✓ | Secret Visits | Ladrien | Miraculous Ladybug

~Chapter 4~

I yawned as I climbed out of the car. Gorilla, my bodyguard, pulled away as I walked up to the steps.

"Hey, dude!" Nino called.

"What's up, Nino?"

He opened his mouth to speak and I let out a yawn.

"Your old man had more work for you?"

"Yeah. He doubled everything because of all the Akuma attacks."

Nino shook his head as we entered the courtyard. I waved to a few of my other friends as we headed up to the classroom.

"That's tough. He should lighten up on your workload. That's a lot to do."

"It was easier and took less time before I started coming here. But I enjoy being in school with other people. It's not as lonely, you know?"

Nino nodded as we took our seats. A few other students were in as well, waiting for school to start.

Ms. Bustier was sitting at her desk working on her computer. Her brows furrowed as she focused, but she jumped when Marinette tripped and fell past the door.

"Oh, hello Marinette! It's nice to see you on time today," she said with a laugh.

Marinette smiled sheepishly as Alya giggled at her. They took their seats behind us as the bell rang. Chloe walked in, then rushed over to me when she saw me.

"Adrikins! You won't believe it. Daddy got us tickets for early access to the carnival next week!"

"Um, what carnival?" I asked.

She paused, then laughed.

"Oh, you must be kidding! You know, that totally la- I mean terrific carnival?"

I stared at her, confused, and Sabrina stepped in.

"There's a carnival coming next week. Jagged Stone and many others will perform, and there will be games, food-"

"And a fireworks display at the end of the week! It'll be absolutely-!"

"But Chloe, this carnival takes place during school. Are you sure you'll be missing school for the carnival?" Ms. Bustier butted in.

Chloe paused and looked over at her, then frowned. She pulled out her phone and looked at it, then gasped.

"Oh! I'm going to tell Daddy to make them change the dates!"

I shook my head as she took her seat, texting Mayor Bourgeois. The bell rang and the rest of the class filed in. The late bell rang and Ms. Bustier stood in front of her desk.

"Alright, class! Let's get started."

~ * ~

Nino headed off with Alya while I waited for the car. Many other students walked past, heading home or to hang out with friends. I pulled out my phone, checking for any messages, but there were none.

"Where could he be?" I asked.

"Don't worry, Adrien. I'm sure everything's alright," Plagg said.

I pressed my lips together and looked back down at my phone. I didn't notice Marinette walk past me until she'd tripped on the stairs. She fell and her books flew over the sidewalk.

I quickly rushed over to help her as she recovered from the fall.

"Are you alright, Marinette?" I asked as I helped her up.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

She took her bag and let out a shaky breath, then looked up and smiled.

"I'm clutzy- I mean justy- uhh, clumsy!"

I smiled, then heard a horn. I looked over and saw that Gorilla had pulled up while I wasn't looking.

"Well, looks like I have to go. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah."

I turned and walked away, then climbed in. Gorilla pulled away and started for the house.

When we arrived, I climbed out and found Nathalie standing by the door. I walked up the steps and went into the house.

"Your father has canceled your photo shoot for today and would like you to work on your piano lessons instead."

I let out a sigh and nodded, then went up to my room. I set my bag on my bed as Plagg flew out and headed for his cheese.

I sat down on the piano bench and started with some scales before turning to the same song I always play. Plagg settled next to me as he munched on his cheese.

I hit a wrong note and winced, then stopped playing. I took a deep breath and was about to start over but Plagg stopped me.

"Why do you always start over? Why not just play that last few measures up to where you mess up?" he asked.

"That's not how I learned to do it, Plagg. I was told to start over from the beginning."

"If you say so."

He gulped down another piece of cheese and I started the song again. Once I'd finished that up, I went over to my computer and started on my homework.

Plagg followed and eventually fell asleep on my head. The door opened up, and he flew to hide, and I looked over.

"Your father would like you to work on your Chinese now," Nathalie told me.

I nodded and got to work. Plagg muttered something from where he'd hidden, but I didn't ask what he said. Instead, I got to work and started practicing my Chinese.

~ * ~