Marinette

"You look tired"

Marinette glares at Alya and she laughs, turning to watch the boys do their morning warm ups. The teacher was currently hitting Nino in the back of the head for his bad posture and she could see a smile begin to creep onto Alyas lips as she watched the scene. Marinette shakes her head at the two, knowing both would be scolded if they didn't put their full attention into dancing. When Alya finally turns away, she is fluffing up her hair and her cheeks are noticeably pink.

Marinette too was admiring a boy from the distance. Of course he was a lot more attractive than his laid back friend, in her opinion that is. Surpriseingly, he was very quiet today, not even talking to Nino as much as he would usually. They had recently become inseparable, so it was rare to see Adrien not laughing at one of Ninos jokes.

Adrien looks up from his daze, their eyes meeting. Her face starting to feel hot, she awkwardly waves before turning to the pole in front of her.

"So Alya, what do you think of Adrien" Marinette asks, trying to be subtle. Ever since they've become closer, Alya has been able to read her like a book.

"Blondy? Don't really think much of him. His friend seems cool" She said, seeming not care about the mentioned boy. Marinette breathes out a sigh of relief.

People began to chatter softly when the instructor leaves the room. She said she had to fetch some paperwork and Marinette wondered why such a smart lady would expect a class this big to be quiet. She finds herself glancing at Adrien again and her face crinkles at the sight of Chloe smothering him in hugs. Though a smile forms on her face when she sees Adrien. He was obviously uncomfortable.

Their teacher walks back in, stacks of papers and forms in her hands. She waves a hand toward all of us, gesturing for us to circle around her. Marinette stands beside Alya, who was talking to Nino, and begins to wonder when they got so close.

"I'm sure you all know about the Regional Dance Finals," The teacher starts, satisfied when everyone quiets down.

"That's got your attention huh?"

She continues to talk, when Marinette feels something shift behind her.

"Are you ok?"

She turns, jumping slightly when Adrien appears, his head leaning over her shoulder. His breath tickling her neck and she could feel my palms start to sweat at how close his was.

"Adrien?! I um, of course I am! W-Why do you ask?"

His lips pucker slightly, as if he didn't know what to say. He lingers there for a moment, thinking. Her mouth began to dry.

"I don't know. You just, seem tired."

Marinette finds herself rolling her eyes, for the fluttering in her stomach came to a halt. She tries to think of something else, something happier. Like the fact that Adrien was talking to her, or that Regionals were finally here.

Yet something kept bringing her back to last night.

"Why do people keep saying that to me," she says, crossing her arms.

Adrien must've read her mood, slowly backing away. The voice she had tuned out for him began to sound clearer.

"As third years, you are finally able to participate in the Regionals this year. Last year the competition was optional, but this year..."

Marinette look up, curious at her teachers sudden voice drop. She smiled at the. as she reached to grab a form from the stack she carried in.

"...their mandatory."