares in Time?’ The romantic comedy?”
Marinette’s face immediately brightened up.
“You mean you want to watch this afternoon?!”
“Well, yeah. Do you want to watch with me and—-“
“YES!!!”
Marinette surprised him as she went up and gave him a big hug.
Adrien nearly melted on the spot by her closeness.
“I’m so excited! I’ve been wanting to see it all week!”
“Y-yeah. So, uh. I was thinking of asking you to it all week too. You know? You’re very special to me, Marinette…. I mean of course everyone is special to me too. I mean the class. But I mean you’re very VERY special too! Do you… Do you get what I’m trying to tell you?”
Adrien gave her his most sincere love piercing look he could give. He hoped his puppy dog love sick eyes were clear on what he was trying to say.
“I like you, Marinette!” His head screamed.
Marinette then cooed and held his hand.
“Of course, I understand. You’re very special to me, too. Can’t wait to see the movie later… with you.”
“Really?” Adrien grew excited. His voice an octave higher.
“Yes. Come on, let’s join the others for lunch.”
Adrien then followed her towards the cafeteria but his heads was in the clouds.
He couldn’t believe it. He asked Marinette out.
“Best. Day. Ever.”
****
At 4:00pm that afternoon, Adrien waited by the cinema for Marinette. He was jittery with excitement.
“A movie date with Marinette! This is the beginning of our beautiful romance!”
Adrien continued to daydream about his future when all of a sudden he heard a familiar voice.
“Hey bro! You’re here too?”
Adrien turned around and saw Nino, his best friend.
“Hey, Nino! Are you here to catch a movie too?”
“Of course, with you buddy! Marinette told me how excited you were!”
Adrien’s ears started to ring as he heard what his friend said.
“Wait… what?”
“Yeah! Marinette went on and on about it! She asked Alya and I to watch ‘Love Squares in Time.’ This movie is going to be great! I heard it’s romantic and hilarious!”
It was at that moment, Adrien knew something didn’t come across properly in their communication.
Adrien placed both his hands on Nino’s shoulders as he spoke.
“W-wait, bro! Can you do me a HUGE favor?” He pleaded. He could still fix this! He just had to tell Nino what was up.
“What is it, Adrien?”
“Can you uhm… watch the movie another time? I know it’s a big ask, but I’m really hoping to watch the movie with Marinette… alone.”
Nino looked perplexed for a moment.
“Why? I don’t understand. It’s as if you wanted to take Marinette out for a da—-“
And that’s when Adrien knew that Nino understood. There was pride and excitement on his best friend’s face.
“DUUUUUUUDDDEEE! FINALLY! So wait?! This was supposed to be a date?! What happened?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I tried implying and I said I wanted to watch with her because she was special. Maybe it wasn’t clear enough? Can you please PLEASE ask Alya to bail out?” Adrien pleaded with him.
Nino chuckled and nodded.
“Say no more. I’ll just message Alya the situation, and she’ll help out in no time—“
Nino froze as he pointed to something behind Adrien.
“What is it?”
Adrien turned around and knew why he stopped.
Adrien watched as he saw half the class following Marinette to the theater. The beautiful girl started waving at him and Nino as they approached.
“Adrien! Ready to watch?! I’m so happy we get to see it. This was what you wanted right? Something special? With just us? The class! Like you said! We’re all special! You’re so sweet for wanting us to all watch together! Come on! Let’s go get tickets.”
Everyone started heading in except him and Nino. Alya noticed them not moving and turned back.
“Hey. You guys alright?” She asked.
Nino shook her head before pulling her aside.
“I’ll tell you inside, babe.”
Adrien groaned.
Attempt #1 Fail
******
It was Monday morning, and this was going to be an obvious sign of affection. At least, he thought it was. Rose informed him a while ago about how Marinette was dying for a bouquet of sunflowers. She went on and on about it according to her.
Was this her favorite flower actually? He always assumed Marinette was a red rose kind of girl. Something about red seemed perfect for her. But whatever made her happy, he’d gladly get it for her. And so, Adrien once again waited for the girl he was in love with after another class. This time, it was after their lab.
Adrien waited and took in a breath.
Once again, Marinette stepped out of the classroom, turned, and saw him waiting for her.
“Adrien? Were you waiting for me again? Wait… are those SUNFLOWERS?”
Adrien brought them from behind his back and presented them to her.
“Here. Take them.” He said.
Marinette smiled as she took in the beautiful bouquet.
“Adrien! THESE ARE PERFECT!”
“They are?” Adrien mentally fist pumped himself.
“YES! How did you know?”
“Oh. Uhh. I heard Rose say that you wanted sunflowers and—“
“YES! Thank you! These are perfect for Ms. Mendeleiev.”
“Yes, perfect for… wait… Ms. Mendeleiev?”
Marinette nodded.
“Yes! She’s been feeling down lately and these are her favorite! You’re really such a sweetheart for thinking of her!”
Marinette leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’ll bring these right over to her office.”
Marinette then scampered off, heading to the faculty room.
Adrien was left stunned once more.
“At least you got a kiss this time.” A woman said from behind him.
Adrien turned and saw a giggling Rose with Nino.
“Better luck next time, buddy.” Nino said.
Attempt #2 Fail
A few days later, Adrien decided it was time to call in the big guns. He needed someone who knew Marinette better than anyone else aside from himself he hoped.
Alya.
“Adrien, why don’t you just tell her outright?” Alya said as they waited in front of school that early morning.
Alya was all in for Adrien to finally confess to Marinette. Apparently, she was on board getting them together for ages. Learning that did wonders for Adrien’s confidence.
“I kinda wanted to do something sweet first before telling her, Alya. I’m kind of a… hopeless romantic kind of fellow?” Adrien blushed and began rubbing the back of his neck by instinct.
Alya just rolled her eyes and snorted a little.
“You and Marinette both. You guys are perfect for each other. But… I think Marinette just needs to hear straight out. Trust me! Go up to her and tell her… Marinette, I like you. Done! You’ll win her heart! Trust me!”
Adrien thought about it for a moment. Was it truly that simple?
As if right on cue, Adrien saw a struggling Marinette run across the street towards the entrance of the school. She appeared to be pulling a travel bag on wheels as she ran. This was it. This was do or die.
“I’m going for it.”
****
Marinette was rushing once again that day for school. She woke up late once more and ended up paying for it. And even right before she could leave, her parents told her to drag along this huge bag of pastries her parents insisted she bring to school.
“These are for all your friends, sweetheart! A little surprise to start the week outright! I noticed some of your friends eyeing our pastries last week but were too shy to ask! These are for them!” Marinette’s mom said.
Now here she was, dragging it along the street.
“Don’t be late.. don’t be late.” She muttered to herself.
As she looked up towards the school steps, that’s when she noticed Adrien Agreste, the love of her life, smiling at her.
“Adrien?” She slowed down and stopped in front of him.
“Why are you outside? We’re late for class! We should go in!”
Adrien raised his brow at her.
“Actually, I wanted to say that it’s nice to see you early.”
“Early?” Marinette looked at her wrist to check the time. She definitely wasn’t early.
But my watch says were—“
Adrien approached her and checked her wristwatch.
“I think your time might be running fast. You’re 15 minutes early.”
“That can happen?!” Marinette uttered out loud in surprise.
“Apparently it can.” Adrien said. “Unless someone changed your time for you so you could wake up earlier.” He teased.
“But who could’ve—?”
Marinette then recalled what Tikki said last night to get her to wake up early. She said she might ‘change time’ for her.
She didn’t understand what she meant back then. She got worried that she might use magic. But now… it was something so simple.
Marinette giggled.
“Okay… I think that’s what happened. Whew, I can relax a little. What’s up?” She asked.
She could tell that there was something on Adrien’s mind. She noticed Adrien fidgeting in place a little. He definitely was mentally preparing himself to say something to her. She wondered what? But the next words he said were somethings she only ever dreamed of him saying.
“I like you, Marinette.”
Marinette’s ears began ringing. The world slowed down and her heart skipped a beat.
“Whu-what?”
“I said, I like you, Marinette.”
Her brain nearly shut down once more with his words. This wasn’t a dream right?
Marinette promised herself weeks ago that she was just going to treat Adrien as just a friend and earn it so. No more assuming every single thing will lead to love with the boy she cherished most in the world. She was so good too! She didn’t assume anything at all. But what did this mean?! Was this real?
Marinette tried reasoning with herself.
“Okay… think Marinette. There’s no way Adrien “like likes you”, right? So therefore he means something else… right? RIGHT?!”
“O-oooh. I… I like you too, Adrien! You’re one… one of my best friends!”
“Stay calm, Marinette. You can do this! Don’t accidentally confess your love!”
Actually… I really… really like you.” Adrien followed up.
“Meeeepp!!!”
Marinette covered her mouth before she could squeal some more.
“What is this boy trying to tell you?! This can’t be what it means! There must be something!!!” Marinette continued to try to convince herself that this wasn’t a love confession.
“There must be something he’s asking for!”
Marinette couldn’t accept it for what it was. After failing for so long in confessing herself. She couldn’t believe that Adrien would go out and confess that he liked her “like that.”
“Wait… I got it. I finally get it!” Marinette said.
Adrien smiled softly at her.
“You do?”
And so… Marinette convinced herself… it wasn’t.
“You wanted a pastry, didn’t you!”
“A what?”
Marinette then pulled out a freshly baked croissant and handed it over to Adrien with a nice tissue.
“There you go! Mama must have told you I was bringing pastries today! You were one of those “friends of mine” eyeing our pastries last week, huh? And you were trying to butter me up weren’t you?!”
“Yes… this must be the reason! He wanted pastries! There’s no way… he ACTUALLY likes me.”
“But Marinette. I really didn’t—“
Marinette then put a finger on his lips to prevent him from speaking no further.
“Say no more. I’ll tell Mama, you said thank you. I’ll see you in class, Adrien. I like you too.”
And so, Marinette rejoiced as she dodged a bullet.
“Whew! Almost confessed right there and then! He sounded so convincing too.”
Marinette then entered through the double doors of the school, ready to do all the work of giving her pastries.
***
Adrien was left stupefied on the steps of his school, as he held a warm croissant in his hand.
He was speechless.
He heard a few steps approach from behind and then he felt a hand being placed on his shoulder. It was Alya and she looked just as stumped.
“I… I have no words.”
“What did I do wrong this time?” He asked.
Alya just shook her head as she reached for his croissant and asked for a piece.
“Just eat the bread.”
Attempt #3 Fail
****
Later that afternoon, Marinette was physically exhausted.
Aside from all the work she had for school that day, she had all her duties as class president to fulfill and then finally she had to distribute all these pastries to various people throughout school.
“Did Mama literally give me enough pastries to feed the entire school?” She wondered.
She was getting swamped as people started to crowd her as they got pastries.
“Thanks, Marinette!”
“You’re the best, Marinette!”
“Tell your mom, thank you, Marinette!”
It went on and on as she accepted all the thanks and welcomed them for their gratitude.
But she was getting dizzy.
Maybe she didn’t eat enough herself?
Maybe she didn’t have enough water?
Maybe she didn’t get enough sleep?
Whatever the reason was… she felt the world spinning.
“Hey guys? Just a moment. Let me get some fresh—“
Marinette tried to walk away for a moment to get her bearings. But her strength failed her…
She felt herself falling…
But right before she could hit the cold floor… strong warm arms caught her.
“Got you…” The sweet voice said.
It was so familiar.
But she was too tired… then she closed her eyes.
*****
Marinette stirred a little.
“What happened?” She quietly thought to herself. Marinette was exhausted but she knew she was definitely somewhere else.
She felt like she was lying down on a nice soft bed from what she could feel. She could also smell the familiar scents of what she believed was the nurse’s office at school.
Did someone bring her there?
She was trying to gather the pieces of what happened to her.
She must have collapsed from being exhausted and someone carried her over.
The strong warms arms she could vaguely remember were definitely the key.
Who was it?
“Oh, Marinette.”
And there was the voice again.
“You really work too hard for everyone’s sake.”
Did the boy know she was awake? Or was he just speaking out loud?
It took a moment… but now her head was clear. She knew exactly who was speaking.
Adrien.
Marinette’s heart skipped a beat but she couldn’t dare open her eyes. She was too embarrassed.
“Did Adrien see me faint and had to bring me here?! This is terrible!”
“You’re really the sweetest girl, I know.”
Adrien continued to speak out loud, without knowing the truth that she was awake.
“He thinks I’m that sweet?!”
“I hope next time you don’t overwork yourself.”
Marinette felt a bit guilty. He was right. She shouldn’t overexert herself. Even Chat Noir has noticed her apparent overexertion lately.
“I love you.”
Marinette nearly choked out loud.
“Did he just say I love you?!”
*****
Adrien watched over the sleeping form of Marinette in the nurse’s office. After noticing her waver and nearly fall a while ago, he continued to watch over her by her bedside.
As he looked after her, he decided to vent and speak his mind about his feelings for her.
“I love you so much, Marinette.” He whispered this time. “I just… wish you’d believe me when I say it next time.”
He sighed.
She was so wonderful. He just wished he’d be noticed that way and not be misunderstood.
The nurse spoke up behind him.
“You should go to class, Adrien. I’ll take care of her.” He said.
Adrien nodded and let Marinette be.
Maybe he’ll do better next time?
As soon as Adrien stepped out, he didn’t notice Marinette opening her eyes, nor did he see her rosy cheeked face.
*****
“Oh my… GOD.”
Marinette’s heart was racing. She couldn’t believe it. Adrien LOVED HER.
ADRIEN LOVED… HER?!?!
Marinette took in her surroundings and she was indeed where she thought she was.
She was tucked in a bed of the nurse’s office at school.
“So you were awake after all.”
Marinette turned and saw the nurse smirking at her.
“You could tell?!”
The nurse chuckled.
“Of course I can tell. I’m kinda of an expert at the whole knowing whether students are pretending to be sick and asleep to skip class kinda thing. Your case though… Pretending not to hear a boy confess their love to you? Hmmm. I don’t see that quite often.” The nurse teased.
Marinette blushed even more.
She looked to the clock on the wall and noticed it’s been about 40 minutes since she last recalled it was before she fainted.
“Did Adrien… carry me here?”
“Yup. Princess carried you all the way. He really is such a sweet boy. So… what are you going to do?”
Marinette suddenly felt an outburst of energy that surprised herself and even the nurse.
She jumped out of bed and ran through the door.
“Hey, wait! You’re supposed to rest!”
The nurse watched as Marinette went off towards her class.
The nurse laughed a little as he spoke.
“Teenagers.”
***
Adrien was walking down the hallway at a slow pace. He wasn’t really eager to go to back to class. He had too many things on his mind. The big one being… how was he going to confess to Marinette?
He still hadn’t figure out what to do… when all of a sudden, he heard a familiar voice.
“Adrien!” A girl shouted.
Adrien turned around saw a running Marinette heading in his direction.
“Marinette? What are you doing up?! Are you okay? What’s goin—OOOOF!!!”
Adrien didn’t expect for the small girl to tackle him to the ground.
“Marinette? What? What are you doing?”
Adrien looked at her and saw her giggling at him. Her cheeks were red and then he noticed her expression.
She looked happy.
VERY HAPPY.
“Did… something happen? Are you alright?” He asked again.
“More than alright, Adrien. I’m in love… I’m in love with you too!”
Adrien gasped and then blushed.
“Whu-what did you say?!”
Adrien was not prepared as Marinette leaned in and kissed him right there and then.
“I love you, Adrien Agreste.”
Adrien’s heart soared… this was like a dream come true.
Epilogue :
“Adrien and Marinette were so into their passionate first kiss that they didn’t notice the approaching footsteps of their teacher.
“Adrien. Marinette. Can you please come in? I think that’s quite enough kissing during class hours, don’t you think?”
The teenagers looked up and saw an amused Ms. Buster grinning at them.
“I heard a loud thud and some voices outside. So I checked outside the door and saw you two. Come on then. You can tell the class what happened inside. But I think everyone knows already.” She winked
The two teenagers stood up with matching red faces. When they entered while holding hands, there were cheers from their classmates.
Alya shouted out the loudest.
“FINALLY.”