Chapter 2: bat miraculous

-school-

"I'm sorry repeat that?!" Nino shouted. Marissa covered his mouth making shush sound.

"I said I- Mr. Agreste's wished me to throw a party for Adrien sense he didn't have a real one and I get to choose the guest list." Marissa said in a calm tone knowing Chloe would ruin it if she was invited.

"Awesome, dudette," Nino whispered, giving her a thumbs up. "How can I help?"

"Simple give these out to the people whose name is on it. And make sure Chole doesnt find out and bring gifts." Marissa smiled at Nino.

"You got it, girl," Nino said with a salute. "Over and out."

Nino took the invitations and guest list and left the room. Marissa smiled at how her plan was going. She turned around and saw Chloe giving her a suspicious look. She simply ignored it and left the classroom.

Marissa headed to her car, where her driver was waiting for her. "Your meetings are all set," the driver said; secretly, she was referring to the chef and caterer about the party. And then she remembered something. "Oh. And an old man gave me a jewelry box for you. I think it's a gift from Adrien. It's not dangerous, I checked."

Marissa got into the car and found a small box with a strange symbol on it. She checked it out, this was definitely not from Adrien, but it could be helpful. She opened it and found a belt inside. It was all black and had a buckle that looked like a pair of bat wings.

A small light flew out of the box and flew around Marissa's head. It stopped in front of her and took form. It looked similar to Plagg only it had green eyes, bat wings, and a pointy fang sticking out of its mouth.

The creature smiled at Marissa and said, "Hi. I'm Giiza."

She clasped it in her hand hiding it quickly before anyone looked up.

"Is everything alright in here?" Her driver asked in concern.

"Yep everything's ok." Marissa quickly said then the driver closed the window she looked at the bat kwami. "Ok we need to talk. One you need to promise not to tell anyone anything what I'm about to tell you."

The kwami crossed her arms. "It's usually supposed to be me telling you to keep my very existence a secret. But I keep secrets too. So what's up?"

"I wasn't gonna but understand if you can't I gotta make you do it other means ok. So I'm one from another world and know who hawk moth is."

Giiza looked surprised. "You know who Nooroo's master is? You're from another world?" Giiza asked, trying to wrap her head around that. "Wait. If you know, then we could get the moth miraculous back to the guardian….. And I might have to go back to the box. No way am I telling any of this!"

"You don't wanna go back ok that explains it." Marissa said petting the creature.

"Don't get me wrong, I like those other kwamis. But I missed having a human," said Giiza. "I know Nooroo will be safe until Hawk Moth is defeated. He needs him, after all. Oohh. Apples!"

Giiza dove into the fruit basket that was left for Marissa and happily ate the apple she grabbed. Marissa could barely hold back her laughter.

"Okay. You probably already figured out from Ladybug and Cat Noir that kwamis grant powers," Giiza said after swallowing her bites of apple. "The power I give is the power of sound. You can navigate and find things in the dark with echolocation and create a sonic blast. Your weapons are your claws, and the wings you gain with the costume work as wings. Oh I'm unable to be used by anyone else once I bond I can't be used by anyone else."

"Sounds cool," said Marissa, smiling. "Don't worry. And I'm guessing I turn back a few minutes after using my power."

"Yup," said Giiza while grabbing a mango. "And you've probably guessed I'm a fruit bat, you might say."

"But your actual ability is what?" Marissa asked curiously. The sweet tone the bat lookrd at her for a moment.

"Echo it lets you locate an akuma."

The car stopped once they arrived at the house. Marissa quickly hid Giiza in her bag and got out. A man was waiting for her.

"Ah, miss Marissa," he said in delight. "I'm Thomas Beck. The caterer you sent for."

"Good I want everything to go perfectly," said Marissa.

"I've got a lot of great options for you to choose from," said Thomas, reaching into his bag. "This one is called the 'Arthur and Guinevere' theme. Basically, going with this theme has your boyfriend and you crowned king and queen of the party. What do you think? Can you see yourselves in those crowns?"

Marissa looked over the things the theme included. It was basically everything in Camelot.

"It says here Adrien and I will be sitting on thrones half the time," said Marissa.

"Is that a problem?" Thomas asked.

Marissa handed the packet back and said, "I'm looking for Adrien and me to have fun, which includes dancing and hanging out with friends. Sorry. But this theme isn't what I'm looking for."

"I see. Not to worry. I have other plans," said Thomas as he put the packet away. He looked through and found something. "I call this one 'Disco Tech'."

Marissa opened it and looked curious. It looked nice, but seemed a little out of date.

"Not to be rude, but this theme feels a little dated," said Marissa, returning the packet.

"Fear not. I don't give up without a fight," said Thomas.

"Ok how about a school dance theme do you have that." Marissa asked him looking through it and found one it was a nice party with the girls and boys being able to dance and party cake and so on.

"Oh yes. That's gotten quite a bit of satisfaction," said Thomas. "This package even includes a photo booth option and your choice of a decorative ice sculpture; swan, angel, butterfly, or custom choice."

"Swan sounds good. We'll go with this one." She said in a simple tone.

"Perfect," said Thomas. "Now, I was already informed you have a DJ picked out, so that's no biggie. I'll just need to see the party area and see what we're working with-"

"I'll show you," said Charlotte while pulling him away. "Marissa, the chef has the menu for your party."

After Charlotte and Thomas left, the chef came in and presented the menu to her.

"Everything has been set up according to your specifications. It'll be an open buffet with an assortment of food," the chef explained. "Including camembert cheese."

"Perfect everything will be perfect for Adrien." Marisaa smiled before going call someone. "Hey, uncle I want you to be somewhere for me if you don't mind ...good perfect." She sent the address and got ready to find some fruit.

"You really like this Adrien guy, don't you?" Giiza asked with a smile.

"Of course I do." Marissa smiled at Giiza happily.

"Then I guess it's only fair of me to help you make sure that this party is perfect," said Giiza, hands on her hips.

"Thanks, Giiza," said Marissa, hugging her.

"Anything for my new partner," said Giiza.

-with Gabriel/Hawk Moth-

"I'm surprised you agreed to this, Mr. Agreste," said Nathalie, Gabriel's assistant. "The last Adrien proposed the idea of a party, you immediately refused. What changed?"

"Well, his fiancee made a compelling case for it," said Gabriel. "She also said it's a surprise, so don't tell Adrien about it. And we can't mention it to Chloe Bourgeois either."

"Was she not invited?" Nathalie asked, a little confused. "I was under the impression she and Adrien were still on friendly terms."

"He's still civil towards her," Gabriel said. "However, she will likely use the party as an opportunity to attempt to woo Adrien. Plus, Marissa's family is still angry at her for causing Marissa to become akumatized."

"Yes. Those do sound like good reasons," said Nathalie. "Alright. Adrien will be brought to the party on time."

With that, Nathalie exited the room, leaving Gabriel alone. Nooroo, Gabriel's kwami, came out of hiding and floated next to him. Gabriel appeared to be thinking.

"What are you thinking about, Master?" Nooroo asked.

"Parties are happy occasions, this is true," said Gabriel. And then he gave a creepy smile. "But, push the right buttons, and all kinds of negative emotions can surface."

"Master, you musn't!" Nooroo said in alarm. "Think of what this will do to Adrien!"

"Nooroo, have you forgotten he is Cat Noir?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes, master. But won't Marissa be angry?"

"Of course not," said Gabriel. "She only told me I'm not to take it from him directly. She never said I was forbidden from using anyone she knew to take it."

Why did Nooroo have a bad feeling about this? Unfortunately, because Gabriel is his master, he had no choice but to obey.

-day of the party, at school-

She got a chill down her spine feeling as if something bad was about to happen and she disliked this.

"So, today's the big day, huh?" Damien asked with a smile. "Your boyfriend's party?"

"Yes I'm super excited for it?"" Marissa happily said.

"I'll keep him busy at his photo shoot while you set up," said Damien.

"Thanks, Damien. You rock," Marissa happily said, hugging her brother.

"Just looking out for my little sister," said Damien.

As Damien walked away, Marissa smiled at her brother. She watched as he met with Adrien and chatted with him as they went to Adrien's car.

"Your brother and Adrien seem to get along well," said Giiza, poking her head out of Marissa's bag.

"Well my brother is a kind guy, but also over protective." She smiled sweetly a slight laugh formed in his lips.

"Is that last part good or bad?" Giiza asked.

Marissa shrugged and said, "Could be seen as either. Now, let's get this party ready."

"Dibs on the fruits!" Giiza cheered as they left, Marissa laughing.

-photo shoot-

Adrien and Damien arrived at the bridge where Adrien would pose for pictures for the latest Gabriel Agreste ad. Demien was to see to it that it took a long time to finish.

"I'll be right here," said Damien.

"Great," said Adrien as he walked to the bridge to pose.

"A little more to the right," said the photographer. "A little more. No. Too far. Perfect."

Damien had to stall, so he said, "You know, I feel like that outfit might be wrong for this light. Maybe you should try the blue top."

The photographer looked at Adrien and then gasped. "You're right! Adrien, change into the blue one!"

"And maybe try not to block the logo too much," Damien said. "I could barely see it from the angle you were standing at."

"What?!" Adrien asked in surprise. "I wasn't covering the logo."

"Sure looked like it from here," said Damien while Adrien was pulled aside.

Damien pulled out his phone and texted Marissa, "Keeping him busy. Take your time setting up."

After sending the text, Damien sat back in his seat to relax. He heard a ding and buzz. He looked and saw Adrien's phone received a text.

:hey, darling. hope you're having fun with my bro he's an excellent model. So I was sure you get along.:

Damien laughed at the text from his sister. Then another text appeared, this one from Chloe Bourgeois.

:Good luck on the photo shoot, Adrikins! Not that you need it.: this was followed by several hearts and kissing emojis.

Damien was pretty grossed out by this. That was when he saw Adrien's wallpaper. It was a picture of Ladybug. Curious, Damien picked up the phone and looked through Adrien's photo gallery. He could hardly believe his eyes. Adrien's gallery was filled with pictures of Ladybug. More than anything else!

"Oh my god. Don't tell me-" Damien said in shock.

"I'm ready to start again," said Adrien from the changing area, now wearing a different outfit.

Damien swallowed a lump in his throat, erased the evidence of his snooping, and said, "Before you start, you just got a text from my sister."

"Oh! Marissa? Cool!" Adrien said as he took his phone. He smiled as he read the text before replying. "I sure will, honey. And send. So, Damien, Marissa said you're a model too."

"Yes," said Damien, hiding his suspicions. "I model for my mom's brand. The boy stuff. I can give you some tips if you want."

"That would be great!" Adrien happily said.

"When I need to get that perfect smile, I always think of people I love," Damien said. "That makes it feel real."

"Really?" Adrien asked. He thought about that. "Can it be anyone?"

"Yes," said Damien. "I think of my family, like my sisters. You could choose your father, your friends, or even heroes."

"Heroes like Ladybug?" Adrien asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Yes. Like her," Damien said, noticing the twinkle. Now he was suspicious.

His suspicions grew when he saw Adrien look off in the distance and smile. This was the first time he had ever seen him smile like that, and it was for a girl who wasn't Marissa. So he was right, Adrien had a crush on Ladybug.

"So, you like Ladybug?" Damien asked, eyes narrowed in a glare.

"Who wouldn't?" Adrien asked with a sigh, not noticing the glare. "She's amazing."

This really ticked Damien off. "What about Marissa? Isn't she amazing?"

"Huh?" Adrien asked, snapping out of his daze.

"Marissa, the girl you're marrying?" Damien angrily asked. "Isn't she amazing? Or does she have to wear a costume to get your approval?"

"Damien, are you okay?" Adrien nervously asked.

"And while we're talking, what's with the current mayor's daughter calling you a cute nickname?" Damien angrily asked. "Are you seeing her on the side?"

"What?!" Adrien asked in shock. "No! Chloe and I are old friends!"

"Old friends?!" Damien replied with a fake laugh. "Last I checked, friends don't decorate texts to friends with hearts and kissing emojis!"

"You read my text from Chloe?!" Adrien asked in shock.

"It popped up right after Marissa's!" Damien shouted. "That's when I saw your wallpaper of Ladybug! And all those other shots. Either you're an obsessed fanboy, or you're crushing on another girl! Two by the looks of it!"

"It's not like that! Just listen!" Adrien shouted, trying to calm him down.

"I don't wanna hear anything you have to say, you playboy!" Damien shouted, and then he stormed off.

-at home-

She noticed her brother coming in and looking pissed off. She was a bit concerned but decided it was better to let him calm down on his own.

Aphrodite saw that as well and looked curiously at her sister. "Why is Damien so angry, sis?"

"I'm not sure. But we'll be safer out here than in there," said Marissa, not wanting to be in the line of fire.

Inside his room, Damien was fuming. The rage was just building up inside him. Adrien was cheating on Marissa! He had to pay! He grabbed a fencing sword and swung it at a punching bag, pretending to be attacking Adrien.

-Hawk Moth's lair-

The evil villain opened the window and allowed his butterflies to scatter. He grinned as he felt a new potential victim.

"Yes. I can feel it. The anger of a brother. A desire to avenge his sister. Perfect bait for my little akuma," Hawk Moth said as he called over a butterfly and turned it black and purple. He then released it. "Fly away and evilize this boy!"

-At Marissa's home-

Damien was still swishing with his sword when the butterfly came into his room. In his rage, he failed to notice the creature land on his weapon until it was too late.

"Shadow Knight, I am Hawk Moth," said the voice of the moth miraculous owner. "Since your sister has been shamed, I'm giving you the power to restore her honor and exact revenge on everyone whoever threatened it. All I ask in return are the miraculous' of Ladybug and Cat Noir."

"You have my word. I will get you the miraculous' in exchange for the power I need to restore my sisters honor," said Damien, and then a dark fog covered.

Marissa knew what was gonna happen, Hawk Moth wasn't gonna leave an angry person. She wasn't surprised. But couldnt he have wait until after the party.

"Big sis," said Aphrodite. "Damien turned into a scary knight and jumped out the window. And then he turned your motorcycle into a horse and rode away with a sword in his hand."

"He what?!" Marissa shrieked. And then she calmed down and spoke to her sister. "Don't worry, Affie. Ladybug and Cat Noir will help him. You'll see."

"But what if they can't?" Aphrodite asked in worry. "What if he kills that meanie Chloe? He shouted, "Revenge for Marissa!" I think he wants to kill the girl who was mean to you."

She thought of that. "Then a new hero has to show herself." She walked off to go to her bedroom.

Giiza came out with a smile. "Just say the word, Mari. Giiza, wings up."

"Giiza, wings up!" Marissa shouted and the bat kwami flew into her belt buckle.

Marissa waved her hand across her face and made a black bat like mask. As she spun, a black and dark gray bodysuit with spiked boots. Waving her hands on her back, Marissa made a pair of bat like wings and a tail. And then she waved her hands on top of her head and formed a pair of bat like ears. Once she was finished, Marissa posed in a cool way.

"Hang on, Damien. Don't kill anyone before I get there," said Marissa as she opened her window. "Let's test out these wings."

Marissa spread her wings and jumped into the wind. Like Giiza told her, she was gliding freely through the sky. It didn't take her long to find a knight riding a horse, which was in fact her motorcycle. He had just cornered Chloe and was getting off his stead to attack her.

"Ladybug! Cat Noir! Save me!" She screamed.

"It's time to pay for how you dishonored Marissa!" Shadow Knight declared.

She scoped down and upwards like wings on her back and slid over putting Chloe down like a black night.

"Okay, who are you supposed to be? And where's Ladybug?" Chloe rudely asked with her hands on her hips.

"I'm wondering the same thing," said a male voice. That was when Ladybug and Cat Noir appeared; turns out Cat Noir said that.

"Nice to meet you, Ladybug and Cat Noir," said Marissa. "I'm Vesper."

"And I am Shadow Knight," said the young man in black knight armor. "I seek those who dishonored Marissa, my sweet sister."

"So you decided to try and murder the mayor's daughter?!" Cat Noir angrily asked. "I know she's not perfect, but that's no reason to kill her!"

"Former mayor's daughter if the polls are anything to go by," Vesper commented almost looking slightly pleased.

"Like you know that, you annoying bat," Chloe said in her annoying bratty manner. "And your outfit is ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous."

"You know I can just lift you back up and drop you. And look who's talking about fashion yellow is so 6 seasons ago black and red is so much better." Vasper laughed before smirking.

"Thank you," said Ladybug, flattered.

"Don't go complimenting one of the other girls on my kill list," said Shadow Knight, pointing his sword. "After these two is Adrien Agreste."

"What?!" Ladybug asked. "Why him?"

"And why her?" Cat Noir asked.

"I saw those messages. Adrien betrayed my sister's love for him for these two!" Shadow Knight declared. "He is no longer worthy of her!"

"You know you could just, I don't know, turn them into shadows get them out of the way isn't that revenge enough?" Vesper commented getting looks from the other two. "What is killing you better Hawk Moth normally goes for freezing people in stone or making pigeon man but straight out killing you seems a little extreme."

Shadow Knight thought about it. And then he grinned and said, "You're right. Death is too good for them anyway. Chloe, you shall be my sister's servant!"

He pointed his sword and struck Chloe with magic. Ladybug and Cat Noir cried out but it was too late. Chloe was dressed up like a maid and had a collar around her neck. Her eyes were tinted with a green glow and she had a hypnotic smile.

"I shall serve my lady Marissa, Shadow Knight," said Chloe with a bow.

Cat Noir looked at Chloe in shock and then at Vesper. "Who gives villains ideas?!"

"Granted this isn't too bad," said Ladybug, who was trying not to laugh.

"She's a puppet," Cat Noir reminded the girls.

"I'm not much of a hero myself to be honest." Vesper commented lazily. "From what my kwami told me she's more of a work with whoever's willing to type."

"Await your orders at my home," said Shadow Knight. Chloe bowed and left to go to Marissa's home. "This is so much more pleasing than killing. I'll punish Adrien by public humiliation. And Ladybug, your punishment will be to hand over your miraculous. Cat Noir's too. And you, Vesper, don't get in my way and you shall be safe."

"Fortunately for me my Miraculous can't be used by anyone else. You two…..well you might wanna be worried."

"Yeah. No kidding," said Ladybug while spinning her yoyo.

"Vesper, get to the photographer from Adrien photoshoot," Cat Noir whispered to her. "He's got something Shadow Knight can use for his punishment."

"What do you mean?" Vesper asked. "Adrien's not gonna be found there anyway and I doubt he'd find him I know where is through." She smirked.

Cat Noir gulped and said, "Let's just say there were a few pigeons in the area and allergies don't mix with cameras."

"Oh if it was me I would do something way worse…..wow I've never been this mean so this is what she meant when she said she was corruptible." Vasper commented sheepishly.

"What?!" Ladybug asked. "Then you shouldn't use that miraculous if it's dangerous-gah!"

Ladybug was almost hit by Shadow Knight's magic only for her yoyo shield to protect her.

"Talk later. Take care of the baddie now," said Cat Noir.

"We'll see who's the baddie. Attack, Saber!" Shadow Knight shouted.

The horse neighed angrily and charged the heroes. Cat Noir was pinned down, despite his defense. Ladybug was then forced to fight Shadow Knight on her own.

"Shadow Knight, be careful not to harm Cat Noir too badly," Hawk Moth said. "Take the miraculous, but no killing."

"Almost got em, Hawky," said Shadow Knight, striking at the red heroine.

"Where is the akuma?!" Cat Noir grunted. "Vesper, help us!".

"Ok ok." She blocked the the blade with her claws. Before jumping up and hitting the villain off his horse. "Happy."

"Thanks," said Cat Noir.

"I think his akuma might be in the horse," said Ladybug.

"Doubtful. The horse was only transformed when he got on it." Vesper said before getting attacked by the knight.

"Vesper!" Cat Noir cried out, rushing to her side blocking the blade with his staff. "Are you okay?

"Oh kitty's worried how sweet cutie." She said kissing his cheek before helping him push back the blade and the knight.

"Think it's his sword?" Cat Noir asked. "His power seems to come from it."

"Yeah maybe if you want I can use echo to pull it towards us." Vesper suggested.

"That could help. But first….. Lucky Charm!" Ladybug shot her yo-yo in the air. The ladybug light transform into a ladybug pattern megaphone. "What am I supposed to do with a megaphone?"

It colored Vesper when she looked at her. That was when Ladybug realized it.

"Vesper, you have to use it," said Ladybug, handing her the megaphone.

"Huh oh oh…..uh You guys might wanna plug your ears."

"Which ones?" Cat Noir joked, pointing to his human and cat ones.

Ladybug rolled her eyes and plugged her ears. Cat Noir quickly plugged his ears when he saw Vesper preparing to use the charm. Shadow Knight was unsure what what going on.

She used echo which in reality was more of a scream that sent ripples through him. His body ached from the metal and the megaphone. The sword was moved out and fell onto the ground two people held their ears in pain and drops of blood dripped onto the ground.

"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir shouted and then grabbed the sword, destroying it. The akuma flew out and Ladybug opened her yo yo.

"No more evil doing for you, little akuma. Time to de-evilize!" She said and then threw her yo yo. After capturing it, she pulled back. "Gotcha! Bye bye, little butterfly."

She got a picture of Chloe cleaning her floor and laughed. "Oh this is funny."

"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug shouted as she threw her charm in the air.

The charm turned into magic ladybugs which restored everything to how it once was, fixed damage, and even turned both Chloe not into a servant and Damien human.

"Pound it!" The three said.

Vesper smiled. "Welp. I should go. See you, kitty. Bye little, Ladybug." She flew off.

"She sure is different," said Ladybug as she and Cat Noir looked in the direction she flew in.

"No doubt about that, bugaboo," said Cat Noir. They then heard groaning. "Oh. Looks like the victim's waking up."

Damien opened his eyes and found Ladybug and Cat Noir. "What happened? I remember being pissed at Adrien for the pics on his phone. But after that, nadda."

"You got akumatized," said Ladybug. "Hawk Moth took advantage of that."

"And turned me into a maid!" Chloe shouted as she stormed over to hum, Marissa close behind as did her little sister. "And all your siblings took pictures!"

"You looked funny!" Aphrodite said while giggling.

"You are gonna pay for this!" Chloe declared before storming off.

"Sorry," said Damien to Marissa.

"Don't over think it. Chloe's always like that," Cat Noir casually said. "Well, I better go. Promises to keep."

And then he ran off. Ladybug smiled at them and said, "Me too. Gotta bug out." and then Ladybug swung away too.

Damien looked back at his sister and said, "I may have lost my temper."

"It's fine no problem everyones ok. Besides I need you to do me a favor get Adrien and Marinette. The party's ready and I think it's time for everyone to enjoy themselves." She explained before going to run home totally planning on using Chole's picture as blackmail later.

"No problem!" Damien called. He shrugged at that. "I can always post this picture of Adrien about to sneeze after the party."

-later, during the party-

The entire class had arrived and the party was in full swing. Nino was on fire as a disc jockey, everyone was grabbing different snacks, taking pictures in the photo booth, and even dancing. Marissa was just chatting with Marinette and Alya when Adrien and Damien showed up. And boy did Damien look ashamed.

"Hey, Marissa, great party," said Adrien.

"Thanks, Adrien," said Marissa, smiling sweetly.

"Listen, I'm sorry," said Damien. "I got nosy and looked at Adrien's phone. I saw a text from Chloe and thought he was cheating on you. And those Ladybug pics didn't help much."

"But I explained to him that Chloe just likes to flirt with me and I'm a big Ladybug fan," said Adrien.

"Who isn't a Ladybug fan?" Alya asked, showing off her blog.

"I'm glad we patched things up before I posted this embarrassing picture I have of Adrien," said Damien, showing his phone.

On the screen was a picture of Adrien making a funny face as he's about to sneeze. The girls immediately started to giggle.

"Want me to delete it?" Damien asked.

"No send it to me." Marissa smirked evilly. Her brother gave a confused look. But he sent her the photo. A sweet smile formed on her lips.

Adrien looked at Marissa knowing he lied about the ladybug thing then Marissa kissed his lips again. "Happy late birthday. I have a gift for you."

"Really, Marissa?" Adrien asked, feeling flustered from the kiss.

"Yes," she said, taking his hand. "Come with me."

Marissa proceeded to lead Adrien away from the group.

She pulled a necklace made of silver and a number. The necklace was a heart. "Here this is a picture of me and your mom." Marissa sweetly said. "And the paper is a drawing of you and your mother I drew to let you feel as if she's still around."

Adrien opened the locket and smiled. On one side was a beautiful photograph of Marissa and his mother, Emillie, which was taken before she disappeared. One the other side was a drawn picture of him and his mother, probably drawn by him. A teardrop fell from his eye.

"Thank you, Marissa. This means so much," he said, and then he hugged her.

"You're welcome, Adrien," said Marissa. "Happy late birthday."

"Say, Marissa, when's your birthday?" Adrien asked.

"Uh a month." She smiled before heading back to the party.