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Marinette's P.O.V

I began to fidget in my spot when Chat waited for me to come up with an answer. I really hated lying and making up excuses to my partner, but how else was I going to keep my identity a secret?

"I-I was..." I paused, quickly scanning the room for anything that could offer any help to lie. The first thing my gaze landed on blurted out of my mouth in one single breath.

"...practicing talking to my crush!"

Eyes widening, my hand clasped over my mouth and felt the heat rise to my cheeks. I glanced over at the one picture of Adrien that I left out and cursed in my mind.

I was mentally relieved that all the other posters and magazines were hidden away ever since Chat began visiting. Yet, out of everything in my room and excuse from some book, it had to be that one!

Chat's eyes glimmered with mischief. I could sense a hint of amusement lingering in the air. Embarrassment and nerves churned in my stomach as he pulled a Cheshire grin spread across his lips. He leaned forward until our faces were merely inches apart.

"My Princess has a crush. It better not be another black cat, or I might just get jealous," he joked. I groaned and pushed his face away from mine before turning, climbing down from the loft. I still couldn't believe I told Chat I had a crush. Now, he's just going to bother me even more to know who it is.

I sat at my desk and felt Chat's presence standing behind the chair.

"Are you going to tell me-ow, who stole the fair pruu -incess's heart?" Chat teased. I glared at him over my shoulder and huffed, "Not in any of your nine lives."

I turned back around and crossed my arms while the cat urged me to spill the beans. I stood from my seat and punched him in the shoulder with a smile. Then, he faked his hurt while I rolled my eyes and tried to contain my laughter.

I was about to offer him to play some video games when Chat's ears perked up and alert, green eyes darting to the trap door. That's when I heard heavy footsteps coming up the steps and instinct kicked in. I quickly reacted, shoving Chat into my closet.

I stepped away just as papa knocked on my door before pushing it open. He gave a weary smile, entering my room, and I stood in my spot nervous. I could feel sweat covering my hands and face hurt with how big my smile was.

"Hi, papa. Did you need anything?" I asked.

"I just came to tell you that the funeral will be held in a few days. I was thinking Friday would be a good day and don't worry about missing school. I called your principle and told him you won't be available that day," he informed, scratching the back of his neck.

As papa talked, my nervous smile melted into a small one and a bit of sorrow behind it, heart aching for when the day comes to see mama one last time.

My blood went a little cold imaging a speedy glimpse of mama with her eyes closed and laying in her eternal wooden bed. I felt sick and set my jaw just to hold the urge to throw up back.

"O-Okay" I replied, seeing papa giving me a worried look. It seemed like he wanted to say something but nodded and left the room. I sighed, feeling my nerves release into my body and making it tremble. I went to sit down on my chaise and wrapped my arms around myself, leaning down slightly.

I was too focused on the wooden floor, not noticing someone coming out of the closet and walking closer. I jumped a bit, shooting my head to see Chat with droopy ears and a frown encased on his face. Worry was drilled into his catlike silts, deep in thought. I forgot he was here for the moment and felt bad for shoving him inside my closet.

"I-I'm sorry," I apologized, quietly under my breath before turning back to look at the floor. The warmth of his gloved hand left, and I would never admit that it was missed. That was until Chat knelt down in front of me and gazed up into my tired, sad bluebell eyes.

"You don't need to apologize for anything," he whispered, gently and taking a hold of my hands. I slipped my hands out of his and faced something else before he guided my face back to his.

"I understand what you are going through right now, let me help you, Marinette," he continued, seeming as if making a promise. As silly as it was, he raised a hand to his heart and the other in the air, adding "Cat's honor."

I felt the edge of my lip's quirk up a little and vision glassy, going soft seeing to the goofy cat taking nothing too serious like usual. Yet, I appreciated the jokes and silliness that have kept me decently happy through this time of misery. At least I know this is one part of my life that won't change. I know Chat will always be by my side in my darkest times.

I will need to start building up some nerve for Friday if I ever want to see mama one last time during the last hours of visiting her above ground.

Chat leaned in closer and for a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. Instead, he nuzzled his forehead against mine and brushed our noses together.

I shakily sighed at the contact and closed my eyes just as he did too. I didn't know he held my hands again until feeling a slight squeeze of reassurance. Our breaths mixed with each other, and I almost pulled away a couple times thinking that he would make a move in my weakest moments.

Then, I remember how comforting Chat has been ever since landing on my balcony and melted into his touch even more, when feeling his hand hesitate before combing his fingers through my hair. I realized my pigtails were gone, feeling my hair drape a little below my shoulders. My eyelids fluttered open to see Chat staring at me in shock.

"W-What?" I asked, pulling back slightly and trying to figure out what was wrong. Did I have something on my shirt? Is my hair a mess? Do I have a pimple? DID HE SEE TIKKI?!

"You're really pretty," Chat said, almost breathlessly. I felt my face heat up and probably looked like the shade of red on my suit. His eyes widen when the realization hit like a ton of bricks and covered his mouth, moving away.

"I-I mean...uh, y-your face is pretty-no! What I meant was...you're designs are pruu-ecious, not that you aren't-urgh!" Chat stuttered like crazy and a blush formed, completely covering his face (or what I could see of it).

I kept staring at him, not sure what to say or do. I felt like laughing since it was rare seeing Chat lose his cool, but at the same time, my heart raced with astonishment. So, I just sat there frozen and stared at the bewildered miraculous holder of bad luck.

"I-I should go pruu-tty-I mean, Princess!" he corrected. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared out my skylight. I still sat in my spot shocked and staring at the skylight with a blush still staining my cheeks. My mouth gaped a bit and body stiff in the spot I sat.

"Wow, I didn't think Chat Noir could get so flustered like that but what surprised me most was it seemed like you wanted to kiss him," Tikki said, hovering near my head.

"Yeah-wait, what!? Me, k-kiss Chat Noir! Not in a million years," I stated, not sure if I even believed myself or not. Was it true? No, that's impossible! I can't be falling for the cat when there was already someone else on my mind!

"I'm just messing with you, Marinette," Tikki giggled then paused for a moment to look me over.

"W-what?" I asked, nervously.

"He's right you know," she said, "you look really pretty with your hair down." I fiddled with a lock of my hair in between my fingers and smiled, a little embarrassed. I could tell Chat wasn't his flirty self but more genuine kind of like...

I shook my head from the unthinkable and impossible thought that came to mind. Why would I even try to think that the cat could be my crush? They are completely polar opposites! Chat is flirty, has horrible jokes (and puns) and can be annoying at times. Adrien is a gentleman, kind, and generous of others.

"Marinette, are you okay?" I blinked a couple times, snapping back into reality.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I blanked out a little." I said, sheepishly scratching the back of my neck.

"You should go to bed. You have school tomorrow," she informed. I agreed, getting up to go to bed. I'll have to just go for a run as Ladybug tomorrow to clear my head and relax before Friday comes. I crawled under my covers and wished my Kwami a goodnight. Hopefully, tomorrow won't be as bad and think of a way to expose Chloe and Lila for their lies.

I rushed to school the next day, surprisingly early. There were many giving me stone cold glares and others that weren't paying attention at all while making my way to my locker. I was hoping to get to class before anyone had the chance to stop me.

"Hello, Marinette."

I jumped and squeaked in surprise, quickly turning around to see Adrien here early as well. He had the same warm and gorgeous smile that could make any girl swoon. I felt like I would melt on the spot and could feel myself getting nervous. Adrien was the only one in our class that didn't hate me for some reason. Maybe it's because we are also the only two that know that Lila is a liar.

"H-Hi, A-Adrien. Did you need anything?" I stuttered like an idiot and mentally facepalming myself.

"I was just seeing how you were holding up with what happened yesterday," he said, kindly and scratched the back of his neck.

"O-Oh yeah! Thank y-you for checking u-up o-on me-ow -me now!" I corrected, smiling oddly. That dang cat has me doing it now! Shoot! To my surprise, Adrien let out a full-hearted chuckle. Help me, I think I'm falling and melting into a puddle at the same time. I think I'm staring for too long. Hopefully, he doesn't notice.

"I'll see you in class," he said, calming down and walking away, waving.

"S-See mew—you!" I said, then actually facepalmed when he was out of sight.

"Well, what do we have here," a devious voice spoke up. I turned around to see Lila glaring daggers at me. I returned the gesture and crossed my arms.

"What do you want, Lila?" I asked, annoyed.

"I'm giving you a warning: Stay away from, Adrien or else," she coldly warned, crossing her arms. She surveyed me with a dull and icy look, scanning me head to toe.

"Or else what?" I challenged, smirking until an evil grin appeared on her lips. She walked closer to me and whispered into my ear, "I will tell the whole class why you 'beat me up' in the first place."

"And how will you do that?" I asked, trying not to be nervous. Lila was a very tricky and a clever liar. She is always prepared and has enough information to make sure she gets what she wants. With Chloe's help, that's just disaster waiting to happen.

"Word on the street is your mother isn't around anymore. It'd be a shame to know that her own daughter did the act of murder and there were witnesses that saw so you had to beat them up to cover up the story," Lila purred into my ear and leaned away with a sly smile etched. My heart pounded and gaze sharpened, teeth clenched. How did she know that?!

"They won't believe you," I snarled, a little too quickly and gulped.

"Oh really," she teased, "because it seems that you believe me, don't you? You're always mysteriously running off with some excuse or lie to cover up what you are really doing. It also seems, you believe that it is your fault that it happened and there was nothing poor, helpless Marinette could do save her mommy."

I raised my fist to punch her but held it back when seeing her grin grow more.

"Go ahead and punch me. Prove that it really was you all along that beat me up," she said, slyly. I dropped my hand back to my side, defeated. I lost this fight, she won.

"Didn't think so," Lila laughed a little and walked around me. I stayed frozen to my spot, head bowed and hearing the door creak open then shut.

I may have lost this fight...

I raised my head back up, determination coursing through my veins.

...but the war isn't over yet.

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