Tales of the Bug and Cat

July 1st, 13 days until the Ball [Mid-Afternoon]
"OMG girl! Got anything to say to the camera?" Alya asked.  "Mari?"
Marinette came out of her daze when she heard her name.
"Alya! Turn off the camera." Nino said, putting a caring arm around Mari, who was still very stunned.

"I ju-just can't believe what happened. Either I have to go to the dance with Chat Noir, or you'll have to go with Chloé!" Marinette addressed the last part to Adrien.

"It's alright. I bet Chat Noir would love to go with you,-"
"As friends!" Marinette sharply added.
"Right," Adrien continued " As friends. He has his claws hooked on Ladybug anyway."
Marinette bursts out laughing, while Nino and Alya stared at the display.

"No dude. Don't say that." Nino shook his head.

"Yah, too cheesy. Only Chat Noir can handle cat puns." Alya added.
"Well how is Mari supposed to ask Chat to go with her? He's a superhero who's identity is unknown!!" Nino asked.

"I have an idea!!" Marinette and Adrien shouted at the same type.
"Jinx." Adrien said, showing off his model smile. Marienette blushed a shy red. She couldn't help it!

"Anyway, I can find Ladybug the same way I did to get Alya the interview, and she can contact Chat Noir." Marinette said.
"Neat!" Nino nodded. "Wait how did you contact Ladybug?"

"Uhhhhhh, a secret?" Marinette said. Tikki shook her head in the pocket of Marinette's bag.

"Alright, tell me how it goes asap. I gotta get home to watch my siblings." Alya waved goodbye.

"Yah, I gotta get home too, I promised my mom I would help her clean. Wish me luck! Bye." Nino said.

Adrien started walking away. "Bye. Good luck Marinette with Ladybug."

"Bye!" Marinette called after him.
After they rest of the class as out of site, Tikki popped out of Marinette's bag.
"So, you are going on a date with Chat Noir to a masquerade ball!"
"I know Tikki, but it won't be that bad. We can just stay hidden the whole time. It is a masquerade ball after all." Marinette said.
"And did you see how Adrien protected you Marinette! It was almost as if he knows that Chat Noir will definitely said yes!"
"Ya, Tikki. That was a bit much, but did you see how angry he got at Chloé! It was amazing! And how he looked at me!" Marinette started giggling from the thought.

"Well, if anyone can get Chat Noir to go with me, it's Ladybug!" Mari joked.

July 1st, 13 days until the Ball [Late Afternoon]

[At Adrien's Home]

"So, why did you make that bet with Chloé?? You are Chat Noir and you like Ladybug, not Mari. Or are the lovebirds in love?" Plagg started.

"Plagg!" Adrien grumbled. "I already explained it! I just couldn't handle how Chloé was treating Mari so I stepped in. Besides I love Ladybug, and I can't go with her, so I was planning on just tagging along with Mari anyway. Alya and Nino are a couple so I thought to ask Mari to go as friends. Ironic, I wanted to go with Ladybug, but now Mari is going with Chat Noir! Then Chloé was Chloé and..ugh!"

"Go with Mari? As friends? Ha! That wouldn't have worked anyway! She's head over heels for you!" Plagg shouted.
Adrien rolled his eyes at Plagg's comments. "I already told you she doesn't like me. Nino mentioned that he knows who Mari likes but is forbidden to say because he found out from Alya... who was supposed to be forbidden to say. Funny isn't it?"

Plagg started to say something else, even though he knew it was pointless. "Huff, fine. But don't you wonder how it is that Mari can secretly contact Ladybug? Maybe she's Ladybug!" Plagg joked.
After a moment they both broke out laughing!
"Really Plagg! Hahaha  Mari's amazing, but she's no Ladybug!"
They continued to laugh until Adrien realized that he has to start his HW before he can patrol. Sometimes school takes priority.