The eve of Valentine's Day was upon Paris, and while sweethearts were out buying flowers and chocolates for their significant others, Marinette was sitting in a circle with her girls, trying to think of a way to finally bring herself and Adrien together.

Alya crossed her arms and adjusted her glasses, leaning up against the wall of Marinette's room.

"Last year, Marinette's love letter to Adrien ultimately failed," Alya admitted. "So we need a new plan."

Luckily, Rose proposed the perfect idea in order to bring Marinette and Adrien together on this special day.

"This is for sure going to work!" Rose exclaimed excitedly, jumping up from her criss crossed position and unrolling a giant poster. Juleka held one end while Mylene held the other.

On the poster, Rose scribbled a map of Ms. Bustier's classroom. Arrows indicated the path Marinette would take around the classroom in order to deliver a little gift to Adrien.

The gift was made by Rose; she decorated a cardboard tube to resemble that of Cupid's arrow. Inside, it contained some chocolates and a heartfelt message from Marinette.

"Marinette will ask Ms. Bustier to use the bathroom, and when she walks past Adrien, she will slip the arrow into his bag," Rose explained. "After class, he will see it, read it, and realize his love for Marinette after all! I mean, how couldn't he?"

Marinette grinned, slightly uneasy. But she knew she had to go through with it. Not only does she want to confess her feelings to Adrien, but she doesn't want to let Rose down after all the work she had done to help her.

"Let's do this," Marinette nodded.

*

The next day in class, Marinette got the "ok" from Rose, and knew it was time to deliver the arrow.

She raised her hand and asked to use the bathroom. Of course, Ms. Bustier permitted this and Marinette knew the plan was officially in motion.

As she stood up and left her seat, she realized that even though the plan was as simple as can be, many things could throw it off track.

She could have a spontaneous coughing fit, her phone could ring and draw unnecessary, or she could--

Marinette failed to account for the steps and the unbalance caught her off guard. She stumbled forward, nearly falling on her face. However, she maintained her balance.

Unfortunately, the sight caught everyone's attention. Including Adrien's.

Except, his gaze didnt stay on her for too long, and instead directed at the ground. She followed his gaze and, oh God--

The gift! It was laying right there on the floor, and Adrien had gotten up to retrieve it for her.

"Here, you dropped this," Adrien said, bending over and picking up the arrow. However, by the way his eyes were fixed on the outside, it was undeniable.

He had read his name on it.

Marinette was frozen, inconsolable mess. Her face was probably fifty shades of red, and she could almost feel the mutual embarrassment radiating from Rose and Alya.

Everything went wrong so fast!

"This is for me?" Adrien asked in disbelief, his emerald eyes focused on Marinette.

Yep. Complete with sparkly pink hearts and all.

"Maybe," Marinette pursed her lips shut, staring at his name on the outside of the gift.

"Awww," Chloe groaned from her seat. "Marinette got Adrien a Valentine's gift!"

Marinette crossed her arms, squeezing her ribcage so tight she was physically unable to intake air.

"Um, Marinette can explain," Rose said quickly, jumping to her friends defense. Alya sprang up as well. "Could you just read the note and come back to us?"

Adrien looked taken aback, so much was happening at once. Marinette noticed this reaction, and realized it was time to stop dancing around the subject. She had to finally face it head on.

So, she gathered whatever courage she had left and spoke. "Adrien, could we talk outside?"

"Sure," he nodded, his eyes subtly revealing his confusion.

Outside the classroom, Marinette twiddled her fingers nervously. "I dont know how to say this, but... I felt I should finally tell you."

Adrien gave her his full attention, nodding in response. His eyes were glued to her. Those perfect, soft, emerald green, endearing eyes...

Marinette inhaled a deep breath, trying to arrange her thoughts, and began. "I... well, I like you. Like a lot. And I wrote that stupid message to tell you that because I was afraid I would mess it up and ramble like I'm doing now and I just never found the courage to tell you because I am the biggest wimp on the planet and now you probably think I am not only the wimpiest but now the lamest and-"

"Marinette!" Adrien laughed, touching her shoulder.

She stopped abruptly, looking up at him with her blue eyes that glistened against the light. Her cheeks were tinted red, both because of how fast she had confessed and also the sheer embarrassment of her confession.

"I like you a lot, too," Adrien smiled, rubbing her shoulder gently.

A spark of hope ignited Marinette's chest. Could it be that he... shared her feelings after all?

Then, as quickly as it had came, the smile turned into an apologetic frown. Oh no.

Marinette knew it was too good to be true.

"But as a friend," Adrien finished, pulling his hand away. "I'm really sorry, Marinette. I would do anything for you, but I am in love with someone else."

Marinette pushed her sorrow away. She knew this was coming, no doubt. How could someone as perfect as Adrien like her more?

She smiled through the heartache, crossing her arms behind her back. "It's okay, I understand. It was a long shot anyways."

Adrien felt horrible. He could tell she was masking her pain with a smile. After all, he was far too familiar with that gesture.

"I'm sorry again," was all Adrien could say. "You're one of my closest friends and I will always be here if you need me."

She didn't want to admit it, but it was too painful. Knowing that he was in love with someone else. She bet it was Kagami.

Of course. Marinette would never be as good as her.

"Thanks," Marinette nodded, her lip quivering. Her eyes began to water and she knew it was time to leave before her emotions got out of hand and she would be prey for akuma. "I, uh, have to use the restroom."

She quickly walked away, heading straight for the bathroom. She barricaded herself in a bathroom stall and began breathing exercises to calm herself down.

Tikki flew out of Marinette's bag, a look of sorrow on the kwami's face. "I'm sorry things didnt work out the way you wanted them to, Marinette."

"I had a feeling it would happen," Marinette shrugged. "It's okay. If Adrien's happy, I'm happy."

"I'm proud of you, Marinette," Tikki smiled. She flew closer and gave her Chosen a tiny hug. "You are the best Ladybug on the planet."

"And you are the cutest kwami on the planet," Marinette chuckled, feeling much better already.

She left the stall and proceeded back to class, bracing herself for their reactions. However, as she approached the class, doors swung open and students came flying out.

Their screams echoed throughout the halls.

Mrs. Bustier stood outside by the door, ushering her students to safety. "This way class, keep calm!" the teacher yelled, trying to remain calm.

This reaction could only mean one thing. An akuma.

Alya rushed past her, tugging on her arm. "Let's go, girl!"

Marinette braced herself. Looking at the students, she couldn't find Adrien anywhere.

"Have you seen Adrien?"

"No, he never came back into class after you two went outside to talk," Alya frowned. Nino quickly joined her as the panic ensued.

Marinette shook her head, feeling the blood in the veins freeze. "I have to find him."

"No, Rose was akumatized!" Alya exclaimed. "It's too dangerous."

Marinette's heart sank. Rose was akumatized...  again? But she is the sweetest person on the planet! What would make her succumb to Hawkmoth a second time?

She shook her head, trying to remain focused. She needed to find Adrien and then transform so she could make this right.

"No, I am finding Adrien. You and Nino get out of here!"

Alya opened her mouth to protest, but closed it again once she remembered how stubborn her best friend was. She quickly nodded to her before whisking Nino off.

"Adrien!" Marinette screamed, peering over the heads. She went into full panic mode. She had no idea what Rose's power was which meant anything could hurt him.

Tikki nudged Marinette's leg from inside the purse, signaling her to hide so she could transform. But she didn't listen.

She needed to find Adrien first.

Suddenly, a girl with pink flowy hair and a white dress with wings flew out of the classroom. In her hand, she wielded a bow and on her back were a bag of magical arrows.

"Rose?" Marinette gasped, looking up at the floating akuma.

"My dear Marinette," she spoke. "I am now Cupid! I am here to make everyone fall in love with you, for you did not deserve to be rejected by Adrien."

"But-" Marinette started, but was cut off by a familiar, assertive voice.

"Hey! The girl isn't interested in your services," Chat Noir boomed, standing square with the akuma.

Cupid cackled, pulling out an arrow and loading it into her bow. "Silly kitty, you will be my first victim!"

She let go of the arrow and it went whizzing right towards Chat. He jumped out of the way, landing beside Marinette.

"Listen, I like the girl but she and I are going to remain friends, okay?" Chat said, dodging every arrow that was shot towards him. He scampered across the hallway, trying to remain untouched.

Cupid faltered, having to retrieve more arrows fron her bag. This allowed Chat to have a quick break, panting and bending over in exhaustion.

"Leave him alone!" Marinette screamed, standing in front of Cupid and waving her arms. "I don't want this, Rose. Please stop!"

Cupid clicked her tongue. "You are always so nice. It's time others appreciated you, starting with Adrien!"

Chat perked his head up in alert. His face became quite flushed as he remembered the events earlier, how he... rejected Marinette.

His stomach dropped. This was all his fault. If he hadn't rejected Marinette and upset Rose, this wouldn't have happened...

"Chat, LOOK OUT!"

His muscles tensed, but by the time he looked up, it was too late. The arrow evaporated into his chest and he stumbled backwards.

"Chat!" Marinette yelled, rushing to his aid.

Cupid laughed. "Excellent. I can feel the love! You're welcome." And with that, she flew down the hall in search of her next victims. "Soon everyone in Paris will love you, Marinette!"

She knelt down beside Chat, lifting his head in her lap. His eyes slowly started to flutter open. Marinette leaned in closer to inspect him. "Kitty... are you okay?"

His eyes suddenly burst open, and an immediate warmth spread across his face as he looked into Marinette's eyes. His eyes shifted from green to a magenta.

"I am now," Chat smiled. "You beautiful goddess."

"No!" Marinette screeched, shoving him away. "This can't be happening!"

"You are so cute when you are distressed," Chat whimpered, his cheeks turning red.

Marinette stood up. Nope. Not happening. Chat was magically in love with her now!

He reached for Marinette and she backed away. "Come back to me, my love," Chat wailed.

"Stop! You love Ladybug, remember?"

"No I don't, I love you!" Chat yelled, getting to his feet. "Let me adore you!"

"You arent yourself," Marinette sighed. "You are under a spell."

Chat blinked. "I am?"

"Yes. Now stop!"

For a moment, Marinette could almost find a way out of this predicament. She could convince Chat he was under a spell and he would come to senses. That way, he'd be in the right mind to help her defeat the akuma.

But she spoke too soon. Instead, he smirked like a love-sick kitten. "That's right. I am under your spell, Princess."

Marinette groaned. She needed to transform so she could reverse this. Now.

*

Thanks for reading! Happy Valentine's Day! ❤