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Adrien's P.O.V

I shut the car door and searched the crowd of people for Nino or Alya. Any possible way to avoid Chloe and Lila today after yesterday's events. They went too far with messing with me and more importantly, Marinette.

"Hey, dude!"

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Nino surprised me by wrapping an arm around my shoulders. A smile made its way onto my lips until a distraught Alya walked over not too long after. Bags were under her eyes and hair was tussled everywhere as tired hazel orbs stared down at the phone in her hand.

Alya's form said it all.

She was very upset and worried.

"Alya, are you alright?" I asked, concerned for my friend's state. The frenzied blogger looked up from her phone and blinked a couple of times processing what I said. Her eyebrows furrowed the next minute and face wrinkled with anger.

"I'm fine, Agreste," the redhead spat, surprising both Nino and me. We watched as Alya walked away with an annoyed sigh. I shifted my gaze over to my best friend for an answer.

"What's wrong with, Alya?" I questioned. Nino sighed dejectedly and unwrapped his arm from around me before scratching the nape of his neck.

"I wondered what was wrong too, but she shut me down as well. So, I sneaked a peek at her phone, since I was curious as to why she'd been staring at it since she came to school. She had her messages open on Marinette's chat and waiting for a reply from her, I suppose. It looked like Alya spammed Mari but still has not received anything back," the DJ explained.

I nodded in understanding before we walked to the locker room. When arriving, I reached out to open the door when it was suddenly slammed open.

"Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!" Chloe shouted, seethed and stomped away as Sabrina ran a little to catch up with the fiery blonde.

"Sabrina," I called, making the redhead pause and turn around in confusion.

"Yes, Adrien?" she asked, readjusting her glasses.

"Not that I really care at the moment, but what's wrong with Chloe?" I asked. Sabrina looked over her shoulder at the rampaging mayor's daughter shoving aside some people to stomp up the stairs with clenched fists. She turned back and pursed her lips in thought.

"Lila blackmailed Chloe," Sabrina whispered as if she didn't want others to hear.

"Really?" Nino said in disbelief, "That's pretty hard to believe Lila could actually blackmail someone. She's too nice and awesome."

"I thought that too," Sabrina replied, saddened.

"I believe you, Sabrina. Thank you for telling me," I thanked the redhead. I truly did believe Lila was capable of blackmailing, trickery and lying. She deceived everyone except Marinette and me. We were the only two who knew of Lila's habit to manipulate others into believing things that aren't true.

Yesterday, Lila somehow convinced me that she needed help with her makeup. I was dumb enough to get close to add some eyeliner to her lashes that she grabbed my collar and kissed me. I dropped the eyeliner pen in shock then heard the door behind me open. I snapped out of my shock long enough to pull away and turn to see who entered.

Out of everyone in the whole school, it had to be Marinette.

Sabrina nodded and smiled a little until Chloe screeched, "SABRINA! WHERE ARE YOU?" The girl in glasses jumped and waved us goodbye, scurrying away to her "best friend."

The warning bell rang. Nino and I rushed into the locker room before hurrying to class just as the bell rang a second time. We took our seats, and I glanced over my shoulder at the table behind us. I was happy to see Alya sat in her original seat again. Yet, she still had the same worried expression from earlier. Marinette's seat was still empty.

I knew of Marinette's habit of being tardy so I didn't think much of it until two classes later. She still had not arrived. Once class ended, I packed my things and looked to see Alya leaving.

"I'll meet you at lunch later," I told Nino before running off to catch the blogger. For a moment, I lost sight of her and wondered what her next class was. Yet, my gaze landed on the said girl sitting on a bench and staring at her phone once again.

I walked over to Alya without her acknowledgment of my presence and stood just a few feet in front of her. She still hadn't noticed that I was there until clearing my throat.

"Is that seat taken?" I asked, pointing to the vacant spot next to her. Hazel eyes scanned me once before sighing in exhaustion, "No."

I sat down and saw Alya tuck her phone next to her leg.

"I'm sorry for being so lame earlier," the redhead apologized, "I'm just out of it ever since...yesterday in class..." I nodded in understanding, remembering the way Marinette lost herself to the likes of Chloe.

"Did you know she lost her mom? Is that the reason you stayed by her side?" Alya asked, her inner curiosity sprouting for answers. I hesitated for a moment because Chat is supposed to be the one who knows before that outburst yesterday...not Adrien.

"Uh, n-no! Actually, I knew Lila was lying about the whole pictures and video thing. I didn't think it was fair for Marinette to be blamed for something that wasn't true so I kept hanging out with her," I said, chuckling nervously and scratching the back of my neck. It was half of the truth at least.

Alya didn't seem to notice my nervous reaction much to my luck.

"I feel so guilty...I mean, she's my best friend and should've known Marinette wouldn't do something like that. She always makes sure that we don't step on caterpillars in the park, and she gives a few bucks to homeless people. That girl is too pure for this cruel world and everything that has happened to her," she rambled, "I am the worst best friend in the world."

"No, you are not. You just jumped to conclusions," I tried to reassure my friend.

"Yeah, and look where it got me. Jumping over a bush to find answers but only found myself falling inside the bush with thorns stabbing me with guilt and regret," Alya murmured, leaning back with crossed arms.

"You are her best friend, Alya. I am sure if you apologize, then she'll forgive you. Marinette is very understanding and kind. I am sure she will give you a second chance," I advised. The blogger nodded unsurely until her phone buzzed.

Without a second thought, Alya snatched her phone and turned it on. A small smile appeared on her face for the first time today and quickly typed something back before setting it aside.

"I almost forgot to ask, but do you know if Marinette is alright? She's missed most of the school day," I asked. Alya perked an eyebrow up in amusement before replying, "She just texted me, saying she is sick. The reason she was unable to reply sooner was because that silly girl let her phone die and forgot where she left her phone charger."

A bubble of worry floated in my stomach and knew that a certain cat was going to visit his Princess later tonight. He would have to be very sneaky and make sure to blend in with the darkness as to not get caught by reporters.

"Thanks for talking with me, Adrien, but we should really be heading to our next class," Alya explained, standing up and slinging her bag strap onto her shoulder. I followed her lead and said our goodbyes, splitting ways to our next classes.

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Chat Noir's P.O.V

I scaled Paris rooves, feeling a nice cool breeze on my face. My eyes scanned the beautiful scene of Paris, lights glimmering like stars attached to Earth and dazzling sights that could take any person's breath away.

"No matter how many times I see it, Paris will always be astonishing," I thought, pausing and scanning the streets for any unwanted attention before hopping onto Marinette's balcony. I unhooked a simple rose from my belt and watched as its petals glimmer in the moonlight. I happened to spot a flower shop on the way back to my house and decided to get Mari a "get well" gift.

My gloved hand rapped against the skylight's surface. I patiently waited for Marinette to answer but there was no sick girl coming to unlock the window. Out of curiosity, I peeked inside the room. The first thing I saw was an empty bed then continued to search until spotting Marinette on the chaise.

She was wrapped up in a blanket and watching something on a laptop sitting in front of her. She held a steaming mug and a box of tissues sat next to her, a trash can was set up next to the chaise.

"She looks cozy," I said to no one and tried to knock again. This time, Marinette's attention was drawn away from the screen and over in my direction. She paused the video then set aside her mug and blanket before coming to unlock the skylight.

"Good afternoon, Princess," I greeted with a warm smile.

"Hey," Marinette replied, returning the gesture. Her voice was scratchy and sniffled a few times as I climbed inside, shutting the skylight. Bags decorated underneath her exhausted, yet beautiful bluebell eyes.

"Did I interrupt something?" I asked, nodding my head in the direction of the chaise.

"No, I was just bored but didn't feel like moving. So, papa lent me his laptop to watch movies," Marinette explained.

"Well, if I were in-fur-omed of this slumber party, I would have worn my pj's as well," I joked. Marinette looked down at her nightwear then back at Chat and rolled her eyes.

"That was probably one of your worst puns I've ever heard," she sassily replied, crossing her arms.

"Oh, so you admit that I still do have some good puns that you enjoy," I teased.

"No, all puns are all bad in general," Marinette said. I gasped, holding a hand over my "wounded" heart and pretended to be dramatically hurt.

"And I thought I was the one wearing the claws in this friendship."

At that, Marinette and I burst into blissful laughter until our tummies hurt. We eventually moved down to the chaise and huddled up in the blanket.

"Chat, are you sure you want to be sitting this close to me? I could get you sick," Marinette asked, worriedly.

"This cat has it in the bag. I'll be fine, I got my cooties shot from the vet," I joked, earning a punch in the shoulder from Mari. I smiled and brought out the rose that I've kept well hidden, giving it to the sick girl. Marinette smiled and took the red flower, blissfully examining the luscious petals.

"Thank you, it's beautiful," she said, setting it down on a nearby table.

"Anything for her majesty," I smirked as Marinette punched me once again. Then I realized something, "Hey, Marinette."

"I swear if this is another joke..." she playfully went along, but I wasn't joking this time.

"Does your dad know about the picture?" I asked, concerned that at any moment, a raging man will burst into the room and throw me out the window.

"I don't think so..." Marinette answered, unsure then noticed her eyes drift over to something and dull a bit. I looked to see where her eyes landed and noticed her school bag by the trapdoor.

"Is there something wrong with your school bag?" I asked. Marinette shook her head and explained, "I forgot my bag at school yesterday, and Alya brought it back in hopes to talk with me, but...I wasn't home at the time."

"I think, once your illness has passed, you should go and talk with her," I advised.

"Yeah, I just wish we could have done it on better terms instead of me freaking out and admitting it in the way I stupidly did it," she said, sadly. I slung an arm around her shoulders and brought her into a side hug.

"So, what movie are we watching? The Aristocats, Puss in Boots, Nine Lives, or paw-ssibly, A Cat in Paris?" I guessed, getting a glare from the bluenette.

"Forrest Gump," Marinette answered, playing the movie. She snuggled back into my side and rested her warm head on my shoulder. I moved around a little until I was in a comfortable position, head resting on top of my friend's.

It was really late when the movie ended. I rubbed my eyes then stretched and yawned.

"Alright, Princess. I think it's time for bed," I commented, looking at the clock. It was around 1:30 in the morning. I turned to tell Marinette something but saw she had fallen asleep. I couldn't help the giant smile spread across my lips when seeing how cute she was when sleeping.

I blushed when realizing that I found her very cute. Shaking the thought away, I picked my dreaming princess up carefully, closed the laptop and carried her to bed. I placed my classmate under the covers then took a moment to gaze upon her peaceful face again.

Without thinking much of it, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. I leaned back a little and whispered, "Goodnight, Mari. Feel better soon."

Then, I leaped out the skylight and disappeared into the night.

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