Thank you so much for your support for my last Miraculous-ly written story. I thought I was out of the game so long, I wouldn't do well. Thank again and I hope you enjoy this mini-series (if you will).

"Class, I am pleased to announce that it is our class's turn to make baked goods for charities all over Paris. You may pick your pairs and just know that your goods need to be ready by next Friday. Don't forget to pick up a paper on my desk for more details and have a wonderful weekend."

Adrien's eyes automatically went to Nino but found his friend talking to Alya. Not wanting to interrupt, he simply grabbed a paper from Ms. Bustier's desk and waited until Nino was free.

"So, what are we making? I'm not very good at baking, so maybe not too complicated," Adrien asked.

"Oh man, sorry Adrien, but I was thinking about teaming up with Alya this time. Her mom is the head chef for the Bourgeois hotel, sooo yeah… but hey! What about teaming up with Marinette? Her parents own a bakery! That's perfect and she'd be a great partner!"

"Marinette?" Heat flushed through Adrien's face. He thought of Marinette as a great friend and often mused on the thought of asking her for a date if he wasn't so smitten with Ladybug.

"Yeah, I can give you her number so you can call her later. Hopefully, no one else has asked her. But I'm going over to Alya's to get started. See ya, bro!"

"Oh, okay. See ya, Nino."

Caught between disappointment with Nino and excitement with Marinette, Adrien found himself uncharacteristically dazed and as he turned to the exit, he bumped right into Marinette.

"Huh? Oh, Marinette. I'm so sorry about that. I usually pay more attention than that. Are you hurt?"

"Oh no! I'm pretty clumsy, so I was gonna get hurt anyway. But I'm happy to run into you unless I hurt your arm. Did I hurt your arm?" Marinette reached out to touch Adrien's arm but quickly retracted her hand.

"No, it's fine. In fact, I was about to call you. Nino was just telling me he and Alya were teaming up, and maybe… we could team up."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I can't bake and he pointed out that since your parents had a bakery, you'd be a great partner."

"Oh wow, I was gonna ask the same thing, but then I was like, no way, he probably has plenty of people wanting to be with him… to be his partner… for this project."

Adrien couldn't help but smile a bit at Marinette's rambles. Even though they have progressed as friends over the school year, he thought it was interesting that one minute Marinette could be a bundle of nerves and the next an effective leader in their classroom.

"Sounds like we're partners then."

Adrien held out his hand Marinette returned the gesture, taking in the warmth of his hand coupled with the brief cool of his silver ring.

Lurking nearby was Chloe. Upon hearing partners were needed, she already knew she'd have Sabrina taking care of everything they would need, but after hearing Adrien would be without his usual Nino, and then to see him shaking/holding the hand of Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

"That sneaky little bug. How dare she cozy up to Adrien like she's even worthy of his attention. Hm, I already have Sabrina on duty, so I'll have to do some dirty work myself. Oooh! Once things blow up in Marinette's face, Adrien will never wanna team up with her again."

Thanks again for reading! Please leave feedback to help produce only the best and, side-note, as I am bilingual, I would like to re-write these stories in French for an extra pinch of that Parisian flavor and much-needed practice.