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"This is the awkwardest lunch I've ever had," Marinette thought, taking a bite out of her burger. She had been trying to avoid looking anywhere in Adrien's area. She had caught him staring at her a few times and tried so hard to make it look like he wasn't just staring at her.

She found it quite cute.

Yet, her mind continued to circle back to her partner. No matter how much she tried to get that stupid cat—bug out of her head, he worked his way back into her thoughts.

"I'm surprised your dad let you come to the cafe and eat a hamburger with fries. Is your old man finally letting you have some freedom, Mari?" Alya asked, earning a glare from Nino.

"Huh?" Marinette asked, confused about what Alya meant. Adrien's eyes widened, knowingly and averted his eyes out of the window to search for a limo. No one seemed to notice Adrien's reaction though.

"Your dad doesn't usually—well, ever let you come to lunch with us. He always wants you home before coming back to school," Alya explained. Then, she exclaimed, "Unless...girl, did you go rogue? Tell me, your rebellious side has finally kicked in!"

Bluebell eyes blinked in confusion but tried not to show it as she averted her gaze towards Adrien. He seemed to be keeping an eye out for something outside like he usually did when he-

Something within Marinette's mind finally clicked and realization began to settle in.

...when he would sneak out of the mansion.

Sneaking out of the mansion usually never ended well for the blonde.

Marinette was in Adrien's shoes, not her own. Her bodyguard would be coming any moment to get her and drag her back to the large, empty building she called a house. Then, she looked down at the fatty and greasy food she had been recently eating.

Wasn't she supposed to be on a diet?

Their four phones signaled them of a notification. The friends got their phones out of their pockets and checked the update on a social media app.

There was a picture of her with ketchup splayed on her cheek and sitting with her friends. From the angle the picture was taken, it seemed to come from the other side of the counter by a worker trying to get more people to come into the cafe.

"Those gossipers trying to use your fame to get more cash!" Alya hissed before glaring at the female employee working the cash register.

Suddenly, a mob of people with cameras burst into the cafe and crowded around the table. They were all being rowdy, continuously asking questions and flashing blinding lights in her face.

"Hey! Leave her alone!" Nino yelled. Alya and Adrien both stood up, trying to keep the paparazzi away from Marinette. Marinette shrunk down, closing her eyes from the painful flashes of light.

"Hey!" The Italian manager yelled, "YOU ARE BAD FOR BUSINESS! GET OUT OF MY CAFE, PRONTO! BEFORE I BAN YOU ALL AND CALL THE POLICE!"

The paparazzi began to slowly leave and the manager greatly apologized, telling the teens that the food was on the house.

"Thank you, sir," Marinette said, giving a small smile. The manager nodded before walking away. Much to everyone's fear, Marinette's bodyguard was revealed, having stood behind the manager. His arms were crossed and a stern glare wrinkled his face.

Marinette paled then gulped in horror once she knew she was busted. Before she knew what was happening, the car door was slammed in her face and the bodyguard drove them off, growing further away from the cafe.

"Maybe my dad doesn't know about anything that just happened," she thought, hopeful.

   Boy, was she very wrong.

   Once Marinette entered the mansion, Sabine dragged the poor teen to her father's office. The assistant practically shoved her inside and slammed the door shut, making the bluenette jump.

   The room went quiet.

   Marinette looked around the giant room until her gaze landed on her dad. He was standing behind a desk and working away on a touch-screen computer. The man finally looked up from his computer. The bluenette shivered when seeing her father's warm, caring eyes looking harsh and cold.

   "Why are you still standing by the door? Come over here this instant and sit down, Marinette," he blandly spoke in a stern voice. Marinette felt herself shrink under her dad's words and slowly walked over to the chair in front of the desk. She sat down and messed with the end of her skirt as a way of comfort.

   "What were you thinking, not coming home for lunch?! Instead, you disobeyed one of my rules, ran off to a cafe and ate fatty junk that will ruin your completion. Now, rumors will spread that'll possibly ruin my reputation and you need to burn off even more calories. Don't think I didn't hear about you getting a B on a quiz and falling asleep in one of your classes," he went off in a huff.

   Marinette winced, clutching her skirt and biting down on her bottom lip. She kept staring down at her lap, feeling her heart break in two. She forced the lump in her throat down.

   "Even this picture on social media makes you look like a disgrace," he continued, showing the picture of her with the ketchup on her cheek and sitting with her friends, "You are shameful and grounded. Now, go to your room. You are dismissed."

   Marinette quietly stood up and speed-walked towards the door, shoving it open. Sabine stood there with a blank face before guiding the quiet teen to her room.

   Once she was in her room and the door was closed, Marinette continued to stand in the middle of the large room. She could feel the walls closing in on her. Her hands trembled and kept her head bowed, frown encased on her lips.

   "Marinette, you okay?" Plagg asked, concern laced in his voice and ears drooping.

   "P-Plagg..." Marinette stuttered, trembling. She took in a shaky breath before finishing what she was going to say.

   "...C-Claws out."

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