Chapter Text
When Adrien stepped foot into Collège Françoise Dupont high school for the first time, he was expecting to be fawned over as one of Paris’ most famous models. Fortunately, that wasn’t actually the case! He was only recognized by a few students, who had the decency to fawn from a distance.
“Adrikins!” Adrien almost toppled over from the blow to his side as Chloé launched herself into his arms. “You’re here!”
He returned the hug, but cut it short. “Yeah!”
“Adrien! Hi! We’re so glad your father let you come to school!”
Adrien smiled at Chloé’s best friend. “Thanks Sabrina. I can’t wait to get to class!”
Chloé crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. “Only you would be excited about class, Adrikins.” The bell for first class rang, and Chloé wrapped her arm around Adrien’s, leading him up the stairs. “Come now, Sabrina and I will show you around.”
Adrien had expected stares of admiration, not the stares of something he couldn’t place as Chloé led him into the room. It made him shrink into himself a bit, suddenly feeling very self-aware. He sat in the row below Chloé and Sabrina, next to a boy in a blue shirt and red cap, with headphones around his neck.
“Hi,” he said, extending a hand to the boy. “I’m Adrien.”
The boy appeared unimpressed, scanning Adrien with his gaze. “You’re friends with Chloé then, huh?” he asked, but it sounded more like a statement.
Adrien’s smile fell, replaced by confusion. “Yeah? Is that.. Is that a bad thing?”
The boy only furrowed his brows and put his headphones on before turning away.
Adrien also turned, unease flooding his senses. Then, he caught notice of Chloé putting what seemed to be gum on the bench across from him (ew).
“Hey!” He shouted, but flinched back from his own voice. “What are you doing?”
Chloé scoffed, rolling her eyes as if it should be obvious. “The brats who were here yesterday need an attitude adjustment, and I need respect, that’s all.”
Adrien screwed up his nose. “You think that,” he gestures to the gum, “is necessary?”
Chloé just huffs and drags Sabrina to the bench on the step above Adrien’s seat. Adrien decided it wasn’t necessary, and stood to take the gum off the bench. He grabs a tissue, then plucks the piece of gum off the seat, turning around just as two girls enter the classroom.
The shorter one with pigtails gives him an offended look, looking then to Chloé who was sitting smugly, laughing. She rolls her eyes and accuses Adrien of being in on the prank. Before she sits down, she glares at him, and says, “you’re friends with Chloé, right?”
Adrien’s face fell. He threw the gum and tissue away, slumping next to the boy and muttering, “why does everyone keep saying that?”
He wasn’t expecting a response, so he jolted up when the boy asked why he didn’t defend himself. He sighed, and explained that Chloé was his childhood friend, and he needed at least one person he knew at this school.
The boy snorted, extending his hand for a handshake. “Nino. And, it’s time for you to make some new friends. I’ll be the first.”
~~•~~•~~•~~•~~•~~•~~•~~•
The next day after school, Adrien had learned the name of the girl with the pigtails. Marinette. She was still (understandably) upset about the gum misunderstanding, and wouldn’t look at him. Nino persuaded him to clear it up, and Adrien found the perfect moment after classes.
It was pouring, and as he was walking out, he noticed Marinette didn’t have an umbrella. He extended his out to her, but she didn’t take it. He brought his arm back to him, and took a breath. “I just wanted to apologize about the gum. It wasn’t my idea, and I was only trying to take it off the seat, I swear. I’ve never been to school before, I’m still new to all of this. I would love to be friends though,” he says, extending the umbrella back out.
She took it this time, albeit hesitantly, and immediately it closes over her head. The tension breaks, and both of them fall into laughter. She peeks out from underneath, blushing.
“See you tomorrow!” he waves, and then turns to where his bodyguard is parked. He can’t help but chuckle when he turns around and notices Marinette blushing furiously, stammering through her goodbye.
In Adrien’s room, Plagg flies out and comments, “first day of school and already we have two lovebirds! Now.. where is my camembert?”
Adrien snorts, “she’s just a friend,” but his eyes light up at the thought of having another friend. Although, the idea of Marinette having a celebrity crush on him was quite funny.