Anxiety
Marinette was pacing back and forth frantically, chewing on her thumb blindly, “I don’t know, Tikki. This is really huge, I don’t even know if I’m prepared for tomorrow” She hastily said, throwing herself into the desk chair, “augh I feel sick. I should just say I got the stomach flu and not go” she twirled the loose strands of her hair that had fallen out of her messy bun with finger trying to distract herself.
“Marinette, it’s just the first day of school. I’m sure it couldn’t be that horrible” Tikki replied, floating up from her spot on the desk, “Besides all your friends will be there and Luka is coming to ride with you in the morning, it’s a little late to be calling in sick” she giggled, hovering in front of Marinette and as she held out her hand, she gladly took the welcoming new seat “Besides, it’s your dream school! You can’t miss the first day of Françoise Dupont!!”
Marinette just smiled at the mythical being, “I know, it’s just such an important school. They graduated some of the biggest names in France, like my role model Gabriel Agreste. THE GABRIEL AGRESTE. Even some of his secondary school work is considered fashion revolutionary – augh and I just can’t compare to that”
“If it makes you feel better, I love your designs, so do your family and friends. You got accepted into this school because of how good your work is. I’m positive all of Paris will love your work, Marinette!!”
“Pfft, alright alright. Enough of the flattery. Thanks though, I’m going to call Ayla and see if she got her schedule yet” and with that Marinette started her nightly schedule of calling her best friend, talking for hours about what to expect, the anxiety of it all, the excitement it was that they’ll be going to the same school again.
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing but mix it up girl. Your bun is cute but what about TWO BUNS” Alya insisted, they were discussing hairstyles for tomorrow, whereas Alya was going to go more semi-formal half up hairstyle, Marinette just mentioned going with her usual bun. Marinette giggled at the idea of her having space buns for the opening ceremony “yeah, no. Not happening” the ravenette giggled, looking up inspiration on her computer as they talked “wait, actually you might be onto something. Low twin buns are trending right now according to this” she clicked around in the fashion articles, looking at the multiple models and other celebrities wearing the hairstyle.
“See! You can always trust my taste. The QUEEN of trends”
“pfft, alright queens of trends. It’s getting late. We can meet up at the entrance, I’ll bring breakfast”
“DEAL! Sleep tight, Girl. DON’T BE LATE cause me and my stomach will be waaaiting”
and with that Marinette shook her head smiling well, ending the facetime call, she sighed looking at the multiple photos with the hairstyles, thinking maybe she should actually mix it up even for just one day. First days though usually uneventful beyond scheduling, opening ceremony, and the usual classroom icebreakers just wasn’t really too formal but on the other hand she has been wearing the same hairstyle since college and it WAS an important school, people will be dawned to the nines in their high fashion jewelry and hairstyles. Marinette on the other hand barely owned one Agreste bracelet that her grandma gifted her for being accepted into Lycée des Arts de Françoise Dupont, the anxiety of it all slowly slipping back in at the idea of being surrounded by politician, millionaire business, and high fashion designer children. Her parents just owned a very humble bakery and lived comfortably, they even had to cater a few more events than usual to afford the entrance fee, uniform, and school books.
Though, she felt blessed to have been accepted on a scholarship, so there wasn’t that multiple zero debt burden on her family, she did wish she had famous family members like Alya and Luka who had no problem paying everything for them in full, maybe she wouldn’t feel so guilty and anxious about it all.
“bad thoughts, bad thoughts!” she whispered to herself, gently slapping both cheeks to try to forcefully shake the negativity, “I love my friends and I'm happy for them. I shouldn’t be thinking like this towards them” She thought to herself before standing up and climbing up into his bed and through the hatchet to her balcony.
“Marinette, I thought you were going to sleep” Tikki commented, soaring up through the floor.
“And I am Tikki, I just needed a little air. My brain is running a million thoughts and just need to breathe” Marinette, leaned over the rail guard looking over Paris, watching to maybe see a familiar feline dance around the sky and come distract her but he never did come. She was partially happy, because if he had she’d happily stay up late just talking to him about everything and nothing but at the same time, she hasn’t seen Chat Noir in a week or more. She was starting to worry about him, even if she as Ladybug did talk to him only a few days prior it just doesn’t feel the same. He was far more guarded when speaking to Ladybug, just mindless jokes and empty flirting.
After a few minutes of just watching Paris Tikki spoke up, “Marinette, I know you’re nervous about this but I have faith in you, you’ll do amazing tomorrow” Marinette smiled down at the tiny God gently pulling her into a hug before deciding she can’t stand outside all night and descended back into her room, crawling into her pink bed and trying to force herself to sleep, eventfully she would dream of being a world known designer.
“Marinette!! Are you awake?” called her mother from downstairs, Marinette shot up throwing her blankets off her and practically jumping to the floor with a thud “I am! I am, mama!!” she called back, stumbling to catch her feet and dashing around the bedroom trying to find her uniform.
“Tikki! What time is it??” she asked, hastily throwing off her pajamas and dressing herself well hopping around on one foot to reach her blazer.
“It's only 6:30, Marinette,” Tikki answered, looking at the monitor pointing to it, “What??” Marinette gasped before falling over and landing on her butt laughing “I’m not late! Woo-hoo” She cheered, fixing her stockings and standing up to properly grab her blazer.
“Papa. Mama” she called out, as she took her descend down her stairs looking into the living space, she was greeted with a flash from a camera her dad was holding and awes from both of them. “Sabina look at our baby girl, she’s all grown up in her uniform” Tom cooed, as Marinette tried to blink away the white spots and confusion “Papa!” she whined, stepping past her dad and into the kitchen to find her mom setting a plate down in front of her, “We’re so proud of you, Dear. Today is a big day for you” Sabine smiled, setting down a fork and napkin next “Just eat up, then go properly shower and dress yourself. We’ll take a better photo after “, Sabine walked around the kitchen island to place a small kiss on her daughter's head before pulling Tom down into the bakery. She could already smell the delicious smell of fresh bread, chocolate, small hints of sugar, and even flowers, forever such a comforting and soothing smell to wake up to.
Marinette smiled at her parents as she watched them walk away, happily taking the breakfast and eating it before excusing herself to do just what her mother asked of her.
When she finally reappeared, with bangs curled and low twin buns hair sprayed stiff her parents had already opened the bakery and were serving early morning customers, so she quickly jogged down into the bakery to say her goodbyes.
“Oh, Honey. You look adorable” Sabine cheered, seeing her daughter walk through the bakery kitchen doors, she walked over to fix the collar of the shirt even if it was already perfect “Mama, it’s fine. Really '' She smiled, walking past the counter and waved at a regular news anchor customer as they walked out. “I got this, '' she added, turning towards her dad who was holding the camera again “We know. Smile now, Cupcake” Tom commented, taking one final photo as Marinette smiled wide, holding her head as high as she could, doing peace signs with her hands. She has done this exact pose every single year of school thus far and she doesn’t plan on stopping this tradition.
He walked from beyond the cashier register and pulled her into a tight bear hug, “I love you, my girl” he whispered before letting her go and handing her the gold foiled bakery box, “It’s everyone's favorite! Can’t go to school empty handed!” Marinette smiled, happily taking the large box and hugging her father again before running to kiss her mom kissing her cheek. Of course her parents would prepare breakfast for her and her friends, they have memorized every single one of their favorites over time, another reason to forever be grateful for the generous and loving parents she has, she waved them a final farewell before opening the door “Don’t forget to come get lunch!” her mom called out as the door shut, Marinette gave a thumbs up as she went around to prepare her moped for Luka’s arrival.
It took less than 5 minutes for Luka to walk up to the bakery and greet Marinette with a smile and wave, “Good morning, Marinette” He looked towards the gold box that was now securely on the front basket of Marinette’s vespa knowing his favorite blueberry tart was just waiting for him, “Good morning! Here you go” Marinette greeted back, opening up the box and handing out a warm tart just watching him eye the box confirmed he was just as hungry as her if not more for the baked goods.
Luka, ate the tart in just a few bites before he put on his helmet thanking Marinette with another smile, though his tall, slim, lanky build, Luka had a very sweet tooth and the only bake goods that could calm the never-ending need for sugar was Tom and Sabine’s bakery, best in all of France he would happily award them if he could. He could also eat the entire buffet at the bourgeoise hotel if they offered it, cause he sure as hell almost did the last time they were invited to one of Chloe’s class galas, it was more to show off her wealth to her lower income classmates and her extravagant dresses but free food was free food as Luka would say and there was no way anybody was gonna turn down rich people food, even if it was Chloe’s.
As they both got onto the moped, he waved at the Dupain-Cheng’s through the bakery windows and held onto the seat as they pushed forward onto the streets of France. They didn’t need to talk much when they were with each other, simple words and body signals were enough, he enjoyed that about Marinette. She was so expressive with her body language; he could write a book on human emotions just off her smile alone. He also really enjoyed riding on her moped, giving his legs the much needed break from non-stop cycling around Paris, though he did love his bike watching Paris fly by without labor was better.
As they pulled into the student parking lot, they were greeted with an almost empty lot beyond teacher parking, “At least, I don’t have to fight for a spot” Marinette dryly joked, as she took off her helmet. Just another reminder of how rich everyone was going to be at this school, they didn’t need cars, bikes, or mopeds, just their own personal drivers.
“That’s true, maybe I should start biking to school instead of asking you for rides” Luka joked back, already walking towards the entrance where he could see Nino and Alya standing on the steps as Marinette undone the bakery box.
“Marinette!” Alya called out once seeing Luka, she held open her arms as Marinette speed walked right into her arms and hugged each other tightly, well as tightly as Marinette could with one hand. “I smell my favorite. Gimme '' She sing-songed letting her go in favor of the baked goods, Marinette playfully rolled her eyes as she handed the box over to her friend.
“I looove you,” Alya added, diving hand in blindly to grab whichever one before passing it to Nino, “But also I’m happy you took my advice on the hair, it’s perfect on you”
“Totally, Dude. it’s cute, suits you ” Nino agreed, grabbing the huckleberry roll from his girlfriend's hands and handing her the lemon orange bread before handing Marinette the last baked good and throwing the box in the public trashcan next to the stairs, “Thanks, it took a little longer than I thought to achieve it and a TON of hair spray’ Marinetted chirped, happily taking the strawberry cheesecake crescent and eating as they all silently enjoyed their baked goods.
“Man Marinette If I could marry your parents' food, I would” Nino hummed, Ayla gasped “You’d choose a ROLL over me?! Rude”
“Not just any roll, Babe. Tom and Sabine’s rolls” They all laughed, Marinette was thankful for moments like these to just laugh and be calm with those she loved, after the stressful night before she really needed this, there wasn’t anything that could ruin this moment.
“Move, rodents” Snapped, a familiar and yet never not annoying voice, neverminded there was something that could ruin these moments. Chloe bourgeois “If you’re gonna eat garbage, at least do it more privately’
“Good morning to you too, Chloe” Alya mocked, rolling her eyes at the blonde's antics, the blonde scoffed at the brunette well putting her hands on her hips.
“Fake Reporter, wannabe nobody, literally who even are YOU, and little miss charity case. A homeless shelter really lets you all out at the same time? Disgusting” Chloe hissed, pointing at each of them before prancing up the stairs with her loyal minion Sabrina right behind her, holding both their designer bags.
Chloe stopped right at the top before turning around, “Remember your place, you guys are in MY playground. My daddy donates the most to this school, only the best for his little girl” she sneakily added with a smirk, spinning around fast to toss her hair behind her and entered the school, Marinette held out her hand and mocked her with it “Only the best for his little girl. BLEGH”
“Pffft, she’s such a try hard” Zoe laughed, walking up to the group after waving farewell to the bourgeois’ private driver.
“Zoooooe!! I haven’t seen you all summer” Alya practically screamed, pulling the blonde into a tight hug just like she had with Marinette. Zoe was fashionably herself as ever, whereas Chloe had paired her uniform with Agreste jewelry, high heels, and sunglasses all she was wearing was old converse from college and her usual beanie, no jewelry or brand name accessories. The only difference to show she has grown from college is that she had pink under hair now instead of her old single pink streak in her hair, it was far more her style and Marinette loved it cause they had dyed her hair the last day of college over at Luka’s before she had just suddenly disappeared alongside Chloe.
“I was forced onto some family retreat in the states. Sharing a room with Chloe for several weeks was true torture. Love her but not THAT much” the blonde explained, happily hugging Alya back just as tightly. She had a strained relationship with Chloe for a while before the whole “Audrey’s credit Card” scandal in England, it's a long story involving them stealing their moms credit card and running up thousands of dollars worth of clothes, jewelry, hair dye, etc., etc. they’ve been really close ever since even if they both completely lost phone privileges for the next ion.. Zoe let go of Alya in favor of smiling at Luka “Sup little Rockstar, I see you, all in uniform now, playing dress up huh?”
Luka laughed, smiling back at her, “I could say the same to you, never seen you in a skirt before, are you sick?”
Zoe laughed loudly “ yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t get used to it” she teased, before walking up the stairs herself, “I’d love to chat more but Chloe has this huge rich ‘bff’ shit going on today. Something about Gabriel Agreste’s son starting school, who knows but she’s demanding I’m with her when he arrives' ' she shrugged, doing finger quotation when saying ‘bff’ waving farewell to them and entering the school to follow her half sister.
Marinette just stared at the stairs with wide blown out eyes, there’s no way she heard that right, right?! Gabriel Agreste’s son is starting school…here…HERE. TODAY. He could arrive any moment. Oh god.
Of course, he’d be attending this school, his damn dad came here and this is where the elites sent their kids. Oh god, she absolutely at all costs can’t make a fool of herself now.
“Woah, Mari you okay?” Nino asked, waving his hand in front of her face, “dudes, I think she’s broken”
“Hey, Marinette. You okay, girl? What’s wrong?”
“AAAAAAAAA. Adrien Agreste is coming to OUR school! Oh bugs” She finally screamed, gripping the hem of her skirt tight enough it was turning her knuckles white “The Adrien Agreste, world famous model AND Son to Gabriel Agreste. My life is absolutely ruined. I’m done for”
“Hey now! Slow down, how is that a bad thing? He’s been your celebratory crush since forever” Alya said, putting her hand on Marinette’s shoulder to try to comfort her, Marinette looked at her “It's a terrible thing, Alya. He is fashion royalty! He’s definitely going to be in my introductory classes but he’s probably so far ahead of all us first years when it comes to designing and business marketing. He’ll put us all to shame” she whined, laying her head on the brunette's shoulder. Luka walked over to grab her hand and gently rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.
“Oh, Mari” Alya pulled her into a side hug before they could continue the conversation, the first bell rang. Alya stood up and gently held Marinette’s face in her hands, “Be strong We’ll talk during break, okay?” she said before grabbing Nino's hand and running up the stairs leaving Marinette and Luka alone. Marinette sighed watching the two leave, gripping Luka’s hand in hers. She didn’t want them to leave but she knew that their classes were completely on the other side of the school.
“You got this, Marinette. I know you do, don’t let this Adrien’s status fog your mind and make you forget how amazing of a designer you are also. I’ll catch you during break. Text me if it gets bad, alright? ” Marinette nodded a silent agreement reluctantly letting go of Luka’s hand before walking up the stairs into the bears cavern, unarmed and unready for the experience she was gonna be forced to endure. They split up as soon as they entered.
It truly couldn’t be as bad as she was making it out in her head, could it be? I mean, everything up to this point in her life was far better than her anxiety let her believe.
“Head down and take quick steps. Fade into the background and don’t bring attention to yourself” , she told herself as she approached the threatening door of her homeroom.
-
She stood in front of the door, questioning if it's not too late to run for her life and right back into bed where she can live out the rest of her life as a bed troll. She isn’t too sure how long she’s been standing there for all she knows the second bell already rang.
When she heard footsteps approaching her, pulling herself out of her head she looked towards the approaching person and was met with a tall figure with golden blonde stylized shaggy hair and only the most beautiful emerald green eyes she’s ever seen. He smiled at her waving his hand awkwardly, “um- good morning? Are you going to open the door?” he asked politely, pointing towards her hand just idly holding the handle blocking his way.
She didn’t even reply, just stared at him starstruck by his beauty as the second went by a deep blush bloomed over her face and she scrambled to open the door “yes. yes . So sorry!” she yelled far too loud to her liking, laughing and smiling awkwardly, she stepped out of his way as she swung the door open with far too much force and stubbed her toe “Ouch! I’m fine, I’m good. Please, come inside”
The mysterious figure laughed so lightly, whispering a thanks as he entered the room, she just stood at the door watching his back before clearing her throat and entering tryna hide her red face by looking at the ground. Hurriedly scooting into the nearest free seat in the classroom, her mind was in panic mode nonstop trying to piece together every beautiful detail of the man she had just embarrassed herself in front of, forgetting the throbbing pain in her toes.
He was so familiar but she couldn't quite put her finger on it, she swore she saw him somewhere but that wasn’t possible, she’d remember someone as attractive as him if they ever were in the bakery. She groaned quietly to herself before putting her face in her hands to try scrubbing away the shame.
“ADRIEKIIIIINS” Chloe squealed, Marinette shot her head up and turned to her right to watch the exact blonde man be dragged into a death grip of a hug which he had happily returned and the puzzle pieces started to fall into place SHE EMBARRASSED HERSELF IN FRONT OF ADRIEN AGRESTE AND WORSE HE WAS ACTUALLY FRIENDS WITH CHLOE BOURGEOIS. Maybe she was right, her life was totally completely doomed.
‘I missed you so much!! I wish you could’ve came to America with me, Adriekins” Chloe whined, kissing Adrien’s cheeks affectionately before pulling him into the seat next to hers, he just smiled allowing himself to be pulled and yanked around by the smaller blonde “You know how my father is Chloe, how was your vacation though?”
They made rich small talk, talking about New York and whatever else rich people talk about. Marinette just sighed watching the blonde's buzz, of course he was Adrien. OF COURSE!! No normal person is that perfect, the last poster she had of him was when he was 14, he still had some of his boyish beauty like his round eyes that had not yet become stoned like his fathers, the long shaggy hair framed his features so well. If beauty had a name it was Adrien Agreste, a walking reassurance painting.
“Ahem! You got a problem, Dupain-Cheng?!” Chloe barked, catching Marinette just watching them “Uh- no?” Marinette stammered, trying to frantically pull some type of excuse out of her ass that wasn’t ‘ Oh, hey sorry just admiring your friend's beauty ‘.
“Then quit staring at us, Weirdo” and she did just that, snapped her head forward and looked down at her hands trying to drown out whatever stupid remarks Chloe was throwing out in the commotion she could hear Adrien’s voice trying to calm the chihuahuas barks, Marinette was going to play nice and quiet this time with Chloe, she wasn’t going to argue and fight with her like she had all of College. She wanted a peaceful, drama free first couple weeks of school if she could and like hell was she going to let that snobby, obtuse, spoiled brat ruin it on the very first day!