"Well Alya, this is a brand new year! I'm ready to confess my feelings to Adrien!" Marinette squealed excitedly.

"Seriously?" Alya chimed happily, sitting across from Marinette at a table in the cafeteria. "This is huge!"

"I told myself that one of my resolutions was to tell Adrien how I feel," Marinette nodded. "I'm ready!"

Alya widened her eyes, pointing behind Marinette. "And look who's here!"

The realization suddenly crashed down on Marinette. It was now or never. Could she do it? Don't back down. Don't back down!

Marinette stood up from her chair, determination on her face. This earned a word of encouragement from Alya and soon Marinette was walking towards Adrien. He was throwing away his lunch at the moment. Not the ideal place Marinette wanted to confess her feelings to Adrien, but she had to do it.

She stopped abruptly as Adrien turned his head towards her. She smiled sheepishly. Her palms grew sweaty and she had to find some way to spit out the words. "Uh... hi Adrien!"

He smiled that familiar, comforting smile. His perfect white teeth caught her eye. "Hey Marinette. What's up?"

"Um... well, you see..." Marinette fumbled with her words. Just say it! Her eyes lingered on his mouth. She took a deep breath. Say it fast and get it over with. She pinched her eyes shut and practically screamed the words out. "I REALLY, REALLY LIKE YOU!"

Chattering erupted in the cafeteria. Great, way to go Marinette. Way to let the entire school know about your crush. She opened her eyes slowly. Adrien was standing there in shock, his eyebrow raised in confusion.

"I'm sorry!" Marinette said quickly, feeling completely rejected. She began breathing heavily. "I-I shouldn't have even said anything. I have to go!" She ran away from the scene with Adrien calling her name before it faded away into the cafeteria chatter.

Marinette cowered into a bathroom stall, grabbing her head in frustration. "Wow, Marinette," she told herself, "way to make things dramatic. This year is already off to a horrible start."

Tikki peeked her head out of Marinette's purse, frowning. "Don't be sad. At least you had the courage to say it."

"Now the whole school knows and Adrien probably thinks I'm a complete freak," Marinette hufffed. "Can I just disappear?"

"No, silly," Tikki giggled, flying up to her face. "Adrien does not think you're a freak. He was probably just stunned. Usually you're very shy and quiet around him so hearing you say such words probably shocked him a little."

Marinette glanced up at Tikki.

"Gee, I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse," she sighed.

"It's supposed to make you feel better," Tikki grabbed her face, "Having a crush is nothing to be ashamed of. Everything will be fine."

Marinette smiled, running a finger across Tikki's back. "Thanks Tikki," she whispered.

The door to the girls bathroom suddenly slammed open. "Marinette! You in here?"

"Hide Tikki," Marinette whispered before standing up. She opened the bathroom stall door and saw her friend standing there.

"Oh, girl!" Alya said, running in for a hug. "I'm so proud that you told Adrien."

"He doesn't think I'm... weird?" Marinette asked slowly.

"Not at all," Alya chuckled. She grabbed her friends' hand and began walking out of the bathroom. "In fact, he wants to talk to you."

Shivers ran down her spine. Hopefully, the encounter wouldn't be awkward. But, Marinette knew herself, and she was sure that it would turn out that way somehow.

The door carefully opened and Adrien was leaning on the wall on the other side of the hallway, his hands in his pockets. His lips curved into a soft, empathetic smile as he met Marinette's eyes.

"I'll leave you two alone," Alya whispered before walking off.

Marinette fiddled with her hands, blushed cheeks facing the ground. "Looks like you know I have a crush on you now."

"I do," Adrien replied. He gently grabbed Marinette's hands, causing her to look up in surprise. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Marinette."

She couldn't believe Adrien grabbed her hands. Her heart was pounding in her chest. "O-Oh," she stammered, "Sorry."

"Don't apologize," Adrien laughed, releasing her hands. He scratched the back of his neck. "In fact, I-" He gulped and Marinette raised an eyebrow. "I like you too, Marinette."

"Y-You do?" Marinette asked in shock, her eyes wider than an ocean. "You're not just saying that?"

"I do, and I'm not just saying it," Adrien smiled, a slight blush on his cheeks. "I figured since you told your feelings, I'd tell mine."

Marinette felt the world dim. She was definitely gonna pass out. "I-I," she breathed, feeling the world spin before falling backwards. Luckily, Adrien caught her in his arms just in time.

"You okay?" he asked, bewildered. "Do you need water?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine," Marinette laughed wearily. "I'm just so happy that you like me back. Thanks for catching me."

He helped her stand up. "No problem. I can't believe how fast my heart is racing right now. I've never felt this way before except-" He stopped abruptly, unable to finish the sentence. He didn't even mean to mention Ladybug in front of Marinette. The words kind of just spilled out. But he couldn't, not with her staring at him in such adoration.

She raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to finish the sentence.

"Uh," he widened his eyes and continued, "except when I look at your parents' famous croissants of course!"

The puzzled look disappeared from Marinette's face and she laughed. "Right, they are the best!"

Adrien flashed a toothy grin as Alya sneaked in and joined the two. She had a comforting smile on her face as she leaned in closer to Marinette. "So how'd it go?"

"Great!" Marinette smiled, looking between Adrien and Alya. She then made eye contact with Alya. "We'd better get to class."

"I'll meet you later, I have to get my textbook out of my locker," Alya said. Marinette nodded and waved dreamily at Adrien before leaving.

Adrien checked to make sure Marinette was gone before narrowing his eyes at Alya. "There, are you happy?"

"Thanks so much," Alya whispered. "I couldn't let Marinette feel awkward around you. If you told her you liked her then it would lessen the awkwardness."

"I lied to her, Alya. I feel like a horrible person! You know I like someone else," Adrien seethed. He began walking away. "I'm going to tell her the truth."

"No!" Alya yelled, running over and stopping in front of him. She placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back. "You can't."

"I can and will," Adrien said, walking around her.

"Please, Adrien," Alya whispered, tugging on his arm. "I know, deep down, you like Marinette back. Even if it's just a little bit. It'll break her heart if you tell her the truth. She could get akumatized."

"I like Marinette, but as a friend," Adrien whispered. He bit his lip, digging deep inside himself to unlock his feelings. He knew his words weren't entirely true, but he pushed that fact away for now. "And if she were ever in danger, Ladybug and Chat Noir would help her. You know that."

"Please," Alya said slowly. "I shouldn't have asked you to lie. But I know Marinette. She would be devastated if you told her the truth. I just want her to be happy."

Adrien sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He felt so many conflicting emotions. Perhaps he really liked Marinette more than friend? Everything was cloudy. He hated lying to her, she deserved the truth. But on the other hand, she deserved happiness.

Adrien looked Alya directly in the eye, his mind made up. "I won't tell her the truth. But only because I want to see her happy."

"Thank you!" Alya squealed, giving him a hug. "You're the best, Adrien Agreste."

"I'm gonna head to class before this whole situation eats away at me," Adrien shrugged, burying his hands into his pockets.

He hoped he wouldn't regret it later.