Marinette

"You didn't have to walk me home y'know," Marinette said, feeling a bit tense standing beside the blonde boy.

He looked at the sky, "It's starting to get dark, wouldn't want you walking alone."

She huffed a shallow breath. The thought of talking to Adrien seems amazing and wonderful at first glance. But actually doing so turned out to be more stressful than she imagined.

Was her hair nicely tucked into her pigtails? Did she smell like sweat? Could he notice how obviously nervous she was? These where questions that spiraled in her head like turntables or ballerinas doing 360 spins.

She bit the side of her cheek and turned towards the street. There wasn't much traffic, yet the streets were full. Civilians starting their night run were the only things that filled the sidewalks, aside from the occasional dog-lover walking their pet. The street light were just starting to glow.

"So have you thought of any ideas for the Regionals?" Adrien asked suddenly, fiddling with a thick ring that rested on his finger. Its white color stood out brightly against his tan skin.

"Um, I haven't... I haven't really thought that far ahead."

He hummed in response, moving his hands from his ring to his hair. He looked at her for a moment and the sudden eye contact made her pull away.

"What about you?" She continued, figuring she should hold the conversation. He was obviously trying to talk.

"Ha... no, not yet. I just assumed you would already have a game plan. You seem like the person who is always 3 feet ahead—."

"What! That's totally not true! If anything I'm always 3 feet behind!" She cuts in abruptly, causing some heads to turn at the pair.

Marinette always thought of herself as clumsy, irresponsible. Sure she was thorough, but never did she have a game plan. The fact that someone, especially Adrien, assumed that she did was something she'd never imagined.

Too focused on his comment, she hadn't noticed Adriens laughter. It was light, pleasant, and it made her heart feel warm and gooey. She begins to laugh with him.

Soon they've arrived to her house. The bakery light were shut off, signaling to her that her parents had just closed.

"Wow, I didn't know you lived here. I always get my macarons from this place," he smiled at the building.

"Wait really? I never see you around."

"Yeah well, I myself don't get them. Usually my bodyguard gets them for me when I'm craving some."

She paused, trying to remember if a bodyguard looking guy ever requested macarons. He seemed to notice her get lost in thought.

"He's kind of a big guy, buff. He's always wearing suits—."

"Oh I remember! You always get the passionfruit flavor," she says, the memory finally appearing.

"Yeah yeah yeah! Gosh they're so good. I could eat those everyday if I tried."

She laughs, then looks at the bakery. She should really be heading back inside.  It would be bad if her parents started to worry.

"Hey Marinette, uh, I was thinking..." he pauses to touch his ring, "would you be interested in being my partner in the Regionals? I know it's a pretty big risk, having a partner, but I think we could make a great team."

She feels her face begin to get hot. Partners? As in, dance partners? The thought makes her nervous, though the possibility of making Chloe loose her mind at the sight of them together seemed very rewarding.

But she thinks back to what she said to Alya. Would she mind? She had asked to be partners first, and Marinette said no. Would she be hurt?

"Just go for it girl!" Alyas voice rings in her head, and she decides to take the chance.

"Convince me."

He blinks, "W-What?"

"Convince me why I should be your partner? What's in it for me?" She says in a tone that is obviously flirtatious. It surprises her.

"Um well... for the experience of course," he smiles cheekily, eyes glimmering.

She feels the slight sting of deja vu, like she has heard that phrase before. But she chooses to ignore it.

This was her moment, and nothing's stopping her.

"Convincing enough for me," she sticks her hand out for a hand shake, unable to hide the confidence blooming from her skin.

He laughs, and when their hands touch,
she knows she's falling for him, yet she's unable to stop.