The morning developed into a beautiful day. From purple and pink to rich blue sky, air crisp and sun wasn't shy either. Winter was barely holding on by the skin of its teeth being pushed out by unmistakable omens of Spring.

All sorts of creatures were waking up poking out of their holes and sniffing the new air, crawling on tree branches hoping that now events will go finally more springy. Including ladybugs, and the biggest of them all sat exhausted on a park bench in her civil clothes, leaning backwards.

It was Marinette who was also looking up to the sky and breathing in the fresh scent of trees, seeking refuge before she moves on with her day. She was tired beyond the point and winter weather was wearing her out.

Now she blissfully closed her eyes and relaxed her muscles, feeling warm sunshine touches of the yellow ball above. She just finished a mission and said goodbye to Cat noir and his tiresome advances.

That cat! She thought annoyed.

With his cheeky grin and bright green eyes he could easily fool other girls. And heaven knows he did indeed.

Cat noir had his own fan club of early teen girls waving from behind the barrier wherever he appeared in public. And he enjoyed it tremendously as much as she could see. If he'd be a dog he would be whacking his tale. She frowned at that image. Was she jealous?

No, not in that way. Marinette shifted and stretched her feet to feel more comfortable. But she considered it an unwelcome distraction.

She thought about his expression when they parted, he looked genuinely sad.

Marinette sighed.

In the past there were moments when she thought he might be sincere with her but as the time passed she realised he was an irreparable flirt.

She experienced it when she was her other self - Marinette. (Or was the other self Ladybug? Sometimes she wondered which side of her is the real one).

And so she brushed off his compliments and developed high level of tolerance for his inappropriate comments and lame jokes. After all he was great partner in battle and as much as it annoyed her, she needed him.

Marinette suppressed yawn and with a groan and stretch stood up from the bench she was sitting on. If she stays too long on this spot she'll never get up again.

Last months of high school were dragging unbelievably slow. Classes started to bore her, the only reason she was still in sat at the desk in front of her every morning.

She didn't need to study to know what she wants to do. But it was the last few exams, the nuisance which will ensure that she'd be actually considered for the job.

Marinette, in her boldest dreams, thought of trying to win an apprenticeship in Gabriel Agreste's fashion company. Every time she'd mentioned this, Alya agreed heavily, nodding her head off.

It would mean seeing Adrien in person after high school is over, her only faint chance. But as far as she was aware, there was no apprenticeship available in Agreste business and she might be forever condemned to cut photos out of fashion magazines.

Sometimes she wondered if she should try it as a model but soon waved this desperate thought goodbye. She was slim enough but slightly lacked in height and, as she was convinced, also in appearance.

No, Chloe will be the one to get that job, as Marinette heard her bragging all over the school whilst she clutched Adrien in her claws.

Somehow target of her affection seemed blind to it all, he let Chloe drag him around and cluck about her business, looking all absentminded.

Marinette was wondering what's eating him, mulling it over and over again, coming up with crazy scenarios to amusement and frustration of her best friend.

"Go and talk to him then!"

That was typical Alya's response when she got tired of Marinette's pondering. Nino seemed to be on the same trail, both were trying to encourage her to speak to Adrien. As if it was that easy!

Every time she tried she ended up blurting out some nonsense and then running off.

She huffed and started walking towards the bakery dragging her feet behind. Alya and Nino were in love and so their sight was shrouded by blissful fog of happiness.

No such luck for her!

But it was Sunday, Marinette realised, and she should get well deserved rest before return to their constant nagging.

And if she gets extra lucky, no one will need Ladybug if only just for the rest of the day. She smiled a little at the thought, straighten up and shot some energy into her pace. Sooner she gets home, sooner she gets to look at her favourite wall decoration - Adrien's pictures.

"Adrikens! What is wrong with you, I've asked you something!", whined Chloe and pulled Adrien's arm to get his attention.

It was Monday morning again and Chloe decided to use the recess between the classes to drag the boy around hanging on his gentlemanly offered arm.

"Oh yeah, of course. I'm sorry I didn't listen, what was it again?"

Chloe huffed. What is with him!? She was trying her best, often purring and meowing like a kitten or trying to be playful like a puppy. But neither her perfect make up and golden hair shimmering in the early sun rays, nor her fashionable clothes which she pedantically picked every morning to impress, seemed to have any effect on him.

"I was asking - Chloe suppressed annoyed tone - whether you spoke to your father about me yet!"

She pouted.

"If you want to know, you're thinking too much. You need some distraction, that's what I think!"

Adrien opened his mouth to reply to her but she interrupted him.

"Actually, isn't your father going away this weekend? What about a party Adrikens, what do you say? I'll organise everything, you don't need to move a muscle!"

She looked up to him hopefully.

"Why not, sounds good.", he replied monotonously hoping she didn't notice his lack of interest.

It was best to let Chloe talk and plan, at least small escape from her constant whining.

He needed to think, there was so many things he needed to go over...

"That's awesome!", she clasped her hands releasing Adrien from her grip. "I need to find Sabrina!" And with a whiff of air she was gone but not before she plastered little peck on his cheek.

Adrien felt instant urge to clean the spot but didn't want to hurt Chloe's feelings and so he waited until she disappeared behind the corner before wiping his cheek rigorously with his shirt.

Something caught his eye.

Marinette stood nearby watching him with her big blue eyes. She looked distraught and stressed as always. Did she witness the kiss? He knew how sensitive she could be about this. And so he shoot her an apologetic smile and shrugged as if to say "this happens to me often and means nothing."

She nervously smiled back. Day saved, Adrien thought.

He stopped for a moment thinking of sparing a word with this shy humble girl who despite her adoration never forced herself at him. He enjoyed Marinette's company, something on her was strangely familiar and she was an honest friend. But her awkwardness sometimes got the best of her although he secretly admired her sweetness in those moments. She was simply adorable like a lost puppy. He chuckled to himself but before he managed to step forward strong hit from the side almost send him flying. It was Nino.

"Sorry dude! I didn't mean to land so hard, but Chloe keeps ranting about some party at your place! What's that all about and why am I not the first one to know?!"

Adrien sighed. Time to face the consequences of agreeing with something without thinking.

He waved sadly to Marinette who was still observing him with undefinable expression on her face and dragged Nino away.

Marinette stood there boiling. It was obvious that Adrien was uncomfortable with it yet Chloe kept throwing herself at him whenever she had the opportunity, pouting and dancing around him like a snake.

By now she is possibly planning their bright future together and judging by Adrien's current mood Marinette wouldn't be surprised if he found himself married to Chloe one of these days. She couldn't bear it. It wasn't just her jealousy but also genuine care for her friend she secretly loved. And currently he was heading towards a disastrous relationship with the biggest witch Paris has ever seen.

There is no way on earth she will let that happen! If there's gonna be a party, she must be on it!