Hi everyone!

I'm totally loving the responses I've received from my other story, so I'm trying a new one!

Please let me know what you think, and if you have any suggestions, ideas or whatever, because I would love to hear from you! This story is AU and combines some of my passions. Yeah, I was in The West Australian Youth Orchestra and it was amazing. Never made it to first desk, but I did make it to second! The characters in this are aged up.

Thanks again!

~Jemimah

Marinette stepped into the auditorium cautiously, amidst the bustle of other students. She clutched her violin case tightly, feeling the butterflies in her stomach flutter more and more as she hurried down the to the stage. All the other children around her hurried to find a spot around the stage to unpack their instruments, but the chairs and music stands set out in the usual orchestral pattern remained empty. As Marinette moved to find a place to unpack her violin, a boy with red hair hurried past her, almost hitting her with his trumpet. She squeaked and ducked in surprise.

"Nice going Nathaniel!" a voice called tauntingly, and several people laughed cruelly.

The boy, Nathaniel, she assumed, flushed red and apologised.

"I'm sorry. I'm really worried and my brain isn't functioning properly." He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck, and she smiled shyly at him.

"It's okay," Marinette assured him, thinking perhaps she could make at least one friend. "I'm freaking out too."

The boy smiled and held out his free hand, clutching the gold trumpet tightly with the other.

"I'm Nathaniel," he said, and she took in hand, "Although I'm guessing you already heard that," he said, glancing in the direction the taunting voice had come from.

"I'm Marinette," Marinette said cheerfully, glad to have met someone. He held her hand for a little longer than necessary, looking deep into her brilliant blue eyes. Marinette jerked her hand away awkwardly.

"I'm gonna go unpack now," she said, in a voice unnecessarily loud. Nathaniel jerked too, realising his mistake.

"Yeah, sorry, I'll leave you to it!" he said grinning awkwardly, and Marinette smiled back, all the tension gone.

"Could all the players please gather in front of the stage area!" a booming voice called, and Marinette hurried to stand next to Nathaniel, violin in hand. There were many children there, all holding various instruments. A tall man stood on the stage, grinning broadly at them. He spoke again as the children stilled and became quiet.

"I am honoured to see you all today, and I hope you will all enjoy your time playing in the Youth Symphony Orchestra of France! Now, I know you're all very nervous to find out your playing positions, so please listen closely as I go through the seating positions. We will start with the percussion and work our way along. Are you ready?"

"Yes..." the children chorused together.

"I can't hear you! I said, are you ready?" the man asked again, and this time there was more enthusiasm in the shout.

"Yes!"

"Righty ho!" the man said joyfully, and began to read off a list he held in one large hand. "Lily Bergious, you are in desk twelve! Matthew Hindmean, you are in..." Marinette zoned out, the butterflies becoming worse, although she hadn't thought it possible. For today, they were being chosen for the Youth Symphony Orchestra. A place she had dreamed of, and a place she'd worked so hard to get to. And now, she was here. But everyone was nervous. No one knew where they would be seated. And you were seated according to your skill level. So if you were the worst violinist, you would be seated at the back of the Second Violins, and if you were the best, you were seated at the first desk in the First Violins. Not that there was a worst violinist. All the children in this orchestra were the best of the best in Paris. The children were seated in pairs, with the best violinist of the pairs closest to the audience. Each pair was given a number, and that became their desk number. For example, the first two children in the Firsts became desk one, the pair behind them was desk two, and so on. Once you were given your place, you sat there for the whole year. And if you auditioned again for the orchestra next year, you would probably move a up a desk or two, depending on how much you'd improved.

Marinette felt herself beginning to tense up as the last of the violas were called, and the man began to call the second violins. She expected to be perhaps in the middle of seconds, maybe even a little closer to the front if some people hadn't turned up. Then she shook her head. Who wouldn't turn up for an opportunity like this? The man called name after name, his obvious enjoyment never dying, and child after child climbed up onto the stage to take their seats. She could see Nathaniel sitting stiffly, trumpet held firmly, at the first desk of the trumpets. He must be good, she thought. A girl with black hair and a purple fringe sat next to him, dressed all in black. She sat just as stiffly as Nathaniel, each refusing to make eye contact with each other.

The names continued, and she began to feel worried. Why wasn't her name being called? Was there some mistake, and she didn't have a place? Had they missed her? Did they already call her name and she hadn't heard it? The firsts were being called, and Marinette had half a mind to call her parents and walk away, to cover the mistake and save herself from her embarrassment at not having a place. But still, she stayed. Maybe she could ask the man afterwards if she could have a spot when someone dropped out.

There was hardly anyone left in front of the stage now. Just her and five others. Marinette's heart was in her boots, and she wished the ground would just open up and swallow her. Everyone was looking at them, and there was no way to get away without anyone seeing her. Now she stood, head down, refusing to look at anyone. Then, just as she was about to turn away, she heard the man's voice. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, first desk!"

Marinette looked up in shock. There was no way. She looked around, seeing only one other person standing with her. She looked up at the stage to see the first desk empty, and the man smiling at her disbelief.

"Marinette! Come on up!" She walked up as if in a dream. She couldn't have. The first desk? No, no way did she belong here. The man grinned at her.

"And the lead violinist is..." the man paused, looking at the last boy left on the ground, and pretended to be surprised. "Oh, well there's only one left, so I guess we'll have to take you then." He grinned at the blond boy, who grinned back easily and winked. "Just kidding. Adrien Agreste is our lead violinist and concertmaster. Now, everyone please give yourselves a hand for making it in!" All the children clapped, and the man stood up on the raised platform in front of the semicircle of children, just as the blond boy, Adrien sat down next to Marinette. He grinned at her.

"Well done," he said, clapping with his violin tucked firmly under his arm. Marinette gazed into his beautiful green eyes. There was no doubt about it. This kid was pretty easy on the eyes, that's for sure.

"Uh um, you thank!" she said, before blushing and trying to correct herself. "I-I I mean, thank you!" she said a little too firmly, looking down at her violin on her lap. "And well done to you too," she said shyly, looking up at him from under her eyelashes. Adrien laughed.

"Thank you, and I hope we have a great year together, Marinette." He turned to face the man, who introduced himself as Mr Arbudle, but was called simply Mr A. Marinette didn't hear a word of it. She was too busy staring wonderingly at Adrien. She'd seen him before somewhere... she frowned, thinking. Wait, it couldn't be, could it? Adrien Agreste. It was! Adrien, the model, child of Gabriel Agreste, the famous fashion designer! His son was incredible. He spoke Chinese, did fencing, played violin and piano with the talent of an angel, modelled for all the best brands and was, in Marinette's eyes, fabulous. I may just have a tiny, weany, little bitty crush, she though. Then her honesty kicked in. Okay, she was head-over-heels for this guy. It had been an amazing day, so far. First, to be selected for the first desk and then to be seated next to this boy who was amazing... she tore her eyes away and forced her gaze to the conductor.

"...Open your files and we'll try the first piece." Hurriedly, Marinette opened the file on the stand between them and her eyes fell on a familiar title. It was Spring, part of the Four Seasons, by Vivaldi! Marinette sighed dreamily. She'd heard it so many times. But here, she would play it with the entire orchestra!

Mr A lifted his baton, and the orchestra came to life. Admittedly, Marinette felt that her sight-reading wasn't bad, but next to her, she could hear Adrien's violin. Not a note out of place. They played the first few pages, then Mr A stopped.

"Now, that wasn't bad, but we have a long way to go. I'd like to get a feel for how well you guys can play jazz. If you'd turn to the third piece..." And so they continued.

About 45 minutes later, Mr A dismissed them all for a twenty minute break, but he stopped Marinette as she rose from her seat. She started anxiously, hoping she wasn't in trouble, but she sighed with relief as she saw Mr A was stopping all of the children in the first desks. He waited till all the other children had left to building to the courtyard before he spoke.

"Thank you all for being part of this orchestra. It is a pleasure to have you all here. Now, as you are all the principals, or vice-principals, of your specific sections, I would strongly encourage you to get to know your sections, and each other. That way, you can lead them properly, and together, the orchestra will be more united. Also, there are several solo parts in a few of the pieces, which you will have to play. Most of them aren't hard, except," he turned to Marinette and Adrien, and she gulped, "The section in Spring. Adrien, are you up to it? You played very well and I believe you are capable."

Adrien nodded. "I certainly will do my best, sir." Mr A nodded, pleased with his response and looked at Marinette.

"Are you up to it?" he asked her, and she squeaked.

"Um me? I though the leader did the solo!" Mr A agreed.

"They do. But it's not so much a solo as it is..." he screwed up his face thinking of the word. "...It's more like a little duet, with the orchestra playing in the background. So Adrien will play the main part, and you will play the supporting part. Yours isn't as hard, but it is still difficult. Are you willing?"

Marinette's palms began to sweat, but she nodded anyway. She was going to play a duet with Adrien! "I would love to try. This has been amazing so far." Mr A smiled at her.

"No need to be nervous. I will be organising sessions for all of you to practise together." He addressed the group. "These will be within normal practise times, and it will give your second desks a chance to improve and lead for a bit. Now, I'll leave you all to get to know each other."

With that, he left, and the children were left alone. They awkwardly looked around at each other before Adrien stood up.

"Well I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting stiff from sitting in the same position. Why don't we move over there?" he pointed to a small area, a little cut off from the larger auditorium, with a curtain that could be drawn across to shield it from the large room. The children murmured their agreement and they all moved off the stage, sitting in a circle in the little room. Adrien took the lead once again, after all, he was the concertmaster, second only to the conductor.

"So... I'm Adrien, and I'm the principal of the first violins." He turned to Marinette and she realised it was her turn, her fears dissipating as she looked into his eyes.

"Oh, I'm Marinette and I'm the vice-principal," she said, turning to the girl on her left. Her fears appeared once again as the blond girl on his left spoke.

"Hello, I'm Chloe. I am the principal of the Seconds, and this is Sabrina, my assistant. I expect you to all work hard, so that my orchestra will be the best of the best." The redhead girl next to her, Sabrina, nodded in agreement.

"Chloe is the best. She almost owns the orchestra because her father is the mayor, and he owns everything, including the orchestra, so she practically owns it."

A girl with brown hair dyed red at the tips rolled her eyes. "Chloe, just because he's the mayor doesn't mean he owns everything."

Chloe sat up straight. "How dare you!" she spat. "I am Chloe!" The girl raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I know. You've only said that three times."

Adrien held up his hand. "Guys, please." He gestured to the boy sitting next to Sabrina. "Please go on." Inwardly he groaned. He could see there would be trouble with Chloe.

The boy, barely fitting on the chair introduced himself. "I'm Kim, and I'm a viola."

He gestured to the shy boy next to him. "I-I'm Max, and I'm also a viola." Max pushed up his glasses with a determined expression. Marinette was glad she wasn't the only one who seemed nervous.

The girl seemed pretty confident. She wore glasses and had brown hair with red tips.

"I'm Alya and I'm on the cello." She turned to the boy next to her. He had dark skin and had ear-buds hanging out of his shirt. He sat casually, one leg off the side of the chair, and his arm hooked over the backrest. He waved a hand.

"Hey dudes. I'm Nino and I'm under Alya so I'll probably be dead by next week." He ducked as she swatted at him. They obviously knew each other.

"I'm Ivan," said then next boy gruffly. "I play double bass." The girl next to him nodded.

"I'm Mylene, and I play bass too." Adrien grinned. He could see them playing bass. They were both stocky, and some how suited to bass. He raised an eyebrow, seeing the adoring look Mylene gave Ivan, and raised the other eyebrow as Ivan returned it. Obviously there was something going on between them.

"I'm Rose," said a blond girl with a pixie cut. She was dressed all in pink and white, and had huge blue eyes. "I play flute." She giggled uncertainly. Marinette had to smile. Rose looked just the type to play the flute.

A tough looking girl with pink hair spoke next. "I'm Alix and I help Rose." She jerked a thumb at Rose, who looked terrified of her.

Nathaniel was next, and Marinette smiled as he looked at her. "I'm Nathaniel, although some of you already know that. I'm on trumpet."

The girl next to him, dressed in black, spoke with absolutely no tone. Her voice was completely emotionless and flat. "I'm Juleka and I help Nathaniel."

Adrien nodded as they all looked at him expectantly. He glanced at his watch.

"So what do you guys want to do? We've got literally five minutes." He looked around, his eyes landing on the shy girl who was his partner. "Marinette, do you know any icebreaker games?" The girl started.

"Um, m-me?" she stuttered, "I-I don't really."

Nino spoke. "Dude, why don't we play 'Honey If You Love Me?'" He grinned as Alya tacked him. He had obviously been expecting her reaction.

"No, there is no way we are playing that!" Alya laughed and frowned at the same time. "No after what happened last time we played that!"

Nino laughed as he climbed back onto his chair.

Adrien grinned. Obviously there was a story behind this. But Chloe stared disdainfully at the two laughing teenagers.

"Well I think that's a great idea." she walked over to Adrien, as sickly sweet smile plastered on her face, and plonked herself down on his lap. She turned to face him, putting an arm around his neck.

"Honey, if you love me," she began, but Adrien pushed her off.

"No Chloe. We aren't playing that." Next to him, he heard Marinette's sigh of relief.

"Hmp." Chloe frowned and stomped her foot like a bratty child. "But I want to, and I own this orchestra so if you don't do what I say-"

But no one ever found out what she would do, because the door to the auditorium was flung open and children began to flow through, chattering noisily and drowning out Chloe's voice. At once, all the principals rose and drew back the curtain, revealing the sea of teenagers taking their places on the stage. Responsibly, they all began to walk over too, but Marinette stopped as a hand grabbed her wrist. She turned back, expecting to see Nathaniel, but to her surprise, it was Adrien.

"Marinette," he said, pulling her back into the curtained area, "Have you played Spring before?" he asked, and she shook her head, wondering where this was going. "Do you want to practise with me? I've played it once before. We can meet after practise is over."

Marinette blushed and looked down. This amazing boy wanted to help her practise! He really was kind.

"I would love to," she said, proud of herself for not stuttering. Adrien smiled.

"I'll see you afterwards then," he grinned, and together they made their way to their seats. Adrien smiled inwardly. He really wanted to get to know Marinette. She seemed really sweet, although she also appeared very shy around him. And they were just practising, he told himself. There was nothing more to it than that. Well... nothing much more, he admitted honestly to himself. After all, he'd only just met her. But she sure did seem lovely.

Marinette was delighted. Adrien, the one and only, was going to meet her afterwards to practise! Just practise, she told herself firmly. Nothing more. He just wants to help you and be nice, so don't get carried away. But she was still buzzing with excitement.

And that's all for now! Hope you guys enjoyed it! The next chapter will hopefully be introducing Ladybug and Chat Noir... And I'm looking forward to it!

Please review (It would totally make my day if you did!) and tell me what you think and what you would like to see in the next chapter :)

P.S. Don't you guys think that Rose is so perfect on flute?! Just imagining her playing flute feels right!