The party was in full swing long before midnight arrived. Marinette glanced around the hotel lobby. It had been transformed with shiny trinkets and baubles to keep every surface shiny. A laser show on the ceiling threw a dozen different disco colours across the room. A projection against one wall had the time on full display so they could all know the moment the clock struck midnight. A DJ booth had been set up, and Nino had created a playlist to run while he joined the fun with Alya. You had to hand it to Chloe. She knew how to throw a good party.
Marinette smoothed her short red-with-black-spots rock n' roll skirt, anxiously. She was going for a 60s theme, but the side parted victory rolls hair, and the alice band with the ladybug bow had taken forever to make. She'd barely had time to finish the skirt, and she didn't have time to make it into a dress like she wanted. Instead she gave it a high waist and threw on a black blouse that she tucked into the skirt, unbuttoned the top two buttons, and smoothed the sleeves so they had a folded them. Now she wasn't entirely sure she looked as good as she wanted to, but at least Tikki's bag fit with the outfit.

"MARINETTE OVER HERE!" Alya helpfully yelled and threw her arm in the air.

Marinette chuckled and hurried over to where she waited. Alya had done her hair out. She gave it volume and brushed in her curls, so it was fluffy and wavy and framed her immaculate make up. Her eyeliner wings were sharp enough to stab a man, and her lips were blood red. She had gone for a knee length dress that puffed out at the skirt. From her shoulder covering sleeves to her waist, it was jet black, but it was as if someone had dipped the hem in orange dye and allowed it to climb as high up the fabric as possible in watery stripes before it reached the waist. Separating the colours was a waist band with a few sparkly beds. She looked glorious.

"You look amazing!" Marinette beamed.

"Me?! Look at you!" Alya laughed, "is this another Marinette original?"

Marinette lifted the skirt and twirled to show it off. "You like it?"

"I love!" Alya beamed.

Nino wandered over and threw an arm around both of them, and beamed at them. He had come like he'd just walked out of class. No effort had been put in. Classic Nino. That made Marinette grin.

"Aren't I lucky to have two beautiful girls on each arm?" He asked.

"Well you can only kiss one at midnight so choose wisely," Alya warned.

"You, Aly, always," Nino promised.

Alya smirked. "Maybe you're not a complete idiot then."

Nino grinned and turned to Marinette. "Who are you gonna kiss at midnight dude?"

Marinette looked around the room, searching for him. "Adrien hopefully."

"Damn right! New year, new boyfriend, that's my girl!" Alya beamed.

"Yeah girl, true loves kiss will get that date," Nino grinned.

Marinette spotted Adrien. Her shoulders sagged. "Unless Chloe gets in the way."

Alya and Nino followed her gaze. Adrien was willingly (and quite happily) dancing with Chloe. The two of them had learned to dance together, from toddler ballet to childhood ballroom, but now they could just cut loose and make it up as they went. Of course, they gravitated towards one another, they were dance partners since they learned what dance was. Marinette wondered what style their first dance would be. Chloe would invite her to the wedding just so she could show off that she won. Her chest ached. Alya laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder, sensing her anxiety.

"We'll do everything to avoid that," she said.

Marinette looked up at her and forced a smile. "Sure we will. Come on let's dance!"

Marinette and Alya didn't need a guy (much to Nino's disappointment) to cut up the dance floor. They could dance together, and look like a pair of deer manically trying to keep each other standing up on an ice rink, and not care. Every wild move that caused one of them to bow over and grab their stomachs with laughter, got repeated a million times. Nino replayed one song twice because they finally found their favourite move (deflating air tube dancer in a heavy wind) and managed to keep it to the rhythm. By that point they had gathered a crowd that included Adrien, and a very grumpy Chloe. The crowd (Mylene and Ivan first, then Kim, then the other one by one) began to copy the moves until everyone was dancing like a maniac, and howling with laugher. Everyone except Chloe. She was annoyed Adrien had left her to watch the girls, she was angry that everyone was dancing with then instead of paying attention to her, and she was livid that Sabrina had abandoned her too. The dance just called to her.

"Well this is ridiculous. What are you doing?! Humans are crazy," Plagg huffed.

Tikki on the other hand, was dancing merrily inside her bag. She never had been one to be left out of a dance. As the song ended again, Marinette howled with laughter and panted to get her breath back.

"Oh! Oh I need - I need a drink!" She laughed.

Alya laughed too and linked her arm through Marinette's. "This way, come on!"

Alya led her over to the food table and poured a plastic cup to the brim, to Marinette had to bend her head over to sip it. Alya laughed.

"You can lead a horse to water, and it'll drink like that," she said.

Tikki tugged Marinette's shirt. "Mari, can I have a sip?"

Marinette dropped a straw in her cup and held it nonchalantly by her bag for Tikki to sip. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and turned to see who it was. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Adrien.

"Hey Marinette!" He beamed, "nice moves. And I really like this skirt, it's very ladybug!"

Marinette blushed a deep shade of red. "T-t-thanks, I made myself -I mean I made ladybug - I mean-um- I mean-"

"You mean you made it yourself because of ladybug?" He asked, smiling.

Alya elbowed Nino urgently and he groaned as she dug into his ribs. Marinette blinked in surprise.

"H-how did you..."

"I've known you long enough to understand what you mean. I'm pretty proud of that too. It's like were passing secret notes," he winked.

She blushed again and muttered, "I've written notes before."

She meant the valentines card, but Adrien couldn't understand everything.

"Do you wanna dance?" He asked.

She couldn't talk anymore so she nodded like she was dumbstruck. Adrien beamed and took her hand in his. The instant they headed for the dance floor Alya battered her hand urgently against Nino so that the slow dance would stop. Nino hurried over to the DJ booth to prepare that for her. Marinette realised this sudden music change to a slow dance had something to do with Alya the moment that Adrien put his hand on her waist and she blushed deeper if it were possible.

"W-w-who are you k-kissing at midnight?" She stammered

He tilted his head curiously. "Kissing?"

She nodded, "Yeah, its tradition."

"Why?"

"Um... I-I'm not sure. Good luck?"

"Good luck?" Adrien chuckled, feeling Plagg shift in his pocket, "I think I could use some of that."

Marinette felt Tikki dancing in the bag that sat on her hip, "I'm pretty lucky already. Want some of mine?"

Adrien's eyebrows rose, and her own eyes widened in surprise. "N-n-no! I mean - I don't think - no, I - um, it's just-"

Adrien just laughed and pulled her slightly closer so they could spin together. Marinette buried her tomato red face into his shoulder and let him take the lead. Alya beamed up at Nino. Nino flashed her a thumbs up.
Dancing with Adrien was over far too fast. Marinette felt like she was dancing on cloud nine and suddenly, she came crashing back down to earth with a scream. A scream from Chloe. Chloe was good at that.

"ITS TIME!"

Adrien broke away from Marinette and she felt a rush of disappointment. Then he took her hand and grinned at her, and she felt her insides melt as she grinned back. The party became a crowd gathered around the TVs that hung on the walls, ready to watch the news to see the fireworks together. Adrien led Marinette to the front of the crowd so they could see clearly together. Alya wriggled close, dragging Nino after her, to beam at Marinette. They chanted along with the countdown clock.

"TEN! NINE! EIGHT! SEVEN! SIX!"

Marinette felt her heart beat hard, and her palms got sweaty. She let go of his hand to wipe her palm on her dress. Adrien didn't seem to notice. Alya winked at her, encouragingly, and nudged her towards Adrien.

"FIVE! FOUR! THREE!"

Marinette edged closer to her hand brushed against his. He turned to look at her. Her cheeks turned pink as he smiled warmly. His hand slipped back into hers.

"TWO! ONE!"

Marinette took a deep breath to calm herself. Then she felt a rough shove slam against her shoulder. She stumbled forward and her hand slipped out of his hand, and was knocked forward again.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Marinette stood up and looked around to see what happened. Her stomach twisted into a knot that made her feel sick. Chole had wrapped her arms around his neck and was yanking him forwards and kissing him hard. He had his hands on her waist too. Marinette felt an ache in her chest. She turned to look to Alya for support. Alya had her arms wrapped around Nino, and Nino had one hand on her head messing up her hair, and one on her back to pull her in close. Alya kissed him so hard that his hat had slipped off and rolled down his back. Now it was sat on the floor. Neither hadn't even noticed. Marinette felt her stomach hit the floor. She was surrounded by couples and friends kissing to celebrate the new year. Now the party wasn't so much fun.

"You want someone to kiss?" Tikki asked.

"It's supposed to be good luck for the new year," Marinette said.

"Come here then!"

Tikki fluttered down to her mouth and kissed her gently. Her mouth was small and she kissed Marinette's bottom lip rather than both, but it made Marinette giggle anyway. Tikki peeled back and beamed at her. It was a tiny moment, but it made her feel infinitely better.

"I'm full of good luck, so it's doubly lucky!" Tikki giggled like a bell.

Marinette couldn't stop grinning at her. "I love you Tikki."

"I love you too Mari," Tikki smiled back.

As the couples started breaking apart, Tikki dove back into Marinette's pocket. Marinette was feeling bubbly again. now she realised she didn't need Adrien to kiss her, a lot of the stress had been lifted. It was incredibly freeing. She was practically giddy now, and full of energy. To prove it, Marinette scooped down to steal Nino's hat off the ground. She pulled it down onto her head and weaved off into the crowd, so Nino wouldn't see her for ages.
Alya glanced around for Marinette immediately when she broke away from Nino, and Nino just swayed back and forth love struck for a moment or two. Then he giggled and look down for his hat. His smile vanished when he couldn't find it. Alya ran towards the familiar red hat. There was only two people here who would steal his hat and wear it so blatantly, and Alya was one of them.
Adrien tried to pull away from Chloe, but she was like an octopus. Her tentacles were difficult to escape from, but he finally broke free, but she was still clinging to his hand and trying to tell him how this was the first time she was starting a new year single, and how she hoped this year wouldn't be so lonely, and she hoped some hero would come to her rescue. Adrien glanced around for help. He couldn't see Marinette or Alya anywhere. They could defend him from Chloe better than Ladybug herself, but they were nowhere to be seen. But there was Nino. Adrien tilted his head when he saw Nino spinning around like a dog chasing his own tail.

"Sorry Chloe, Nino needs me!" Adrien yanked his hand away from her and hurried over to Nino.

For a moment he just stood and watched Nino spin. Plagg raised an eyebrow at him. "your friends are weird."

Adrien grinned proudly, "I know."

Plagg rolled his eyes and slipped back into his pocket, to eat the last of his cheese in peace. Adrien chuckled and wandered forward to interrupt Nino's spinning. Nino straightened up when he cleared his throat, and stumbled. Suddenly he was incredibly dizzy. Adrien grabbed him to help stabilise him.

"Thanks dude, I don't know what I'd do without you," Nino grinned.

"what are you doing anyway?" Adrien asked.

Nino raised a hand to his head and messes up his hair, pointedly, "looking for my hat!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Adrien saw the flash of red as Marinette turned to face Alya, and the hat interrupted a laser beam, which made it light up. Adrien smirked. He took Nino by the shoulder and physically turned him to face Marinette.

"that hat?"

"My hat! Thanks dude!"

Adrien laughed again as Nino marched off across the room towards Alya and Marinette. Meanwhile they were already deep in conversation about how to deal with the issue of Chloe. At least Alya was trying to be. Marinette wasn't feeling it.

"Marinette! How did it go?" Alya grinned.

"It err, it didn't happen," Marinette explained.

Alya looked confused for a second, and then groaned. "Let me guess, Chloe?"

"Yeah. Chloe."

"Damn that brat. Alright, new plan-"

Marinette leaned forward and grabbed Alya's hands, begging her slightly. "No, not today. It's a happy new year! Let's enjoy it!"

Alya frowned. "But-"

"Chloe's ruined enough tonight. Let's enjoy the rest!" Marinette smiled.

Alya looked surprised, but she didn't have time to say anything, because Nino appeared beside them and yanked his hat off of Marinette's head. He tried to be mad, but he couldn't help grinning at her.

"I was looking for this!" he said.

"were you looking with your eyes open?" she teased.

"of course," he laughed.

"oh you've messed her hair up now!" Alya huffed.

Alya reached up to tuck the curl back behind Marinette's ear, but Marinette laughed and pushed her hand away. She didn't need to look pretty now. Adrien had chosen someone else. It didn't matter what she looked like, so she didn't need to care anymore. That too was incredibly freeing.

"Who cares? Come on Nino, play Auld Lang Syne! Let's kick off the new year how it's supposed to be done!" Marinette beamed.

"As you wish," Nino bowed.

He leapt up onto the DJ booth they were standing besides, and flicked one button. The song started instantly. Alya gave Marinette an odd like, as Marinette burst giddily into song and she linked her arm through Alya's. then she reached to grab Rose as she tried to walk past, while singing at the top of her lungs.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne!"

Rose laughed, and joined in. her voice sparkled with laughter, which was infectious enough to make Juleka and Nathanael join in, although Nathanael blushed as Juleka took his hand. one by one the classmates joined in a line, linking arms, and singing together to welcome the new year joyously:

"For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne! We'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne! Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne!"

…

Nino held open the car door for Alya to climb in, and walked around to the back of the car to climb in beside her. it was late. They were both exhausted, but somehow Marinette still had enough energy to dance off down the street, singing along with the drunks on the river bank until her father joined in, laughing as he did.

"See you at school Mari!" Alya called.

"Happy new year Alya!" she called back.

Alya chuckled as Nino shut the door behind her. it was almost silent out here in the cold streets now. the fireworks had stopped, and everyone was wandering off home. The party atmosphere was still in the air, but it was tired now, and the only real song that could be heard beside the lapping of the river, was Marinette. The car door shut behind Nino, and the uber driver headed off down the road.

Alya rolled her head from the window, to Nino. "When was the last time she went on a date?"

"I don't think she ever has. Except maybe Luka," Nino shrugged.

Alya frowned. "Who's Luka? Wait, one problem at a time. dates. If she's never been on a date before of course she doesn't know how to behave before one."

"mmm."

"Maybe you should take her out."

Nino's eyes winded. "Me?"

"Well, yeah. I'll do it too! We can take her out on little mini dates and help her practice flirting and whatever so she's more confident talking to Adrien!"

"But she's like my sister!"

"It's not a real date! just enough to let her practice flirting, and being comfortable in romantic situations, and whatever,"

"Alya-"

"Come on Nino she needs this! Please?" she asked, hopefully.

Nino whined softly. Alya tried the puppy dog eyes. Nino closed his eyes and groaned heavily. He couldn't resist Alya's puppy dog eyes.

"Oh fine! But if she falls in love with me, I'm blaming you," Nino warned.

"Have you seen her bedroom walls? I don't think we need to worry," Alya laughed.

"first stop!" the driver said, just before coming to a stop.

"I'm really glad I came out tonight," Alya smiled.

"I'm glad you did too," Nino said back.

Alya leaned forward and kissed him gently. "Happy new year babe."

"It's always happy with you around," he muttered.

Alya burst into laughter. "you're such a sap!"

"love you too," Nino grinned.

Alya climbed out of the car, and waved as Nino drove off. she chuckled to herself, and thought about how lucky she was to have an idiot like Nino around. There was a thumping on the glass behind her. she looked up to see her little sister pulling the window open.

"Was that your boyfriend?!" she asked, gleefully.

Oh yeah. So lucky.