Marinette's POV

It has been a week since Luka was akumatized. A week since I realized how much he truly cared for me. A week since I decided to actually give him a chance. Yesterday he finally came over to talk to me. He said he felt embarrassed about all that had happened to which I made sure he knew that he was not at fault whatsoever. We later talked for a while, he always knew what to say, then he asked me on a date to which I didn't hesitate to say yes. 

We agreed on going out tonight at 7 but I'm a little scared since he wouldn't tell me where he was taking me. As for school, well it has been pretty awkward. I am still avoiding Adrien. He is still trying to get my attention but luckily Alya has been there to help. I want to talk to him but I can't because no matter how hard I try my heart still beats only for him. But hopefully, tonight is when everything changes. I get ready for school and head out so I won't be late. This is the start of a new Marinette Dupain Cheng.

Alya's POV

I get to school and gasp "omg girl this is new you're here early" and I laugh. "Well, this is a start of a new Marinette" she replies smiling. "Ok girl whatever, so what has got you all happy?" I ask smiling, I am so glad she is feeling better. "I am happy, I took your advice and said yes!" she squeaks. "Wait, yes to what?" "Well Luka came by yesterday and asked me on a date so I said yes!" she says almost yelling with excitement. I honestly get just as excited, I am so happy for my best friend.

 "OMG Mari yes, yes, yes. I am so happy for you I can't believe it. It was about time girl." I am not going to lie I'm internally fangirling. Don't get me wrong I still wish Adrienette would happen but I really want Mari to be happy. That's when I hear a voice I recognize coming from behind. "Hey dudettes," my bf Nino says. "Hey, Nino" we both reply. "Hello Marinette, hey Alya," Adrien says from behind Nino I quickly look at Mari for a sign but she gives me and its ok look and begins to speak. "Hello, Adrien" my mouth just drops ok Mari not only spoke back, but she also didn't run away or stuttered.

Adrien's POV

It has been more than a week since I last spoke to Marinette. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her. I ask myself why but even I can't explain it so I just keep telling myself it's because I miss my friend. Kagami and I have been fine but I'm starting to realize that I just like her as a friend and there are no romantic feelings there but our parents seem really happy about our relationship and I don't want to disappoint them.

 My schedule keeps me busy so I don't see her often which makes it less difficult to stay in the relationship. Even with all of my crazy activities I still find time to think about those beautiful bluebell eyes, and how beautiful Mari is wait what? Did I just say that? No focus Adrien focus you love your lady. Two days ago I pulled Alya aside and asked her why was Mari avoiding me and ever worse why was she helping her? She replied with "Look Marinette is going through a lot and she needs time. Please don't ask me what's wrong because I can't tell you but I can tell you that when she is ready to talk she will." 

I nodded as a response and she walked away. I'm not sure what is going on but every time she avoids me it hurts, it hurts a whole lot. I head to school and see Nino walking so I run to catch up with him. We walk towards the girls and I can see Marinette looks really happy. Maybe she will actually talk to me today. I said hello right after Nino and I really expected her to run away again but I was shocked when she didn't. But the best part is she actually spoke back and she didn't stutter like she usually did. This made me so happy. I got this crazy feeling in my stomach that I couldn't explain but I loved it. It didn't last long though because that when Nino asked "so why are you girls so happy?" and Alya answered with the one thing I really hoped I would never hear "Mari is going on a date with Luka". 

I looked over at Marinette and she had a big smile and began to blush. At that moment it felt like I had been stabbed in the heart. I don't understand why I feel this way but the thought of Marinette with another guy hurts. I pull myself together trying to avoid suspicion and give them my best fake smile and say "Congrats Marinette I so happy for you."* I hate this, she can't go out with him I have to stop this* is the only thought in my head. 

The bells ring signaling it's time for class as everyone is walking in I stop and grab Marinette's hand and nervously ask "Marinette can we talk in private please maybe after school." She looks at me and blushes but it quickly changes to a frown "Sorry Adrien but I can't today I have to get ready for my date with Luka maybe some other time" then she walks away. *Damn it I have to try to convince her she can't go on that date.* I enter the class and before I can convince her teacher walks in. *Now what do I do?*

Nino's POV

Something is wrong with my man Adrien, he had been distracted the entire class and that's not like him. The lunch bell finally rings and I tell him to wait so we can talk. When everyone walks out I ask him "Dude what is up with you?" He looks down towards the desk and replies "Nothing I'm fine" obviously lying. "Clearly that is not true I can tell something is wrong so talk to me I'm your best friend." That's when he decides to open up but what he says leaves me astounded, I did not see that coming. 

"Look Nino I am not sure what's wrong with me ok I think I'm just confused. For more than a week Marinette avoids me and doesn't want to speak to me. Kagami and I are fine but I realized that I only see her as a friend I mean I care about her but I don't have any romantic feelings for her. You know I love Ladybug and I thought she could help me get over her but she won't because I feel nothing for her. I want to break up but at the same time, I don't because I don't want to disappoint our families or hurt her. But at the same time, I am starting to understand that Ladybug is not the one for me either. 

Then I get to school and Marinette finally spoke to me which made me feel weirdly excited but only to find out she has a date with Luka which for some reason upsets me. I don't know why but I don't want her to go out with him or anyone else. My life is complicated." I didn't know what to say I was so surprised but when I finally came to my senses I ask "Dude do you like Mari?" his eyes widened "No... I don't know... Umm... she is just a friend you know that Nino. Yeah she is beautiful, smart, kids, talented, creative, and ... oh my god Nino I think like Marinette." He blushed so hard that he looked like a tomato for a second I thought he would pop. I laugh "dude about time you realized it, you are so oblivious." "What do you mean?" "Bro I can tell by the way you look at her and you care so much for her but you were always too busy loving Ladybug to ever notice." He smiled and then gave me a concerned look "What do I do? I mean she is with Luka now. I'm too late." 

"Not yet man. They aren't together yet, they are only going on a date." He looked confused. "Dude just talk to her" I yell. He nods and we head to lunch. We get to our normal table and the girls are laughing "About time we were about to send a search party" we all laugh. "Come on let's get our lunch." I grab Alya's hand and pull her up so we can talk. "Nino let's go," she tells me "We need to talk my boy Adrien just told me that he is crazy about Mari" I whispered. "Omg, finally it took him long enough. Ok, you and him meet me at my place after school time to make Adrienette happen." I nod and smile, we grab our lunch and head back to our table.

Adrien's POV

Marinette and I were at the lunch table alone and I see Marinette is in deep thought *god she is so beautiful* I think to myself. I felt myself getting warm I knew I was blushing, no one other than Ladybug makes me feel this way *wait does that mean I Love Mari too?* is it possible to love more than one girl? *I think I love Mari, I can't stand the fact that she is distant, this is it I have to talk to her I need her to know how I feel.* "Marinette" I call her name and she jumps a little then blushes. "Are you ok?" I ask and she smiles "hehe sorry I was lost in thought, but yeah I'm ok." I nod and continue "Look I know that you are busy after school so do you think that maybe we can head outside and talk in private before lunch is over." My nerves are all over the place, I scratch the back of my neck. 

Before she answers Nino and Alya walk back and I sigh thinking that Marinette would use this as a way out and not agree to speak to me. "Hey guys Adrien and I are going to talk outside for a minute we'll see you in class later." She agreed, she actually agreed I am both happy and anxious. I start to tremble but get up and start to make my way outside but not before Nino wishes me luck.

Marinette's POV

At lunch I am in deep thought *I can't lie to you I do miss hanging out with Adrien, and I still love him but he is happy with Kagami and I should just accept that. Maybe Alya is right I should tell him the truth about my feeling for him but I know he will reject me and our friendship would be ruined for good but she says it would help if I let it out. But maybe I don't have to; maybe Luka can help me move on. I think I should apologize for ignoring him though. Yeah, I will do that later.* I am pulled from my thoughts by the sound of my name. I look at Adrien, blush, and then apologized and answered his question.

 He then asks to talk to me outside before lunch is over before I can answer Nino and Alya's return. I hear him sigh, he looks like he really wants to talk to me, and maybe I can go ahead and apologize. "Hey guys Adrien and I are going to talk outside for a minute we'll see you in class later." Alya nods and smiles and I start to head outside with Adrien. We sit on the steps in front of the door. I was about to begin apologizing when Adrien grabs my hands. *omg Adrien is holding my hands* my entire face gets hot, I begin to feel like I am losing my breath, and I am internally panicking. 

Emerald meets blue and he begins "Marinette did I do something to upset you? Why have you been avoiding me? Do you hate me or something? I mean you won't talk to me and you haven't answered any of my calls and texts. Luka told me it was my fault the day he got akumatized but I swear I didn't mean to hurt you in any way. Please just talk to me I can't go on knowing you are upset with me." At that moment my world stopped. I saw sadness and pain in his eyes. I could've sworn that his eyes were holding back tears. I am confused, but there is one thing that I am sure of and that is the fact that I hurt him and that shattered my heart even more. I really need to apologize. I took a deep breath before beginning to speak but as soon as I was going to a sound of a building blowing up interrupted me, seriously? Adrien and I ran to the different sides of the school and I quickly transformed.