Note: there's some minor violence against a butterfly in this chapter.

Chapter 24: Mistakes Were Made

Ladybug and Roi Singe hit the pavement just as Roi Singe's transformation wore off.

"Thank you for your help," Ladybug said.

Kim grinned as he took off his headband. "Of course. Anything to help out."

His s phone beeped, and he dug it out of his pocket.

"Shoot."

Ladybug frowned. "Something wrong?"

"No, I just didn't realize what time it is - I have a date," Kim explained. "In two minutes. On the other side of the city. Ondine's going to be so mad!"

"I can drop you," Ladybug reasoned. "As a thank you, for your help today. Where exactly are you heading?"

Kim told her, and she easily swung him there. They landed in the alley way, Kim giving on last thanks before heading out.

Ladybug's transformation dropped a few moments later.

"That was really nice of you, Marinette!" Tikki said.

Marinette shrugged. "It was on my way." She dug into her purse and handed Tikki a cookie.

It was a beautiful Sunday, even with the akuma interrupting her afternoon. There had only been a few since Princess Silence a couple of days ago, and Marinette was finally on top of things.

Tikki finished her cookie and dove back into Marinette's purse, and Marinette headed out of the alley onto the sidewalk. She could see Kim and Ondine meeting in front of a small cafe, but they headed in before they could see her.

A flash of gold appeared in the corner of Marinette's eye, and she turned to see Chloe across the street, pretending to be on her phone while glancing at the cafe.

Uh oh.

Marinette waited for a break in traffic, before jogging over to the other side and approaching Chloe.

"What are you doing?"

Chloe startled, turning to Marinette in surprise.

"Uh... Just enjoying the weather," Chloe lied. "None of your business, Dupain-Cheng."

Marinette crossed her arms. "Yeah, right. I know you're up to something."

Chloe gave Marinette a look, before turning to the side and giving her the shoulder. "You're not worth my time."

"You're not planning on messing with Kim's date, are you?" Marinette questioned.

Chloe looked like a deer in headlights. "Who's Kim?"

"You are!" Marinette decided. "Whatever it is-"

"I'm not!" Chloe argued. "I'm trying to apologize!"

Marinette froze. "What?"

Chloe sighed. "You're right. It's stupid. I never should have come here."

She sighed and started to walk off.

It took a moment for Marinette's brain to catch, but when it did, she chased after her.

"Wait, no, I didn't mean-" Marinette caught up to her. "I just, I guess I'm just surprised."

Chloe stopped. "Why? I said I was going to be better. Apologizing is a part of that."

"Yeah, but you've tried before," Marinette explained. "I guess I keep waiting for you to go back to normal, like you have every other time."

Chloe looked down at her shoes. "This is different."

"Why?" Marinette questioned, more out of curiosity than disbelief.

"Because Césaire was right," Chloe said. "I - I've always admired superheroes, and now there here, in my city, and I had a chance to be the person I dreamed I'd be - and I messed up. Just like I do everything else. But I - I don't know. I just, I don't want to be this person forever."

"Well, then apologizing is a good place to start," Marinette said.

Chloe sighed. "No it's not."

"Yes it is!" Marinette encouraged. "You really hurt him, you know that. So if you're going to be a better person, apologizing and then making sure you don't do something like that again is an important step."

"You sound like my therapist," Chloe mumbled. "Yeah, okay, you win Dupain-Cheng. I'll go do it."

She turned on her heels and headed to the cafe, not sparing a glance at the car that had to come to a sudden stop. Marinette followed behind, giving an apologetic wave to the driver.

Chloe pushed both doors to the cafe open at the same time, and walked in, Marinette right behind her.

Kim and his date were at a table in the corner, neither looking up until Chloe was right next to them.

Kim's smile fell. "Chloe. Marinette? I didn't know you two hung out."

"We don't," Chloe said. "We just happened to run into each other. Anyways, I have something to say."

She dug out a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket, spread it out, and frowned.

"I can't read this," she said, crumbling it back into her pocket.

"Anyways, I, uh, wanted to, uh-"

Kim waited patiently, though he looked very confused.

"Iwantedtoapologizetoyou," Chloe blurted.

"What?" Kim asked.

"I, wanted to, apologize, to you. For, you know, what happened, last Valentine's day. I was, caught off guard by what you said, and I reacted poorly because, I guess, part of me thought that you were making fun of me, and - yeah, I'm sorry."

"Thanks, Chloe," Kim replied. "But if there's anyone you should be apologizing to, it's Marinette."

Chloe scowled. "Over my dead body."

She turned and began to march out.

Kim got up and grabbed her shoulder. "Chloe, wait."

Chloe stopped and turned to Kim.

"I just wanted to say," Kim started. "You know, I wasn't a very nice person at the start of this school year. It was my teasing that caused Ivan to be akumatized the first time, and it's taken a while to come to terms for that. I'm proud of you, for trying to be another person."

Chloe blushed. "Thanks."

She was a little more subdued as she walked out.

Kim turned to Marinette.

"Marinette, have you met Ondine?"

"Not officially, no," Marinette said.

Ondine stood up and walked over.

"It's nice to meet you." She held out a hand, and Marinette took it.

"Marinette's in my class," Kim explained. "She's awesome! She's class president and she's done a lot of really cool things."

"It's really nice to meet you," Marinette said. "Kim talks about you a lot in class. He was really impressed by that last race you won."

"So was I," Ondine admitted. "But having a training partner really does help. Even if we can't focus much on swimming when we're together."

Kim and Ondine invited Marinette to join, but she declined.

"I have to head home soon," she explained. "I'm meeting with friends to work on homework. I'll see you guys later, though!"

That Monday, class was almost back to normal.

Alix, Chloe, Kim, Max, and Nathaniel were all having a conversation about superheroes around Lacy; with Nathaniel leaning against the wall next to Alix and the rest of the students in their seats, Lacy felt stuck in the middle of a conversation she knew nothing about.

"Okay, but have you seen the new comic line with akumatized heroes?" Nathaniel asked.

"Yeah," Alix said. "Everyone keeps saying it's super inappropriate, but I don't know. The designs are cooler than anything Hawkmoth could come up with."

"It sounds exactly like the creative outlet someone might need during this," Lacy added, glad to be able to say something useful.

"Plus, sometimes that's just where artists minds go, you know?" Nathaniel said. "I just hope they don't get sued or don't get too much hate."

"I don't understand why anyone sends hate to artists," Kim added.

"It does cause a lot of akumatizations," Max agreed.

"Nathaniel?"

The group turned to see Sabrina standing at the edge.

"Yeah?"

"Can we switch seats today?" Sabrina asked.

Chloe scoffed. "What's wrong with sitting next to me?"

"Nothing," Sabrina added. "I just wanted to sit next to Lila, since we're working on a project together."

Nathaniel hesitated. Lacy could understand that - none of them exactly liked Lila right now, but Chloe was loud, took up a lot of space, and Nathaniel probably wasn't comfortable sitting in the front row anyways.

"How about Nath takes my seat and I sit by Chloe?" Lacy suggested instead.

"You don't have to do that," Alix argued.

Lacy shrugged. "Works better for everyone."

"I'm not stealing your seat," Nathaniel argued.

"Why is it such a bother for people to sit next to me?" Chloe questioned.

"It's not that," Alix said. "Well, actually, it is. I just don't want Lacy thinking that because she hasn't been my friend for as long as Nath, I don't want to sit next to her."

"Well then, why don't you sit up front with me and have them sit together?" Chloe suggested, just as Juleka and Rose walked in. "That way, you're not choosing between them, I get a decent seat mate, Nathaniel doesn't have to sit up front, and Sabrina gets to sit in the back with Rossi."

"That's... actually a pretty good plan," Alix said, after a moment.

Nathaniel still hesitated. "I'd really rather sit in the back of the class."

"Well maybe me and you can sit back there, and Sabrina and Lila sit here?" Lacy suggested.

"That might work," Nathaniel agreed.

"Actually, I predict an eighty percent chance that Lacy will have a harder time concentrating in the back," Max piped up.

"Ugh, that's probably true," Lacy agreed.

"Is everything alright here?" Marinette asked, approaching them.

"Sabrina wants to sit next to Lila, but Nathaniel doesn't want to move from the back," Lacy explained.

Marinette frowned. "Okay, well, Chloe, do you mind sitting in the back?"

"No," Chloe said. "But I don't think Nathaniel wants to sit next to me."

"That's fine," Marinette said. "Rose, Juleka, do you mind switching seats? Juleka, you can sit next to Nathaniel, and Rose next to Chloe?"

Rose gave a genuine smile. "Sure!"

Juleka also nodded.

"They'll probably focus better if they aren't sitting next to each other," Alix noted.

"But what about Lila?" Rose asked.

"I was hoping she would sit next to me, since we're working on the project together," Sabrina said. "That is, if she doesn't mind. I'll go ask her."

Chloe moved her stuff to the back, and a few moments later, Lila and Sabrina moved up to the front.

"Why does changing seats have to be so complicated?" Alix wondered.

Bustier arrived, and class started.

The first five minutes went smoothly, which felt like a record for this class. About six minutes in, Lila turned winced and shot Lacy a glare.

"What?" Lacy asked.

"That hurt," Lila complained.

"Wha - I didn't do anything!"

"Lacy, Lila, is something wrong?" Bustier asked.

"Nothing," Lila said. "I just - nothing."

Bustier looked at Lacy, who just shrugged, before turning back to her lesson.

Another five minutes, and Lila did the same thing.

"Lacy?" Bustier questioned.

"I'm not doing anything!" Lacy argued. "I couldn't even reach her if I tried."

"It's fine," Lila said, acting innocent. "I don't want her to get in trouble for something she might not even be doing."

Bustier hesitated, but went back to her lecture.

A few minutes later, and the same thing happened.

"I'm not doing anything!" Lacy argued.

"Miss Bustier," Alix said. "If this truly is a problem, then maybe we should just switch seats?"

Without waiting for permission, Alix grabbed her stuff off the desk, picked her bag up, and moved up to the front row.

Lila looked like she wanted to argue, but eventually she and Sabrina moved, and Alix and Lacy sat in the front of the class.

For about ten blissful minutes, everything was quiet, and Bustier could actually teach. Of course, it didn't last.

Something wet splashed onto Lacy, soaking the back of her shirt and tip of her braid.

Lacy cursed in Greek, shooting out of her seat and trying to see the damage to her shirt.

And it's my favorite shirt too!

Lila was saying something. Lacy found she didn't care.

Looks like coffee. I can get coffee out of a shirt, right?

Lacy turned back to her desk. Her chair was wet, and so was the floor around it, but nothing got on her bag or schoolwork.

"Miss Bustier, can I go grab some paper towels?" Lacy asked.

Bustier nodded, and Lacy headed for the bathroom.

She wasn't surprised when Marinette followed her.

"Are you alright?" Marinette asked.

"Yeah," Lacy said. "This'll wash out, right?"

"I think so," Marinette said. "I do know a few tricks if it doesn't."

Marinette helped her wipe off the coffee, and both girls grabbed a handful of towels to bring back to class.

Somehow, everyone got through the first half of the day.

Marinette hadn't relaxed since Lila first starting speaking, so when they reached lunch without an akuma, she was relieved.

She told Alya she'd meet her for lunch in a minute and walked up to Bustier's desk.

"Yes?" Bustier asked, smiling brightly.

"I just wanted to say I'm happy to see you back," Marinette said. "I know that class lately has been really stressful for you, too."

"Thank you, Marinette," Bustier said. "I'll admit, this situation with Lila is hard to manage. I've always believed that showing love is one of the best ways to inspire people, but that doesn't mean Lila should get off without punishment. However, I do think that the class teams up against her more than necessary."

"They're hurt," Marinette said. "She lied to them, and now they're angry. Maybe you should show them some love, too."

"Maybe," Bustier confirmed.

Marinette's phone chimed, and she pulled it out of her pocket to see a text from Alya.

We need to talk.

"I have to go," Marinette said.

"Enjoy your lunch," Bustier said.

Trying to suppress the bubble of anxiety stirring in her stomach, Marinette raced down the stairs to the bench in the corner where Alya was waiting.

She was in tears.

"What happened?" Marinette asked, sitting down next to her and letting Alya rest her head on her shoulder.

"I've been kicked out of the school blog," Alya said.

"What? Why?"

"Lila," Alya said. "Apparently, she's been telling people that I - that I've been bullying her, and spreading rumors, and, well, if I'm spreading rumors, then I can't be trusted to be honest, right?"

Alya sniffled.

"I'm sorry," Marinette said. "I know how much the school blog meant to you."

Alya didn't reply. She just kept her head on Marinette's shoulder.

Something dark fluttered in the corner of Marinette's eye. Akuma.

"Aly-"

Alya thrusted a hand out, snatching the butterfly out of the air and smashing it with her hand. She dropped the butterfly on the floor, and when it moved again, stomped on it several times.

Alya and Marinette both stared at the butterfly on the ground.

It twitched.

"I'm going to go find something to trap it in," Marinette said.

Alya nodded.

Marinette stood up and fast walked to the locker room, which was thankfully empty.

"Tikki, spots on!"

As soon as the transformation finished, Ladybug was back out and heading to Alya. She wrapped her yo-yo around a higher point, lifted off the ground, and landed next to Alya.

"I saw the akuma heading this way," Ladybug lied. "Did you see-"

Alya pointed at the akuma, still on the ground but definitely twitching.

Ladybug snatched it up with her yo-yo, going through the usual purification process. The butterfly left her yo-yo, not injured, and Ladybug turned her attention to Alya.

"Are you okay?" Ladybug kneeled in front of Alya, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Alya nodded. "Yeah. I will be."

Ladybug shook her shoulder in what she hoped was an encouraging manner, before standing to head out.

"See you later. Bug out!"

"Still can't get a good angle," Lacy said. "I need to be higher."

She jumped off the bench she had been standing on, and Alix moved from where she was observing Lacy.

"What about a tree?" Lacy wondered, heading to the closer one. Alix followed, munching her sandwich as she did so.

Lacy inspected the tree. There was a branch strong enough to hold her just above her head level, that would be perfect for the shot she was looking for.

"Help me up?" Lacy asked.

Alix gave her a boost, and Lacy adjusted her position so that she was secure on the branch.

"Good view?" Alix asked.

Lacy gave her a thumbs up.

She raised her phone to take a picture, but her phone slipped and she stumbled for it. The phone hit the grass below, and Lacy lurched forward.

And right off the branch.

Lacy's arm hit the bark of the tree, and a burning sensation creeped up her arm. Mid-air, she tucked and landed in a roll. She hit the ground hard, but her neck and head were protected.

Tomorrow, she was going to have a nasty bruise, but she was fine.

"Lacy!"

Alix ran up to her.

Lacy pushed herself back on her feet, giving Alix a nod that she was alright. Her arm burned from the scrape, and when Lacy checked it, it was bleeding - but there were no major injuries.

Still, ow.

"You need to be more careful."

Lacy startled as a stranger approached the two girls, looking mad.

"I figured," Lacy said. "That hurt." She poked at the scrape on her arm, and it burned. "Ow."

The man rolled his eyes. "No one has any self preservation anymore."

"It was just a tree?" Lacy questioned.

"Who are you anyways?" Alix asked.

"Just a concerned citizen," the man said.

He walked off, grumbling something under his breath.

No one saw the butterfly until it was already in the man's watch.

I have no concept of time or days anymore. Minutes are blurring together. Is today Saturday? Wednesday? All I know is I was supposed to have this already edited and ready to go, and I didn't.

I blame She-ra.