Chat Noir stayed at Marinette's house late into the night. So much for trying to get to bed early. Not that she minded. In fact, she enjoyed getting a break from all of her responsibilities. It was really nice just to relax and hang out.

Marinette thought about the visit the following day during classes. So did Adrien. They both had a far-off look on their faces for most of the morning.

When it was lunchtime Alya suggested eating at the park again, to which everyone agreed. Marinette went home to get the food then met the others on the bench.

There was an awkward silence as they began eating. Everyone's thoughts went back to the last lunch they shared together and Marinette's confession.

"So... uh, anything you want to say Marinette?" Alya finally asked, smirking.

"Absolutely not," she replied, throwing a cookie at her friend. The group chuckled and the tension broke.

"Okay, I was just checking! But seriously, do you feel better now that it's all out there?"

"I do feel better. I mean, poor Adrien was probably traumatized, but I'm doing great!" she announced, laughing.

Adrien laughed too. "I'm okay, I swear. No permanent damage was done."

"Speaking of permanent damage," Marinette said, "do me a favor and don't tell Kagami about what I said. She will kill me. And I mean that literally."

"Don't worry. I won't tell her. We're not dating anymore anyway."

The three friends stopped laughing and stared at him.

"You're not dating anymore?" Alya asked. "Since when?"

"Uh, a couple of weeks ago," he admitted, scratching his forehead.

"I'm sorry dude, that's too bad," Nino said.

"Yeah, sorry," Marinette mumbled.

There was an awkward silence again.

"That's right!" Marinette suddenly said, turning to Adrien. "The other day you never told me who..." she stopped, realizing that Alya and Nino were still there. "Uh... nevermind." She turned back and took a bite of her sandwich.

Alya furrowed her eyebrows at her. "What were you about to say?"

Marinette shook her head. "Nothing. I've said too much already. I'm seriously considering taking a vow of silence." She chuckled. "Where's Luka when you need him?"

The friends started laughing again, and the awkwardness was gone.

************************************

Adrien had a photoshoot that day, so he had to leave early and miss his last class. They were shooting for his father's winter season ad campaign. He was miserable, sweating in a winter coat, hat and gloves in thirty degree weather.

Plus, he was a little disappointed that he didn't get another chance to talk with Marinette after school. Now that she wasn't nervous around him anymore, conversation came easy.

She wasn't nervous around him anymore. Because she wasn't in love with him anymore. Marinette, the beautiful sweet girl who sat behind him, had been in love with him. For almost a whole year. And he never even noticed.

He never really paid attention to her at all. I mean, if he had, he should have figured out how she felt.

Adrien had been so obsessed with Ladybug that he didn't see what was right in front of him. Or behind him, same difference.

And the way she had looked at her favorite picture of him yesterday. She used to look at him like that. And he didn't bother to look back at her long enough to see it.

He had loved Ladybug with all of his heart. But he knew deep down that they could never be together. I mean, they couldn't exactly go to a restaurant for dinner or out to a movie as Ladybug and Chat Noir. They couldn't even walk down the street together.

And they weren't supposed to know each other's identities. It would put both of them in danger. Any conversation between them would be superficial and vague. They wouldn't be able to share any intimate details about their lives to each other. What did he realistically expect to happen between them?

"I need a big smile Adrien!" the photographer Vincent called out to him. Adrien had to concentrate. He wanted to finish up the photoshoot so he could get out of there. The sooner they were done, the sooner...

The sooner he could go visit Marinette again.

"Perfetto!" Vincent yelled out. "Keep that smile right there! And turn a little towards me... yes!"

After a few more minutes, they were done.

"Great job at the end there Adrien," Vincent said, checking the photos on his camera. "Remember that smile for next time."

"I will," he said, pulling the hat and gloves off and running to the changing room.

Once changed, his bodyguard drove him home and he ate dinner. Then he quickly ran to his room.

He went straight for the mini fridge and held out a piece of Camembert for Plagg.

"Don't tell me we're going to see your girlfriend again," Plagg groaned.

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Uh huh, sure. That's why we're going to see her for the third night in a row."

"Do you want the cheese or not?" Adrien asked, getting impatient.

Plagg answered by flying over and grabbing the Camembert out of Adrien's hand, gobbling it up in one bite.