The day after her arrival to Georgia, Marinette goes out shopping with her Aunt Lydia.  She is glad to see that her niece is no worse for wear since she got her. She can tell Marinette is upset. She does not pressure her to speak about it though as Tom and Sabine have told her about Alya's death.  She also knows about the hit and miss situation when it came to the car. She knows about the boy Marinette crushes on, she knows just about all of it.  

          Aunt Lydia's  POV:  My dear niece, the dear girl, I feel sorry for her. She has gone through so much for her age.  It cannot be easy on her to loose her best friend.  It also must be hard for her to confess to her crush, when she also has a mysterious gift sender.  Why she must feel simply flustered about the entire thing!   Perhaps, this trip will help to ease her mind!

       Marinette's  POV:  As we go about the busy mall, my mind remains on three things.  One is about Alya with all the memories we had.  The tragic death she had and the no news yet as to how it could have taken place anyway! There is no new leads as to suspects.  Nothing!  Then, there is Adrien!  Awe, the thought of him makes my heart do flip flops back and forth.  Makes me feel happy, yet full of confusion!   Finally, there this guy who sends me gifts, and flowers!  Who is he?  How did he find out what my favorite flowers are and why does he send them?  

    Marinette sighs. She cannot seem to stop her mind from wondering back to home! She believes it to be due to her being homesick. She really does not want to be here!  She wishes she could be back home with  Adrien. She blushes at the thought of how he gave her the bracelet, and to the kiss he gave her forehead before the car pulls away to take her away from Paris.  She feels tears trickle down her cheeks. Why?  Why must her parents send her to America?   How will this help her?

   Aunt Lydia, takes Marinette to the food court. She does not ask what she wants. She buys her a smoothie and a small order of fries. She places them in front of her.  She waits to see how her niece will respond to the food.

  Marinette turns her head at the fries. She does not want them!  She never desires to eat them ever again!  How can she bring herself to do so when those were Alya's  favorites?  She pushes them away. She picks  up the smoothie!  She brings it to her lips. She feels the taste of yogurt, bananas and strawberries!  She grins. 

      Marinette's  Flashback       

   "Marinette, I am sorry,girl.  My twin sisters are both sick with the flu.  My folks are on a date and my older sister, is not available to watch them.  Girls night is cancelled!" Alya tells her.

   "Oh, that is okay. I will think of something." Marinette says into her phone.

    *Alya on the other end, "Thanks a million for understanding!  Listen I have to go before the girls make the house catch on fire!  Bye!"  

    Alya hangs up. She sighs. She thinks it stinks that she could not spend time with her bff, tonight!  It was something they were looking forward to for weeks now!  Yet, here they are unable to do it.

   Marinette  hears the click in her ear. She hangs up next. She works on a design. She hears a tap outside her window. She thinks, it is Chat!  She looks up to see no Chat!  She opens the door in confusion. She lets him inside.  

   "Hey, Marinette!" Adrien says.

    "A-Adrien, what brings you here?"  Marinette blurts out.

    "I heard  that your girls night was no go.  Well, I was wondering if you could go get smoothies with me and Nino?"  Adrien ask her. He does not expect her to say yes. Why should he when it is obvious she hates him.

   "Yes, that would be fantastic!"  Marinette stands up, and turns the sewing machine off along with the light to it. She puts on a jacket since it is a bit chilly out!  Then, she heads downstairs with Adrien.  She tells her folks, "Mom and Dad, I am going to be out with Adrien and Nino!  It is just for smoothies.  See you!"

    Tom and Sabine smile.  "Have a good time dear!" Sabine says.

    "You two have fun!  Say hello to Nino for us!" Tom points out.

     "Yes, will do, Mr and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng!" Adrien calls out. 
 

     "Sure thing, mom and dad!"  Marinette says.

        Adrien, and Marinette go to pick up Nino.  Only when they arrive at his place, they find him to be gone. Where could he be?  Why is he not here?  

       They  take a look at the door and see a note:  Sorry, Adrien!  Cannot do boys night!  My brother Chris has a play he is at school!  My parents and I went to it.  We will be back until late.  You will think of something! -Nino

       Adrien and Marinette blush. The two still go out for smoothies though. Only on the way out of the shop, Chloe sees them and squeals,  "Adrikins, since when were you and Marinette a thing?"

        Adrien blushes. He regrets this later, but how can he say he likes her now?  He turns to Chloe and says, "What?  We are only on a friends hang out!"

      Marinette blushes, and says, "Y-yeah, a f-friends, hang out!" Her voice sounds unsure. She is sad that Adrien should friend zone  her  like this!  Just when she thought things were going so well!

    Chloe rolls her eyes. She does not believe them.  "Whatever you say!"Chloe says. She walks off.  She thinks it quite ridiculous those two should deny they are on a date!

   Flashback ends...

     Marinette finishes her smoothie. She stands up, and says, "Aunt Lydia!  Lets get out of here!"
  

     "Okay, dear!" Aunt Lydia agrees.

        The two go back to the house.  Marinette goes to the guest room and sulks.  She thinks, why other than the smoothie today was just plain awful.  She wants to go back to Adrien now!  She wishes to tell him everything!  How?  How does a girl tell a  boy she loves them?

       Aunt Lydia carries the bags in from the car. She places them on the table. She brings in the mail and locks the car doors. She thinks, it to be very strange indeed when she enters the house and almost trips over a huge cardboard box!  She does not believe she  was receive any such thing!   She brings in the box.  It is then she sees that it says it is from Paris, France! She notices there is no return address, or name as to the sender. How odd!  Then, she sees it says,  "To Marinette Dupain-Cheng  Bluebell Beauty!"

     "Marinette, Marinette!  You have a package!"  Aunt Lydia calls out.

      Marinette comes out of the guest room to see what is that her aunt goes on about anyway.   She sees the box. She looks at it and gasp. She opens it only to see a vase inside!  Why it is a fancy vase with a lovely bow on it. Oh, and there is something more!  It is flowers!  Whoa, her favorites again?  This could only mean one thing the boy who showers her with those things back home must have sent them.   How did he get her aunt's address though?   For that matter, how does he know she left town or the country? 

     Marinette's  POV:   

      As she takes the vase to the kitchen,pours water into it and adds the flowers she grins!  Her grin deepens as she sees the note that came with this stuff!  Man does he have a way with words!  Goodness, this boy makes her blush!  He makes her feel so, so...what would be a good word to describe how she feels?

    Aunt Lydia's  POV:  

     The vase, flowers and note that came in that package seems to lift Marinette's spirits!  The only trouble is she still is no closer to the identity to the sender than she was before she came out here!  She also no closer to confessing to that Adrien boy she crushes on so much!  Good day, why do things have to confuse her niece so much both back home and aboard?  

     Back in Paris, France...

      Adrien Agreste grins!  He thinks, surely the package has gotten to Marinette by now!  He is glad he got her folks to tell him where she is without asking any questions!  This made it is easier to go through with his plan to ship it out to her right away!  He only wishes he could see her face as she sees what he sent this time!  If only, she felt the same for him!  He shakes his head. 

   Adrien's  POV:

      Maybe it is just a hopeless romantic notion, but he cannot wait for her to return!  He shall count the days until he sees her!  He will be more than happy to take her out for smoothies again!  Should he tell her then the truth about the roses?  He sighs.

     to be continued in Chapter  14  Rose earrings?  Rose poster?