Marinette gets up early the next day.  She eats half a  bagel with cream cheese, some scrambled eggs, and a few peach slices.  She drinks some apple juice.  She smiles. She thinks, today is a great day. The sun is out!  There is not a rain cloud in sight.  She waits till 9 am to leave to head on out!  She starts work right at ten.

         Luka is already at the beach.  He arrives there daily at about 7 am, so he can jog.  Then, he sits on a towel and relaxes for a bit.  He looks to see if Lila is nearby.  He does not see her yet.  He thinks to himself, Hmm, well, she will be here later then.  I am sure of it!  

       Adrien gets to the sandy area at about 9:30 am.  He is happy to see Marinette is there already!  He waves at her.  He smiles as she waves back at him.  He is glad she is his girlfriend since she is so sweet, amazing, and cute!  He blushes as he sits down on his beach towel to relax.  His doctor gives him strict orders not to surf for a week.  This is fine with him as he rather watch to see what Marinette is up too.  

      A small child comes by and builds a sandcastle beside the sand dunes.  The little girl scoops up some sand with a shovel.  She adds just a small portion of water from the ocean to it.  She goes back to the sand dunes area.  She makes a small moat.  Then, she adds a few small towers inside the moat.  She keeps at it until she finishes the sandcastle.

     Adrien sees the sandcastle when it is done and has to admit it looks great!  He stands up and offers to take a photo of it.  The girl nods her head.  Her mother nods her head in approval as well.  Adrien takes a photo of both the sandcastle and the child.  He even manages to get a picture of the girl's mother.  He hands the phone back to the child's mother.

    Marinette saw the entire thing and smiles proudly.  She can not believe it!  Adrien's interaction with the little girl was wonderful.  She can not help, but be more than happy to spend time with him later that day.  Why so far, he appears to be the best guy ever!

     During her lunch break, Marinette sits alone. Adrien notices and sits down next to her. 

 "Mind, if I join you?"  Adrien asks.

    "Haha, it looks like you already are cinnamon roll!"  Marinette says.

    " Yeah, I suppose you got me there,"  Adrien says.

      Adrien and Marinette enjoy a nice meal of pimento cheese sandwiches, some grapes, and a slice of watermelon.  The two drink some lemonade.  When they finish, Adrien reluctantly lets go of her hand.  He kisses her on her cheek and giggles as she blushes.  

  "See you again, later, Mari!"  Adrien says.

   "Yes, see you later,  Adrien!"  Marinette says.

       Soon she gets back to work.  Adrien admires her from his place back on the towel.

         Meanwhile,  Luka has Lila to keep him company. He appears not to mind.  It is really hard to say if he likes her or not at this point.  He is kind to her though.   He even offers her some of his lunch, and she agrees to share half his chicken salad sandwich.  He gets up after some sips from his canteen.  

     "I have to get back to work now,"  Luka says when he checks the time.

     "Okay, Lukie!  Thanks for the sandwich."  Lila says and winks at him.

     "Your welcome!"  Luka says.

         As he returns to work, Lila watches him and sighs.  She thinks I wish he would really notice me, but I am lucky if he even considers me a friend.  She goes and sits down near the ocean and stretches her feet out in front of her.

      Later that day,  Luka heads back to his place after work.  Lila goes back to her own place.  She wishes things were different though, but for now she has the memory of the lunch Luka shared with her and for the moment it seems to satisfy her. 

    Adrien joins his girlfriend once more.  He smiles at her.

    "What movie did you want to see?"  Marinette ask.

    "It is your pick," Adrien says.

    "What?  Why?  I mean, what if I pick something that disinterests you?   I have no idea which movies you even like."  Marinette says.

     "Marinette, it is fine. Trust me." Adrien says.

    "Okay then, I will pick it out.  Next, time you pick though."  Marinette says.

     Adrien holds her hand on the way to the movies.  He thinks about how Marinette offers to let him pick out the movie the next time they go to the theater.  He likes the sound of that.  He sure hopes there will be many next times of all sorts of adventures with his dear, Marinette.

     Once at the theater, the lovebirds go inside. Each unaware of how much love the other has for them.  The two go to the ticket desk.  Marinette looks at the options to see what plays today. She grins big when sees there is a movie she recognizes.  The movie is Little Women, which she knows is after her favorite book by Louisa May Alcott. She asks for two tickets to see this one.  The lady behind the counter says,  "Okay, here you go!  That will be $22.50!  Is there anything else, I may interest you in like some refreshments?"   Marinette says,  "Yes, actually, I will have the large buttered popcorn, a  small Pepsi, and a small Serria Mist, please!"  The lady says, "The snack stuff comes to $14.95." 

         Adrien hands the woman the money for the food before Marinette can protest.  He figures it is only fair since she is the one who pays for the tickets.  He grabs Marinette's hand and has the popcorn tub in the other hand.  Marinette puts the receipts in the pocket to her shorts. She holds onto the drinks and tickets.  Adrien and Marinette find the movie is about to start once they arrive inside area 6.  Adrien sits down near the front. Marinette sits beside him.  

       The movies start soon after they are seated.  Adrien and Marinette enjoy the movie.   As the movie continues Marinette cries at the part where Beth finds out she has scarlet fever, and may not make it.  Adrien squeezes her hand.  Marinette relaxes.  When the movie gets to the part where Josephine March refuses to marry Laurie Lawerance, the local neighbor boy who loves her, because she only sees him as a brother,  Adrien cries.  Marinette squeezes his hand this time.  In all the movie itself was great, and most it stuck to the storyline in the book.  In the end, Adrien and Marinette are all out of popcorn, and soda.  

       As the end credits, roll Marinette hears Adrien sigh. She wonders, why he does so.  It is not as if she says anything to make him feel uncomfortable around her or anything.  She heads towards the bathroom.  Adrien heads towards the one in the opposite direction.  The two meet up again, once they finish.  

      Adrien holds her hand as he takes her back to her place. Once there, he walks her to her porch.  He has been quiet the whole time.  He seems to be at odds with something.  The thing is Marinette can not seem to understand why.  

     "Adrien, the movie was great!  The ending was a bit different than I remember, but it was still good.  So, what troubles you? "  Marinette says.

      "Mari, I do not want to lose you!"  Adrien says.

     "Lose me?  Do not worry, I will never  leave you for someone else."  Marinette says.

     "You do not understand, it is not that easy,"  Adrien says.

      "Adrien, you scare me!  what do you mean?"  Marinette says. She looks at him in surprise.

      "I mean, that I have to go away for a while,"  Adrien says.

      "Away, where?  when?  why?  For how long, must you go?"  Marinette says.

      "I have to go away because my father's health is not that great.  I am not sure how long I will have to be gone.  I am just afraid that somehow when I get back, you will not look at me the same.  I can not bare it if if you leave me." Adrien says.

     "Adrien, cinnamon roll!  I will not leave you."  Marinette says.

       "How do I know you will not change your mind?  I mean it. "  Adrien says.

       "Look, I agreed to be your girlfriend, and I plan to remain so as long as you wish for me too,"  Marinette says.

       "Oh, Mari!  I...I.." Adrien's eyes are full of tears.

       "Darling, do not cry,"  Marinette says. She reaches up, wipes away a tear, and kisses him.

      Adrien closes his eyes. He puts one hand on her shoulder and the other on her back.  He kisses her back.  As he does he thinks, Mari, I love you!  I do not want to go, but I have to check on my father.  I will miss you!  My love!

       Adrien breaks the kiss. "Good night, my lady!" Adrien says.

      "Good night, Adrien!"  Marinette says.

         Adrien waves to her as she closes the door.  He turns away as she locks the door.  He walks back home to pack things for his trip to visit his father.

        Marinette sighs. She sits down in the entranceway.  She sobs. She can not believe it!  Her Adrien has to go away.  She knows it is a family emergency, but she shall miss him while he is away.  She only wishes she could tell him she loves him.

       to be continued in Chapter  22  Adrien Goes Out of   Town