Vulnerable

3

I am beyond surprised how many reads and votes this book has gotten! I'll have to have a special chapter when it gets over 100 (It won't be smut because there's actual rules for the fandom now. o.o), but I figured i can use it to back track before back tracking during the big plot of the whole book. Where the book is at, it's not even half way before reaching Adrien's downward spiral.

Thank you guys for reading and voting! let me know what your favorite parts are because Adrien is somewhat of a dork in this chapter. I sort of let up the hate on Gabriel in this chapter so...nya...

Enjoy the chapter!

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The first week of being a freshman is apparently frustrating to the new class, including Marinette. Even though she had picked out, or handmade, her look of "Hello, I am a brand new student from Paris!" simply looked "I'm one of you now". As much as she missed her middle school and high school look, she reverted to her simple pink capris, white t-shirt, and her black blazer, complete with her pink flats and mini purse. She trimmed her navy hair an inch or so before she pulled them up into pigtails. When she looked in the mirror while applying jewelry, she couldn't help but admire her younger self. The shine of her promise ring made her come back and think that she's in a relationship with the fashion model. She has matured, sure, but she wished she can hold onto her teenage years just a little longer before turning 19.

Not only people stopped her on the walk to school or in the meal lines, everyone notices her ring. Both men and women asked if she was engaged or married, and the thought of marriage would turn Marinette's face really red. She would casually say no and tell them the ring is a promise ring given to her before her boyfriend left the campus the morning after. They adored the ruby and diamonds, but few people would notice the engraving. After a couple days of only two classes, by Wednesday she needed the encouraging words from her Chat Noir.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you! My name's Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" Marinette said proudly as she bowed in the third class she had to give an introduction. This time, it was in front of the entire art room. She held the slip of paper firmly as she read the words she wrote.

"I was born and raised in Paris, and I'm known as the baker's daughter." She started. "I enjoy designing my own fashion pieces, rather I'm in the park, at the Eiffel Tower, or sitting on a rooftop. Lastly, I am in a relationship with a fashion model who doesn't go to this school." With that, she held the paper in one hand, placing the other hand on her arm, and waited for the professor's guidance to the class. The professor was allowing students to ask their classmate questions for a few minutes at a time. Oh how Marinette felt uncomfortable. It was only seconds before they asked:

"Who is the model you're dating, Marinette?!" asked a girl.

Marinette nervously said his name. "Adrien Agreste. He models for his father who is Gabriel Agreste." she answered. "You can say that he's my high school sweetheart back in Paris."

"How many outfits have you designed? Are you well known at home for fashion desgin?" asked a man.

She nodded and had to think back a moment. "I designed tons of outfits for different occasions, even though I haven't designed every body type or age just yet. I have made a few things for contests and even made glasses for a rock star." Her fangirl smile coming through as she thought about it. "So you can say I am well known just for...um...well, my fashion skills!" She stopped to think about it. Even though she's not active as Ladybug right now, she still kept Tikki in her bag as extra encouragement. She didn't want the secret to spill over by telling them Ladybug was at their campus.

"Is that an engagement ring!" yelled a girl who looked like she was still in high school. "You're wearing such a beautiful ring, Marinette."

Marinette smiled and looked down at her ring, guessing that the ruby really does stand out to everyone rather than diamonds. She replied to the question with a shake of her hear. "No, it's not an engagement ring. It's a promise ring between Adrien and I. He lives back at Paris, so this college thing is different on both of us. We promised to hold onto our love even though we're very far apart."