Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous: The Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir

Chapter 2. The Chance

It was supposed to be a normal day. Nothing exciting was supposed to happen; Nathanael had been counting on it being a regular, nothing-will-make-me-look-like-an-idiot-today day.

So what does he do? Make an idiot out of himself!

Current situation: standing in front of the girl of his dreams.

Current mood: internal panicking.

Plan of action: …

Update on current situation: said girl of his dreams is staring at him with large, azure eyes…were they always this blue? Could someone recreate the color of them? Not even if he mixed and tried different shades with his pens and pencils would he be able to copy that color…so pretty…so blue…so confused looking…

His body flinched, and his already heated cheeks went two shades darker and spreading farther up his nose all the way to his ears.

She had asked him something, twice, but her words didn't seem to register in his head. Just the sweet sound they made.

"Uh-uh…" he shook his head. Why did he come over?

Because there was something wrong.

Looking at her eyes again but careful not to stare too long, he spotted tears stuck in the corner of her eyes, her usually clean face splotched, her nose slightly runny, her lips looked like they had been chewed on yet they still looked-NO.

Now is not the time!

"I…I-I'm sorry-y…" the embarrassment was too great, he finally looked down. "You j-just looked so s-sad."

"Oh." Was all she said as she used the palm of her hand to wipe away a tear that almost slid down.

Silence fell. Nathanael couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze again…not at this proximity at least.

When she spoke again, it sounded shakey, like she was trying to hold back and was beginning to falter. "I, that's very nice of you b-but would you m-mind if I could be le-" odd squeaks interrupted her, and when Nathanael's head shot up her shoulders twitching in time with the sniffles. More tears poured over the rims of her eyes, reverting back to the position he had spotted her in.

As she continued on, his stomach and heart were all in knots.

What do I do? What should I say? Were the only things that came to mind.

His hands began to tremble, but not from his usual nerves. Conflicted, because part of him wanted to lurch forward, to sweep her up in his arms, whisper comforting words.

But he couldn't, for several reasons with the biggest and most important one being that as far as their relationship was concerned, they were only classmates. Not even acquaintances. She just knew his name.

Classmates…

Something clicked in his brain, immediately running through his memories of today, searching desperately for something that could have happened that would cause his crush such distress.

But it was a typical school day, frustrating him. Kim and Alix bantered during their free time, lunch with Rose and Juleka (at their insistence, he would have rather escaped home for a short while to draw in peace), Ivan was brooding, Sabrina and Chloe were their usual obnoxious-

Chloe!

Even when thinking her name it came out as a growl, with a noticeable frown forming on his face. God, how he hated her. While she didn't step out of her usual boundaries of cruelty, he had noticed her dagger-like glare towards Marinette as class let out for the day. But that was normal, because for some reason Chloe singled out the sweet girl for some odd reason. Still, he wouldn't put it past her to have said something particularly nasty.

"Did Chloe say something?"

Marinette's head shot up, and Nathanael froze. She looked a little shocked, but he couldn't tell if it was because he guessed it, or because of the way he spat out the girls name.

Never the less, Marinette didn't question how he came to the conclusion, giving him a short nod.

His hands were still trembling, from anger now. He clenched them hoping she wouldn't notice. If she did, she made no comment.

Now the next question was if he could push his own boundaries…

"What did she say?"

Come on Nathanael, pull back that anger!

"Just…ahhh!" Her outburst caused the redhead to jump. "I try not to let her get to me, but today she just…just…!"

He took one step forward, listening to her rambling, all the while checking for her response.

He got nothing.

He took another step forward.

She looked up at him, throwing insults about Chloe's hair, her awful eyeshadow, her vanity, it was endearing to hear her rant against a common enemy. She continued returning her gaze back to the ground.

Another step and he was standing next to her form.

When had he ever been this close before? His chest was aching from his heavy heart beats.

One last inhale through his nose, shutting his eyes, he placed one hand on the tree for support, beginning to lower himself down.

By the time his butt touched the ground, the only sounds in his ears was his raging pulse and her angry tirade on Chloe...how did she still sound so sweet?

The azure eyed girl finally looked at him. She wasn't fazed at all by his sudden appearance beside her.

"I'm not crazy, right? She's the worst!"

You can do it.

Nathanael's mind went blank for a moment, caught up in her gaze.

Come on now…don't stare at her again…is that lip gloss or is it natur-FOCUS!

His eyes slid closed, bobbing his head up and down, allowing a small smile to spread.

Come on!

He opened his eyes. Green stared into blue.

Honestly, he didn't care if he was blushing or not.

"Of course," he chuckled. "The absolute worst."

At that comment, her eyes softened, her still blotchy (yet cute) face finally allowing a smile to grace her lips.

Nathanael momentarily lost his breath. He did that. He did that. He did that!

He made her smile...

"Y-you know…in all of your fr-frustration," brushing away some of his bangs so he could see her better, he let his smile grow, "you never told me what she said."

Forgive me! The chapter was supposed to be different and left on a smaller cliffhanger, but it wasn't working as the second chapter, but it will be the perfect third chapter!

Please read and review! I love reading them! They give me the encouragement to continue a story :)

~ bleedingnightingale