Well, that was a show, Amaia thought, stroking Diego's back. Did drama just follow this class around? It would seem so, considering she overheard someone saying they didn't invite two of their classmates. Was this an exclusive club or something? She thought this was a class, not a zoo. She had to give that Nino kid credit, though. He at least realized they screwed up and was trying to make up. She'll have to remember to relay this back to Marinette once the picnic was over.

That said, she couldn't help but notice how Nathaniel would sneak glances at her puppy. Judging by how his hand twitched with the pencil in hand, she could guess he was wanting to ask something. Presumably, about drawing Diego. She turned her head towards Nathaniel, a wry smile on her face.

"Don't get to draw animals much?" she asked. Nathaniel jumped and curled in on himself. Amaia found it amusing how he felt ashamed for being caught.

"No, I don't really have the chance to," he admitted. "I'm not a pet owner myself."

Ah, that explained it. She had to appreciate his honesty, though. And the politeness. At least he was polite enough to not come barreling towards a newborn puppy like Little Miss Dreamland did.

Still, as a creative person, she had a duty to help out fellow creative people. She hummed, tapping her chin. Then, looking down at Diego, an idea crossed her mind.

"You know," she began. "He's still pretty young. He takes a lot of naps."

"Four weeks is still almost like a newborn," Nathaniel said. He then looked at the napping Diego. "Would it be alright if I drew him while he's sleeping?"

Amaia didn't bother to hide the smile on her face. "Go right ahead." She had to smile further at the way Nathaniel's eyes lit up. Immediately, he started the new drawing in his sketchbook. His pencil was practically flying over the page. He looked over at Diego, then back at his page while he drew. Amaia scratched behind Diego's ears, chuckling some while the little puppy yawned. While he was posing as Nathaniel's model, Amaia made sure Diego was as comfortable as possible in his napping spot.

It was then skater girl came over. "You're the new girl, right?"

Amaia raised an eyebrow. "…yes?"

The skater girl extended a hand. "Hi, I'm Alix. Sorry for the trouble my idiot friend caused." Amaia could immediately tell who had more brain cells between the duo. Though she didn't say this out loud.

"It's no problem."

Alix practically plopped down onto the chair. Which, in turn, upset the table enough it knocked over her cup of sweet tea.

"Ack!"

Quick as a viper, Amaia reached out and caught the cup. Although… she couldn't quite save the tea from being spilled. Alix and Nathaniel looked, both surprised out of their minds. Gently, since she still had Diego napping in her lap, Amaia set the cup back on the table.

"… thanks," Alix said.

"Anytime," Amaia replied. She couldn't help but notice how Alix's shoulders slumped at having lost all that good tea. And her nose picked up a certain sweet beverage in her bag (thanks, Mireya).

"Here," Amaia said. Alix watched while she pulled out a bottle of sweet tea from her bag. She then handed it to Alix, who looked over the bottle she was given. It… was the same brand she liked, down to the lemon flavor. She uttered a "thanks". Then she was even more surprised when Amaia told her to keep the bottle. They had more at home, she said.

"... really. Thanks."

"No problem."

She didn't remember the last time someone looked this grateful. Alix looked at Amaia, remembering something.

"I don't think I got your name."

"It's Amaia."

Alix extended a hand for a proper handshake now.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

Behind them, Nathaniel finished his drawing of Diego. "Done," he said. Both girls looked over to see what he had done. When he held up the finished drawing of Diego, hearts filled Amaia's eyes. The drawing perfectly captured the innocence of a sleeping puppy. Right down to how they tucked their feet under themselves when they curled up to sleep.

"Oh. My. Gosh."

Alix playfully slapped Nathaniel on the shoulder. "Nath, you've outdone yourself."

Nathaniel couldn't help the grin that appeared on his face. "Well, I can't do less than I'm capable of."

"Wow, that's good," Amaia complimented. And she meant it. A drawing like that would look great in a picture frame on a wall. Nathaniel smiled, then surprised both Amaia and Alix when he carefully took the page out of his sketchbook. He then gave the drawing to Amaia.

"Keep it then," he said. "Think of it as a welcoming gift."

Amaia gaped, as did Alix. "You... you mean it?" Nathaniel held the drawing out to her.

"I can draw plenty others for my portfolio if we meet again."

Reluctantly, she accepted the drawing, her eyes moistening with tears. She held them back before anyone saw, however. But she was grateful.

"Thank you. Really."

Nathaniel smiled. Amaia searched through her bag to see if there was something she could use to hold the drawing until she got back. She didn't want to wrinkle the paper. He put too much work into the drawing for it to get ruined. She managed to find a folder where she could store it for later. (Seriously. She has to ask Mireya about her uncanny foresight.)

Alix looked down at the snoozing puppy in Amaia's lap. "So, what's his name?" Alix asked. Amaia scratched the puppy behind his ears.

"His name is Diego."

"Neat."

Nathaniel set his sketchbook down. Although he had one question. "What happened earlier? Diego seemed to be scared."

Amaia had to give him credit for having functioning observation ability. At least some people in this group had a brain cell to use. She couldn't help but frown remembering the reason for Diego's skittishness.

"Long story short, he's a rescue dog," she said. She could hear the gears click in their heads, looking at Alix's open-mouth "ohh" and hearing Nathaniel's "oh".

"Where did you rescue him from?" Nathaniel asked. Amaia took a deep breath, steeling herself before she answered him. This was always the toughest part of explaining why Diego is a rescue. It never got easier, nor did it make it sting less. Nonetheless, he asked. So she would answer.

"I found him on the side of the road during a rainstorm," Amaia said. Looking to the side, she saw Alix's face match the intensity of the storm where she found Diego. "He may have been the runt. I didn't see any other puppies or the mother."

Nathaniel clenched his fist. "Was he at least covered by something to keep dry?" He and Alix watched and listened for an answer. When Amaia shook her head no, they frowned.

"That's…"

"Despicable. I know."

Nathaniel counted in his head how long ago it was when Diego was abandoned. His frown deepened. "If he's four weeks... How long ago was this?"

Amaia calculated the time in her head. "About... two weeks ago, give or take." Alix jumped out of her seat.

"Then he was abandoned as soon as he was born!" Alix exclaimed. Nathaniel went dead silent, a storm brewing underneath. Amaia checked the time on her phone. "Oh, this makes me so mad!" Alix huffed, stomping her foot. What sort of monster would do that to an innocent newborn puppy?!

Amaia held her hand out. "Easy there. Whoever did it will face the music sooner or later." Alix composed herself through rigorous inhaling and exhaling exercises. Amaia had to give her credit. She was putting in the effort to reign in her temper. Not unlike Señora Hothead over there, but she kept that in her head. Looking at the clock again, she saw it was time to feed Diego.

Reaching into her bag, she retrieved the puppy formula. Then she tickled his ear to wake him up. "Supper time, lobito." Diego yawned and stretched, the adorable image gradually soothing the rest of the anger in Alix. Amaia held the bottle to the puppy until he took hold of it, acutely aware of Alya watching like a hawk. Not that she cared. The important matter at hand was making sure Diego was fed.

"So you're kinda like his mom now?" Alix asked. Amaia nodded.

"At least someone is," Nathaniel added.

"What breed is he?"

"Siberian husky."

"Ah, big dog."

"Oh yes."

And a big dog he was going to be when he grew up. She seriously needed to find a bed for him soon, or else he'll keep thinking it's okay to use her bed as his. Alix looked over the puppy.

"So, um..." Alix said, fidgeting. Amaia looked up. "Is it okay if I pet him?"

"If he lets you. Let me finish this first, please."

"Sure thing." They heard Nathaniel hum thoughtfully beside them. "What's on your mind?"

Nathaniel pursed his lips, deep in thought. "Well, to tell you the truth," he began. "I'm in a way worried about Alya."

Now, this had Amaia thinking. The quiet kid with amazing art talent was worried about the hothead who tried to get on her case for not letting Little Miss Dreamland pet her puppy without asking. Among other little slights. But then again, was Alya paranoid about something? That argument with her boyfriend revealed a lot. As she said, she was torn about something. Probably had something to do with this Lila girl (was she one of the two people who weren't invited?). Amaia knew, then and there, she had to find out more before she acted.

"What's going on?" Amaia asked. Alix cringed, suddenly finding her foot very interesting. Nathaniel looked away, guilt written all over his face. Amaia kept hers blank, sensing this was a sensitive topic. There was too much she didn't know at present.

The silence persisted until Nathaniel finally spoke. "Tell her, Alix."

Alix grimaced before she turned to Amaia. "You got time for a story?" Amaia nodded. "Okay." Alix took a deep, deep breath, steeling herself. "Long story short, we all believed a liar like idiots and now we're paying for it." She jerked a thumb towards Alya, who was still fuming. "Alya over there slapped Marinette across the face the last time they met."

That explains the reaction, Amaia thought. If that's what happened the last time, it was no wonder Marinette was desperate to avoid the gathering. She was too afraid Alya would slap her again for whatever had happened to Lila.

"Let's just say... We all showed a bad side of ourselves..." Nathaniel bowed his head, clearly ashamed of the part he had played.

"Stuff happened that shouldn't have happened. And someone innocent got hurt bad," Alix finished. She sighed and sat back down. "So... yeah. That's the gist"

Now that she had this bit of information, it explained so much. Alya was protective of her friends, she could appreciate that. What she didn't appreciate was being automatically labeled the bad guy just for scaring away a crybaby. It wasn't her fault Diego was apprehensive towards people. That was something in common with rescues and young animals. It took time for them to get used to lots of people. In hindsight, however, she was glad it happened. Because now, she found something to work through for Diego. Although there was still the problem with Alya.

"And by the looks of it, Alya won't even see what she did wrong," Amaia mused. While she could appreciate Alya being fiercely protective towards people she cared for, it was a double-edged sword. That fierceness could be Alya's undoing if she didn't calm down. Looking to the side, she noticed Alix's silence. Perhaps she was a bit too harsh?…

"She's... Slightly deep right now..." Nathaniel uttered.

"Way deep," Alix added. "Even now, she doesn't believe it when we say the liar was a liar." Oh, dear. "For the record, you pretty much said what's on all our minds." Amaia chose not to comment. "At least, those of us who figured it out, anyway."

Amaia had to wonder how many times a day Alya reacted badly to criticism. She saw the way the girl's face turned red hearing that from Alix. Seriously. Keeping that attitude up, she'll only end up digging her own grave sooner rather than later.

"By the way, where are you from?" Alix asked. Grateful for the change of topic, Amaia answered her.

"I'm from Spain."

"Ohh, I hear that's a nice place."

And it was. Amaia described to them the different perks of living so close to the coastline. Cool sea breezes blowing in on a hot summer day, the gorgeous beaches they would visit during the hotter days, the lush greenery, the friendly local shopkeepers. And, of course, the seafood.

"The seafood in Andalusia is to die for," Amaia concluded. Right away, she saw the trail of drool dribbling down Alix's chin. Describing Mireya's roast cod would do that, naturally. "Careful. You may attract flies."

Alix's eyes widened enough they looked like dinner plates. She immediately grabbed a napkin to wipe away the drool. Amaia picked up on Nathaniel chuckling seeing his friend try to clean herself up so quickly. Alix threw the napkin away once she was done, suddenly aware of the impish grin on Amaia's face.

"You did that on purpose..."

"The opportunity was right there."

Checking on the bottle, Amaia saw Diego was just about done feeding. Gently taking the bottle away and setting it back in her bag, she held Diego firmly over her shoulder. Supporting his behind with one hand, she patted his back until he burped. She then set him back on her lap, sitting on his haunches. Feeling a bit playful, she scratched behind his ears. The puppy's little tongue lolled out, eyes closed while he leaned into her touch. Amaia looked up at Alix.

"Want to try petting him?" she asked. Alix looked down, then smiled.

"Sure."

Arf!

Like with Rose before her, Amaia guided Alix through petting Diego.

"Hold your hand out like this. Then let him sniff you."

Alix held her hand out as instructed. Diego sniffed her hand, Alix remaining statue still. Then he leaned back a little, ears folding back.

"What does that mean?"

"More or less he's expecting you to react like she did." She being Rose.

"Oh."

Amaia stroked Diego's back. "Give him time."

Alix held her handin the air for Diego to sniff. She remained perfectly still, not moving a single inch. She was anxious, admittedly. Diego seemed to be easing up a little.

"So, what now?"

Amaia stroked Diego's back. "If he likes you, he'll ask for petting." Sliding a hand under his belly, she held him up so he was more comfortable. He continued sniffing the hand in front of him. Then he started whining. Which quickly evolved into yelps and barks. Alix's brows furrowed in the middle. What did the puppy want? Amaia, on the other hand, smiled.

"He wants you to pet him."

"Whoa, really?"

A nod. "Do it like this." Amaia showed Alix how to pet the small puppy. Alix observed, then she tried it herself. Slowly, so she doesn't scare the little pup. Diego closed his eyes. Then his tongue lolled out, his tail started wagging. Amaia was acutely aware of Rose watching, feeling extremely sad. Truthfully, she couldn't bring herself to care. Amaia wouldn't have minded her if Rose didn't barrel over squealing about petting a cute puppy. Diego was adorable, she understood. But he was still young and learning.

Alix, in the meantime, was happy the puppy was letting her pet him. "What's it like being a dog mom?" she suddenly asked.

Amaia stared off into space, the memories of her first two weeks with Diego returning like a tidal wave. Round-the-clock feedings, often well into the dead of night. Scheduling vet appointments while juggling homework assignments, holding him down for shots. Hearing his cries well past midnight whenever he wanted attention. Being woken up in the middle of the night right before a big test. Then when he started teething, she suddenly had an influx of involuntary chew toys. An abundance of fluff and fabric from chewed-up linens and pillows. Then starting on potty-training and housebreaking after finding several yellow puddles in the house.

"… not for the faint of heart…"

"Ouch."

"Dang."

Amaia went back to stroking Diego's back after Alix had her fill of petting. "Funnily enough, he took an instant shine to Marinette."

"Really?"

"Oh yes." Amaia felt Nino's eyes wander over to them.

"Hah! Not surprised," Alix exclaimed.

"She's always got something good going for her."

"Heck yeah."

Amaia couldn't help but smile, though she did wonder. If they were this close to her to begin with, what possessed them to believe she was anything but bad news? Especially Alya. From what she overheard in the back, she and Marinette were best friends before it all fell apart. What demonic force possessed her to post about her being a liar? When there was clear evidence it was someone else who was lying. On the bright side, people like Alix, Nino, and Nathaniel realized they were wrong and were trying to fix it. She could respect that.

"I actually live next door to her now," Amaia commented off-handedly. She belatedly realized Alya's hackles were rising.

"Really?"

"Cool."

"You what?"

At once, the jovial mood sank. Amaia heard Nino faintly calling to Alya to reign herself in before she did something stupid. It didn't work, because Alya marched right up to Amaia, hands on her hips, ready for answers. Amaia wasn't in the mood to give her answers.

"If you live next to her then that means you can tell me why she asked you to come in her place," Alya demanded. Amaia's eye twitched and narrowed, her patience running dangerously thin.

"I don't owe you an explanation," she replied sharply. Diego was curling in on himself from the sudden appearance. She shielded him with a hand, glaring at Alya.

"I beg to differ."

"Entitled much?"

That certainly elicited a growl from Alya's throat. Not that Amaia cared. It was time to take Diego for a bathroom break. Carefully so he doesn't pee on her instead of a tree, she set him down and took hold of his leash.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to take him for a walk," she said, standing. "I'll be back in a little bit." Alix uttered a "see ya" with Nathaniel including a small "good luck". Amaia waved and turned her back on Alya.

"I'm not finished with you," Alya growled. Amaia, however, just waved her off.

"Too bad. I am. Now back off," she shot back.

Alya couldn't believe it. This girl, this new girl had the utmost gall to waltz in here on a picnic she wasn't even invited to, then they learn she lives next to Marinette and won't even say anything?! She wouldn't stand for this. Not by a long shot. Angered, she reached out to grab a hold of Amaia…

… only to be surprised when Amaia grabbed her wrist first.

"Don't. Touch. Me," she growled. On the ground, Diego yelped and hid behind Amaia.

Alya scowled. Then she tugged and— oh… oh crap. Oh crap. Oh freakin', stinkin' crap. Alya found herself visibly struggling to release herself from the new girl's hold. Who, she realized, barely even moved that much even while Alya was fighting to get her wrist back. Several seconds passed, then Amaia finally loosened her grip. Alya was sent falling backward without so much a pillow to land on. She landed with an audible oof!, Amaia not giving one whit about her. She simply took a deep breath and walked away, Diego trotting beside her.

Nino, who had been behind her, took a few to recover from the surprise. He helped Alya stand up, not quite noticing how Alix and Nathaniel scooted away a bit. Alya rubbed her wrist, mulling over what she just heard.

The new girl was neighbors with Marinette. If that's the case, then she can find out what the deal is with her.

She'll have to deploy some new tactics, then.

That could've gone better… Amaia mused. Looking down at Diego, she asked him. "Need to go potty, lobito?"

Arf!

"Yes yes, there's a good tree right there," she pointed out. Tugging gently on the leash, she led him to where there was a row of trees on which he could relieve himself. When they found a tree for him to do his business, Amaia let her thoughts gather.

From what she had learned from Nathaniel and Alix, they did do something to Marinette. Enough that she was scared of seeing them out in public if her invitation earlier was any indicator. Not so much scared of them as she is of Alya. For someone who was supposedly Marinette's best friend, she was far from impressed. What sort of "bestie" turned on their own friend on the word of another? It was reasons like this she deeply despised people.

But… she couldn't deny they had their merits. Nathaniel and Alix, along with Nino and a few others, were genuinely remorseful for letting it escalate as it did. And they were doing their genuine best to make it up. She could respect that.

Then there were the other kids she had observed. That goth girl with the purple hair looked like she had trouble coming out of her shell. Perhaps Diego could help her with that? After he had been socialized, of course. And that tall kid with the dreadlocks girl practically smirked when Kim dove for cover. Perhaps there was more she wasn't seeing yet? She'll have to refrain from making any judgments until she learned more.

That kid with the robot didn't look like he was interested in human interaction, though she had to admit the robot was cute. Markov, was it? The little robot waved hi in greetings, and she couldn't help but wave hi back. Rose… Little Miss Dreamland on the other hand was annoying. She wouldn't say she was sorry. That girl needed to be knocked over the head by reality a little. Unless her head was full of air. Then she would worry.

Speaking of which, that Alya girl was deep in denial about what happened. That argument with her boyfriend Nino revealed lots when looking at the details. Alya's anger rose with every mention of how they wronged Marinette, enough to deflect to the topic of this Lila person. Thinking about it, was Lila the one who caused all this? Nino himself confirmed it was Lila who lied to them, though Alix and Nathaniel avoided any mention of her. If that was the case, she couldn't blame them. They obviously wanted to move on. Who was she to stop them from doing so?

The only one who didn't seem able to move on was Alya. Which was worrying, honestly. And speaking of which…

"You can stop pretending your hiding now," Amaia called out. The figure, or rather figures, hiding behind the trees rustled the foliage in surprise. Out stepped Alya, Nino looking from behind the tree. This girl didn't know when to give up, did she…

Well, time to nip it in the bud. "So, what brings you here?"

Alya crossed her arms, looking away. Finally, she sighed. "You said you live next to Marinette..." she began. "What's going on with her right now?..."

Oh, so now she was asking about Marinette. After everything that happened. Amaia was feeling a tremendous headache coming, her annoyance growing tenfold. She looked at Alya.

"How do I know you won't use this against her?" she asked.

"Well…" Alya said, fidgeting. Silence, for several minutes. Then Amaia spoke again.

"If you think I'm giving you this information just like that, think again." She saw Nino wince behind the tree. "From what I've heard today, you broke her trust."

Alya just groaned and rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Yeah, I've been told that quite a lot lately…"

Amaia crossed her arms and leaned on the tree. "Have you done anything to help?"

"Do you think I've even come close?" Alya snapped. Amaia just raised an eyebrow.

"You tell me."

Alya grit her teeth. "I can tell you straight up, no, I've been no help to anyone."

"So why are you complaining?"

Alya fell silent, unsure of how to answer. She turned to Nino, who was still hiding in the tree. He simply glared.

"Your idea. You see it through. I'm out." And with that, he turned and walked back to the picnic. Alya was seething now, evidenced by the growl in her throat. To Amaia's surprise, she sighed and turned to her. Was she actively trying to be civil now?

"We have to talk..."

"Not interested," Amaia said, turning her back to Alya.

"Please?" Alya pleaded. Amaia turned sharply to look at Alya.

"Your definition of 'talk' so far has been nothing but jumping to conclusions without all the evidence," Amaia fired. "Give me one reason why I should give you even a minute."

To Alya's credit, she was silent. Perhaps contemplating? Amaia was doubtful Alya would, considering how brash she had been earlier. Alya stumbled over her words, hoping her answer would suffice.

"I… gah… I did jump to conclusions…" she finally spilled. Amaia remained silent, wondering where this would go. "I heard you say you were living next to Marinette…" Ah, this topic again? "What's been going on with her…"

Amaia narrowed her eyes. "As I said before, how do I know you won't use this information against her? You did say she was a liar."

Alya was silent for the longest time, glowering. "… you really grind my gears with being so smart…" she grumbled. "I can't do anything against her because I've been becoming curious about her…"

A pause. Because Amaia was certain she felt her brain short circuit just then. "… you're serious," she said, in complete disbelief. "You're just now thinking something's a bit off?"

"Blame me all you want, alright?! But it's not sitting well with me that there's something missing!" Alya fired back. "I figured it out that you're here because she isn't coming!"

Amaia was losing patience fast with this one. "Why didn't you use that brain when this all started? Maybe you could've avoided it, to begin with."

Alya growled. "You want me to admit my fault, don't you…"

"Isn't that the first step to fixing something? Admitting there was a fault to begin with?" Amaia asked. Then she sighed. "I don't know what you two were like prior to this nonsense, and I don't care to know. What happened between you and Marinette has nothing to do with me."

Alya's will and strength were quickly faltering. It was easy to see how she was trying so hard to keep herself strong. But it was failing. Her shoulders were starting to sag, the fire in her eyes was quickly dissolving into embers. Her movements were increasingly jittery and anxious, much unlike the fiery bravado she had displayed when defending Rose earlier.

It was as if she were trying to protect herself the most.

"… answer me this," Amaia finally said. Looking Alya directly in the eye, she asked, "Why did you think Marinette was a bully when, in all the time you knew her, she never once did anything to you?"

Alya went dead silent. Her mouth opened to speak, but no words came forth. Her brows concentrated in the center.

"Well?"

Alya still did not answer. Amaia wondered if something cracked under all that confidence. Because she received no answer for what seemed like an eternity. Then Alya finally answered.

"I…" Alya crossed her arms to look more confident, but it was clear her fire was almost gone. She didn't even look Amaia in the eye. "Because… It… Was me…"

… what?

"It was a lie that I made in my head because I felt that she hurt someone else…"

… Alix and Nathaniel weren't kidding when they said she was in deep.

"Proof?"

Alya sighed. "Somehow I wonder if I'm gonna regret this…" She looked up at Amaia. "You want the actual proof?" Alya tossed Amaia her phone. "Just turn on the screen. It's been the one thing I've been rereading since I had to take down the post."

As Alya instructed, Amaia turned on the screen to read the post. Immediately after she was done…

"… you're joking, right?"

"That's the actual post I made. No edits," Alya said. "I make copies of everything I write."

Amaia stared, long and hard. Then she tossed the phone back to Alya. "You're an absolute idiot," she said. Alya bristled, angry that someone would dare say that about her. "This was the proof you had she was a bully? I've seen five-year-olds do better research." She could feel her brain cells melting by the minute just reading it. Her head hurt so much she had to massage her temples. "If that's what it takes to turn you into someone else's attack dog, then it's no wonder Marinette doesn't trust you."

Alya stepped back, as though she had been physically slapped. The bravado and confidence she had before died completely, leaving nothing but ashes.

"Attack dog?…" she whispered. "Is… that what I am?…"

Amaia looked at her. "You attacked Marinette on someone else's word. I'd say you are."

Alya stared. At nothing or no one in particular. Amaia was suddenly acutely aware of two more people hiding behind the trees. Listening to everything.

"Attack…"

Alya sank to her knees, despondent and staring at the ground. "I…" Amaia quickly gestured for the people hiding to come help her. "I… attacked her…" Nino was the first to reach her. "I attacked her…" Nino held her, asking if she was okay. "I… attacked her…"

I attacked her.

"Okay, thank you, Mrs. Césaire," Nino said, finishing the call. Alya had broken down completely. So much they had wrapped her in a blanket. Rose was giving her a steady supply of water, the goth girl (Juleka, Amaia learned her name was) was making sure the blanket stayed wrapped. Alya was continually whispering "I attacked her" in-between sobs and sniffles. Amaia, in the meantime, stood in the back. Away from everyone.

I don't think I'm wanted here anymore…

She already knew where this would go. She could tell by the dirty looks the others were giving her. It wouldn't be long before word of this reaches the other students at DuPont. And it wouldn't be long until she was an outcast again. She told herself she didn't mind, but the isolation still hurt. Now, it had dulled to a throb, but it was still there. Her only comfort was knowing Mireya and Diego wouldn't turn on her.

She turned around to leave when she heard two people approaching her.

"Hey, Amaia?" she heard Alix ask. Amaia turned around. Walking up to her were Nathaniel and Alix.

"Can you stay a bit longer?" Nathaniel asked. "I think this may be something needed."

"… sure thing."

"Thanks."

The three of them observed the scene of Alya being tended to from afar. For a while, none of them said anything,

"I think whatever you did, you broke something inside Alya," Nathaniel said. Amaia felt a pang of guilt, wondering if she had gone too far. He seemed to pick up on this. "It's alright," he said. "You're the first one that's stood up to her without getting her wrath." Was she now?

"If anything, you did us all a huge favor," Alix said. Amaia said nothing, but her mind whirled. She wondered if calling Alya an attack dog was overstepping it. "If you don't mind," she added. "What did you say to her?"

After a moment's deliberation, Amaia repeated to Alix and Nathaniel what she had said to Alya.

"Well, not something I thought of," Nathaniel admitted.

"To be fair, we were all Lila's attack dogs that day," Alix added.

"Can't deny that."

Again, another mention of Lila. The more the day progressed, the more Amaia was certain this Lila was the center of this whole fiasco. From the incident with Eleanora to Alya's proclamation to Alix's admission. She knew without a doubt Lila was the driving force behind it all. How much she was responsible for and how much was on them, she still did not know.

"Amaia?" Alix asked. Amaia turned to Alix. "… thanks."

"I think we'll be lucky to have you around," Nathaniel added.

"…"

If it was allowed, she felt a little bit lighter after that.

Bonus:

Hawk Moth sensed the surge of negative emotion from his lair, the white butterflies fluttering around.

"Such a wave of emotion," he mused. "If only this one had come sooner."

The complete and utter brokenness of the teen was perfect for his akuma. It was a shame he had already sent one out to evilize the embassy worker. The strength of this girl's emotions was—

Wait…

The new girl…

Who is she?…

Where did she come from?…

And…

How is it she is positively bursting at the seams with negative emotion? Such raw power… yet it was hidden so masterfully behind a calm exterior. He knew, thanks to the power of his Miraculous, that a whirlpool of negativity hid beneath her carefully guarded exterior. If he could break down the walls and akumatize her…

Hawk Moth chuckled darkly.

"Just you wait…" he said. "You're next if I find your emotions again."