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  By the next week, which was just a few days before the school let out for Christmas Break; Marinette's excitement had dramatically increased. It was getting closer to the reveal moment, which had them BOTH giddy. Chat kept making teasing threats about stalking her back to her home, or tracking her with his keen sense of smell.

  The evening before the next hint, he had asked, "So should we meet up tomorrow morning, or will you be leaving another surprise for me at school?"

  She smiled mischievously. "At school."

  Adrien once again opened his locker to find the hint. A small note laid in plain sight. Making sure no one was nearby to see it, he opened it.

  Theres an old saying that describes me pretty well.
  WHAT YOU SEE, IS WHAT YOU GET.

  Adrien pondered on that for a moment. Ladybug was a head shorter than him, with midnight hair and bluebell eyes. It seemed that would be easy to find, until he remembered that there were around twenty girls that fit that description. But one girl particularly stuck out to him.
  Could... Marinette...?

  Embarrassed by the thought, he blushed. Him and Ladybug had been dating for a few weeks now, and he honestly hadn't felt an attraction to Marinette since then. But now, the idea that he might get both girls in one person? He really liked it... A thought that made him feel all the more embarrassed.
  Come on, now! You have no proof! Don't start thinking that way!

  He honestly felt like he was cheating on Ladybug by even CONSIDERING such a thought.

  "Hey dude!"

  Adrien jerked around, banged his head against the locker door, then dropped to the floor as his legs buckled.

  "Whoa! Sorry about that! Are you okay??"

  Adrien was slouched against the locker wall, rubbing the part of his head that was now tender. A slightly crumpled piece of paper clutched tightly in one hand. But what really stuck out to Nino, was the strange reddish hue that entirely covered Adrien's skin, and his wide vibrant green eyes.

  "I'm- yeah!! I'm fine!!"

  Nino glanced at the note again, and connected a few things.
  Man, is HE caught! Hook, line, and sinker!

  "Okayyy... If you say so.", he spoke out loud.

  Entering the classroom with a pounding heart, Adrien hurried to his seat, doing his best to ignore Marinette.

  Marinette, though, had noticed his expression.
  That's weird... Not at all what I expected... He looks so worried... Maybe he can't figure it out...

  She pulled out the next hint that she had tucked inside her purse, and re-read it.
  I hope this one is not too difficult... But what if it is?? Oh no!!

  Class hadn't started yet, so Marinette hopped up and ran to the restroom. Checking that all was clear, she let Tikki out.

  "Tikki, I'm not for sure he's going to figure it out! He looked so worried! Could he REALLY be that blind to whats in front of him?? This is suppose to be the final hint! His Christmas gift!"

  "Stop worrying, Marinette! Let's just wait and see. And besides, he knows how to write poetry. I'm sure he can understand a riddle."

  Marinette sighed nervously. "I hope so... After all of this-! It would be awful if I have to actually TELL him... I'm sure that would make him feel bad..."

  At lunch that day, there was a Christmas party to be held. All of the classes were attending it at the same time.

  Red and green streamers dangled from the ceiling. Cheap plastic covers were on the tables. Silvery snowflake stickers attached to the windows. And the Lunch Ladies were dressed as Elves.

  Mr. Damocles had taken on the role of Santa Claus, and was passing out the Secret Santa gifts. Everyone had signed up for someone particular. Although a few had to be ASSIGNED.

  Adrien was estatic, for he had received permission to stay at Lunchtime. Chloe had willingly offered to back him up, but there was no need for it. His father had easily agreed.

  He was still avoiding Marinette, and had chosen to sit with Max and Kim. Chloe and Lila on each side of him. Nino was currently with Alya.

  Marinette tapped the letter against her hand anxiously.
  How do I get it to him, without him seeing me? Without Chloe and Lila seeing??

  This part hadn't been entirely planned out, because of unprecedented circumstances. So she was, instead, waiting for the right moment. And the presence of the two girls, wasn't helping whatsoever.

  "Need some help?", Mylene offered. "And I'm sure Ivan wouldn't mind helping too."

  "Ummm..."

  "Pfft.", Alix said. Pulling her hat down tighter, she added, "Don't bother. I got this!"

  Finding Sabrina near the snack tables, Alix took the tray of goodies and said, "Chloe asked for you to go get her a Latte from.. Wherever that cafe is. I don't remember. Anyway, I'll deal with this, you go get the coffee."

  "Oh! Right away!"

  Alix watched as Sabrina anxiously dashed out the door, then hurried over to Nathaniel.
Plopping down on the tabletop, she said, "Care to do me a favor?"

  "Um, what is it?"

  "When I walk away with Lila, go take her SEAT and talk to Adrien."

  "Talk??"

  "Just do it. Doesn't matter what you say. Just keep him facing YOU at all times."

  "Fine... But you owe me."

  "Whatever."

  She sauntered over to Chloe and dropped the tray in front of her with a clatter.

  "HEY! YOU COULD'VE BROKEN MY NAILS!"

  "Oops. My bad. Sabrina had to run to the bathroom. But anyway, I think Ms. Bustier was asking for you."

  "Ugh.", Chloe groaned before leaving to find her teacher.

  "Hey Lila! I heard you gathered a lot of autographs while in Hollywood."

  "Oh! Yes, I have. Um, which one were you wondering about...?"

  "Well, I was hoping to see them ALL. It was said you carry them with you...? That's really smart. Because there are so many famous people here in Paris too."

  Relieved that she wasn't interested in a particular signature, Lila exclaimed, "But of course! It's in my locker! Come on! I'll show you!"

  As they walked past Marinette and the others, Alix winked.

  "Did she really just pull that off??", Marinette asked.

  "Oh, she's good!", Alya said in admiration.

  Noticing that Nathaniel and Adrien were talking, Marinette took a deep breath and tiptoed forward.

  As Mr.Damocles sat some gifts down amongst the boys, Marinette swiftly dropped the letter in front of Adrien. Then she dashed away breathlessly back to her friends.

  Nathaniel, having seen Marinette's secretive approach, instinctively knew his job was done here. So he went back to his notebook to draw.

  Adrien meanwhile, turned to look down at his gift. The letter, though, immediately catching his attention. Because of the words written on the envelope.

  The bee has stung and the fox has bit again. Which means this is your  REAL Secret Santa!

  Rose's fists trembled under her chin, as she squealed. "He's smiling!"

  Opening the letter, Adrien found only the riddle.

  In this riddle it can be found,
  My weekly gift is a noun.
  Jest you, I not.
  Understanding that you might,
  Struggle to see the sight,
  Taking pity,
  Another hint I give to my Kitty.
  Find me sideways.
  Run down my spine.
  In my back you will find.
  Easy?No? Keep trying.
  Not yet are you dying.
  Don't laugh at my lame rhyming!

  Mylene gasped. "He's frowning! Why is he frowning??"

  Marinette hugged herself and began tapping her toe against the floor.

  "You dudes-er- dudettes- do know, that if he glances over here, he'll know? Right?"

  "Hush, babe. You're ruining the moment."

  He snickered. "Just saying."

  Adrien stood up. And while staring expressionlessly at the riddle, he left the LunchRoom.

  "Where is he going??", Alya asked no one in particular.

  Marinette worriedly bit her lip, then dashed out as well.

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  Authors note:

  So i COULDA made this the last part... I reckon... 😏 Wouldve made for a long chapter, I expect. 🤣
 
  But anyway, i wanted to see if anyone could solve the riddle. 😂😁
  Please let me know if u do! Or dont. Either way. Lol. Im just really curious. 😁

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