Marinette dragged herself over the crossroads and made her way up the school steps. Her life that morning had come to a screeching halt. Kagami and Adrien were soulmates. Their marks matched, nothing could be done about it, that was the fate she was now stuck with and it broke her heart.

For over a year she'd tried to move on from him, trying to get the will power to date other people but she could never remove the love she had for Adrien Agreste. She'd even gone as far as considering more with her flirty partner Chat Noir, but memories of Chat Blanc still plagued her. Their love destroyed the world. She had no right to use her own selfish needs when the existence of the world was on their shoulders.

Tikki had spent the morning trying to reason with Marinette to not believe Adrien and Kagami were soulmates until it had been proven. Tikki knew it wasn't true, it just couldn't be. Adrien was Marinette's soulmate! Even though the Miraculous couldn't interfere with other magical entities, she knew the cat and bug miraculous' only worked if the wielders were in fact two parts of a whole. They were always made for each other.

She didn't know what Adrien was playing at, but Plagg was going to have an earful when she got to him. Hadn't Plagg warned Adrien about playing with people's hearts, about the possibility of hurting his true soulmate. That black cat better watch out. He knew how much Marinette loved Adrien, she didn't understand why he hadn't interfered.

Before stepping into the school grounds Marinette pulled out her phone, looking at Kagami's message one more time. She was trying to be happy for Kagami, she really was, the girl deserves happiness in her life. Like Adrien, she'd lived under such strains to be perfect. Perhaps this would give her the opportunity for some freedom, for some love? Marinette sighed. She wanted to feel happy for her friends but she just couldn't at the moment.

She scrolled to Luka's contact and began to type him a message.

What you up to after school today? Want to meet up? X

She locked her phone and placed it back in the bag with Tikki. She knew what she was doing was wrong, but Luka did make her feel better. Maybe it was time she finally gave him a chance, gave him an opportunity to heal her broken heart, even if it was just short lived.

With one last breath to calm the tears threatening to spill, she ran up the stairs and into the classroom.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng?" Ms. Bustier was just doing the register and she'd made it for her roll call.

"Yes! Made it ... here." She slowly made her way up to her seat next to Alya.

Almost everyone was staring at her. They looked sad and disappointed. That was everyone apart from Adrien. Usually he'd give her a smile, some sort of welcoming recognition but today ... nothing. He actually looked awful, like the weight of the world was baring down on his shoulders. She screwed her eyebrows together wondering what could be wrong. Shouldn't he be happy?

Alya gave Marinette a nod as she sat down and began to take out her supplies before placing her bag under the table. As she sat back up straight she noticed a folded piece of paper on the top of her school tablet. She looked over at Alya, before taking the small square and opening it on her lap.

Don't believe everything you hear ... trust me on this! Alya knows all!

Marinette reread the letter, twice, three times and nothing made sense. Grabbing her pen off the table she began to scribble something underneath Alya's words.

About what?

Alya read it before quickly responding.

I can't say. Just hold your head high girl, and fate will play nicely.

Folding the paper she placed it in her side bag, settling in next to Tikki. She looked at her friend, eyeing her over. She had zero idea what Alya was on about, how could she hold her head high, it had been a horrible start to the morning. Alya must understand the heartbreak she was feeling.

Both girls turned their attention back to Ms. Bustier, Marinette taking a good look at the bowed head of the blonde in front. Seriously what was wrong with him? His soulmate was his girlfriend. The girl he chose to be with. Marinette had never felt anger towards the blonde, but it was sure mixing with the worried feeling she already had about him.

"Today you begin your last assignment of the year, and your last assignment of your time at college. Now, for all of you, this will add to your overall academic results, and some of you need to make sure you perform well, or you will not be passing your classic literature course." Everyone had to suppress giggles as Ms. Bustier aimed her speech directly at Chloé Bourgeois, the classes Princess and daughter to the current Mayor.

"That's ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"

"I have already sorted out your partnerships, along with which sections of the book you will be studying. You have twelve weeks to work on this."

Groans circulated around the classroom, twelve weeks was always a triple, maybe quadruple assignment. They knew it was going to be long and mind numbing.

"I have spoken to your other teachers and they will be basing their work off the same novel. Everything you study from now until your last day will be regarding Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice. A 1813 romantic novel, following the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the dynamic protagonist of the book who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreciate the difference between superficial goodness and actual goodness. Its humour lies in its honest depiction of manners, education, marriage, and money during the Regency era in Great Britain."

"She's so stolen that from Wikipedia." Marinette placed a hand over her mouth to hide the giggle as Alya whispered into her ear. She couldn't help but agree with Alya, either that or she was a very big Pride and Prejudice fan.

"You will be writing essays, and reenacting scenes. You will learn proper etiquette, and, of course, we will be holding a special Regency ball similar to when Elizabeth and Mr Darcy danced together for the first time." Ms. Bustier was having a moment. A romantic emotional breakdown. As she closed her eyes in a dream like state, everyone in the class began to look around the room, meeting eyes with other uncomfortable looking teens. Last thing you wanted was to watch your teacher have 'a moment' based on a fictional character.

Nino turned to snicker facing the girls causing Adrien to turn around too. His eyes met Marinette's and he got lost in them. He'd made a stupid mistake. What if Plagg was right and someone as sweet as Marinette was his soulmate? Someone like his bug? How could he let someone like that down? Making them believe they're not loved when really they'd be the easiest person to love and be with.

Quickly, everyone turned back in their seats and looked at the front of the room. Just as Ms. Bustier pulled herself together, out of her English heritage dreams.

"Now, I don't care about soul marks and soul mates, or about who you want to be with, this last assignment needs to show you can work in selected groups. That you can be a team player."

Adrien began to get worked up at the mention of soul marks and again placed his eye-line down onto his desk. Not only was he in deep with this lie, he now had to work with someone for twelve weeks, maybe having to perform a romantic scene, all while thinking about his own mess of a love life. Fate really had it in for him when it came to love and romance.

Ms. Bustier tapped around on her tablet before revealing the partnerships to the class. It was more torturous than waiting for the guillotine, not that anyone knew how they actually felt.

"Alix and Nino."

"Alya and Kim."

"Chloé and Max."

"Lila and ..."

Those who hadn't yet received a partner held their breath. Marinette and Adrien more than the others. As they had progressed through college Lila had suddenly lost her popularity and had been singled out for her unbelievable lies.

"Juleka."

A collective breath was let out around the room much to Lila's disgust.

"Rose, Nathanial, and Sabrina"

"Marinette and Adrien."

Adrien's headshot up, that wasn't bad. That wasn't bad at all, the excitement flurried through him as he thought about all the time he was going to be spending with Marinette. That was until he heard the groan behind him and a thud on the desk. He flinched before turning to face his partner in crime for the next twelve weeks, her head was firmly planted on the table. Face down and from what he could tell eyes closed.

"Right class, change to sit next to your partners and I'll pass out your scripts for the sections of the story you will be concentrating on."

Before Adrien could move, Alix had already appeared next to him.

"Out you get sunshine. There's a blueberry waiting for you." Alix sent Adrien a wink. Little did Adrien or Marinette know, but Alix knew exactly how the story was about to unfold and it was going to be a rollercoaster of an experience.

Gathering his things together he walked to sit next to Marinette. Her head was still on the table and he could hear her muttering to herself. Was she muttering words of support? Of encouragement? A sheet of paper was handed to Adrien with his and her names on the top of it. He couldn't help the smile when he read the scene. What the hell was wrong with him?

As soon as she heard him settle into the seat next to her, she shot up. Maybe a little too enthusiastically and whipped her hair straight into his eye.

"Ouch! Is that a way to welcome your Mr Darcy?" His face stretched out into a smirk. They'd managed to gain a comfort around each other since New York and he enjoyed sending time with her immensely. She was always a good one to tease.

"How do you know you're Mr Darcy? You could be Mr. Collins?" Marinette argued back.

Adrien lifted the sheet of paper and waved it in her face.

"Because I have our section of the story."

Marinette took the sheet out of Adrien's hands, and skimmed over it.

No, no, no, no, no.

Marinette couldn't think anything but that she'd messed with the planet alignment and it was getting it's revenge. First the soul marks and now this. This script she held in her hand.

The declaration and kissing sense, the finale to the epic romance of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.

Marinette stood up raising her hand in the air to signal Ms. Bustier.

"Yes Marinette?"

"Ms. Bustier, do you really think we're the best for such an important part of the story?"

Ms. Bustier laughed.

"Of course Marinette. Yourself and Adrien have shown yourselves to be a true Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. You'll be amazing."

Marinette nodded and sat back down. Fate had a wicked sense of humour, it really was kicking her whilst she was down.

"Sorry if this makes you feel uncomfortable, Marinette."

"N-no your fine. I mean, it's fine, Adrien. It's just acting right?"

His eyes moved down to the script and he read through it.

"Yeah," there was a hesitation in his voice, "just acting."

Darcy: I would have to tell you, you have bewitched me body and soul and I love and love and love you. And never wish to be parted from you from this day on.

"We will start with the comparison of your scene." Ms. Bustier announced over the chatter, "You have one week to read and complete an essay detailing how the protagonists compare to another couple through history. You will chose one real or make believe pairing to compare against Elizabeth and Darcy. Think about their relationship, about how their dynamics work and also about their love. How do they work together? Are there any tensions? Are there unresolved issues?"

Marinette began scribbling notes down on her tablet.

"Hey Marinette," Adrien's voice took her by surprise sending her pencil in between them with a squeak leaving her throat.

As they both stretched down to grab it, they bumped heads for about the thousandth time in the two years they'd known each other.

"Sorry." They both announced. Adrien had managed to grab the pencil and handed it back over to Marinette.

"If I speak to my father, perhaps you could come over after school tomorrow and we could check out the film?"

"Sure. As long as it's ok with your father," she looked down and spoke quietly, "and your soulmate, of course."

"About that Marinette, you see ..." suddenly the bell rang signalling the end of class. Saved by the bell, Marinette thought. At least she didn't have to listen to Adrien describing the wonder that is Kagami. Next to her, the blonde scalded the bell chiming. It seemed he wouldn't be telling Marinette the truth today.

"I've got to go, Adrien. Let me know about tomorrow."

Marinette quickly brushed everything into her bag and began to walk to the door, before stopping and turning back.

"Oh, by the way. Happy Birthday." She shoved a gift wrapped box into his hands and made her way to the bakery for lunch. Adrien could only stand and watch. He looked down at the present that had been thrust upon him before looking back at the doorway. He never even had chance to thank her. He sighed and placed all his items, present included, into his bag before checking his phone.

[Kagami] I can't wait to see you tonight. I'm so happy for us.

Adrien grimaced before replacing his phone in his bag. As he looked down he caught Plagg's eyes. The kwami shook his head and looked away, Plagg couldn't hold back from showing his extreme disappointment in his holder. One issue with the wielder of the cat miraculous, their hearts were too big, they were far too selfless.

"Cheer up, my dude! It's your sweet sixteenth you should be happy all day. You've had a frown on your face all day, well apart from when you found out Marinette was your partner. You know she's not sixteen yet, right?" Nino dropped Adrien a quick wink. Why was everyone winking at him?

Adrien smiled at his buddy. His fake model smile, of course. He couldn't exactly tell him that Marinette is one of only two people in the whole world who made him feel special, and he definitely couldn't tell him Ladybug was the second. They made him feel special and whole. His thoughts switched to Kagami. What the hell was he going to do? He hadn't thought one positive emotion about their relationship all day.

"I'm just worried about this evening. I can't tell Kagami, Nino. She'll be crushed! I do like her but I just ... it's just ... I can't be with her thinking that it's me and her against the world, because it's not. We're not meant to be with each other." Adrien sighed and placed a hand on Nino's shoulder. "If you think of any ideas, please let me know. I'll see you tomorrow." Giving Nino's shoulder a pat he began to move out of the classroom.

Wednesday's were only half days, meaning the rest of his birthday would be spent at a photoshoot, yippee. As Adrien began to walk down the steps his heart stopped. Standing on the corner was Marinette, arms wrapped tightly around Luka's waist as he stroked her hair and rubbed her back. He looked to be consoling her as they walked towards the park opposite her parents bakery, and Adrien couldn't help but wonder why?

As he stepped into his car, he left his happiness behind and headed into the vast abyss. Marinette on the other hand was facing her own turmoil as she sobbed into Luka's shoulder.