Isn't this picture cool ^^

The reason this book took so long to come out is cuz it has way more freaking plot than I planned. Still writing T.T

Please vote if you enjoy ♡

Reminder that I wrote and published this before season 2 came out

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[Narrator's POV]

Marinette and Alya are currently spending their lunch break inside the library with stacks of cookbooks swamping their table. To celebrate the start of a new school year, a dance is being held on the night that just so happens to also be Adrien's birthday.

"Last year I made him that scarf but I didn't give it to him personally which resulted in him thinking it was a present from his dad." Marinette explains. "So this year I'll do something more personal for him. Everyone will arrive early to the school dance and then when Adrien walks in we'll all surprise him by singing happy birthday. And I'm going to bake him a delicious birthday cake as my present."

"And you've already gotten permission from the teachers?" Alya questions.

"Of course." Marinette answers. "All I have left to do is find the perfect recipe for Adrien's birthday cake. Based on the data I have collected by studying his eating habits over the past year, Adrien's preferred flavours are chocolate and mint."

"So make a mint chocolate cake. Easy, done." Alya says simply.

Marinette flips through the various cookbooks scattered around her. "There's more to it than that. It has to be perfect! Do I make a mint chocolate layer cake? An ice-cream cake? No, what if he has sensitive teeth. How about a choc mint forest naked cake, those are scrumptious."

"You're overlooking the more important task at hand." Alya interrupts. "What are you gonna wear? The dance is next week and you told me you were going to make your own dress. Will you have time?"

"I'll have plenty of time to make a dress, I just haven't figured out a design yet. I want it to represent me. Everything I make needs to have that Marinette flare, you know? But at the same time it has to be spectacular enough to capture Adrien's attention." Marinette says. "Maybe if I dress up as mint chocolate he will notice me..."

Chloe Bourgeois walks by and sneers. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, buried in books as always. A dork like you doesn't belong at the school dance so don't even bother coming." She flicks her hair before continuing on her way.

Alya rolls her eyes. "That girl wouldn't know a good book if I smashed her across the face with one. But you never know, maybe I should try."

Marinette giggles. "Actually, Chloe's just given me an excellent idea for my dress design."

.

*cheeky time skip*

.

[Adrien's POV]

I haven't seen my father at all today. Nobody from school even said happy birthday to me. Has everyone forgotten? I guess it's not like I'm not used to it...

I grip the blue scarf around my neck and snuggle my nose into it. It's so warm, as if it was made with love. My dad gave it to me last year on my birthday-it's the best present I've ever gotten-so wearing it right now really helps me keep positive about this dreadful day.

At least I get to see my friends tonight at the school dance. Maybe they were all so preoccupied with the dance that my birthday just slipped their minds. I know that it's been on my mind all week because my father kept insisting I get a suit tailored- As if! I'm wearing a white collared shirt with a blue vest to match my scarf. Something casual but classy with a little bit of pizazz.

When the car pulls up in front of the school, I look out my window to see it looks deserted. I look down at my watch uneasily. I'm definitely on time, there should be a crowd of students heading up the stairs into the school right now. I guess I'll just go in and check it out. Maybe everyone else decided they wanted to be fashionably late.

I get out of the car and slowly make my way up the school stairs. I can hear some muffled voices as I approach. As soon as I begin to push open the doors, the hushed whispers from inside quickly quiet down. I glide the doors open to see all of my friends standing before me with broad grins.

"SURPRISE!" They yell. "Happy birthday!"

I'm so shocked it feels as though my chest has been gutted. As my mind slowly processes what is happening, my mouth stretches into a wide smile. I continue to walk inside, colourful balloons and streamers flying everywhere around me. My heart is racing with excitement. No one has ever done anything this grand for me before. Happiness bubbles up inside me as I gaze over all of my friends. They remembered!

My gaze settles on Marinette, who is standing in the middle of my gathered friends. Her dress looks amazing. It is short with white frills that resemble paper. I wonder if she purposely designed it that way. I know how creative Marinette is. She gets inspired by anything and everything.

Reference photo from the webisode:

Actual photo I found:

Marinette smiles shyly when our eyes meet. She is kind of adorable when she gets all bashful. Uh, not in a weird way. She just looks especially cute in her pretty, white dress with her little pigtails. I mean, it suits her well that is...

Nino steps in front of me and I have to tear my eyes away from Marinette.

"Happy b'day bro!" He says, giving me a fist bump. "Your present table is over there. You'll never guess what I got you- The new Mega Strike 4!"

"What? No way!" I exclaim. "I've wanted that game for ages now."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Chloe strides over and shoves Nino out of the way. She turns to me with a smile and clings onto my arm. "I got you the best gift for you Adrien." Chloe clips a golden designer watch around my wrist. "A 24 karat Rolex! Because my Adrikins deserves only the finest."

It's heavy...

"Oh, thank you Chloe. I love it." I lie. "In fact I love it so much that I'm going to put it away so I don't scratch it or lose it."

"Good thinking Adrikins," Chloe says. "Wouldn't wonna make these dirt-poor losers jealous."

I smile painfully and slip the watch into my pocket. Don't get me wrong, I'm not ungrateful or anything. I just wish Chloe would think more of me. I don't care about money or designer brands or how expensive a gift is. Just this surprise party was enough to make me happy.

"I can't believe you guys got me presents as well. To be honest, I thought you had completely forgotten it was my birthday." I say. "But this party is awesome. You guys are awesome! I'm so happy I just can't stop smiling."

"Sorry, it must have been rough with no one wishing you a happy birthday today but Marinette insisted. She said she wanted to make this the biggest and bestest surprise of your life. This whole thing was her idea." Nino tells me. "Marinette organised everything; she got permission from the principle and all the teachers, she designed and decorated the school courtyard-of course Alya and I offered to help but really we all just had to show up a bit early. Marinette is the one that did all that work. If you're going to thank anyone, she deserves the credit. She even baked a cake for you. Alya told me that Marinette has been planning this ever since she found out the school dance was on the night of your birthday."

"She...She did?" I breathe.

Marinette is so kind. Warmth rises in my chest as hear about all she has done for me. She has been planning this for a week. For me. But she didn't take credit, she didn't boast, she just worked quietly and independently. All for me. She just wanted to gather all of my friends to have a good time and give me the best birthday ever. This is the best present.

I peer over Nino, trying to catch Marinette's eye once more...

But she is gone.

.

[Marinette's POV]

Adrien's face lights up as soon as he walks in through the door. He looks so happy, it fills me with life. I was the one that put that smile on his face. I want nothing more than to give him the best birthday ever. And what's more-he is wearing the scarf I made him for his birthday last year! Of course, he still doesn't know that I gave it to him but that doesn't matter. He must really love it. He looks so handsome.

Adrien's eyes suddenly meet mine. Time seems to slow as we look at each other from across the floor. I feel my cheeks grow warm under his gaze. I smile shyly at Adrien. It's like a scene from the movies. A boy and a girl make eye contact in the crowd of a school dance, then he searches for me all night just to get one more glimpse of the girl of his dreams. Maybe I should approach him and strike up a conversation. Surely I can at least wish him a happy birthday without jumbling up my words.

Nino has started talking to Adrien. This is my chance, we're all friends right. I work up the courage to take my first step but just as I am about to head towards them, Chloe cuts off my path.

Argh, Chloe. Why did I even tell her about this surprise party?

Before I know it, Nino and Chloe are boasting about the presents they have bought Adrien. Nino got him the new Mega Strike video game, that's so awesome. And Chloe got him fashionable, expensive jewellery.

My heart sinks. I didn't buy Adrien a present...

Chloe clips the golden designer watch around Adrien's wrist. Compared to that, the scarf I made him looks like crummy rags. I can picture Adrien throwing it aside and admiring the gleaming gold around his wrist.

I feel gutted with discouragement and shame. I couldn't even buy a designer dress to wear tonight. I had to make my own out of paper and spare fabric. And what did I get for Adrien? A cake. What if he doesn't even like it? How could I think that this would be enough? I feel so stupid.

I turn away and push through the crowd to get to the present table. My cake is sitting there, ready for when it's time to blow out the candles, but it looks so tiny compared to all of the large boxes stacked behind it. I look over all the gifts glumly. At least everyone else's presents will make Adrien happy and that's all I really want, even though I hoped it would be me who made his birthday spectacular.

"Marinette..."

I feel someone touch my shoulder, which causes me to jump in fright. I spin around to be greeted by the heavenly face of Adrien. Quick! Say the words. Say it. Say the thing.

"Oh, A-Adrien. Hi. H-Happy birthday!" I choke out.

Adrien smiles. "Thanks. I hear you organised this for me. It's amazing Marinette...you're amazing."

My heartbeat quickens. I fiddle with my hair and look down timidly.

"I-It was nothing..." I insist.

"Is this the cake you baked me? It looks delicious! How could you possibly call this nothing?" Adrien questions with a laugh. "I know that you did all this yourself, and you baked me a scrumptious cake worth the fame of the Dupain-Cheng bakery."

My spirits lift a little. I look back up to see Adrien's eyes alight with joy. Seeing him smile makes my chest feel all warm and fuzzy.

"It's nothing compared to that cool watch Chloe gave you." I reply unconfidently. "I'm sorry I didn't buy you a present..."

"Marinette," Adrien grips my shoulders gently and looks deeply into my eyes. "I want you to know that walking through those doors was one of the happiest moments of my life. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. Sure, Chloe's gift may be expensive but yours means the most to me."

My heart flutters. I feel heat prickle to the surface of my cheeks. I'm blushing so much I feel physically hot.

"Th-Thanks...Adrien." I say. "That means a lot to me. I...I just really wanted to give you the best birthday ever."

Adrien smiles and pulls me into a hug. It happened so fast, I'm frozen with shock. Adrien has never hugged me before. It feels amazing. His arms are so strong and comforting. As soon as my brain calms down enough to take control of the situation, I slowly raise my arms and return his tender embrace. Adrien...He is so warm and cozy. I want to stay in his arms forever.

"Thank you Marinette," Adrien whispers. "Thank you so, so much."

I feel so at peace. So content.

A shrill voice suddenly shakes me from my fantasy. "Adrien!"

Adrien's warmth leaves me as he pulls away from me. It feels as though he has ripped out my heart with him. I glare over at the culprit responsible for ruining the best moment of my life. Of course, what a surprise. It's Chloe.

She looks me up and down and scoffs. "Nice dress. Find it in a dumpster, did you? I suppose that's all you can afford."

"Actually, I think it's amazing." Adrien says. He loses attention in Chloe as he admires my dress. "Did you make it yourself? That's so awesome! You're so talented, Marinette. Where did you get your inspiration?"

Chloe curls her fists angrily. I smile proudly before turning back to Adrien.

"Oh, you know me. Buried in books as always." I answer smartly.

A slow song begins to play. All around us, people are coupling up to dance to the relaxing tune.

"Marinette,"

I turn to face Adrien. His charming smile makes my heart skip a beat.

Adrien bows and offers a hand. "May I have this dance?"

I open my mouth but nothing comes out. I'm beyond words at this point. I just smile and take his hand.

Adrien leads me onto the dance floor and pulls me close to him. I rest my arms on his shoulders and he wraps his around my waist. It fells so...right. This night could not be any more perfect.

[Adrien's POV]

Marinette is such an amazing friend. To think, this time last year she hated me. My first impression couldn't have been worse! I'm so glad she came to like me. Dancing in each other's arms now, looking into her kind, blue eyes, I couldn't imagine life without her.