Adrien's kinetic energy searched for some route of escape and found one in his knee. The whole back seat of the black, luxury vehicle practically vibrated from the continuous bouncing. His nonverbal driver sent him yet another puzzled look in the rear view mirror.

"I'm just really eager to get to school today." Adrien tried to explain his anxious behavior. He was going to leave it right there, but when he saw the bodyguard's raised eyebrow, he deemed it necessary to elaborate, or rather embellish.

"Nino recorded a new track and wants me to preview it before class today. He's planning on playing it at a party he's going to DJ for this Friday and wants my opinion first."

The large man grunted as if to say oh is that all. He turned his eyes to the road and Adrien turned his to the passing shops and buildings. No more words passed between them.

He hated lying to the big lug. He knew Nathalie and Gorilla cared for him. He knew their concern was genuine. Deep down, he was pretty sure his father cared too. But what was he going to say? I'm beyond excited to get to school this morning because the love of my life might be there, and I have to find out who she is. I don't know who she really is because she wears a mask all the time. Why does she cover her face you ask? Because she's Ladybug, oh and by the way, I'm Cat Noir.

Yeah… That would go over well.

Adrien knew he shouldn't be looking for her. He told Plagg as much last night, but his mind still whirled with the possibilities of who she might be. Was she someone from school? One of the many models he worked with?

As much as he had tried to get some sleep, he just couldn't let it go. Even so, he woke up this morning more hopeful than he had been in a long time. The thought that he might know the girl behind the mask was exhilarating!

The car pulled up to the curb, but hadn't even come to a complete stop yet when Adrien jumped out, mumbling a goodbye over his shoulder. He rushed up the steps, and took a deep breath before entering the school. Slow down. Be observant. She could be anyone, and he didn't want to overlook her.

His hand froze on the door handle. How many times had he overlooked his Lady? She obviously knew him in their civilian life, but he had no clue who she could be. He shook his head, sending the negative thoughts away, and flung open the door with new determination. He would not make the same mistake again.

He looked around the hallway, but it was mostly empty since he was twenty minutes early for class. He walked the long way to his locker, noticing every person he walked by.

His gaze immediately landed on a raven-haired girl standing at her open locker. As she looked into a magnetic mirror, she pulled her fingers through her waist-length tresses, putting it up into a ponytail. Too long to be Ladybug.

He continued his search and found another girl with black hair, plump full-figure, and batting eyelashes looking up into a jock's face. Not even close. He spied another noirette bent over a bench, lacing up her basketball shoes. As she straightened, Adrien found himself looking up just to catch her eye color. He smirked to himself. Definitely not her.

When he spotted another ebony-haired girl standing next to her closed locker, talking to a friend, his heart leapt. He wiped the moisture off his palms before he tapped her on the shoulder. She blushed and sent him a warm smile as she turned. She met his gaze expectantly, but a lump rose in his throat as he looked down into her chocolate brown eyes. He muttered an unintelligible, "thought you were someone else," and made a fast retreat.

Leaning against his locker, he surveyed the whole room and saw someone with deep, blue eyes, but she had red hair. He was pondering if Ladybug's hair could change during her transformation when he realized her eyes were the wrong shape, and not quite the right color.

His gaze continued to rove the stale locker room for any more signs of her when he caught Kim and Max scowling at him like he was a creep. His face grew warm and he looked down. He pushed off his locker and rolled his shoulder, rubbing it as he headed to class.

He found his usual place in the empty room and took up a hawklike watch on the door. His classmates shuffled in and found their seats at the sound of the blaring bell. Not a single one could pass for his heroine.

Sure, Chloe had bright, blue eyes, and over the years he'd known her to be nice when she wanted to be. She was certainly brave and bold enough, but he'd seen her and Ladybug together on numerous occasions.

Adrien raised his hand and mumbled, "Present," when Miss Bustier called his name for attendance. He frowned, tapped his pencil on the desk, and worked to push his disappointment aside. Did I honestly expect to find her the first hour?

The teacher lit into a lecture on the life and literary accomplishments of the poet Adelaide Dufrénoy. Bits of the lesson came in and out of his consciousness, but his mind wandered to certain spotted girl.

"Dufrénoy married at the young age of fifteen, not much older than all of you…"

"It's not that I don't trust you; I trust you more than anyone in the world…"

"She became involved in the theater, writing a play called…"

"He's so kind and generous…"

"After the Revolution…"

"His name is… his name is Adrien."

He jumped when the door flew open and someone rushed in, harried, empty book bag falling off her shoulder, and her arms full of papers and books. She stood at the front, unintentionally commanding the attention of the whole class, including Adrien.

Marinette!

There she was. Same height and build. Same hair so black it almost looked blue. And oh those eyes! Azure so deep he could dive in.

The pencil he held plopped to the desk, and when her eyes met his she blushed crimson and started stuttering, unable to finish her excuses of tardiness to Miss Bustier. He tried to control his dopey grin, but he couldn't! He just kept staring at her, his heart beating out of his chest.

With a great effort, he looked down at his notebook to find the page filled not with notes, but "LB + CN" in various fonts and sizes, some even with hearts. Heat crept up his neck, and he closed his notebook.

She eventually stopped trying to talk, pushed her hair behind her ear, and ducked her head. She walked toward her seat, and tripped on the very first step. Adrien reached out, but before he could take her arm she righted herself with a loud, "I'm okay!" She then proceeded to trip on the second step, this time sending her papers and books flying.

More than half the class erupted in laughter while Marinette tried to scoop up her belongings as fast as she could. Adrien and Alya helped her while Miss Bustier regained control of the class. Adrien handed over the last book and Marinette's hand brushed his.

"Th-thank... You're so handsome. I mean helpful! You're so helpful! I- I'm just gonna…um... I gotta.." He chuckled as she pointed to her seat.

They hurried to sit down and everyone quieted when Miss Bustier resumed her lecture.

Adrien's mind was no longer in a classroom at the College Francoise Dupont. He was back on the Parisian rooftops recollecting all the things he knew about his lady love. Along with everything he knew about the good friend who sat behind him.

Ladybug was so fierce and bold. She always knew exactly what to do and say and never hesitated. Not that she was perfect. He'd seen her make mistakes, but she was always able to think quick on her feet. She was graceful too. He pictured her lithe body jumping from rooftop to rooftop and never missing a step. He had never seen her stutter and trip the way Marinette did on a regular basis.

On the other hand, Mari was the only person from school who even slightly resembled the superhero. She was probably the kindest person he knew, and she stuck up for others when they were bullied. She was brave in that sense. But she was undeniably clumsy. He just couldn't imagine his confident, agile Ladybug tripping all over herself.

He turned his head to take a sly peek at her one more time. The girl squeaked and knocked over her pencil bag, its contents rolling off the desk to the floor, as she blushed and gave a maniacal wave.

He turned his attention back to the front. No it couldn't be her. Marinette may look the part, but she definitely wasn't Ladybug.

-—-

Adrien's head ached from overthinking all day. His mind had gone round in circles, and he was glad when Nathalie pulled him out of school early, even if it was for another shoot. Most days, he could barely tolerate photoshoots, but today it was a relief.

Eyes closed and head back, he relaxed in the styling chair while Clarice's brushes moved over his face. Her funny, British accent made him smile more than the humorous tales of her one-year-old.

"Oh! Has anyone told you yet who you're working with today?"

Adrien squinted at the quick change in subject coupled with the mischievous gleam in her hazel eyes.

"Um...no. Why?" He shifted in his seat and hoped it wasn't Madeleine again. The whiny, demanding model got on his last nerve.

"It's Adelaide Estelle!" Her eyes grew wide and her hands flew up to her cheeks as she whisper yelled.

He chuckled at her enthusiasm. The make-up artist was almost twice the age of the famous, young actress, but that didn't stop her from quoting the girl's movies all the time or following her every tweet.

He liked working with Adelaide. She made things fun with her good-natured, outgoing attitude and fast quips. She always had something clever to say.

"I haven't worked with her in a while." His hand hid a small smirk as he thought back to when the last time might have been. It was a few months ago, but he could still remember her smile when he stood up for her.

Towards the end of an exhausting 5-hour shoot, the photographer reviewed the screen on his camera. He then made an off-hand remark about how she had obviously "gained a few pounds."

Adrien's brows shot up as his eyes darted to the girl's stomach, thighs, and cheeks. He didn't know what the man was talking about. She was tiny! That was when he noticed her despondent expression.

Anger welled up in him and he told the jerk just where he could put his camera if he talked to one of the models like that again. Especially someone his father handpicked like Adelaide Estelle.

When he had turned to her, fire still in his eyes, she beamed at him like he was a knight in shining armor. He sometimes received that look as Cat Noir, but never before as Adrien. Still, he brushed it off, and went to ask if she was ok.

"Of course!" She acted like it was no big deal. Maybe it wasn't. "I'm going to go change out of this crazy thing." She pointed to the headdress she wore that looked like a combination of electronic windmills and a fruit basket.

They both turned to go to their dressing rooms but she suddenly stopped. "Thank you for that by the way." She sent him a grateful smile that turned coy before she sauntered off.

Adrien thought about that smile now as he headed to the staging area.

Then he saw her. She was laughing at something her wardrobe assistant had just said. Her hair was a few shades darker than the last time he'd seen it. The inky, indigo hue fell just past her shoulders and she wore a red, formal dress with black accents. When she turned those intelligent, bluebell eyes on him, his breath left him in a rush.

It took a full thirty seconds to recover. He swallowed to get some moisture back in his dry mouth and made a beeline for her. She blushed as he took her hand and bowed over it, a whisper of a kiss on her fingers.

He straightened with a wink and a Cheshire grin. "Milady."

Don't kill Adrien yet! I know you may want to slap him (or maybe me o_o ) but just wait! Another chapter will be coming soon.

Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated! Let me know where you think this may be headed. ;-)