Marinette wasn't sure if she was glad that Adrien didn't show up or disappointed. Lila gave her shoulder a squeeze and then proceeded to get ready. Juleka began lacing up her pointe shoes. "I would have broken his pretty boy nose if he even looked in your direction." The lilac girl's serious face turned into one full of smiles as she started laughing.

Marinette laughed with her because her heart was aching and she needed to feel another emotion besides her sadness. "Sign me up to see it." She began to stretch out.

"What's Alya doing on this fine morning?" Juleka asked as she began her routine stretches.

"She said something about having breakfast with Nino. Personally I think they're secretly dating." Marinette shrugged. "I haven't been out in a long time." She mumbled sadly. She had only made a few exceptions for Adrien. She should have been practicing. All those outings did was waste their time with heartache and misplaced hope. Juleka's kind gaze helped her out of those thoughts.

Juleka nodded. "If Mr. Director didn't work us to the bone then maybe I would have the energy to do something." Marinette agreed. Her bluebell gaze scanned the area for nothing in particular until she heard someone clear their throat. She turned and was met with the cold eyes of Gabriel Agreste. She lost all the breath in her body.

"I would like to talk to you privately." His voice didn't portray him as angry but Marinette was still terrified. She nodded and quickly stood up. He turned and started walking.

She sighed and looked at Juleka. "Goodbye. Adrien probably told him something and he's kicking me out of the ballet." His name felt foreign on her lips. She missed him and she hated herself for it. She shook her head like that would get rid off all the thoughts about him.

"If he's letting you go tell him I'm leaving too." Juleka reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Marinette nodded numbly. She wanted more than anything to be Ladybug.

She approached him. Her pointe shoes making the familiar sound that she adored. He cleared his throat again. "Do you know the choreography for the second act?" Marinette nodded and did everything she could to meet his eyes. "That's good. You'll be dancing as Ladybug today because Chloe is sick..." Marinette breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh and Marinette," Gabriel's eyes held a different gleam. "There's a fitting after rehearsal today. Be sure to be there." Marinette nodded again and put on her best smile and practically skipped back to her friend.

"You're not acting like someone who just got let go of." Juleka noted.

Marinette laughed. "I have a Ladybug fitting today!" She could hardly contain her excitement.

Lila danced over and let out a squeal. "Tomorrow will be the start of the dress rehearsals!" She exclaimed and hugged her friends.

Juleka sighed. "There goes all my sleep." Lila didn't seem to care. Dress rehearsals meant more stress because the shows would be starting soon. There would be no stopping or down time for the dancers for the next month or so.

"We'll be working overtime for the next two weeks." Lila grinned like she was ecstatic about stress. Marinette was sure that Lila just wanted the show to be put on. Marinette couldn't blame her, she couldn't wait either.

Marinette wasn't sure if she was happy or sad. She felt like she just started learning the part. It startled her that time passed so quickly. She knew that Gabriel was pressing them with the time issue but she just felt like there should be more of it.

Gabriel stood in front of them. He clapped his hands and a silence fell among the dancers. "You all have put your time, tears, and blood into the first act. I am proud of each and everyone of you." Loud claps echoed in the hall. Marinette noticed that the curtains had changed to a much more mature red rather than the lighter shade that was present during the auditions. The stage was already being set but before she could think on it anymore Gabriel continued talking. "The first act is a refined art! The second act will be just as, if not more, challenging but I have faith in you." There was a quiet agreement that resounded within the crowd. "Time is a key factor. You will have less time to master the second act. Practices will be longer. Your body will tire eventually, you need to take care of yourselves. I need you all to keep your body at its fullest potential. Keep on top of sleeping and eating schedules. From here on out, practices will be in costumes and in pointe shoes. The first show is fast approaching. Be ready. I believe in you." There was a proud gleam in his eyes and the performers clapped for their director.

"I hate the guy but I'll give it to him... That was one hell of a pep talk." Juleka nudged Marinette. She couldn't agree more.

"That's not very ladylike of you. Don't let Mr. Director hear that word come out of his perfect pastel butterfly's mouth." Lila grinned and playfully nodded toward the older Agreste. Marinette had to quiet her giggles as Juleka continued to put up her hair.

When Juleka's pale purple bun was fixed she stuck out her tongue. "Bite me." Juleka grinned. Lila and Marinette laughed. She was already feeling better. "Your apartment is closer so Lila and I will probably crash after practice. Be ready for two more roommates." Juleka smiled like she figured all of this out already.

Lila laughed and nudged the purple haired girl. "You were supposed to ask nicely."

"That wasn't nice enough?" Juleka asked and the girls laughed as the other dancers talked amongst themselves. Gabriel cleared his throat after he surveyed them. He yelled out roles that would be going in for fittings and the rest were supposed to practice until called. The excitement began bubbling up in each dancer.

"Now get back to work." The sternness was back in his voice but it was clouded with pride. The dancers dispersed and Marinette said goodbye to her friends.

Juleka went to a fitting and Lila seemed to be helping another dancer with their stance. Marinette made her way over to Nathanaël. He was stretching out so she began to do the same. He noticed her and a large grin took over his boyish features. "I'm so glad that I'm dancing with you today!" She couldn't agree more as she shared a nod.

Marinette straightened her posture and rolled her shoulders a few times in order to loosen up.  "When's your fitting?" She asked. She approached him in the first few steps that would be the first dance of the second act. She decided to take it slow, these steps were still unfamiliar to her. She needed to map them out. He seemed to have the same idea.

"It was before practice today" He grinned and she had the feeling he was going to be grinning as Chat too.

She smiled and turned. "Do you love your outfit?" She wanted to know more and the red head bowed the way Chat always did when the two leads met.

"It's a bit well... model like. Adrien Agreste would look natural in it. Don't get me wrong I love it... It's just that I'll have to get a little more into character in order to really pull it off." Nathanaël said as he fixed his turnout. Marinette could only nod as the sadness that once resided in her chest spread throughout her whole body. "Hey..." Nathanaël slowed for a moment to get a good look at her. "Have you been crying?"

Marinette didn't let her smile falter. "I was watching Doctor Who last night... Ten and Rose... It just ripped my heart out." She glanced at him to see if he bought it and was relieved that the concern that shone in his eyes was gone. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Don't be too sad because eventually Rose gets her happy ending." Nathanaël grinned and held out his hand. Marinette took it though she didn't feel the rush she got from Adrien.

"Hopefully it comes sooner rather than later." She mumbled. She couldn't quite meet his eyes the rest of practice. Not even a Ladybug fitting could cheer her up.

She kept thinking about Adrien. The way his hands felt when they guided her in a song. The way his eyes gleamed when he spoke. The way his lips felt that night on the ice. Everything he did was like a fresh scar that she kept opening. It was like he was constantly there with her. She couldn't escape his grasp.

Her eyes weren't even focused on the mirror that she was being forced to stare at. Two women were getting her measurements and adjusting the design to fit her figure. The designers that were sewing her into the gorgeous outfit didn't seem into it because Marinette wasn't the real Ladybug. Both designer and dancer knew it too.