The class was divided into groups for the assignment. Marinette huddled over her paper with Mylene and Max at Chloe's table, while Chloe filed her nails and occasionally asked how the work was coming. The three did their best to ignore her. Marinette's pigtails brushed her shoulders, which were hunched in concentration.

"Uh, hey, bro?"

Marinette's eyes sparkled with determination when she ran into a tricky question. Her nose scrunched up adorably.

"Bro."

How had he not realized that Marinette was so adorable before now? And so beautiful! She was gorgeous! Her hair was vibrant! Her eyes dazzled! Her lips-

"Adrien!"

He was snapped out of his daydreaming as Nino shook his arm. "What?"

"Dude, that's the third time today."

"What's the third time?" They were seated around a back table with Kim and Ivan. Adrien looked down at his own assignment sheet. Only the first problem was done. He scrambled to start the second one.

"That you've stopped listening to me because you're gawking at Marinette."

"I'm not gawking." He was admiring. There was a difference!

"Just go talk to her," Kim said, and Ivan nodded his agreement.

But Adrien couldn't "just go talk to her." Not when he'd – completely by accident – found out that morning that she was secretly Ladybug. His superhero partner had always been so confident and creative, facing danger with a smile, so willing to risk herself for others that he couldn't help but be drawn in. Now he knew that Ladybug stuttered when she was flustered (which was surprisingly often), loved to sew, and baked things for people that she liked. No, he couldn't "just go talk to her." She was a superhero that was also super selfless, super beautiful, super kind. She'd also not looked his way all day.

She liked someone. She'd mentioned some boy. Who was it?

"Who does Marinette have a crush on?" He realized too late that he hadn't been paying attention again. He'd interrupted Ivan mid-sentence, and his mouth still hung open slightly.

"You don't know?" Kim asked. "Seriously? It's so obvious."

"Sorry, dude," Nino said. "I've been sworn to secrecy."

Ivan just shrugged.

Adrien glanced between the three of them, assignment sheet completely forgotten. It was obvious? He'd never seen her given preferential treatment to anyone. She was kind and friendly to everybody (except Chloe). And he'd never seen her try to get any boy's attention. Maybe it was someone he didn't know?

Ms. Bustier was writing tonight's homework on the board, so while her back was turned, Adrien leaned over to the neighboring table, where Alix, Nathanael and Sabrina were working quietly.

"Psst." All three looked over at him. "Who does Marinette have a crush on?"

Nathanael shook his head and went back to his work, hiding behind his bangs.

Alix snorted. "Really, Adrien? And she tries so hard, too."

Sabrina's eyes went wide. "I thought you knew."

"Well, I would know if someone would just tell me," he whispered at them. Below him, Marinette was holding her paper in front of her, completely and frustratingly blocking her wonderful face from his view.

The girls just shared a look, and Alix finally shrugged. "Not our place to say."

"Come on!" he begged. "Why won't you tell me?"

The bell sounded, high and sharp, and his classmates started packing. Marinette – ah, even her name was beautiful! – bolted for the hallway with Alya close behind. He wistfully watched them go. Maybe Kim was right. He should at least try to talk. Maybe he could get the name of his rival directly from her. Or maybe...

He swept everything into his backpack and slung it over his shoulders. He hadn't been able to win her over as Cat Noir, but maybe, just maybe, he could earn her heart as Adrien. He followed the path Marinette had taken to her locker, trying to ooze with confidence the way he did whenever he was masked.

She stood in front of her open locker and stared into it, just as Alya caught sight of him and started whispering to her. He could do this, he told himself as he got closer. The hallway bustled with students packing up for the day, but Adrien hardly noticed. He talked to his Lady all the time. He would go talk to her right now. Nothing to be excited about.

Alya smiled at him and moved to the side when he got closer, though Marinette hadn't seemed to notice him yet. With a final steadying breath, the reached out and tapped her on the shoulder.

Author note: Oh, look. I said there would be an update in two weeks, and I was right. (There was an obscene amount of procrastinating that went into this, just so you know!) Next chapter will be up on Wednesday night.

This is a gift for Anadia Chan, who I found through her amazing Miraculous comic on Tumblr. She'd made a comment ages ago wishing for a story where they were super awkward at school after a reveal, but they make it worse by trying not to be awkward and trying to hide they know. Anadia, I hope this is as good as you were imagining! (Adrien is the sappiest, oblivious-est dork I know. Ha ha. This was fun to write.)

Incorrect Miraculous Quote
Cat Noir: Who wants to hear a joke?
Ladybug: Not me.
Cat Noir: Heh heh. Yeah, you do. Here it goes. Why did the pelican get kicked out of the restaurant?
Ladybug: I don't caaare!
Cat Noir: Because he had a very big bill! La la la la! Hyuk hyuk hyuk!
Ladybug: Urgh. Boo. Bad joke. Bad pelican joke.
Cat Noir: Yay! Hurray!
-Gravity Falls