Stifling a yawn, Marinette rubbed her eyes and rested a cheek on the palm of her hand, leaning slightly to one side. She hadn't slept well at all last night due to the patrol with Chat Noir, stressing over her physics test the next day, and trying to find a way for Alya to let her off the hook. Her gaze drifted to the back of Adrien's head and she began to slip into her imagination, in which Adrien would proclaim his love for her and they would finally be together as they always should have been. A soft sigh escaped her lips and her eyes began to slide closed.

"Hello, earth to Marinette!" Alya elbowed her in the side and Marinette sat up immediately, blinking hard and eyes wide. Mrs. Mendeleiev was staring impatiently at the raven-haired girl, her arms crossed, clearly waiting for an answer. Marinette's cheeks burned with humiliation and she bit her lip, looking frantically to Alya for a clue, but the teacher didn't give her a chance.

"Marinette, do you have the answer?" Marinette averted her eyes.

"No, ma'am. I'm sorry." Mrs. Mendeleiev sniffed and turned back to the board.

"You'll have to go see the director after class." Marinette's shoulders slumped forward and she tried not to think about the gazes that were trained on her. Even Adrien glanced back at her, confused. Chloé snickered and Marinette wished she could wipe the smug look off of her face if Marinette didn't die of embarrassment first.

"Yes, ma'am," Marinette replied dejectedly. Mrs. Mendeleiev nodded and began to write again, explaining figures and equations that swam in a confused muddle before Marinette's incomprehensive eyes. Choosing a random place to start, she half-heartedly began to jot down notes for later.

"You're acting like you didn't sleep a bit last night!" Alya whispered, raising an eyebrow at Marinette. "Are you that excited to be the lead with Adrien?" Marinette thought of the fitful few minutes of sleep she had actually received and grimaced. She wished it had something to do with Adrien.

"It's not that," Marinette whispered in return, glancing down at her purse, where Tikki was curled up. "I had a lot of homework and I freaked out about the test today. And I'm still not happy that you chose me for Ladybug. I can barely talk to Adrien without screwing something up, even if we are better friends now!"

"Girl, I told you that you won't have to improvise. Just memorize the lines," Alya shot back with a wink. "Besides, you've talked to Chat Noir before, haven't you? Just pretend that Adrien really is Chat!" Marinette shuttered at the thought of flirting openly with Adrien just because he had a mask. She knew from her own experiences that a mask gave people boldness. When she was Ladybug, she could say things she otherwise wouldn't. But this was a play, and people knew who was actually behind the mask. The bell rang and the other students hurried out of class on their way to lunch. Marinette slid her books into her bag and yawned, standing uneasily on her feet and starting toward the front of the classroom. She turned when someone tapped her shoulder.

"Hey Marinette, are you ok? You look pretty tired." Adrien looked down at her, his green eyes sincere and concerned. Marinette was too tired to freak out about Adrien being worried for her and only managed a small shrug in response.

"I had a busy night," she mumbled, brushing her bangs out of her eyes. Adrien ran his fingers through his hair and gave a short laugh.

"I understand. I didn't get much sleep last night either. I mean, it was totally worth it, but…" He sighed. "Never mind. I couldn't really explain what I meant." Marinette's mind began to turn, the gears clicking slowly.

"Worth it?" Her eyes widened. "Were you with someone?" Marinette blurted out before she could remember her manners. Horrified, she immediately covered her mouth with her hand and began to backpedal furiously. "I don't mean- what I meant was- ummmm-" Adrien smiled warmly at Marinette, brushing off her comment.

"I was with someone, but not like that." He laughed again. "No, just a friend of mine." The model winked at Marinette as he changed the topic, "So, you have enough energy for rehearsal after school?" Warmth spread from Marinette's toes and she rubbed the back of her neck as she thought of an answer.

"Well-"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng! The director's office!" Mrs. Mendeleiev snapped. Marinette groaned.

"Maybe. I'll see you later, Adrien!" Casting a remorseful glance at the blond, she turned and walked into the hallway. She was still tired, but talking to Adrien gave her a light heart and she found it easier to stay awake in her following classes, passing from subject to subject in trance. Her hand wrote notes seemingly on its own accord and Marinette heard what the teacher said, but her thoughts were slow to react to the words. When the time came for the physics test, Marinette was relieved to find that she could answer most of the questions without too much difficulty, but there were a couple problems that evaded her grasp. Sighing, Marinette turned her paper in just as the bell rang, dismissing the students for the day. A familiar flash of brown-red hair flickered in the corner of Marinette's vision.

"So, you ready for the first read through?"

"Huh?" Marinette tilted her head at Alya. "Oh, that." She yawned, stretching her arms upwards. "I mean, I guess I can come read Ladybug's lines until you find a replacement." Alya rubbed one of her temples, shaking her head with a small twinkle in her eyes.

"Are you still serious about not doing this? Marinette, if you're worried about acting, then you can rest your mind. You're amazing at everything you do." Alya laid her hands on Marinette's shoulders and tilted her friend's head upwards. Her voice softened. "I wouldn't have chosen you if you couldn't do it, you know that. You're honestly the best person in the whole school for this role. Do you trust me, Marinette?"

If it had been about anything else, Marinette wouldn't have hesitated to respond with a yes. But now she just stared up into her closest friend's eyes and couldn't form the word. The pause drew into several seconds of silence. Alya's gaze faltered and she stepped back.

"I trust you, Alya." Marinette finally affirmed. "But this is something different. I'm sorry." Alya appeared wounded by the words and another stretch of silence followed, the only sound the quiet ticking of the clock.

"I see. I guess you can still come read for Ladybug today." Alya's voice was uncertain and slightly distant. "See you there." Then she turned and marched out of the room, her step uncharacteristically delicate and unsure. Marinette watched her leave, her tired mind finally clicking with what happened. She wiped the tears from her eyes before they could slide down her cheeks and barely registered Tikki pressing herself against Marinette's cheeks.

"Is it always this hard to balance the two lives?" Marinette breathed, steadying herself against the wall. Tikki wiped Marinette's eyes.

"It's different for each Ladybug, but yes, it is often hard. Don't worry, Marinette. You just need to make it up to Alya. She's hurt because she thinks that her friendship isn't as important to you as yours is to her. Just talk to her." The little red Kwami pressed a soft kiss between Marinette's eyes. "Marinette is just as important as Ladybug is." Marinette carefully wrapped Tikki in the palms of her hands and drew her closer, thankful for her companionship.

"I guess we better get to that rehearsal then. I'll apologize to Alya afterwards." Exhausted, Marinette followed after her friend. It was going to be a long day yet.

| ooOOoo |

When she got home, all Marinette wanted to do was curl up in bed and drift into her dreams, but she had a responsibility to keep. The sun had already began to set, and she had suggested to Chat that they start today's patrol early due to the lateness of the previous night's.

"I wish all I had to do to get energy was eat cookies like you," Marinette teased Tikki. She was in a slightly better mood after spending the past two hours with Adrien and though the conversation with Alya had been difficult and Marinette couldn't truly give her friend answers, they had finally agreed to just move on from the situation. Alya was also in higher spirits after the read through, because apparently Adrien and Marinette did the voices "just right" and she could imagine the two superheros actually saying those things to each other. Several times Marinette's voice had faltered, especially in the scenes Ladybug began to feel romantically toward Chat. During those scenes, Marinette flipped between stuttering the lines to Adrien and cringing at the picture of the utter amusement that would be plastered on Chat's face if he ever heard about it.

Tikki giggled and finished the chocolate chip cookie she was nibbling on. "It would take a lot of cookies to give you enough energy to do anything!" Marinette wheeled around as the trap door opened behind her. She smiled as her mother climbed up the stairs into her room.

"Dinner is ready downstairs, Marinette." Sabine planted a kiss on her daughter's cheek and pulled back, frowning as she studied Marinette's face. "Are you getting enough sleep, honey? You look tired." Marinette's stomach twisted; she hated lying to her parents. That was, without a doubt, her least favorite part of being Ladybug.

"Yeah, Mama, I'm fine. Just had a busy day at school. I'll probably lay down after we eat." Sabine patted Marinette's shoulder.

"Alright, if you're sure." The two descended down the stairs and stepped into the kitchen. The smell of freshly baked garlic bread and spaghetti permeated the air and made Marinette's nose twitch.

"Mmmmm, Papa! It smells delicious!" Marinette hugged her father, laughing as Tom picked her up into a bear hug.

"Just for you, Mari. We wanted to congratulate you on your role in the school play!" Marinette waved her hand in the air and sat down at the table.

"Oh, I'm just filling in until Alya chooses someone else. I figured I would be too busy helping out in the bakery with the holiday coming up, so I wouldn't be able-" Her parents looked mortified at the suggestion.

"Marinette, we would love for you to participate in the play! Especially when you're leading along with that Adrien fellow," Tom interjected, "we wouldn't mind if you didn't help out this year. We've got it covered." Marinette groaned inwardly; why did everyone want her to do this so badly?

"Really? Oh, then I'll have to talk to Alya about that," Marinette replied awkwardly. Her parents joined her at the table and began to serve the meal.

"We're proud of you, Marinette. You're becoming such a fine young lady." Marinette's heart warmed.

"I'm just lucky to have amazing parents."

A full stomach did nothing to alleviate Marinette's tiredness, but only added to her problem. She hoped the chilly January air would help keep her alert. So she stood on her balcony, breathing slowly as a frosty breeze wound through her hair and around her exposed neck. She shivered a bit and watched the sun disappear behind the horizon. It was time. Glancing around to ensure her privacy, Marinette activated her miraculous and soon Ladybug was swinging from building to building en route to the meeting place. Ladybug crouched on the building as she landed before rising back to her feet, tilting her head at Chat's absence. She must have arrived a few minutes early. Alone with her thoughts, and Tikki's, of course, Ladybug reflected on the day's events and was thankful for Tikki's magic energy coursing through her veins, otherwise she probably wouldn't be able to stay awake.

"Where is that cat?" Ladybug muttered to herself, kneeling at the edge of the building and observing the lit streets below as she waited. With a screech, Ladybug suddenly found herself laying flat on her back on the roof, a certain black cat smirking down at her.

"Catching his prey," Chat purred. Ladybug shoved his shoulder but he didn't budge.

"Get off of me, you fat kitty! I can't breathe," she huffed. Chat let out amrrow of amusement and stood up, offering a hand to Ladybug.

"Do you really find me fat, milady?" His green eyes glinted with humor and Ladybug rolled her eyes.

"Someone's in a good mood today." Chat's smirk grew and he pushed his bangs out of his face dramatically.

"I have just received the most purrrrfect news." Ladybug quirked an eyebrow at him. Chat's face drew closer to hers, his breath warm against her skin. "I hear that they're performing a play in our honor at the Collège Françoise Dupont on Valentine's." Ladybug placed her finger on his nose and pushed his face away.

"Oh, I'm sure that pleases you. I, however, am not interested in seeing how other people portray their fantasies about our relationship. Seems like everyone is talking about it today," She replied, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. Chat didn't seem to notice.

"I heard that Adrien Agreste is going to play me. Pretty sweet, huh? Only fitting that the best model in Paris should represent this," he went on, gesturing to himself with a sweep of his hands. Ladybug snorted. Two could play that game.

"Consider that your one piece of good luck." Ladybug flicked one of Chat's black cat ears. "I was informed that Marinette will be portraying me. You remember Marinette, right?" Chat rested his staff on the back of his shoulders and leaned backwards on his heels.

"Of course. I've met her a couple of times. She's quite the problem solver and she can be quite bold. She'll do a good job," Chat proclaimed. He paused before adding, "The princess becoming the Ladybug." Ladybug stared at him for a couple seconds, slightly taken aback. Did she really let Ladybug bleed that much into her Marinette persona around him?

"I guess. I don't know her that well," Ladybug lied. Chat's green eyes studied her for a moment, contemplating, before his trademark grin stretched across his face. He swung his staff onto the ground and angled forward, pressing his weight onto it and shaking the blond hair out of his face with a flourish.

"I believe we have a patrol to attend to. Or did you fur-get?" Chat Noir winked, turning and leaping onto the next building, his suit gleaming in the moonlight. Laughing at her partner's sense of humor, Ladybug vaulted after him. And for the first time that day, all of her concerns were swept away by their playful banter and teasing. Ladybug had never been so thankful for Chat Noir's antics.