Author's note: Enjoy:} And I would love to hear what you guys think:}

Disclaimer: Don't own Miraculous Ladybug

Stage one: Audition

Marinette Dupain-Cheng flipped a page of an Akuma magazine as she anxiously waited for her name called by the ravenette secretary. Marinette bit her lip in apprehension when she calculated her competitors. These girls had pretty faces, with Coach handbags attached to their hips, and they wore vintage clothes that Marinette could never afford in a million years.

Marinette didn't fit in with these girls at all. She knew it too by the supercilious gazes they shot at her. Marinette heard the other girls cackle like catty hyenas. Marinette rolled her eyes in indignation. She knew they portrayed her as the butt of their joke.

Marinette sighed at her perturbed thoughts. Marinette decided to quit dwelling on those girls, and focus at the magazine she held. Marinette still couldn't fathom that she might have the chance to be the next model in this particular magazine. Marinette wanted to be a famous fashion designer, but she knew this might be her big break to be in the clothing field. Marinette flipped the next page before her breath caught in her throat. Marinette was captivated by the pretty young model named Adrien Agreste.

Marinette would admit her strong ambition for this audition had a lot to do with the blonde haired beauty. Marinette wanted to meet her teen idol and her long-time crush that she only knew from afar. Adrien Ageste was her teenage dream. Marinette knew if she aced this audition; Adrien Agreste would be her model partner. It wasn't just because of his handsome looks and those cute dimples that made her heart swoon. Additionally, It was how he portrayed himself in those glittered magazines.

It astounded her that Adrien Agreste, who was at the tender age of six, could put on such a front for the camera. It kept Marinette guessing on who really was Adrien Agreste? Who was the boy with the many faces?

"Madame Dupain-Cheng," The secretary addressed her in a clipped tone.

"Present!" Marinette squeaked as she bolted out of her chair.

"Mosier Agreste will see you now," The secretary said as she beckoned Marinette to follow her.

Marinette blushed as she passed by the animated girls. Some snickered as they pointed at her like she was a comical sight. The moment the secretary turned her head and glared at them harshly. They froze their positions like mannequins at a clothing store. Marinette gave the secretary a grateful smile, which she only nodded for her reply.

The secretary led her down a long, narrow hallway that reminded her of a complex labyrinth. The walls were covered with a tacky yellow wallpaper, and was dotted with various photos of models. Marinette twiddled her thumbs nervously, while she tried to ignore the swirling butterflies in the pit of her stomach. Marinette reminisced her best friend, Alya, propitious words and text messages. Alya had faith in her that she could do this. Marinette would not let her friend down, so she needed to pull herself together.

"The key is to not let them get to you," The secretary said wisely, which snapped Marinette out of her reverie.

"Pardon?" Marinette inquired with a frown.

"If you want to be a model and pursue in this kind of business. You need to learn to endure people's critical words and compose yourself," The secretary proceeded like there was no gap in their conversation.

"Even so, the true beauty of being a model is to express yourself, instead of hiding it behind a mask," Marinette piqued passionately. The secretary froze for a moment as she contemplated Marinette's words.

"In a way you're right, sometimes being sincere is better than being plastic," The secretary replied before they strode forward again in heavy silence.

Marinette hated awkward silence, and it encouraged herself to make an abrupt conversation.

"Why did they chose such a distasteful, wallpaper color?" Marinette asked out of the blue.

"What do you mean?" The secretary asked with a hint of hidden amusement in her tone.

"They could have used any other color, but they had to choose that ugly; bright yellow. It doesn't express well with the personality, given by the photos on it. The models on there look disconsolate and haunted, not at all energetic for a bright color." Marinette articulated as she felt the designer in her pop out.

"You're quite a sharp one, just like Adrien. I hope the boss chooses you because Adrien could benefit you as his partner." The secretary whispered to herself.

"What did you say?" Marinette asked curiously.

"Nothing important, we're here," The secretary knocked on the door before she opened it fully.

Marinette gulped as she pictured herself as a lamb being thrown into the lion's den. Mr. Agreste stood up in a intimidated manner from his desk. He gazed at Marinette through his spectacles, with his lips in a hard line, and addressed his secretary in a cold tone.

"That will be all, Nathalie. Please be alert when I need the next potential model,"

"Yes sir," Nathalie replied before she closed the door behind her.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, is that correct?" He asked, but it was more of a statement.

"Yes sir," Marinette confirmed as she lingered at the door.

"There are possibly way more beautiful girls auditioning for this particular job. What makes you stand out than those other girls?" Marinette knew she shouldn't have come.

The words that came out of Mr. Agreste mouth made her insecure. Marinette wasn't confident or prettier like those other girls, but Marinette knew for a fact that she wanted to suppress herself.

Marinette walked forward with her head held high. She looked at Mr. Agreste dead in the eye and didn't falter in the slightest.

"Things come easier if you have a pretty face for this industry. Unlike those girls, I want to suppress a pretty face to something more bewitching." Marinette said strongly.

"Quite a good verdict, mademoiselle. Please follow me to the back, I'm quite intrigued to see how you are for the camera with my son." Marinette gulped when he mentioned his son.

"Adrien is here!?" Marinette squeaked when he led her in another small room from his office.

Marinette saw a bunch of cameras, with a couple photographers behind it, and in the middle stood a God on a white platform-Adrien Agreste.

"How are we supposed know you're a good partner for my son, if you don't model with him?" Mr. Agreste asked like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I guess you're right," Marinette replied with a forced laugh.

Marinette literally thought she would have to model by herself. Not with the one and only Adrien Agreste by her side. Her heart wasn't prepared for this yet, she needed more time to compose herself.

"Adrien, this is your next potential model," Marinette blushed when Mr. Agreste announced her to Adrien.

Adrien smiled at her when she caught his attention. He waved at her jubilantly, which made her weakly wave back at him. Marinette slowly made her way towards Adrien and felt so small next to him. Adrien wore designer jeans, with a black t-shirt, and his hair looked disheveled. Marinette on the other hand, she wore black leggings, with a pink sweater, and her hair was in twin-tails.

Adrien stuck his hand out, "My name is Adrien Agreste, what's your name?" He inquired chivalrously. Marinette almost thought she heard a choir of angels singing when he talked.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," She replied before she looked at anywhere but him.

"Alright, you know what to do Adrien. You have to give the gal a peck on the cheek for the photo," The photographer said with a grin. Marinette blushed like a red tomato at the photographer's statement. Scratch that, the photographer's death sentence upon her.

Throughout the photo shoot; Marinette avoided Adrien's lips like they were the plague. Marinette ducked when his lips came in contact with her cheek. Marinette made scary faces when he got too close to her. Probably the most mortifying thing she did was when she crawled under him to get away from his frantic hands.

"Miss Dupain-Cheng, is there a problem?" Mr. Agreste asked while being aggravated with the bluenette's obnoxious actions.

"No, not at all," She said uneasily as she stood up.

"Father, maybe it's best we do another pose for the shoot. I even think the kissing part is a bit inappropriate." Adrien said in her defense with a blush.

"Adrien, the other girls you smooched with didn't have a problem. We should not give Miss Dupain-Cheng special treatment from the others," He responded simply. Adrien gave her a pitying look before he put his hand behind his neck nervously.

Marinette took a deep breath as she calmed herself down. She needed to do this. Marinette came here to prove herself that she's more than a timid character. Boldly, without even realizing it, she gave Adrien Agreste a chaste kiss on the cheek. The flash of the camera brought her back to reality.

She squealed out loud and stared at Adrien's dumbfounded face. "I'm so sorry, this was a mistake, I need to go. Thanks for the opportunity and your time, bye!" Marinette stuttered out before she dashed out of the room.

"I have to say, this is probably one of my favorite photos so far," The photographer said when he showed Adrien and Mr. Agreste the photo.

"What do you think, Adrien?" Mr. Agreste asked with a knowing smile.

"I want her," Adrien said with a smirk.

All traces of Adrien's facade of being princey was gone. In place was his true self; a devious cat that was always up to no good.

Thoughts and thanks for reading:}