"What?" Marinette asking in a shocked tone hoping her best friend was joking.
"I know how you feel, but I'm not going to be rude." Alya tried to reason.
"Alya, you can't trust her."
"Based on what? Your jealousy?"
Marinette couldn't believe what she was hearing. Lila invited everyone in the class to a party, and even though she invited Marrinette later that day Lila told her not to bother to come. Marinette was sitting on the end of the stair at school with Alya during lunch break.
Marinette tried to stay calm. "You're right, go. But I'm not, she doesn't want me there and I'd only make the evening worse." She stood up and walked to the classroom leaving her friend still on the stairs.
Alya obviously annoyed, "You can't just run away from your problems." She commented before Marinette was out of ear shot.
When lunch was over and everyone was going into the classroom Marinette saw Alya walk in. With Lila.
Alya grabbed her bag from next to Marinette and told her she was going to sit next to Lila so she could help plan the party. Marinette not wanting to blurt something out just stayed quiet and looked out the window across the room. Of all people she made eye contact with Chloe. Chloe didn't make a harsh expression like usual, she looked more concerned for Marinette but Marinette was too distracted to notice. They both looked to the front as class started.
The next few days leading up to the party Alya sat next to Lila and by then most of the class kind of gravitated towards her. Chloe and Sabrina were still in their spots and Adrien was in the front alone after Nino went to the back to support his girlfriend. Normally Marinette would be exstatict to be close to Adrien without anyone else, but she was busy drowning her sarrows in homework. She didn't mind her friends having fun with other people, but Lila could go from zero to a hundred quick and possibly hurt all of them in the process.
Adrien could tell Marinette had a lot on her mind so he finally turned around and tried to say hi to her. Marinette had headphones in and couldn't hear anything. He tried again with no luck. He was going to tap her to get her attention when suddenly Chloe interrupted.
"Leave her alone." Without looking up from her phone Chloe spoke.
"I just wanted to see if she-"
She set down her phone and looked at her childhood friend. "I know you mean well Adrikins." It was break time and most of the class were being noisy in the back with the four up front being completely invisible. "Sabrina, go get me something to drink."
"Of cousre Chloe! Be right back." Sabrina being the attentive friend she is left the classroom.
Chloe stood up and sat in Nino's seat. "I'll be frank, I don't like Marinette."
"Chloe..." Adrien grunted.
"Listen, I may not be on great terms with her, but that doesn't mean I don't think she's a, g-good person..." She took a breath as if it was the hardest thing to say. She cleared her throat and continued. "But, I don't like Lila more. The difference is, Marinette is an honest good, annoying, but good. I of all people know Lila's character, she's fake. And I may not be the right person to say this but it must be taking a toll on Dupain-Cheng since no one will believe her."
Adrien felt a tug at his chest, it hurt. "I just want to help."
"I'm sure when she needs to talk she'll find someone. Everyone needs a friend." Sabrina walked in with a drink. "Finally. What took you so long." Chloe stood up and went back to her seat and glanced at Adrien smiling.
He understood. Chloe always had Sabrina. Marinette had Alya, but at the moment Alya wasn't there. Then he heard the angelic voice, "Adrien?"
Marinette's face was pink as they starred each other in the eyes, he hadn't realized he was starring at her and she noticed. "O-oh, sorry." He made up an excuse quickly. "Can you help me with this part of the homework, it looks like you've already done it."
Marinette smile, "H-help, sure I c-can homework, I mean help homework with your Adrien!"
He laughed. "Thanks."
School was finally over for the day and it was the eve of the party. It was raining and the skies were gloomy but waiting at the front of the building was a limo. Lila arranged it to transport her classmates. Everyone was cheering and thanking Lila as they made their way to the car. Chloe and Sabrina got in her daddy's limo taking them to the hotel. Before Adrien could get into his car with the Gorilla, Lila ran over to him and took shelter under his umbrella. Marinette witnessed the horrific sight.
Lila clung to his arm, "Adrien, you're coming to my party right?"
Adrien awkwardly shook his head. "Sorry Lila, I has chinese and piano lessons today. Maybe next time?"
Adrien tried to flee into the car but Lila latched to his arms more aggresively. "Come now Adrien, you should let loose once in a while. It'll be fun."
"Lila I-"
"Let go." Lila and Adrien turned to see Marinette standing in the rain without an umbrella, she forgot it like usual.
"Was I talking to you? This is a private conversation, beat it."
"He said he can't go. Just leave him alone."
Lila stepped into the rain infront of Marinette so only she could hear. "You'll regret ever opening your mouth."
"You're a liar Lila, and he knows it too. Stop while you're ahead."
Lila put a hand to her mouth and laughed. "Think about it dimwit, he knows my true character but he's still nice to me. Anyone would be at least angry and stay away right? He obviously sees something in me, and he'll come to like me after I convince him I've got a pure heart or some crap like that. You on the other hand? You're nothing. A boring little nobody. And you'll never be anything. No one wants that."
Marinette was seeping in anger. "You know nothing about me."
"I know enough."
"Just go. Leave to your party. I'm surprised you care about me enough to get drenched."
The class was waiting in the car laughing and excited until they heard a yell from through the rain. They rolled down the windows and a few even got out and saw Lila laying on the cold cement in a puddle. Marinette standing above her in just as much shock and Adrien standing by his car a few feet from them under his umbrella.
Alya got out running to Lila with an umbrella with Kim and Ivan close by. "Marinette, what did you do!?" She helped Lila up who was crying crocodile tears.
Marinette looked at everyone starring at her. "Huh!?" she shook her head. "I-I didn't touch her! A-Adrien! Tell them!"
Everyone turned to adrien, unfortunately he was telling the Gorilla to wait when it happend so he didn't see. "I'm sorry, I didn't see what happend." Marinette's hope shattered, the one person she could trust with Lila didn't see. "B-But!" He continued. "Marinette would never hurt anyone."
"Then how do you explain Lila being on the ground?" Max asked.
Lila wiped her face, "Obviously she pushed me! I can't help if you don't like me, or even jealous of me, but to push me in the rain after I ask you to come to my party!? How could you?" The class was astonished.
"No! Thats not what happend!"
"Marinette, you need to cool your head, I'll talk to you when you set your emotions straight." Alya said while everyone took Lila to the car. It soon left.
Adrien went up to Marinette holding the umbrella over her, offering it to her. Her head was hanging low and her eyes slowly glanced up to him. Warm liquid masked the cold all over her body. They were tears.
"Marinette... I'm sorry..."
The Gorilla grunted urging Adrien to get in the car now. Marinette refused the umbrella and started to walk home. Adrien wanted to go after her but he was forced into the car and it drove off. He watched out his window until he couldn't see her figure in the rain anymore.
Marinette entered her home through the back door so she wouldn't worry her parents. Tikki flew out. "Marinette, it'll be okay." The silentce made it worse and the girl stood soaking wet next the the door. "Talk to me, it'll help. Are you okay?"
Marinette held out a hand for Tikki to sit on and gave her a weak sad smile. "Yeah.. I'm just tired, but don't worry Tikki, I'll bounce back."
Tikki hugged Marinette's cheek. "You know I'll always be here for you."
"I forgot my bag at school. I'll go get it, and when I get back we'll have hot coco and watch some movies." Marinette smiled a bit more convincingly.
"I'll be going with too in case any akuma attacks."
"No, It's alright, I have a feeling it'll be a quiet night. You stay, there are cookies upstairs, I wont be longer than 20 minutes. Promise. I just need time to think."
Tikki sighed, very worryingly. "Please hurry. I'll keep the bed warm for you."
"Thanks." She grabbed an umbrella thanks to Tikki and left toward the school.
With Marinette's unfortunate luck half way there the wind took the umbrella from her hands and into the street where it was run over. She was back to walking in the rain. "I swear I'm as unlucky as Chat Noir." She got to the school and made her way to the classroom.
She grabbed her bag and left her desk stopping in the middle of the classroom. Suddenly a flood of memories and emotions ran through her. She remembered Lila turning everyone on her with her lies. The looks on their faces. Acusing her. Anger. Sadness. Lost. Alone.
She couldn't tell the difference between the rain and her tears. What was dripping from her face? What made the puddle at her feet? What was cold and warm? What was she doing? Who was she? It was getting dark fast. Water blurred her vision and she couldn't see. Rain fall filled her ears and she couldn't hear. The moment was numb.
One thing she was certain of, she was drowning.
