Chapter 10
"Should I go make sure my Will is up to date?" Chloe said as she noticed that she was getting closer to the school building.
The weekend felt like it'd never end for four of the five members of the new miraculous team. Chloe was the only one who felt like it went by too quickly. But they all were nervous about going back to school after what happened last Friday. Especially considering the fact that they all would've heard that Marinette, and Adrien were akumatized since Alya posted the battle on the Ladyblog with Marinette's blessing. And when the day came, they all wished that they could call sick and avoid the issue.
"Relax Chloe," Marinette said in an attempt to comfort her, "It'll all be fine."
That didn't stop Chloe from sweating, "If they lynch me, I want an open casket. And you do the eulogy."
"The more you stress out, the worse it'll be," Marinette reminded her, "Now please calm down because you're making me nervous."
That was when Pollen appeared from Chloe's purse, "Is school suppose to be this stressful?"
Tikki was quick to join her Kwami friend, "Well last Friday wasn't the best day for them."
"We're here," Marinette said as she walked up to the front doors.
Both girls were hesitant to push the doors open but decided to get the matter over with. As soon as they entered, they noticed their classmates going about their usual day. But one by one they all noticed Chloe and Marinette enter together, and it didn't take long for all of them to stop what they were doing. The entire hall was dead silent as everyone waited for someone to say a word. One could almost hear Chloe softly mutter, "Jesus Christ this is tense."
The tension seemed endless especially when Kim walked over to the two, and said, "Please tell me she didn't do something stupid again."
Everyone seemed ready to go after Chloe until Marinette responded to Kim's statement, "Actually we're good now."
There was almost a collective noise of surprise as Kim said, "Really?"
"Yeah, she apologized, and we talked over the weekend," Marinette explained, "She promised to be nicer."
When the gazes shifted back to Chloé, all she did was nervously nod. Though she felt like she had to do it without making eye contact with anyone. However, if she was looking up, she'd notice that all of the gazes shifted slightly. This was out of realization of something that they knew about Chloe. She wasn't lying about being friends with Marinette now.
Chloe was many things but she certainly wasn't a good liar before getting Pollen. That part they had to practice a little so that Hawkmoth wouldn't find out their identities. It wasn't too hard since a lot of people remembered her as unpleasant at the time. Also she may have been a cruel brat before but this was a different side to Chloe that only showed itself when Adrien was angry. Especially when she looked like she was getting ready to be stoned in the courtyard.
Though, rather than charge at her with pitchforks and torches like she expected, they all went back to their usual routine. Along with the additional angry glares at Chloe's direction that came with it all. And once they all dispersed, Chloe breathed a sigh of relief. Marinette almost did the same but stopped herself before she was spotted by Chloe. On their way to class, Chloe voiced her current thought, "For a second, I thought they were going to mount my head on a stake on the school wall."
"Don't be so dramatic," Marinette said in an attempt to have Chloe relax, "I told you that it'll be okay."
Chloe simply nodded as they entered their classroom, and took their usual seats. But even then, Chloe had to deal with the other potential issue: Sabrina Raincomprix. What the others didn't know was that Chloe ran into Sabrina over the weekend. Chloe tried to use this as an opportunity to help clear things up between them. Needless to say, it didn't go so great.
While Chloe wanted to use the moment to apologize for mistreating Sabrina, the redhead used the moment to call her out on every horrible thing she was forced to do. However, she was willing to let her friend apologize for everything. And apologize she did, along with cry her eyes out until she ran out of tears. Sabrina wanted to forgive Chloe immediately, but instead told her to prove that she's really changed for the better. Now was the opportunity to prove it.
Thankfully the day went rather smoothly. Marinette vouching first Chloe had everyone easing up on the blond child. Though there was the occasional angry glare in her direction along with someone trying to 'subtly' take revenge on the bluenette's behalf. She managed to make it to lunch without too much damage. But as she was walking with Alya to Marinette's table, she ended up accidentally bumping into Nathanael.
This resulted in Chloe getting splashed with her cup of water. It also led to everyone glancing in her direction to see what she'd do. They all expected her to either instantly mouth off on Nathanael for the accident, or start crying from everything that's happened. Instead Chloe just sighed, and said, "Guess I really can't escape karma."
Alya began leading her back to the table, and noticed all eyes following them. Eventually Marinette just turned around, and said, "A little less attention would be appreciated right now guys."
At that statement, everyone went back to what they were doing while the miraculous team tended to Chloe. Plagg briefly came out from Adrien's bag, and said, "You look like a wet cat."
"Now's not the best time Plagg," Alya said trying not to draw attention to the Kwami.
"I was just trying to lighten the mood," Plagg said almost defensively, "Sorry."
"I think she means that you should remain hidden until after school," Chloe clarified, receiving a nod from Alya.
Before Plagg gave a response, he immediately flew back as he was about to speak. They didn't realize why until Chloe felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see that it was Nathanael who had just appeared behind her. He looked Chloe straight in the eyes, and said, "I'm sorry about what happened earlier. I didn't see you coming."
"It's okay Nathanael," Chloe replied with a light smile, "Though I'm a little surprised you're apologizing for it. I figured everyone would think it was a happy accident."
"Well some of the guys thought about teaching you a lesson like that," Nathanael replied honestly, "But Sabrina mentioned that you apologized rather profusely about everything that happened. So I thought I'd give you a chance if Marinette and the others are willing to do so."
"Really?" Chloé looked surprised, "Thanks. I just hope nothing got on your drawings."
"Nah it's all good," Nathanael said as he pulled out his sketch pad, "You can check if you want."
With permission, Chloe looked over every page. She started off looking for any water damage but eventually she stopped caring about that. Instead, she began admiring the quality of each drawing and every detail put into it. It almost rivalled Marinette's fashion designs which she saw over the weekend, due to the bluenette requesting she model some of her designs. However once Chloe got to one of the last pages, she paused and looked at the artist, asking, "Is that suppose to be me?"
Nathanael looked at the drawing and felt his face almost go as red as his hair, "Uh…well…yeah. I thought it would help lighten your mood if you truly did make amends with Marinette."
The sketch caught them all by surprise. Nathanael started off as one of Chloe's biggest haters and now he made a sketch that actually appeals to her. However, Marinette caught onto the real reason why Nathanael made that sketch. Drawing her own designs, she had experience with finding details in artwork like what was being shown to the group. So she could tell that the sketch was made days if not weeks before Chloe had a change of heart.
"It's beautiful," Chloe stated with a wide grin, "I love it."
"Thank you," Nathanael replied still blushing, "I'd be happy to show you more. Maybe over a meal sometime?"
That was when Chloe froze in place with a beet red face, "Oh…um…Uh…"
"That sounds lovely," Alya replied for Chloe.
"Great. I'll text you the details," Nathanael said before retrieving his sketchbook, and returning to his table.
When he was away from the group, Trixx appeared and broke the silence by saying, "What Just happened?"
"I think tomato head just asked our queen on a date," Wayzz chimed in with an answer.
"Good for you girl," Alya said supportively before noticing the growing concern on Chloe's face.
"This isn't a trap or anything right?" Chloé asked.
Suddenly Pollen appeared with the other three kwamis, "Don't worry my queen. I'm sure he means no harm."
"Yeah but he asked me on a date," Chloe readdressed, "Me, the person who had constantly bullied his crush, the girl currently sitting across from me."
"Nathanael's not the vengeful type," Marinette pointed out, "But it shows that you hold a special place in his heart if he makes a drawing of you like that."
"Guess things are working out for you after all," Nino said before being swatted on the back of his head by Plagg.
"If you jinx us because of that Nino," Plagg warned, though didn't finish.
Instead he allowed the others to begin laughing at the act. Maybe things will get better from here on out.
