Adrien's  POV:

    I could not bring myself to attend her funeral as Chat Noir or as Adrien.

     I  showed up in disguise.

     I stood afar off.

      I felt Nino's glance in my direction once.

       I was grateful he kept it a secret.

        I felt it was best.

        I could not have explained to everyone else how much she meant to me as both Adrien and Chat.

        I  was surprised I was allowed to keep the cat miraculous.

            I would not have blamed the guardians if they asked me to return it.

           I supposed they let me keep it in the hopes Plagg would keep me from losing my sanity.

          I was grateful.  It was nice to have a friend to talk to even though he reeked of stale days-old cheese.

           I dared not admit that the freedom he gave me was part of what kept me from dying.

          I   sat in my room with the memory of better times.

          I  had left lovely roses at her grave.

          I longed to remember the past when she was in it.

          I knew it was not healthy, but how could I just let go?

         Flashback...

        I was in the park.

        It was time for yet another photo shoot.

         I scowled for the photographer.

         My heart just was not into it.  It was more of my father's thing. I was more of the guinea pig for his business.  I felt used.

          I heard a laugh.

         I looked up to see the most lovely scene.

         It was Alya and Marinette.

          I  felt my scowl fade away into a smile at the sight of the Bluenette.

          I  wished to hold her close.   I blushed at the thought.

          I had come far from seeing her as just a friend.

     I made a mistake that day.

     After the photoshoot, I treated Marinette and Kagami to ice cream.

      Marinette ran off soon after Andre scooped some of the frozen treats for us.    I did not go after her as I should.  I stayed with Kagami instead.

      I felt foolish about it. I let her think she was nothing to me.

      I saw Luka with her, and something burned inside me.

    Four months later, Marinette came and told me Luka dumped her. I was furious.  How dare he break her heart?

    I  had broken things off with Kagami.

   I  knew it was because of Ladybug, or so I tried to convince myself.

   I held Marinette as tears fell down her face.

 I should have confessed.

End of flashback...

   Now, it was all too late.

  I had my chance, and it was all over.

   I let her slip through my fingers.

  I  longed for the days when it was just us.

   Two clueless teens who held each other's hearts.

   Find out more in Chapter 19

   bye, bye little owlets!

-Summer out!