Finally, it is the weekend at last!   Nino is so glad it is here.  He can not wait to see his friends, Adrien, Alya, and Marinette again!  It is not like he has not seen them already at school and after school these last few days.  It just that he enjoys the time spent with all his best friends!  

       Alya shows Marinette a photo in class, since it is Friday!  Marinette tries to turn her head away before Miss Bustier finds out!  Only, Alya does not seem to want to let her off this easily.  "Come on Mari, you have to admit Adrien and Chat Noir look a lot alike!"  Alya whispers in her ear.  Marinette whispers back, "Alya not you too!  First, my Dad tells me this morning, and now you!"  

    Nino notices the girls as they talk back and forth. He only hopes they do not get caught.  If they do they might get dentition as this is the fourth time this week they have done this, during class.  He knows Miss Bustier may be a kind teacher, yet even she is a big on obedience when it comes to the schools polices on things like this. 

    Adrien smiles at how well Alya and Marinette get along. He thinks, why if I ever have a girlfriend some day, I hope we are as close as those two, maybe even closer.  He has no idea what their conversation is about he just knows whatever it seems to have Marinette on the edge of her seat.

     After what seems to be a long, drag the day out type of day, the bell finally rings at 3 pm to signal the end of the school day!  Everyone is glad to get out of their and on with their weekends. Much to their surprise, Miss Bustier appears to be extra cheerful!  She does not hand out any homework assignments due on Monday!  How very odd!  Since when has she ever let a week go by without any work on any single day?  Like since never!  All the students shrug their shoulders in amazement as they head out the door and into the outside world.

    Once the group of friends is together, they all head straight to the park. 

     Adrien thinks,it is strange that for once he has no photo shoots on the schedule for today, and that his father did not call to remind him to come straight home after school.  He is glad though.  It is nice to be able to spend some time with his friends with no interruptions for  a change.    

    Nino, is glad they are all here! Now, maybe he can find out what it is the girls discussion was about earlier that day!  Maybe, or perhaps it is better left alone!

    Alya smiles at Nino, and nudges Marinette a bit.  Marinette just stares at Adrien.

   "Nino, do you agree with me that Adrien and Chat have some similarities about them?"  Alya ask.

    "Yes, I suppose so!"  Nino says.  

   "What?  As if, there is no way Adrien has anything in common with that mangy, alley cat! " Marinette protest.

   "Yeah, like she said!" Adrien says.  He thinks, wait does she really think that about my alter ego?

   "Oh, yeah!  Well, let me show you!" Alya says.

    "Seriously, just drop it!"  Nino says.

    "This is coming from the guy who says only weeks before he has proof about Chat!  Now, come on Nino!  You know it is true!"  Alya says.

      "Fine, they look alike!  Big deal!"  Nino says.

     "What?  Adrien and Chat look nothing alike!  Chat wears a mask, while Adrien does not!" Marinette says.

      "Yeah, just imagine me being mistaken for Chat Noir!  Haha, now that is something to laugh about!" Adrien says. He thinks, sorry Plagg, I will  suppose I owe you extra cheese for this later.

     "I think Adrien and Chat smell the same!"  Nino says.

     "What do you mean, Nino?"  Alya ask.

     "Yeah, man!  Do explain!"  Adrien says, as he shows his annoyance at once.

     "Adrien, does not smell like him!"  Marinette says.

    "Oh, yeah, how would you know?"  Alya ask.

     "I uh, just know."  Marinette says.

    "Well, it just so happens they do indeed both smell like the scent of Camembert cheese!" Nino says.

    "Nino!"  Adrien says, more loud than necessary.

   "Haha, I find that hard to believe!"  Marinette says.

    "Same here, Nino!"  Alya says.

    "Plus, Alya here is right!  They do look alike.  Let's see Chat and Adrien both have green eyes, and blonde hair, plus they are the same height."  Nino says.

     "Oh, I suppose that is true, but that is just a coincidence."  Marinette says.

     "What about the fact when Adrien is here with us, Chat is no where in sight?"  Nino says.

     "Yeah, and when Chat arrives Adrien is no where in sight?"  Alya says.

     "That is only because when Chat is here, Adrien hides from the akumas like everyone else!"  Marinette says.

      "More like hides in plain sight as Chat!" Alya and Nino blurt out at the same time

     "What?  There is no way!  Adrien can not be him! "  Marinette says.

      "Oh, and just why not, Marinette?"  Alyno says.

     "He just can not!  Chat is a flirt!  Adrien is not like that at all!"  Marinette says.

     "Hmm, then what do you call it when Adrien touches your shoulder, leans in rather close to you, and wraps his arm around you then?"  Nino says.

      "What?  He is just being nice cause he is my friend!"  Marinette says. She blushes at the absurdity of the idea of her crush and her partner being one and the same.

      " Marinette?"  Adrien says.

     "Y-yes, A-Adrien?"  Marinette says.

     "Why are you so upset?"  Adrien says in concern.

      "I-I am n-not, it is just that there is no way y-you c-could be Ch-Chat!"  Marinette says. She is now beat red, and feels even more furious with Nino and Alya!  How dare they compare her precious, Adrien!  Her crush, to the Chat who works along side to fight off Hawkmoths minions on a daily basis.  How could they do this to her, or to him?

      Nino grins and whispers something into Alya's ear!  She only nods her head and smiles big time!

     "Well, then shall we test the Camembert theory then?"  Nino says.

    Adrien gives him a don't you dare look!  Only Nino does not pay attention, he goes over to Adrien and pushes him.  As a result Adrien lands hard on the ground right in front of Marinette!  He is in shock!  Why did Nino do such a thing!  To think, he calls the guy his best friend!

      Marinette looks at him. She is not to happy Nino did this, and is not sure what to do.  She thinks, should I offer to help him up?  What do I do?  She stands there, and stares into his eyes. She feels like his eyes glow as he looks back at her!  

     "A-Adrien, are you o-okay?"  Marinette says.

     "Yes, Mari!  I am fine."  Adrien says.

     "G-great!  I would not want you to d-damage your d-dreamy f-face!"  Marinettes says as she offers him a hand. 

    Nino and Alya try their best not to laugh at the entire thing.  Finally, they can no longer hold the laughs in.  They snicker!  "Haha, good one Marinette!"  Alyno teases her.

    "Wh-what did you just s-say, M-Marinette?"  Adrien says as he lets her pull him to his feet. His face is now as red as hers if not redder.

    "N-Nothing!" Marinette tries to look away. She thinks, great!  I am never going to be able to talk to him again, am I?

    "M-Mari, p-please, look at me!  It is just me, Adrien!  I am y-your b-best friend, next to Alya!"  Adrien says.

     "I c-can't!"  Marinette says.

     "Why?  M-Marinette, I admit I was in shock when you said what you did, but it is okay!  I do not mind.  Y-you are a big f-fan of mine anyway, right?"  Adrien says.

    "Y-Yes!"  Marinette says.

    "Then, please look at me, M-Mari!"  Adrien says.

    Alya and Nino's laughter just continues as the whole thing between Adrien and Marinette is so hiliarious to them!  

     Marinette finally looks at him. She thinks, why?  Adrien, why must you be so kind, dreamy, and handsome. Why?  She feels like she might even puke.

     Adrien reaches up and puts a hand on her shoulder.  He smiles at her and thinks, Mari, I do not understand, what is this ?  This strange feeling?  I mean, I love ladybug, right?  Then, why am I suddenly so awkward around Marinette?  I mean, she is just my best friend, and a fan girl, right?  

     "A-Adrien! " Marinette suddenly screams.

    "Wh-what?  What is the matter, Mari?  Are you hurt?"  Adrien says. 

    "N-No, it is just th-that N-Nino is right!  You do sm-smell like Camembert!"  Marinette says.

      "No, no!  It can't be!  No, please!  No!"  Marinette screams again!

        Adrien looks at her with a concern look and  catches her as she passes out.  He thinks, oh my goodness, she fainted.  What do I do?

      "Nino, Marinette fainted!"  Adrien says.

     "Oh, dear!  Nino this is all your fault!"  Alya says.

     "My fault, how could be my fault, when you all, but agreed with me?"  Nino says.

      "M-Mari, Mari!  Please be okay! "  Adrien says.  When she does not open her eyes right away, he gently tucks a loose hair behind her head.  He whispers, princess I am sorry, you had to find out like this.  He continues to hold her in his arms as he calls for help.  He is just not sure yet how to explain why she fainted.

     "Yes, that is right!  My friend, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, she fainted!  We are in the park with Nino Lahiffe and his girlfriend, Alya Cesaire!  Oh, my name, I am uh, Adrien ,Adrien Agreste!  Please, hurry!" Adrien says into the phone, while he holds onto the girl with the other arm.

     As he waits for help to arrive, he cries.  He thinks, please let her be okay!  I do not know what I would do if...He starts to whimper.

    to be continued in Chapter 7   Nino This is All Your Fault!