My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. I can't tell her; it was a fluke that Chat Noir found out who I was in the first place. While I was at a complete loss for words; she was sitting there, rather calmly. Too calmly. I feel like no matter what answer I give, I'll receive an earful.

"I guess the cat's out of the bag?" Shit. I've been hanging out with Chat too much. Alya's glare only intensified.

"I've got all day, Marinette. I'll stay until you're ready to tell me," she pointed to the note in my hand, "but you don't, I see."

Ugh. Why couldn't he have signed the note Adrien instead? That would have made this so much easier.

"So, uh, Chat Noir stopped by last night—,"

"No shit," she crossed her legs with a smirk on her face.

I glared at her, feeling a sudden cool sweat on my back. "He, is, uh, grateful to me for letting him get out of t-the rain last night and he—,"

"Marinette. It didn't rain last night." She drummed her fingers on her leg like an impatient mother, awaiting an explanation; keeping the conversation on track to address the elephant in the room.

Alya had herself set on getting the truth out of me; I wracked my brain for a way out, to no avail. It was time to come clean.

"Alright, you got me," I sighed. "I can't hide it any longer from you…"

Alya leaned in closer to me, hang on my every movement.

"I'm dating Chat Noir." Which was true. But saying the words aloud felt so weird; I was still trying to wrap my head around all of it.

"You can't be serious," she began, smiling at me uncontrollably.

"Y-yeah, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but Chat wanted to keep the whole thing…," I was cut off by a light thud on my balcony and the hatch opening. "…under wraps," I mumbled. I hope it's not who I think it is

"Good afternoon, M'lady. Did you get my…" Chat stared at Alya for a good minute, and she stared right back. "Note?" he tried to act calm and nonchalant, unsuccessfully. I wanted to shrivel up and die.

"I, er, uh, Alya, right?" Chat forced a crooked smile, making every party involved feel weird. Especially me. Instead of giving a response, she eyed him up and down suspiciously, rhythmically tapping her foot while she thought things over. A minute passes. Then two. Then five.

The tension was so thick it made it hard to move. I held my breath until Alya finally spoke up, using her journalism skills to come to a conclusion that shocked us both.

"I was RIGHT. Adrien is Chat Noir," she smiled furiously at us both.

"W-wait, no, Alya, no one can know it's me," Chat said, clearly losing his cool. He moved closer to her and nervously put a hand on her shoulder. If I wasn't so scared of Alya killing me for not telling her, I would've grabbed some popcorn and watched everything unfold, silently. But then she looked over at me.

"You don't seem as worried as I thought you'd be," she picked up her phone from the desk and dialed a number. "Don't worry Adrien, I won't tell a soul." The person she was calling picked up the phone; I tried to make out the voice but it was barely audible.

"Yeah, hey babe. Got any plans today? No? Great. How about a double date with Marinette and Adrien? Right? I've been waiting forever. Time for step two. No, of the other plan. No, the other one…" Chat and I exchanged worried glances while Alya chatted with Nino, making our day's plans for us. She finished her quick phone call and turned to us both.

"Ooookay," Alya cooed, "cancel whatever plans you made today because I just made some for you! Nino and I have this covered, don't worry." She winked at Chat, making him cough nervously. Something tells me I have one hell of a day ahead of me. "In the meantime…" she pushed Chat back towards the balcony hatch, effectively kicking him out of my room, "I will text you where to meet us, loverboy. And come as you, not your alter-ego, preferably."

Chat tried to protest but Alya wasn't having it. He sheepishly waved and closed the hatch behind him. "Alright girl, this will be your first date with Adrien, so I'm gonna help you make it one hell of a date," she smiled and started to rummage through my closet, "though I wish you guys would've gotten dinner first before he started mackin' on your neck."

I blushed and covered the hickey with my hand. "What are you looking for, Alya?"

"Just taking inventory," she whipped various tops and bottoms onto the bed before looking over my collection of dresses. "So, Marinette," she picked one and held it up to me, "how long have you known Adrien is Chat Noir? Do you think he knows who Ladybug is?" She smirked at me over the hanger.

"I haven't known long at all," I answered honestly. I only found out yesterday. Oh god, are we moving too fast? Maybe I should cancel this whole date thing just in case we—

"And what about Ladybug?" Alya kept putting pressure on that word; I guess it would only make sense for her to ask that question, I would be more worried if she didn't. Even still, my ears grew hot as I tried to weasel my way out of the question.

"N-not sure," I stutter, "but if he knows, then Ladybug probably has sworn him to secrecy and wouldn't tell a soul," I crossed my arms and put a thoughtful look on my face, hoping the answer would satisfy her.

"It's interesting," she glanced down at another dress and held it up to me as she thought aloud. "Not even a week ago Chat Noir was head over heels for Ladybug, and all of the sudden you two are an item. I wonder what changed his mind?" She glanced over at me casually.

"Ah, w-well we haven't really talked about Ladybug. Maybe it was all an act? Y'know, because it makes for a better superhero public image." That was a big fat lie; I internally rolled my eyes at myself with that one. I started to sort the clothes thrown on my bed, pretending to examine each piece to keep myself busy and avoid Alya's intense gaze.

"I guess it could be, but with the way he looks at her I'm not too sure." She pulled out her phone and went to the Ladyblog main page. "This was taken last week after Ladybug and him went ham on an akuma," she showed me a picture of Chat and I sitting among the rafters of the Effiel Tower. I was mid laugh (what an awful picture of me) while Chat was watching me with the most earnest and loving smile on his face. I felt more red spread across my cheeks.

"That's not a very good picture of Ladybug," I said flatly, totally avoiding the topic at hand.

"Not the point and you know it. Look girl," Alya placed a hand on my shoulder, "just be careful, okay? I don't want your feelings to get hurt, or worse, like getting beaten up by Ladybug, for instance."

"Don't worry, I'll be careful Alya. Besides," I held up a black tank with a green paw print I embroidered on the other day, "I think I could take Ladybug any day."

Alya scoffed. "I'd like to see tiny Marinette take on the greatest superhero in Paris," she laughed.

"What do you think of this?" I held up the tank with a pair of green high rise shorts. "Where are we going, anyway?" I sure hoped a tank and shorts were appropriate for, wherever we are going. I really don't feel like going anywhere fancy.

"I think that outfit will make that kitty purr," she put a hand on her chin in thought. "Don't worry about it, I have it covered. It'll be a surprise for both of you!" she smiled. "And maybe do your hair a little different," she stepped behind me and undid my pigtails. "Perhaps an updo?" Alya used one of the hair ties to put my hair in a bun on the top of my head. It was better to let her do as she pleased at this point, plus I don't mind being fussed over every once in a while. I let her poke and prod my hair while I sat patiently in my chair.

"Oh and Marinette?" she piped up.

"Yes?" What now.

"Make sure to wear something cute underneath," she winked at me, watching my face turn tomato red.

"I doubt he will see it," I mumbled. What was the point if no one was going to see it?

"I was saying that because it will give you a nice confidence booster, but I don't think Adrien would…," she firmly placed her hands on my shoulders, "…object."

My heart skipped a beat at Ayla's last statement. "Anyways," she drawled, "I have to go back home and get ready myself. I'll swing back around 6 to pick you up, so be ready," again, placing emphasis on a word that makes me worried. We said our quick goodbyes, then I turned my attention to my hair in the mirror. It was simple but effective; Alya put plenty of bobby pins to hold it in place.

"I think it's cute!" Tikki said, sitting on my shoulder.

"Well, it's different at least. I'm so nervous, Tikki," I sighed and slumped my head in my hands. "What if it goes poorly?"

"You said that about being Ladybug, too," Tikki said cheerfully, "you might fumble here or there, but in the end things will work out!"

"Yeah but this isn't fighting super villians," I said, "it's…it's… DATING!" I made a gagging sound for dramatic affect. The nerves built up in my stomach, making me lose my appetite as I eyed the snacks Alya left behind.

"And…that's, worse?" she asked, confused.

"YES!"

"Don't worry, Marinette. Just be yourself!" Tikki sat herself on my desk, making a mental note of the untouched food in front of her.

"Which one?" I sighed. Even though I couldn't exactly flip a switch on my personality willingly; it just happens.

"They are one in the same," Tikki caved and picked up a chip from the open bag, "just let things happen naturally."

The was right. Again. Who knows? Maybe the more time I spend with Adrien, the more my Ladybug confidence will bleed into my Marinette side.

I glanced at the clock; I had four hours to mull things over in my head before the stress would kill me. To bide my time, I turned on UMS III and took out my frustration on the poor souls who matched against me.