*Author's note: Yes, I know it is past the Fourth of July now, but I had a busy day yesterday.  Anyways, I am back now and hope you enjoy this part of the holiday special.  Happy Reading!  No copycats allowed. -Summer Cheng

        Marinette's  POV:

           Marinette wakes up all excited last night she and her parents left Paris for a much-needed vacation.  This morning is the start of a special day, for today is July 4th or as some people call it the Fourth of July!  It is Independence day in America the day, Americans celebrate their freedom, and the signing of the Deceleration of Independence.  

         She gets dressed grateful she was able to find a nice outfit for today from the gift shop at one of the airports before the arrival at her sister's place yesterday. At least this way, she does not have to feel rude.  She smiles as she brushes her hair, then fixes it back in a single ponytail instead of her signature pigtails.  She puts in a few earrings to match the clothes and slips a pair of sandals on her feet.

        Now, all set she goes downstairs to eat breakfast with Bridgette, along with their parents, and Bridgette's roommate. She can not seem to recall her name.    She thinks to her herself, goodness why am I so bad with names?

       "Good morning, Bridgette, mom and dad, and uh," Marinette says.

      "Sorry, I do not recall your name.  I mean we did have a late flight last night, and it seems to have slipped my mind,"  Marinette explains.

    Katharine "Katie" Luka's  cousin/ Bridgette's Roommate's POV:

      " Good morning, Marinette and do not worry, it happens to the best of us,"  She says.

        "By the way, my name is Katharine Lee Stokes, but you call me Katie, " Katharine remarks.

             Katharine goes on to mention that her cousin and his friend should be joining them later.  

  "They will be at the yogurt place where Bridgette works later this week, but today it is a holiday so the shop is closed.  Today, is a great day to have a picnic at the beach, so what you say?"  Katharine states.

          She smiles as the others reflect over all the information that she just gave to them.

       Tom's  POV:
         Tom says, "Well, my wife and I think that is a splendid idea."

         He smiles over at Sabine as he speaks.

             "Yes, it is like he says," Sabine agrees.

              "What time shall we meet up at the beach?" Tom asks.

             Sabine's POV:

             "A picnic at the beach sounds romantic and like loads of fun," Sabine says.

               She sees Marinette frown at the mention of romance.  "I do wish Marinette was not so keen on keeping men away though, " Sabine states with a frown.

             "Anyway, I am sure we can all have a great time if we put our minds to it," Sabine adds.

     Adrien's POV:
      Adrien rolls his eyes at Luka's suggestion.  He thinks the whole idea to be quite ridiculous.

        "Luka, lunch at the beach sounds so dull," Adrien scoffs. He does not want to admit it might be enjoyable.

        "I mean it is so hot, and where could we find some shade," Adrien adds.

  Luka's POV:

   "Look, man, my cousin, her roommate, her roommate's folks, and sister will be there, " Luka says.

     "It will be nice to have some company for a change," Luka says.

         Luka sees Adrien's scowl and laughs.  He thinks Adrien needs to learn to lighten up for a change.  He can not figure out why the guy insists on being such a bore during the trip.

       It was only late yesterday they got here and already  Adrien appears to be in a bad mood.

    Adrien's POV:

    "Your cousin, Katharine you always go about and her roommate is bad enough, but now you expect us not only to join them but her roommate's relatives too, ugh," Adrien says.

      "Besides, for all, we know they could be complete snobs," Adrien states.     

        Adrien sees Luka raise his eyebrow in annoyance and wishes he could have been more polite.  Maybe he was out of line not to give everyone a benefit of the doubt.  Besides he did agree to meet up with the girl Bridgette's sister anyway.  Perhaps, this was a good way to find out what she was like before all this.

       He smiles then remarks, " You know what Luka, I suppose it does not hurt.  It would be rather lame to eat alone anyway,"  Adrien says.

        Luka's  POV:

      "Good, glad we agree on something," Luka says.

          He grins glad for Adrien's sudden change of mind and attitude. He sighs a sigh of relief.

             "We will meet them at 1 pm since that the time, Katie says is good for them all, "Luka states.

            "We can go to the beach before this, but that is when they wish to meet us," He remarks.

            "Oh, sounds good, " Adrien agrees.

          "Alright," Luka blurts out as he texts Katie to let them know the time is settled on for them all.

         Narrator's POV:

          Both groups take turns shopping at different times, then arrive at the beach area early. Once, there the guys set up their stuff under one palm tree, while the others arrange their things under another shade tree.

         Now, the boys have no idea that the girls along with Bridgette's parents are there already or vice versa.

        Marinette's POV:

          Marinette is glad her other clothes are packed in her beach bag. This way she has dry clothes for later that day. For now, she wears her swimsuit under her light blue dress that doubles as her coverup top, and some comfortable shoes.  Her hair is still in the same style as previously mentioned.  She puts on sunscreen to avoid a sunburn, removes the dress, gets Bridgette to help her apply sunscreen on her back, the back of her neck, and on her shoulders, then puts the dress back on. 

        She decides to go on a walk for a bit.

     Little does she know that a certain blonde-haired, green-eyed guy has the same idea in mind.

         "See you all later," Marinette says as she waves to everyone else.

        "Sure have fun on your walk, Mari," Brigette says.

          "Yes, have fun," Tom and Sabine add.

        "Watch out for jellyfish as their sting is something awful,"  Katharine aka "Katie" calls out.

            "Sure thing, I will," Marinette says.

                Marinette leaves for a walk, sketchbook in hand, and her camera around her neck.

        Adrien's  POV:

           Adrien applies a bit of sunscreen to his face, arms, shoulders, and legs. " I could use some help getting this on my back," Adrien says.

           He removes his shirt, and hands the bottle of sunscreen to Luka.

           Luka applies the sunscreen to the back of Adrien's neck, and his back for him.  "There you go, man," Luka says.

         "Thanks, " Adrien says as he applies some sunscreen to his chest. Then, he hands the bottle back to him.

        Adrien starts to walk off, but stops when Luka asks, "Where you off to in such a hurry?"

        "Just going on a quick walk, " Adrien answers.

        "Ok, have fun and watch out for jellyfish.  My cousin says they sting," Luka tells him.

        "Sure, " Adrien says and walks off.

             Adrien begins his walk and at some point, someone bumps into him.  He can tell they are about to fall, so he reaches out, and catches them.  "You okay, there?" Adrien asks.

          Marinette's  POV:

            Marinette walks around sketching things when she bumps into someone and starts to lose her balance.  She feels whoever it is as they catch her much to her surprise. She sees a chest and knows it must be a man. There is no mistake in that by the looks of it.

          "Y-Yes, I am g-good," Marinette mutters.

             Marinette feels her face turn red as she looks up into his eyes. She sees a pair of familiar green eyes and wonders why she blushes.  She can not believe her reaction is so awkward.

          "A-Adrien, wh-what b-brings you here to A-America?"  She asks.

         Marinette feels unsure how to respond to her sudden odd sense of safeness with him. She thinks what?  

          Adrien's POV:

         Adrien hears his name on her lips and looks closely at her. He sees her lovely bluebell eyes and familiar blue hair.  He blushes as he thinks  wait she did not call me a pest for a change.

       "I am here on vacation with Luka, but what about you?" He asks.

          Adrien sees her frown at the mention of Luka and feels bad about it.  "Oh, sorry, I forget he is the one who hurt you, oh, my goodness, Mari," Adrien says.

         He waits for her answer, and feels her wraps her arms around him.  He is surprised but hugs her in return.

        Marinette's POV:

         "I am here to visit my twin sister, Brigette, and my folks are here too," Marinette replies.

         "I d-did not know you were the f-friend, Luka was bringing," Marinette mutters.

          She sees Adrien frown and laughs.  "It just I thought he was going to have a girlfriend with him," Marinette blurts out.

       She sees Adrien smile, then chuckle some in response.

           Adrien's  POV:

            Adrien realizes he still holds her so, he lets her go slowly.  He wishes he could have held her longer and blushes. He shakes his head at the absurdness of it all.

         "Oh, so you are the girl, Luka keeps going on about that is staying with his cousin and her roommate.  This means Bridgette is his cousin,  Katharine's roommate then," Adrien says as if the thought just came to mind.

           "Yes, that is true, but..." Marinette begins.

          "I will not tell anyone that you bumped into me," Adrien states with a grin.

             He sees her smile for a change and wonders what brought that on anyway.  It is not as Nino or Alya were there this time.

          Marinette's POV:

            Marinette starts to run and looks rather upset as she does. She notices Adrien just looks at her in amazement.  It almost as if he wonders what she is up too. She thinks he does not still carry a hopeless crush on me, does he?

            "Oh, fiddlesticks, it seems my sketchbook has gotten away from me, and now I fear it shall be ruined," Marinette blurts out.

           She sees Adrien run towards the left as she goes right.  A few minutes later, he hands her the sketchbook, and there hands touch for a short moment.  It was by accident, so why then did Marinette suddenly feel safe with him?  Why did she wish he would stay?

        Adrien's POV:     

       Adrien feels their hands touch and blushes. He pulls away, and says, "I think you draw rather well, Mari."

        He sighs, then walks away before he can say anything that might bother her. He does recall she sees him as a pest, so he better go. He walks off and does not notice when she watches him. He can not tell she gasps at the knowledge that he has gotten handsome over time or that she feels bad at how awful she treated him.  He has no clue that she wishes for him to stay.  

       Adrien goes back to the beach towel with a certain blunette on his mind a silly grin on his face. He reapplies his sunscreen and continues to grin and stare at the ocean while Luka just reads a book.

    *Author's note: It seems like Adrien and Marinette were surprised to see each other.  Also, Marinette seems a bit flustered around Adrien.  Hmm, could it be she no longer sees him as a pest?   Will the others find out that Adrien and Marinette already spoke to each other before the meetup time or will this remain a secret as Adrien says?

     Find out more in Marinette's Fourth of July in America part 8

     bye, bye little owlets!

    -Summer out!