ComeOutOfYourShellChallenge

😊😊

I

'We're all mad here'

I felt Adrien inhaling my scent as I stared forward. It was a couple of hours after we went ice skating and Adrien swung by my house and took me to his house.

We were at his balcony and his arms were wrapped around my waist as he stood behind me, craddling and rocking me back and forth.

"I feel like such a girl when I talk to you about my mother," Adrien's lips were very close to my ear.

"Don't say that," I shook my head. "Tell me about her. This time, I'm asking you to tell me about her,"

"Okay," Adrien mumbled. "My mother was the definition of perfect. She was sweet and kind and knew how to work around people - that's why everyone loved her. Every Sunday, she used to bake cookies every late afternoon for me to have,"

He paused. "But my father didn't really like it, because he said that it was too many carbs. By then I was about 8, and he took an interest in me -- my career, actually. I didn't begin modelling until I was 10,"

"You grew up too fast," I whispered.

"I know," Adrien replied with a nervous chuckle. "I wish that I could turn back time to the good old days where my mother still used to kiss me goodnight and bake me chocolate chip cookies,"

"I can bake you chocolate chip cookies every Sunday if you'd like," I turned around to face Adrien, who was staring at me, half amused and half shocked.

"You would do that? For me?" Adrien put his arms on my shoulders, staring very intently into my blue eyes.

"Sure," I shrugged. "I don't see why not,"

"Hey," He suddenly frowned. "What about a goodnight kiss?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't remember that," I looked away, into a streetlight.

"Please," Adrien snorted. "I wouldn't ever forget that," He then placed his fingers below my chin and turned my head to face him. "Talk to me. Tell me what you thought of me, my lady, when you first met me as my not so normal identity,"

This made me burst out laughing.

A total change of atmosphere and mood but it was needed.

"What's so funny?" Adrien chuckled, looking adorable with his confused expression.

"The first time I met you," I started, composing myself. "I honestly thought you were an idiot. A huge one,"

"I would be offended, but I'm your idiot, Lovebug," Adrien poked my nose, wirking at me.

"Please," I copied Adrien's snort and rolled my eyes. "I remember when we were fighting Sabrina, and we bumped into each other after taking the akumatised Sabrina down,"

"Oh yeah," Adrien grinned. "Do you remember the time that you asked me out for an ice cream date? Or the fairy tale drama that we went through?"

I rolled my eyes. "I do remember. It feels like yesterday. What did you think of me when you first met me as my not-civilian-self?"

Adrien sighed dreamily. "It was love at first sight. I swear, this is the one of the many reasons that I love Paris. Love at first sight is only possible in this place,"

I couldn't help but laugh. It was true. It's not called the 'City Of Love' for nothing.

"As I was saying, even though you were clumsy at first being my Bugaboo, I thought you were the most beautiful creature that I had ever seen, besides myself, of course," Adrien winked.

Beautiful?

Cue the fainting.

Adrien Agreste, the most beautiful boy in Paris, called me beautiful?

Play it cool, Marinette.

Don't blow it.

I rolled my eyes. "It amazes me at how you think so highly of yourself,"

Good job!

"It's good to love yourself,"

"But there's such a thing as too much love,"

"I suppose such a thing could be true...would you like some of my love, Mari?"

Oh God.

"Nope. I've got plenty,"

Way to go Marinette! He told you that he likes the chase. High five!

"Some of it doesn't happen to be from a certain kitty cat, does it?"

"Kitty cat? I don't know any kitty cat,"

"Well then," Adrien grabbed hold of my waist and pulled my towards his chest. The palm of my hand rested at his well defined chest and I could her the faint beat of his heart.

Adrien's smirk was visible under the street lighting. "Me-ow,"

"Woof," I tilted my head, curiously at the boy.

Adrien burst out laughing at my stupid comeback. "You're really something, Marinette,"

A warm feeling began to spread through my chest. "I know, I know. I'm amazing, but it's time for bed, young man,"

"Come to bed with me," Adrien wirked for the umpteenth time today. I bet all he does is wirk all the time.

"Naughty kitty," I scolded as I made him climb into bed. He was in his boxers and t-shirt already.

"Give me a goodnight kiss then. Right on my forehead, like my mother used to do it," There was a hint of sadness in his tone.

Swelled with compassion, I decided to lean down and kiss Adrien's forehead. Unfortunately, I stumbled forward and kissed him straight in the lips.

At first, his body tensed, probably due to shock, but after a second or two, his hand was behind my neck, pulling me close to him. This made me go on my knees on the tiled ground.

My fingers took their chance to skim through his silky blonde hair, before wrapping themselves around his neck.

The kiss took my breathe away - as cliché as that was. I was 80% sure that Adrien was pretty content with my clumsiness this one time, than all the other times that I've been a total klutz.

The warm feeling in my chest spread from my chest to my fingers, to my toes and then the rest of my body. I could feel the feeling being transmitted through all the nerves and bones in my body.

The kiss was just as passionate as the one from yesterday, but it was a hungry one. It was as if we weren't content with the kiss and we wanted more. I was a little bummed because it ended after about a minute or so.

This is because footsteps were approaching and I needed to leave. But before I left, Adrien blew me a flirty kiss, which I blushed at before escaping through the balcony.

_____________________________________________________

"Don't forget to vote for your prom king and queen. The nominees for king are Adrien, Nino, Kim and Ivan. The nominees for queen are Alya, Chloé, Lila and Mylène," The announcement came on the speaker.

"Why aren't you one of the nominees?" Alya asked, out loud.

I was wondering the same thing, before I dismissed the thought. "Probably because I'm not the type of queen that people would really want,"

"And why not?" Alya put her hands on her hips. "You're sweet, funny, attractive and kind. I don't think anyone should win but you. Lila could be a close second, but she lied to us all,"

Lila.

I haven't talked to her ever since the Volpina incident. I don't intend to talk to her anytime soon because I'm a little scared of what she'll do to me.

I know, I know. I'm being ridiculous because I'm a superhero who's afraid of a girl, but the girl was after my life - both my civilian and superhero life.

Someone tapped my shoulder and I peered behind my shoulder to see who it is. No one was there but when I looked to my right, Adrien suddenly appeared.

"Hey, you," Adrien winked at me, pulling me away from Alya, by putting an arm on my shoulder. Alya didn't seem to mind because her Romeo was engaging her in a conversation. For those of you who know not of her Romeo, it be-eth Nino, of course.

"H-hi," I stuttered, not really knowing what to say. My mind was still thinking about our kiss yesterday and the two that we had before.

Are Adrien and I boyfriend and girlfriend now? We do things that friends do not do, but we do things that couples actually do.

According to Chat Noir, we are dating, so I'll take what I can get. Not that I'm desperate - I'm not. I'm just curious to know what our relationship is right now.

"You're so cute," Adrien mumbled as he shook his head with a grin. "Do you wanna go for ice cream after school?"

Ice cream?

What was he trying to do?

Is he asking me out on a date?

PANIC!

"Sure, I would love to go for ice cream," I said, after getting a hold of myself.

"Cool. See you then, Mari," He ruffled my hair affectionately, before nodding at Nino. He nodded back and the two disappeared together.

"Has Nino asked you out yet?" I asked, hugging my books to my chest. I peered over my shoulder to watch the two best friends talking to each other.

"No...but I have a feeling that he's going to ask pretty soon," Alya replied, also looking behind her at the boys.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he just asked me to go to the park to get ice cream, and that's our usual spot,"

"Oh my --" I was cut off by my head walking to the front. Now I know why humans have eyes at the front of their heads and not at the back. So that they don't walk into a pole like I just did.

I must look like an idiot.

Alya snorted and snickered before putting an arm on my shoulder and slowly pressing the area where the pole made contact with. "I was starting to miss you clumsiness. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good," I couldn't help but laugh as I rubbed the center of my forehead, my nose and my lips, before finally reaching my chin.

What if my skin turned red because of the physical contact? I'd have a line running down my face. I'd look the freaking Avatar.

"How were you able to skate yesterday and not fall at all?" Alya asked me, laughing, too.

"I don't know," I shrugged my shoulders helplessly. "Skating comes natural to me and I somehow don't make a fool out of myself,"

"When did you learn how to skate?"

"When I was about 4,"

"That explains it. You have been skating for over a decade. You were saying something before you hit your head,"

"I think I have a concussion because I don't remember,"

Alya laughed again. "Well, let me help you jog your memory. Nino asked me if I wanted to go for ice cream at the park and you said --"

"Oh my gosh!"

"Yes, exactly. That's what you said. Well, before you were cut off by walking into the pole--"

"Alya. Adrien asked me the same thing,"

"He did?!" Alya stared at me in shock. "Oh my gosh!"

"I know right?!"

"We have never acted like this before!"

"I know!"

"Should we stop?!"

"No. It seems appropriate for this situation!"

"Good point!"

"Something is going to happen!"

"Heck yeah!"

"I'll do something to you both if you don't shut up," Chloé snarled as she walked past us, before coming to a stop. "You just acted like you've seen something exciting, like seeing a top model or something. Oops, my bad. You're excitement is watching the grass grow,"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "We just saw Adrien Agreste. Isn't he a top model?"

"Watch it Dupain-Cheng," Chloé glared at me through her icy blue eyes. My eyes can be icy blue, too, Chloé Bourgeois. "Adrien is mine,"

"He doesn't seem to act like it," I shrugged my shoulders, casually.

"You're just mad because he sat with me in class yesterday and not you," Chloé taunted. "And why would he sit with someone like you? The rich stay with the rich. He lives in a mansion, I live in a mansion, and where do you live? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it a run-down bakery--"

"Don't you ever say that about Marinette," Alya rushed to my defence. I was clenching my fist right now. Chloé was so rude.

"Don't talk to me like that, redhead," Chloé scowled. "Do you know who my father is? He can fire your father just by the snap of a finger, and you'll just be like Marinette. Sad, alone, and pathetic,"

"I don't think she's sad, alone and pathetic," A voice said from behind us. The three of us turned to look at my naughty cat in shining armour.

"A-Adrien?" Both Chloé and I stuttered. Then we turned to glare each other.

"Adrien-kins, these two are so mean to me and I don't even know why," Chloé complained, playing the innocent card. "I was just walking to class when these two ganged up against me. They were so rude to me,"

"But it seems to me that it was the other way round," Adrien raised an eyebrow, while exchanging a look with Nino.

"You insulted both Marinette and Alya," Nino added, folding his arms, while frowning at her.

"That's because they insulted me first. I had to retaliate, because it's good for someone to stand up for themselves against bullies," Chloé huffed, while tossing her blonde hair behind her.

Alya playfully punched my arm, and I blushed. I stood up to Chloé - something that only happens once in a blue moon.

Adrien took a deep breath. "Chloé, I would really appreciate it if you left Marinette and Alya alone from now on --"

"But Adrien-kins--"

"Or our friendship is over," Adrien finished, his green eyes radiating slight hatred. I've never seen him this upset. Only if it's his father, but for Chloé to cross the line, this meant that she had really set him off.

"It's not my fault. They started it, I swear. Adrien, believe me. I wouldn't --" Chloé rambled but once more, she was cut short.

"Chloé," Adrien growled.

Chloé tensed up a little bit before her shoulders relaxed uneasily. She had been taken back by his deep voice - a voice that I have never heard before. I was scared for a second, too.

She looked at the four of us, before her eyes turned cold again and she sashayed to class.

"Nice timing, Romeo," Alya winked at Adrien, before patting his back and walking with Nino to class.

"Meh," Adrien shrugged his shoulders, casually. "I'm always here to protect my Juliet," He winked back at her, before putting an arm around my shoulder.

"I am not your damsel," I swatted his arm off my shoulder. "I was in distress, but this damsel didn't need saving,"

"Please," Adrien put an arm on my shoulder again, smirking. We began to walk to class. "If I didn't come, a cat fight would go down and I would have probably missed it,"

"Meow," I mumbled.

"Woof," He replied with a wirk.

___________________________________________________

"Are you nervous?" My red kwami asked me, peering at me with her big blue eyes from my pink bag.

"A little," I admitted. "I really like Adrien. It would be a dream come true if he asked me to be his date for prom,"

Tikki chuckled. "Hard to believe that Ladybug has a huge crush on Chat Noir and prays that the sly flirt would ask her to be his date,"

I blushed in embarrassment.

Tikki was right. If it were Chat Noir, I wouldn't even care. I had no feelings for him - I didn't want us to be more than partners. Friends. Superheroes.

But fate decided to play a wicked trick on me by making Chat Noir, a person I had no love interest in, the first crush that I've ever had.

How is that even possible? That's unbelievable. I guess I feel the same way about Adrien, the same way Chat Noir feels about Ladybug.

Wait a minute...I'm Ladybug.

Does this mean that Adrien likes me? And he has for quite sometime?

"It's funny, huh," I chuckled along with Tikki. "Life is just like that,"

"Oh! Here he comes!" Tikki's eyes widen. "Don't mess this up and good luck," She hid herself in my bag as I zipped it up.

I awkwardly stood there with my hands behind back and with a nervous smile on my face.

No. No. No. Marinette!

Act casual!

Act like someone who you know is really cool. Someone like...Alya!

The smile did not falter from my face. I just stood there, attempting a friendly grin with my hands together, right in front of me.

Adrien jogged towards me, with his signature smirk on his face, as he ran a hand through his head.

"Hey, you," I poked his shoulder, playfully. It was hard for me to not smile. Adrien was just worth smiling for.

"Hey," Adrien rubbed his arm, at where I poked him at. Oh dear - did I poke him too hard? "So, my fine lady, shall we go for ice cream?" He held out his arm for me to hold.

"We shall," I replied. "But we aren't a couple, naughty kitty. So I may have to decline your hand,"

"Silly girl," He ruffled my hair and we began to walk. "We've always been dating, ever since we became Paris' hottest couple: Ladybug and Chat Noir,"

"That's not what your fan girls think," I said.

"That's because they are jealous of you. And our love," Adrien put an arm around my shoulder.

I pushed him off of me. "You're so touchy,"

"You didn't complain last night," He winked at me, and I felt myself blush again.

"I fell, okay? I tripped and fell," I quickly defended myself.

"Then why didn't you stand up or stop the kiss. You only stopped when Nathalie walked past my room,"

"Oh look! The ice cream truck!" I shouted. "I have been dying for ice cream," I turned to Adrien. "You're not paying, are you?"

"I'm supposed to be the one paying. I asked you if you wanted ice cream,"