Marinette: I'm done. I'm dropping out of school!

Adrien: What happened now?

Marinette: Kim happened! He thinks "winging it" means we don't need research for our project 😫

Adrien: I mean... he's got wings on his sneakers. Maybe he's taking it literally?

Marinette: Don't joke! I'm already stressed, and Alix just dared him to freestyle rap our entire presentation!

Adrien: No way! Please tell me you recorded it 😄

Marinette: No, because I was too busy crying inside while Max tried to calculate the probability of us failing

Adrien: What did he say?

Marinette: Statistically? 87% but factoring in Kim's determination to rhyme 'photosynthesis,' it's closer to 95

Adrien: Honestly, Max is being generous

Marinette: Thank you for your support. Truly comforting 😤

Adrien: Hey, at least it's not as bad as Nino's group. Alya told me they spent 20 minutes arguing about whether to call their project cool or sick

Marinette: That sounds... painfully on-brand

Adrien: Exactly! Nino even made a playlist for their project vibes

Marinette: Of course he did

Marinette: Meanwhile, I'm trying to make sure Kim doesn't convince Max to dress up as a tree for 'atmosphere'

Adrien: Wait, are they seriously considering that?

Marinette: Yes! And Max is oddly on board. He's researching tree costumes as we speak!

Adrien: I'd pay to see Max in a tree costume. Please let this happen 🙏

Marinette: Adrien, this is my grade we're talking about, not live entertainment!

Adrien: Why not both?

Marinette: You're impossible

Adrien: I'm also free tonight 😇

Marinette: You want to come and hear the rap, don't you?

Adrien: Exactly! I'll even bring snacks

Marinette: Tempting. What kind of snacks?

Adrien: Only the best for my favorite partner: truffles, Haribo, and maybe a few bad jokes

Marinette: You had me until the bad jokes

Adrien: Too late. They're non-negotiable!

Marinette: Fine. But if you make one pun about 'branching out', I'm kicking you out!

Adrien: Deal. But if Kim tries on a tree costume, I'm staying for the encore 😄

Marinette: If Kim finds a tree costume, I'm moving to another planet

Adrien: And I'd follow you there, M'Lady

Marinette: You're lucky you're cute, Kitty

Adrien: You know, you've been calling me cute a lot lately, M

Marinette: 🤨 No, I haven't.

Adrien: Oh, you absolutely have! Let's see... there was last week during Mario Kart

Marinette: You only looked cute because you were pouting after I beat you

Adrien: And yesterday, when you said I looked cute trying to open that jam jar

Marinette: It was stuck, and you made this ridiculous face! I was laughing at you!

Adrien: Sure, sure. And now. At this rate, I might start blushing ☺️

Marinette: Adrien!

Adrien: Don't worry, Bugaboo. I'm flattered. You're pretty cute yourself, you know 😉

Marinette: Changing the subject RIGHT now! How's your group project going?

Adrien: Coward.

Marinette: Answer the question, Adrien.

Adrien: Fine. My group's okay, I guess. Chloé wanted to make the whole presentation about herself, but Sabrina 'accidentally' deleted her slides.

Marinette: Accidentally?

Adrien: She claimed it was technical difficulties. Honestly, it was kind of impressive!

Marinette: Sabrina is an unsung hero.

Adrien: Right? Meanwhile, Nathaniel is designing an entire comic to explain our topic

Marinette: That's so cool! What's it about?

Adrien: It's an educational superhero team fighting "The Villainous Vacuum of Knowledge".

Marinette: That's... amazing. Nathaniel's carrying your group, isn't he?

Adrien: Completely. I'm just here for moral support

Marinette: Classic

Adrien: Hey, I'm contributing! I gave him the idea for a superhero named Captain Clarity

Marinette: ...You're so proud of that, aren't you?

Adrien: Absolutely! Captain Clarity is a legend in the making

Marinette: I think Nathaniel's the one who deserves the grade, not you

Adrien: Maybe. But I'll still put "Group Project MVP" on my résumé

Marinette: You're impossible!

Adrien: And yet, you still think I'm cute ☺️

Marinette: I'm blocking you!

Adrien: You say that a lot, but here we are

Marinette: I really, truly am this time!

Adrien: Sure. Whatever you say!

30 minutes later

Marinette: So, are you coming over or not?

Adrien: I thought you were blocking me

Marinette: You're the only person I know that's free tonight

Adrien: I know that's a complete lie, so I'm going to believe you just want to see me that badly

Marinette: I just need someone to distract me from the chaos

Marinette: ...And I need you to convince Kim not to show up tomorrow dressed as a tree

Adrien: So I'm like... your superhero sidekick for Kim's stupidity?

Marinette: Exactly. As long as you don't try and turn him to ash again

Adrien: He deserved it!

Adrien: I'll grab my coat...and the snacks. But just so you know, I fully expect you to write a glowing review of my sidekick abilities

Marinette: Fine. "Adrien Agreste: 10/10. Excellent snack retrieval. Terrible at puns"

Adrien: Hey, my puns are paw-sitively legendary

Marinette: And this is why I need snacks. To cope with YOU!

Adrien: On my way. Be there in 15!

Marinette: Good. You can also help me brainstorm how to survive this presentation

Adrien: You'll survive. You've got me. And let's face it—there's no better partner for chaos!

Marinette: That's what I'm afraid of

Adrien: Too late. Snacks are secured, and chaos is en route

Marinette: Kwamis help me!