Adrien POV

I opened the cafe door nervously. Marinette's parents looked up and smiled.

"Marinette! Adrien's here!" her mom called up the stairs.

She winked at me, then took her husband's hand and led him into the back room. He leaned back in the doorway momentarily, and made a the 'I'm watching you' sign.

"Hi Adrien."

I turned and my mouth fell open at the gorgeous sight in front of me.

"You... You..." I couldn't finish my sentence.

She blushed, "Now who's stuttering?"

I straightened. "You look beautiful Marinette."

She blushed, then took my arm as we left the shop.

-----------------------------------------

"Did you design it yourself?" I asked curiously as we walked to Chloe's hotel.

"Yes, and I sewed it too. Do you like it?"

"Yes. It's lovely. You are going to be a great designer someday."

"Thank you Adrien." she blushed and looked away.

Wow, she was so beautiful. Her hair shimmered in the passing street lights. Her eyes were just as luminescent as the night I spent with her on the rooftop under the stars... her rosy lips...

"Adrien?" 

I jumped as I realized she was waiting for a response.

"Oh! Sorry Marinette... I think I just like, slipped into thought I guess." I replied shyly.

She smiled just as shyly, "That's okay. I do that a lot too."

We arrived at the steps of the hotel. I turned to Mari, summoning my other side's courage as I faced this beauty.

"Ready m'lady?" I asked extending my hand towards her.

She stopped, looking at me surprised.

"What?"

"Er... it's okay. You don't have to take..." 

"No! I mean. No it's fine. I'd love to." she took my hand gently and we both blushed.

Marinette POV

We walked into the gym area of the hotel which was obviously decorated by professionals. The party was in full swing, with couples dancing, friends hanging out by the food tables, and...

"Marinette! OMG girl!"

Alya stepped back from the bear hug I had gotten and looked at my outfit.

"You look amazing!!!"

"You do too Alya! I love the gold trimming!"

"Hey bro." Nino greeted Adrien with a friendly handshake.

"What's up Nino."

"Dude your girlfriend's looking hot."

Adrien blushed, but did not deny anything.

(Let's just pretend Marinette didn't hear this.)

"Hey Nino! Another dance is starting come'on!" Alya led Nino away and Adrien turned to me.

"Do you want to dance?"

"Yes please." I said shyly.

I can't believe I'm not stuttering! This is great!

Adrien led me to the dance and offered his hand. I took it and he took my other. The upbeat music began and we danced in a ever changing circle. The folk dance rhythm was very quick and lively and I had to be careful not to step on his feet as we lept around in a pattern. 

"Wow. Your a good dancer!" Adrien complimented as the dance ended.

"Really? I didn't even know what I was doing." I laughed. 

"That makes the two of us." he laughed along.

His laugh was so beautiful. I wanted to record it and just listen to it all day long... that's not stalkerish...

The lights dimmed a little as slower music began. I looked at Adrien.

"You're not tired yet are you?" I teased, drawing on my Ladybug confidence.

He smiled, "Not if you aren't."

He took my hand and we somehow found ourselves in the middle of the dance floor. I blushed as Alya winked at me. Why do I flush so easily???

Adrien POV

My hand rested on her waist, and I could feel the pleasant heat from her hand on my shoulder.

And baby your, soul, could never grow old, it's evergreen...

 The music made us sway slightly as we did a basic box step. Her dress glowed under the bright lights from above, and the DJ's spotlights. 

A red spotlight flashed on making the pink fabric turn scarlet.

(Btw, cutos to TheBirdFromTheMoonArt. These look amazing!)

I gasped. She... wow. Beautiful. Those freckles darkened a bit too, like spots...

Spots.

Ladybug.

Oh no.

What was I doing!?

I was cheating on Ladybug!

The song ended and I led Marinette to the edge of the dance floor.

"Sorry Mari, I need a drink really fast. I'll get you one too. Be right back."

Mari looked surprised but allowed me to leave. I was glad. The noise made things feel fuzzy and it was hard to think. When I reached the table, Plagg swiftly stole the first cheese bits he saw then dove back into my pocket. I sighed and started to fill up two glasses with red fruit punch... the same color as Ladybug's suit... or Mari's dress under the lights...

Oh! Why was my life so complicated!?

Marinette POV

I waited for Adrien on the side lines. I was glad he needed a drink because I felt like I would faint with emotion if I spent one more moment with Adrien holding my waist. I was so giddy! Tikki would probably pinch me if she was here, but there was no pockets to this dress. Nathaniel walked by and shyly said I looked beautiful. I thanked him before he took off with Sabrina. Sabrina turned back to me and gave me a wistful look, as if apologizing for something... That's weird...

"Well well well. Marionette."

"Hello Chloe... and it's Marinette." I responded, mood instantly dropping.

"Where did you dig up that garbage? Let me guess, your broke father stole you fabric from the garbage dump." she smirked pointing at my dress.

I jumped on the opportunity. "Yes Chloe, he did! In fact we took fashion advice from you!"

Everyone around us started to laugh as Chloe steamed a bright red.

"You think you're so clever huh Mari. Well guess what. At least I'm smart enough to know Adrien doesn't want you."

I took a step back, surprised. "What do you mean."

"I mean, that he doodles hearts all over his notes in school, and the initials in them are not MDC, Maritrash. He is in love with someone else, besides he's too good for you."

Each word hit me like a sledgehammer. My confidence started to falter. Did Adrien really love someone else? If he did... why was he ask me to dance with him in the first place?

"He doesn't really like you Mari. Who could? Your just second hand material. Just like your dress." Chloe snarled, then pushed me.

Unprepared for the sudden attack, I stepped backward. My high heel caught my dress's hem tearing it as I fell backwards into one of the food tables. The many pastries and snacks soaked and stained my torn dress.

Adrien POV

I took the two cups full of punch back to Mari. I looked up and instantly knew something was up. There was a crowd the a broken table.

"Oh no." I rushed into the circle.

"Marinette! Are you okay!?" I knelt down and helped up Mari, who was clutching her stained masterpiece.

She turned to me

"Chloe..."

Chloe grabbed the a cup from me and poured it on Mari's head. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as Marinette looked up, wet strands of hair around her face. She straightened up holding her head high.

"Thank you for the invitation." she said slowly at Chloe.

Then she broke the circle and walked out of the room.

"Mari wait!" I said trying to run after her.

"It's okay Adrien, she's gone and now you have me." Chloe smirked grabbing my arm.

"YOU KNOW WHAT CHLOE! YOU CAN GO BUY YOURSELF A NEW FRIEND! I'M DONE WITH YOU." I yelled furiously.

I took the other cup I had and dumped it on Chloe's head before running out of the room. This night was a disaster. I had to find Mari.

Chloe POV

"Well! Aren't you going to do something?!" I yelled at Sabrina, who was staring shocked at my dripping hair."

"You went to far this time Chloe." she said softly.

Everyone around me started to leave the dance.

Ugh! This isn't how it was supposed to happen!

I was supposed to just put Marinette in her place! Adrien was supposed to be mine!

....right?

I stood alone in the empty room, wondering... if possible... I had been wrong...