Marinette stood outside the bus with her luggage as she attempted to catch her breath.

When she made it inside, she took in a deep breath and sighed. She felt unbelievably awkward when all eyes immediately stared at her. She swallowed hard and quickly looked down, in hopes to minimize the tension that continued to build with every passing moment.

When she accidentally made eye contact with Mlle Bustier, she instantly regretted it.

"Late again, Mlle Dupain Cheng!" The red-headed woman scolded the clumsy teenager. "What is your excuse this time?"

"I... Well, you see-"

"You know what? Never mind..." Mlle Bustier pinched the bridge of her nose as she frowned, irritated by the student's lack of responsibility. "Just go and sit down!"

The bluenette didn't reply, but obeyed her teacher's orders. She quickly browsed around, searching for an open seat.

She felt relieved when she spotted a place next to a window. Without looking at anyone, she anxiously raced over to the seat.

When she successfully found her way over to the seat, her heart instantly sunk. She was met by a pair of warm turquoise eyes, and a big, bright smile. The redhead immediately got up from his seat, while gesturing for her to come forward.

"Hi, Mari. How are you this morning?" Nathanaël asked while gently grazing a hand over her bicep.

Marinette instantly froze, when his hand came into contact with her skin. Her heart raced, and she began to panic. The fear gripped onto her like a leech, sucking out every last ounce of happiness, until nothing but terror remained.

"What... No, stop!" She shouted while aggressively swatting his hand away.

The artist stared at her in complete shock. He seemed hurt by her sudden outburst, and couldn't help but feel disheartened.

When he saw that everyone was staring at them, he looked at Marinette with pleading eyes.

She felt unsure, but quickly nodded her head without making eye contact.

Nothing but silence filled the bus, as all eyes fell on her. At that exact moment, all she wanted was to run away and never return. She was displeased by the way she had acted, but it was just too familiar...

His single touch brought back horrendous memories, which she would never ever forget! It was just too vivid, and she was absolutely terrified of having to relieve those dreadful moments for a second time.

Students began to whisper amongst themselves, as they watched the scene unfold before their very eyes.

"Marinette! What is the problem now?" The teacher stood up and crossed her arms, while impatiently waiting for a response.

Her fingers began to tremble as she shamefully looked at Mlle Bustier. "Noth... Nothing! I'm s... Sorry.... I thought I saw a spider on Nathanaël's head..!"

The teacher raised an eyebrow, but quickly shook her head in disapproval. She could feel a migranine coming along, which only seemed to intensify her frustration.

"... Marinette... Okay, but please keep the screeching to a minimum in the future!"

She sat down and rubbed her temples, as she attempted to minimize the intensity of the unwanted noise.

Marinette sadly turned around. She felt like a failure, because she was unable to control her fears.

As she was about to sit down next to Nathanaël, she heard her name being called out from the back of the bus.

"Marinette, gurl! Come sit by us!" Alya shouted while frantically waving her arms in the air.

The bluenette felt relieved that her best friend had saved her from Nathanaël. She gave the redhead an apologetic glance, mouthed the words, 'I'm sorry', and left.

Nathanaël didn't say anything, but gave her an understanding look.

Marinette jogged over to the back of the bus without looking back. Her heart was still racing, but she imagined that it had to be as a result of the tons of adrenaline which was being pumped into her system at an alarming rate.

She placed a hand over her chest and sighed in relief when she saw her best friend.

Right in the middle, between Alya and Adrien was an open seat. Marinette assumed that that's where she was going to sit, so she walked towards it without thinking.

But just as she was about to sit down, the bus began to move. The inertia instantly sent her flying right into Adrien...

At lightning speed, the blond reacted and caught her. He wrapped his masculine arms around her petite frame; placing one hand on the top of her back, and another on her exposed side. As his fingers brushed along her bare skin, it sent shockwaves of electricity surging throughout her entire body.

There wasn't even a second to register what happened.

When Marinette realized the position that she was in, her eyes grew wide, and her heart began to pound in her chest.

As she stared deep into his forest green eyes, she instantly blushed a dark shade of red. She was spellbound by his very touch, but couldn't seem to understand why.

Adrien felt his cheeks heat up, as he continued to hold her in his arms. He kind of enjoyed the feeling, but he could never tell her that! When his longing eyes found hers, he looked at her with an unsure expression.

Without saying anything, he quickly pulled her up.

She gave him a shy smile as she attempted to look away, in hopes to defuse the awkwardness that seemed to consume them. She was still extremely flustered, but just hoped that he wouldn't notice.

"You okay?"

Marinette shyly looked at her friend and attempted to say something, but no words came. She felt herself tremble when his gorgeous green eyes found her crystal blue ones. At that moment she felt exposed; it was almost as if he was staring deep into her imperfect soul, causing her to feel vulnerable and afraid.

"I... Uhm... Yep! Sorry for falling for you-"

The blue-eyed girl instantly regretted her choice of words. She immediately blushed again, when she realized that Adrien's hands where still holding onto her.

"On you! Not for you!" She hid her burning face in her hands; wishing that the earth would just open up and swallow her whole!

Realizing where his hands where positioned, he quickly let her go and anxiously rubbed the back of his neck; cringing in embarrassment.

He gave her a small smile, before reverting his gaze to the floor, in hopes to conceal his raging nerves.

"It's okay... It's no big deal, really..." The blond awkwardly responded.

"Th... Thanks..." Marinette mumbled under her breath.

A moment of silence had passed, before Nino, who was sitting on the other side of Alya, mischievously smirked. He sat forward, reached over Alya then looked at Marinette.

"If you like Adrien that much, you should just ask him to Mari you!" The DJ chuckled at his own joke.

Marinette looked at Nino with eyes as wide as saucers. She couldn't believe that he would embarrass her like that in front of everyone, especially Adrien! Her stomach began to twist with nausea, and it wasn't due to the motion of the moving bus...

When Alya saw Marinette's sour face, she immediately gave her boyfriend a death glare, and elbowed him in the gut.

"Ow... That hurt!" Nino shouted while holding onto his throbbing stomach.

"Serves you right!"

Nino was about to protest, when Alya leaned over to whisper something in  Marinette's ear. When the DJ saw that, he crossed his arms and looked out of the window; feeling annoyed that no one appreciated his brilliant sense of humor.

"But Nino has a point, you know?"

"What!?" The bluenette whisper-yelled at her friend's crazy suggestion.

Alya gave her friend the 'look', "Just look at how red you both are! It's so obvious that you like each other! Maybe... You should ask him to be your partner for tomorrow's scavenger hunt..." She made sure to be extra quiet, making sure that no one else could hear their conversation.

"Are you insane!"

Marinette received a few strange glances from the students who were sitting in close proximity to them.

She quickly covered her mouth, wishing that she hadn't said that out loud.

"Are you insane!" She repeated, but more quietly this time. "I don't like him like that! The blush was due to embarrassment. Nothing more, nothing less!" Marinette sighed as she thought about what her best friend had suggested, "And Luka already asked me to be his partner..."

"Oh... What a shame..." The girl with the ombré hair gave Marinette a questioning glance, "But I'm telling you... I'm onto something here. I mean just look at how red his face is!"

The young designer gave Alya an unsure look before stealing a glance at the blond who was sitting next to her.

Alya was right. She hadn't seen him that red before, but she merely shrugged her shoulders then looked away.

"So? He's embarrassed because all eyes were on us! He's naturally reserved, so it's obvious that all the attention was too much for him to handle..."

Alya looked at Marinette with scepticism. She was finding it difficult to believe that her friend couldn't see how obvious it was. But then again... Maybe she knew it, but wouldn't admit it.

"Okay, whatever you say... And what's your deal with Nathanaël?" She quickly changed the subject, remembering how agitated her friend had acted just moments before.

Marinette was a little taken back by Alya's unexpected question. She felt herself tense up, "Uh... It's... Well, you know... I'll tell you later..."

Her tone was very serious, which caused Alya to frown in confusion. Marinette was definitely hiding something, and that made the reporter worry.

Alya was a little anxious, but she nodded her head; respecting her friend's privacy, "Okay."

When Alya sat back in her seat, Marinette looked over at her right side. Next to Adrien, was Luka who was listening to music with his eyes closed. He looked so peaceful, and she couldn't help but wonder how he was doing.

He tried to cover up his sadness with a fake smile, but Marinette could see right through him. He was unusually quiet, and he seemed to be lost in another world.

The young designer kind of wished that she was sitting next to him, but was greatful that she would be spending some time with him on the following day. Maybe that way she would be able to talk to him, and hopefully help him to get his mind off of things...

When green met blue for the umpteenth time, Marinette immediately looked away and sat back in her seat. She felt the blush return, when she remembered how Adrien's hands felt upon her sensitive skin.

If she didn't like Adrien in that way, then why did she feel such intense emotions when he touched her?

She shook her head as she reached for her airpods, in hopes to distract her mind from those absurd thoughts.

She closed her eyes and let the soothing tunes consume her, until she found herself falling into the illogical realm of unconsciousness.

***

The bus ride took forever, but they eventually arrived at their destination. Everyone was happy to finally stretch their cramping legs, and head over to their hotel rooms.

Marinette was the last one to get off the bus. When everyone scattered the area, she slowly made her way over to the luggage compartment.

When she reached over to grab her bag, another hand beat her to it.

Adrien smiled as he handed her the backpack and asked, "Is this one yours?"

For a second, Marinette seemed to have lost her words. She looked into his bright green eyes, and quickly nodded her head without saying anything.

The model handed the bag to her while rubbing his neck. He felt a little awkward when he remembered the incident that had occurred earlier that morning. He was unable to meet her gaze, but smiled nonetheless.

"Thanks, Adrien. Uhm, I should get going..." She awkwardly replied as she took the bag from him.

He quickly nodded his head in agreement. She was really tired from the long trip, so he assumed that she would probably want to get some rest.

"Yeah, okay..."

Taking his reply as conformation, she was about to turn around and head into the hotel, but he stopped her.

"Wait!" Adrien quickly reverted his gaze to the ground. "Uhm... Would you perhaps like to be par... Partners tomorrow? If you say no, I understand-"

"I'm sorry, Adrien... But I already agreed to be Luka's partner," she quickly gave him a sympathetic look. "It's not that I don't want to be your partner, or anything like that-"

Adrien immediately cut her off, "It's okay! It's no big deal..." He shrugged his shoulders, but his eyes seemed to conceal the slightest ounce of disappointment.

"Well okay, then? But sorry anyway..."

Adrien tapped her shoulder, while giving her a small smile before turning around.

He secretly wished that he had asked her first, but it was too late now. Adrien knew that she still had feelings for Luka, so it was obvious that she would have chosen the talented guitarist over him... It was sad to know that he had lost his chance, but he was still greatful for their friendship...

As Marinette watched him fade away into the hotel, she couldn't help but wonder why he had asked her that.

He looked a little sad, but she couldn't seem to understand why.

She instantly paused when she thought about what Alya had said. Did Adrien really like her? The thought was utterly ridiculous, but there was a small part of her that wanted to believe it was true.

Adrien had changed a lot in the past couple of months. He was still cold and condescending at times, but he was kinder and more considerate of other people's feelings. His true self was beginning to reveal itself, and Marinette honestly liked what she saw.

There was still a lot to be discovered, but she had already learned so much.

The boy with the beautiful golden locks and stunning emerald green eyes was the definition of perfection in the eyes of society. But Marinette had come to learn that that as indeed untrue.

He was broken and suffered a lot of pain and rejection in his life. He used his model image to conceal his insecurities. He built up an emotional wall so thick that no one could get through to the other side.

Marinette's heart really went out to him, and she longed to get to know him better. She knew that he was a good person, but he had never really gotten the chance to prove himself...

"Marinette..!"

The girl with the raven hair was instantly shaken from her daydreams when she heard her name being called. She frantically turned in the direction of the voice, and playfully rolled her eyes when she saw Alya standing in front of the entrance of the hotel.

Alya looked at her friend through her spectacles, "Gurl, Have you looked inside yet? Dieses Hotel ist schön!"

Marinette raised an eyebrow, "Alya, Since when do you speak German?"

"I've been practicing! It's no use going into a country, and not even knowing the language... I mean- And... If you spot a sexy local, you'll be able to flirt with them!" She mischievously winked.

Marinette just laughed. Her best friend always found a way to find the fun in any situation, and that's one of the reasons why she loved spending so much time with her. She was an amazing person, and Marinette was just so greatful to have her in her life.

The two friends continued to chat amongst themselves as they made their way over to their hotel room.

The atmosphere was wonderful, and the building was stunning. It was breathtaking really. Marinette was filled with excitement as she pictured what the following day would have in stall for her, and she couldn't help but beam with excitement.

Alya, seeing Marinette's suspicious smile, gave her a playful nudge in the side and winked, "Thinking about a certain blond I see..."

"Alya! Can you just drop it already! I've already told you like a thousand times... He's just a friend!"

Alya looked at Marinette with skepticism in her eyes, "Sure... Whatever floats your boat..."

But truth be told, Marinette was having a hard time believing her own words. Was Adrien really 'just a friend'? She couldn't answer the question, but only time would tell...

***