A few days later, Marinette sits in her seat.  She checks the time. Much to her surprise she is not late this time. She thinks, wait, how did I manage this?  It is not like I have any other time?  She wonders, does this mean today will have a nice surprise in store for me?

            Adrien arrives to school a few minutes before Marinette arrives.  He sees her show up a few minutes later.  He is happy to see her and to his surprise she is on time for a change!  Wow, that is nice.  He  winks in her direction, but sighs when she does not appear to notice.  She just sits there as if she has no care in the world.

           TIme skip to after school, brought by Tikki's  Best Cookies!

               The bell rings, as the students file out of their classes.  Adrien smiles at Marinette. He thinks, man why can I never have the guts to tell her that I like her?  He sighs and thinks, maybe I am just a silly nerd.  A nerd with a crush on the girl with the misshapen tattoo!  

             Chloe sees Marinette and bullies her as usual.  Why should she be any different today, because it is Friday?  No, she is just mocks her like always. 

     "Marinette filthy girl, why she would get along great with the pigs!"  Chloe says.

       "Yeah, well, Chloe , it  Takes One, To Know One!"  Marinette blurts out. Immediately she regrets this choice of  words.  She looks away as Chloe laughs at her once more.

           "Look, blue hair waste, we all know that is not true as I am not a pig. "  Chloe retorts.

          "Really, because from where we stand the only pig is Chloe Bougerious."  Adrien remarks.

           "Oh, yeah nerd boy!  Everyone knows she is not beautiful and that I am."  Chloe retorts.

          "Sorry, but we all know that Chloe is not pretty."  Alya says.

        "Alya is right, so what she gonna do about it?"  Nino remarks.

         "Tell them, Sabrina!" Chloe blurts out.

       "Chloe here is a great best friend, and she is pretty as can be!  She does nice things for me and everyone, so there!" Sabrina retorts.

          "See, told ya, I am beautiful !" Chloe says.

         "Oh, yeah than why are does Chloe always go  over board when it comes to her makeup, nail polish, hair and the latest fashion?"  Adrien ask with his hands on his hips once more.

        "Yeah, he has  a point here!  Really beauty comes from within not from what someone looks like!"  Nino states.

      "We agree."  Alya says.

      "Yes, we do!" Adrien says. He looks at Marinette and sees she still has a sad look in her eyes.  He thinks, man how I long to wipe that sadness away and make it all better for her.  

       "Chole, to be honest the others are right, cause we all see the globs of makeup, smell the perfume,  notice the  nail polish and  it takes  over two hours to finish with your hair.  Also, she does have the habit of  buying the latest style as soon as she  can, so she can be the first to be seen in public with it and..." Sabrina states.

    "Sabrina, how dare you take the side of those loosers!" Chloe retorts.

     "Oh, but Chloe, I was only..." Sabrina says.

       "Forget it, just forget we ever met.  We are no longer best friends.  So, do not even dare to invade any space with your presence again.  Go join whatever club is it that those low life are in these days."  Chloe says. She stomps off in a huff.

             Sabrina is hurt. She cannot believe Chloe would do this to her. She does not get it. How could Chloe say they are no longer friends just because she told her the truth about her appearance?  It is not like Chloe to be this uptight about it all is it?  Then, again maybe it is.  Sabrina goes home sad.

             Marinette feels sorry for Sabrina. She often thinks, just because Sabrina wears a vest to school daily and never changes her shoes does not mean she deserves to be taken advantage of by Chloe of all people.  She thinks, maybe we can get Sabrina on our side.  Who knows?   Well, it is something that certainly does not hurt to try.  

         Adrien thinks, wow, Marinette stood up to Chloe!  Who knew she had it in her?  This is very impressive!  Very impressive indeed.   

     "Marinette what took place with Chloe back their well, it was amazing!" Adrien says.

         "Adrien, not now."  Marinette says. She begins to walk away.

           Adrien goes after her.  He watches her go home and smiles. He waits til she is directly outside the place then he approaches her once more.

           "Marinette, everyone knows that we are not together, and never will be for that matter. We  get it and respect it. So, can we be friends?"  Adrien says.

        "Adrien , are we not already friends?"  Marinette says.  She clearly feels confusion at his sudden remark towards her.

          "Oh, right, sorry.  Just forget it then." Adrien says. 

               Marinette hugs him.  To her surprise, he hugs her back.  

   Adrien  speaks up, "Marinette, Chloe does not speak for all of us.   Least of all, me. We all can see, you are pretty! We know you do not think so, but that is what makes it all the more true. "  He sees her smile.  He watches her unlock the door and sees her face fall. 

      "Adrien, please do not say this.  It is not true.  The truth is as she says, I am ugly. That is all I am and will ever be."  Marinette says.

      "No, she is not right.  We all know that Marinette Dupain-Cheng is pretty! We know,because we  can see it here!"  Adrien says as he points to his heart. He leaves and Marinette stands their in amazement. She closes the door, locks it and thinks, wait was he always this smart, kind, and alright amazing? She sighs. 

      Adrien thinks, Marinette it Takes One to Know One!   He thinks, we know you are truly beautiful. We know that I love you!  He goes home with so much on his mind about this bluenette.  What is he to do about it?

      to be continued in Chapter  5  Ugly As Ever?