It was Friday night and Mari had had a long day. Like normal, she went to the dance studio to clear her mind.

Her class had been working to make their own arrangements, but only one person would preform it for the school showcase for next year's incoming students. Marinette wanted to have the honor; she felt the need to perfect her arrangement so she workedmost nights.

It was not a simple routine, hints her day and night practice. While Mari's true passion was design, dance was cathartic for her.

When she played the music, she was transported to a different world. This song brought one of love and yet, internal strife.

Wise men say

Only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay

Would it be a sin

if I can't help falling in love with you

The piano line moved her. It talked to her, told her what move was next.

Like a river flows surely to the sea

Darling so it goes

Somethings were meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too

Cause I can't help falling in love with you

She never truly stopped preforming, no matter how it hurt or how tired she was. Dance was hers and in this moment, the studio was her stage. Unbenounced to her, she even had an audience; a boy who took music in the same building and worked in a coffee shop.

A sweet, blond boy who was definitely falling for the girl he loved to see dance, even though they hadn't had more than small talk. This song had the best arrangement yet, of cours he always had digged Elvis. It wasn't robotic like others, this looked like it was entirely her and how she felt. Every time she would do something different during her piece, she didn't restart, but instead built off it.

In this peice, she could never ever be wrong in her actions, only more real.

*wibbly wobbly timey wimey skip*

(Get it?😉 get ready for more!)

"I'm sorry I wasn't there, I-" Mari trys to explain as Alya glares at her from her bedroom door.

"What class was it this time, Mari? All you do is study; you need to relax, have fun!" Alya sounds exasperated with her friend as well as having had a drink or two.

"Why do you always assume it's class work, Alya?" Marinette sinks further into the couch, it wasn't class work but it was practice for one.

"Cause you don't have the nerve to talk to the boy you are totally crushing on." Alya drapes her coat over her shoulder.

"What if I was at the studio?" Mari say in an effort of defense.

"You're minoring in dance." Alya cocks her eyebrow at her friend. "Fine, I'll let it go this time."

"Thank you so much! I'm so-"

"But you have to come to the next party with me, no ifs, ands or buts."

"Alya, please! I beg of you don't make me go!"

"Nope. You have to!" Alya walked to the bathroom quickly before Mari could get another word in.

*lets do the time skip again*

(did you get that one?)

"Come on Marinette or we'll miss the party!"

"That's the idea." Marinette emerges from her room to come face to face with Alya, " I need to work on my arrangement for the showcase!"

"Oh but no. You made a promise and Marinette Dupain-Cheng doesn't break her promises." Alya grabbed her friend's arms and drug her to the door.

Marinette finally stopped fighting her, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to complain the whole time.

"If you hate it, you can go play board games with Rose, Julica and Maylene." Alya told her once they were in the car.

"Where are we going?"

"Duh, Luka, Julica and Rose are having a 'welcome home' party for Nino and invited our high school class." Alya had been keeping this secret for a week, mostly because Marinette would have insisted apon baking endlessly amounts of cookies for their old friends and Alya was not dealing with that.

"I know why you're so excited. So Nino's flying home today?" Marinette smiled, that explained a lot.

"Sure is. He finally finished studying in America and now he's going to come home so we can finally get our apartment.

Mari giggled to herself. Alya and Nino had been talking about getting an apartment together even before Nino left for school. Alya was excited about seeing her boyfriend in person again. Thay had video chated every night and texted everyday so it wasn't like they didn't get to talk, Alya had definitely missed their date night and cuddling though.

Marinette was also excited to see her friends again. Nino had been gone almost 8 months and she missed not being the one to babysit with Alya. Don't get her wrong, girl time was great but there is such a thing as too much.

Mari was excited to see how Ivan and Maylene were doing. They had opened a little store last she heard.

Julica and Rose were living together, they were even engaged now and Luka was living with them during breaks in the school year.

Mari wasn't sure about Kim, but Alix had started working at the youth center in town as a coach for just about all sports; she was the coach for Ella's softball team and Etta's soccer team.

Nathaniel and Marc had published a book together and it was really good, Mari had read it a few times.

Lila was a local actress and Chloe was modeling for a small company. Of course they were still arguing over who was more famous.

Max and Sabrina were at colleges close by and they kept in touch, having double dates with Alya and Nino as well as coming over for boardgame nights.

Adrien was at the same college as Marinette and worked at Mari's favorite coffee shop. And before you ask, just like Alya had, no it's not just her favorite because of Adrien. She loved their holiday themed drinks and how warm and inviting the atmosphere was, especially the red couch.

Alya was majoring in english and working on a writing degree and Nino on him music degree, he wasn't accepted to the same college as Marinette but rather one in America.

Marinette, well Marinette was getting a degree in fashion design and a minor in dance at a school exclusively for the arts. Of course, if you asked her she would downplay it to the extreme.

"Welcome home!" Everyone yelled when Nino walked in.

The look of shock on his face was priceless and it soon turned into laughter. Alya of course ran over and hugged him tightly. There was a round of "aw"s and sporty laughter about the group of friends.

"Thanks guys." Nino smiled as he wrapped his arm around Alya.

Mari smiled, wishing someone looked at her like Nino and Alya looked at each other; of course, in doing so, she missed noticing that she was in fact getting just that look from none other then Adrien. For him, it was her smile, the way she danced, her brilliance, her determination, her natural talent and her beauty was the icing on the cake.

It made sense for her to have grown up in a bakery as she had begun to mimic the cakes in her layers of personality, because better with every piece you uncover.

She was a constant mystery. She was always so clumsy, but she danced with such grace. She was so shy around people, but had confidence when she thinks nobody's was around. Her work style was a mess, but the product was always perfect. She acts like she's never done anything notable, but she literally made an album cover for the Jagged Stone, she beat Max in a video game competition! She was amazing.

"Who wants food?" Nino yelled, receiving a renowneding yes and snapping Adrien from his thoughts.

"Welcome home, man," Adrien smiles, patting his friend on the back.Nino nods and has Alya get food without him.

Pulling Adrien to the side, he ask him the question Adrien was dreading.

"Are you going to ask her tonight?"

With a sigh, Adrien answers, "I don't know, dude. What if she says no?"

"So what if she does, your adults. Figure it out," Nino says pulling Adrien over to Marinette, who was on the couch.

"What- what was it you needed to- uh- wanted to ask?" Mari says nervously.

"Well, I was kinda hoping that you'd may, kinda want to go on a date with me?" Adrien tripped over the question but finally managed to get the words out.

"Wait, really?" Mari's jaw droped, metaphorically, her mouth was shut. Adrien was asking her on a date? No way.

"Ya, if you don't want to, that's fi e but-"

"That sounds great. It might have to wait, I work late at night in the school."

"Uh, totally, cool, I can wait."

*jump, skip and a boat ride of a* *timeskip away*

The night of solo contest was quickly arriving and Marinette was getting time in at the studio like usual. It was about 9pm when a clumsy boy made a racket in the doorway that she stopped practicing.

"Adrien, why are you hear." Oh no, what if he saw her mess up the routine...

"I was just stopping by, but since it's late and you probably haven't been home yet, why don't I take you to get dinner?"

Mari laughed and agreed. The two walked outside and along the main strip of shops.

"Forgive me for my cheap choice , I'm just really craving pizza." The pair joked as they sat in the small store.

When they had finished eating, they walked back to the dorms. They talked about music, and found out that even though she loved Jagged Stone, I Can't Help Falling in Love With You would always be her favorite. Adrien walked her to her building and bidding her goodnight at the door.

He watched her go in with a stupid smile before he left. On the way home, he found himself humming.

Like a river flows, surely to the sea

Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too

Cause I can't help falling in love with you

No I can't help falling in love with you...