This beginning takes place before the Christmas special.

Also, Lila doesn't exist yet. Or ever. Because screw Lila.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng had no talent in music. Or writing, or drama, or programming, or, heavens forbid, dancing.

"This is stupid. What kind of school doesn't offer art as an elective choice," Marinette grumbled as she glared at her paper. It was a simple form with a listing of classes available for students to take in the spring. As per their educational requirements, every student was to choose an elective class for the spring. Including Marinette.

"They do have art. Just not drawing," Alya corrected as she tapped on her own paper with her pencil thoughtfully. "I heard the teacher for drawing is on maternity leave and they never found a replacement. Why not go for painting?"

Marinette scrunched up her nose. "I was never really good at painting."

"Choir?"

Marinette jerked her thumb at Chloe who sat painting her nails at her seat, her form obviously already filled out without much thought. The rest of the class chattered amongst themselves having been given free time to decide on their choices.

"Chloe's taking choir," Marinette deadpanned, her comment unnoticed by the girl in question thanks to the rest of the conversations around them.

Alya raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

"I was eavesdropping so I could avoid any extra classes with her," Marinette muttered.

Alya laughed. "Smart."

"What are you going to choose?"

"Journalism," Alya replied easily. "If that's full then web design doesn't sound bad either. Who knows, maybe I'll give the Ladyblog a makeover."

"I doubt journalism will be full," Marinette muttered.

Alya elbowed her playfully. "Oh, come on. I'm sure you like at least one of these classes!"

When Marinette didn't reply, Alya rolled her eyes and turned to the front.

"Adrien! Nino! What did you two choose?"

Nino groaned and his head slumped forward into his hands. "Undecided. Why can't they have cool classes?"

"There's always dance," Adrien suggested. "Don't you like dancing?"

"It's not the same kind, man," Nino grumbled into his palms.

"What about you then Adrien? Care to give Marinette here a few ideas?" Alya hinted, a grin on her face. Next to her, Marinette turned red.

"Hmm, I don't know." Adrien scratched his head as he looked at his paper, oblivious to the girl's blush. "Most likely piano since I already know how to play."

"How about you try something new? Something artsier," Alya said quickly at the look on Marinette's face. She couldn't blame the poor girl. Music was never something Marinette was good at. Or even remotely decent at.

"Something new?" Adrien turned to face the girls fully, a questioning look on his face. He tilted his head just slightly, a cute pose which was enough to send Marinette into a daze, much to Alya's growing amusement.

"Yeah, what's the point in relearning something for a whole semester? There are lots of things you could learn like…" Alya quickly scanned the page, a slight furrow on her brow.

"Ceramics," Nino said in surprise. He held his paper in one hand, a finger paused on the class title. "They have ceramics here?"

"Ceramics?" Adrien scanned his own list, a newfound interest on his face. "Like the clay thing? Pottery?"

"Dude, watch me make a di—"

"Ceramics sounds fun! Marinette, you should take it too," Alya interrupted Nino as she slung her arm over Marinette's shoulder, a smirk on her face. "How does that sound?"

"M-Me?" Marinette turned red as both Adrien and Nino turned to look at her. "I-I've never done ceramics before…"

"First time for everything," Nino said. He exchanged a quick glance with Alya, a grin on his face. Great. Now he was on it too.

"I-I don't know… What about you, Alya?" Marinette gave a pleading glance to her friend. But she only received a shrug.

"Ah, well, you know me. Not good at that art thing. And besides, clay isn't really my thing. But I'm sure Nino and Adrien will take good care of you. Won't you guys?"

"Sure, I don't mind. You can sit with us," Adrien replied easily. Marinette just about died right then and there.

"Then it's decided!" Alya clapped her hands gleefully. She looked as if Christmas came early. "Ceramics, then?"

"Ceramics," Nino agreed as he turned to the front again, making a small check next to the class. Adrien did the same. Alya had to check Marinette's paper for the dazed girl. Just in time, too.

"Alright class, is everyone done with their papers?" Ms. Bustier clapped her hands together, effectively quieting the class. Murmurs of confirmation followed her question to which the teacher smiled.

"Now, I know all of you are excited since it's the last day before winter break so I won't keep you long. I'd like for you all to turn your papers in before you leave and to remember to do your winter homework but other than that, you are free to leave. Happy holidays, everyone," Ms. Bustier ended with a smile as the whole class simultaneously reached for their bags. Some, like Kim, were already standing by the time their teacher finished talking. Others paused to bid holiday farewells to each other.

Alya elbowed Marinette roughly as soon as the class ended, causing the other girl to yelp.

"So Adrien, Nino. Any plans for winter break?"

Adrien turned and smiled politely, if not a little confused by how talkative Alya was that day. Sure, the girl was talkative in general but this was a little more than usual, even for her. Nino, however, understood exactly what she was after.

"My father wants me to stay home and study when I'm not modeling."

Both Nino and Alya pulled a face.

"Does he know that it's called winter break for a reason?" Nino chided. "Man, how are you supposed to have fun if you're cooped up all day? Not cool."

Adrien shrugged. Truthfully, he wasn't cooped up all day. When he wasn't out modeling for some photo shoot or something, he was out doing patrols. And, of course, there was the occasional random Akuma attack that happened at least once a week or so. It was thanks to Plagg that he was able to sneak off to roam the streets whenever he wished to which made his life a lot less stifling.

"You know how he is. You saw how he reacted to me having a birthday party."

Nino muttered something under his breath as Alya pouted. There went her plans for setting them up on a date during the break.

"And I thought my parents were unreasonable," Alya said downheartedly. She comforted herself with the fact that at the very least they'll be in the same elective class next semester. And who knows, maybe Marinette would actually make a move.

Alya glanced at her friend. The girl in question was still in a daze, her face red. She stayed silent during the whole conversation, probably just to avoid stuttering again. Alya sighed.

Who was she kidding? She'll have to get Nino to push the two together before her ship even considers sailing.

Adrien laughed at Alya's remark. "Well, I'm his prized only son after all. He's expecting me to inherit his business from him."

"Psh." Alya waved her hand dismissively. "You can do so much more than modeling. Isn't that right, Marinette?"

The girl jolted as if she was shocked. Her face turned red all over again. "Y-Yes! Not that you're bad at modeling—You're great at it! You look good as a model—I MEAN, you always look good!" Marinette squeaked out.

Nino had to turn to hide his laugh.

Adrien raised a brow, oblivious confusion on his face. "Thanks...I guess?"

Rolling her eyes, Alya simply grabbed the stammering girl by her elbow and steered her out of their benches. Okay, so maybe Marinette could use some work on her social skills around Adrien during the break. Or, at the very least, her speaking skills.

"Right. Anyways, we're going to go now. I'm sure Adrien's driver is waiting for him too," Alya said with a smile. "Happy holidays, guys."

Adrien's eyes widened. "Aw, shoot. I forgot I have a shoot after school today!"

Nino laughed as the boy all but ran out the door, a hasty "Happy holidays!" thrown over his shoulders as he left before following his friend out.

"Alya!" Marinette turned to her friend, panic in her eyes. "Ceramics class with Adrien? You know I won't survive without you! I can't even talk properly around him!"

"Consider it an early Christmas gift," Alya laughed. "Who knows, maybe something will come out of it."

Marinette blushed. Sitting with Adrien... Talking with Adrien... Maybe even laughing along with Adrien... It seemed too good to be true. It probably was too good to be true.

"Besides, I'll strangle you myself if you don't make some sort of improvement in your relationship with him by the end of the semester," Alya promised. "I didn't invest so much time shipping you two for nothing."

"Alya!"

Author's Note:

Edit (6/27/17): This story is beginning ceramics friendly; no prior knowledge is required to understand. I will be explaining basic ceramics through this and ceramic related questions are encouraged; although I am not an expert, I have been a ceramics teaching assistant and student for years now (my wheelwork skills are rusty though)

I should really finish my other Miraculous fic. Whoops.

But my 2nd anniversary with my boyfriend is coming up so I've had this prompt based off on how we met in my head for a while so I had to write this. The difference is that he and I met in ceramics but since Adrien and Marinette already had classes together that had to be changed. For those of you who read Adrien's Fiancée, yes this is the same boyfriend who I based that prompt off of, lol

Thanks for reading! Reviews make me smile :)