Midnight Under The Eiffel Tower

Chapter 14

"I still can't believe her," Adrien muttered darkly. "Why can't she just-"

"Adrien! My man!" Nino grabbed Adrien's shoulder, turning him around. Adrien grinned and released Marinette's hand as Nino encased his best friend in a hug.

"I told you it was good idea!" Nino winked at Marinette over Adrien's shoulder. She winked back.

"You weren't wrong!" Adrien pulled away, putting his arm around his date. "I've got the most beautiful date in Paris!"

Marinette blushed, giggling.

"I might have to disagree with you, bro." Nino grinned, stepping aside to present his date. Alya had a floor-length shimmering blue dress on with purple accents that matched her glasses.

"Alya! I love it!" Marinette cried, pushing past Adrien to hug her friend. "I told you it was the one!"

Alya laughed, patting Marinette on the back. "Yeah, well, you were right all the same."

"Let's chill out here for a second, dudes!" Nino slung his arm over Adrien's shoulder and they stood at the top of the stairs. "It's hot in there."

Marinette shared a smile with Alya, and they stepped away from the boys for a moment.

"Any other details I need to know?" Alya asked Marinette softly. "How did the pictures turn out?"

Marinette sighed happily. "Alya, they were wonderful! He kissed my cheek in one!" She pointed to her face. "Right here!"

Alya's eyes widened. "No way! What else?"

"He's been holding my hand and putting his arm around me all day," Marinette babbled, "And he basically told me he likes me!"

"You go, girl!" Alya gave Marinette a high five. "That's awesome!"

There was a sudden howl of anger from the pear orchard down the stairs.

"My trees!" A voice yelled. "You stupid children!"

Marinette stopped. "Did you hear something?"

"Hm?" Alya turned curiously. "What, M?"

"I, uh, got to go," Marinette blurted, backing away. "I think I left something in the car."

Adrien and Nino turned around. Adrien raised an eyebrow. "You okay, little lady?"

"I'll be right back!" Marinette turned on her heels, dashing back outside. Her feet wobbled, and she almost fell.

"Whoa." Adrien's arms were suddenly around her, and he steadied her. "Good thing I followed you."

"Adrien, you should go back inside," Marinette insisted, grabbing his hands and pushing them away. "It's not safe."

"What? No, I'm not just going to leave you." Adrien stared at her in confusion. Then his gaze fell on something over her shoulder. His eyes widened nervously.

"What?" Marinette said sharply, glancing behind her. "What is it?"

Adrien swallowed nervously, his arm going around Marinette once more. He turned her toward the orchard. "I think you'd better just see."

All the pear trees in the orchard were growing, expanding into enormous trees with trunks the size of cars. The boys that were messing around in the trees earlier yelped and were running out back onto the cement.

Marinette gasped, moving closer. "The pear trees! Of course!"

"They've been popping up all over Paris," Adrien breathed, coming up behind her. "At Notre Dame, at the Luxembourg Gardens..." He cursed under his breath. "I should've noticed!"

"This is all my fault!" Marinette and Adrien cried in unison. Then they turned to each other, eyes wide.

"Your fault? How-how is this your fault?" Adrien asked.

Marinette gulped. "I might ask you same question."

The garden wall lining the orchard suddenly burst, bricks flying in every direction. Adrien leaped forward, shielding Marinette's body with his own.

"Get inside!" He yelled over the screams of his fellow students. "It's not safe out here!"

"Adrien, what about you?" Marinette cried, trying to break away from his embrace.

"Go!" Adrien kissed her cheek and shoved her toward the stairs. Then he disappeared into the crowd.

Marinette blinked, reeling for a moment. Adrien just kissed her! Again!

"Marinette!" Tikki hissed from inside her friend's small pink purse. "We need to help!"

"Right!" Marinette shook her head, trying to focus. She darted into a corner and clicked open her purse.

"Tikki, spots on!"