Another update, and I'm sorry I can't promise they will always be this quick, but I'm enjoying writing this story and I want to get it finished. I hope you enjoy!

'She's not in the locker room and I've checked all the bathrooms...there's only one place she could be now, unless she's left alre-gotcha!'

Lila checked her surroundings to make sure no one else was watching and waited for Marinette to exit the staircase. Following the ravenette with her beady eyes, the Italian saw where Marinette was heading before making sure to keep a relatively safe distance in case anyone was to spot her. The brunette found no one in the near vicinity that would think anything untoward was happening, so she followed, entering the locker room a minute or so after her target. She quietly checked the locker room to see no one else was present and silently entered the bathroom. Again, she checked to make sure that no one else was occupying the female toilets, except for her and Marinette.

Turning to wash her hands briefly in the basin, Lila waited for Marinette to finish before surprising her when she was to finally open the stall. Lila knew it was obvious that Marinette was no longer alone, as there was no way she could have been silent enough to hide her footsteps. There was no way for Marinette to know that it was Lila who had joined her however, and Lila's olive eyes shone with malice as she waited patiently.

She knew the bell would be ringing soon, and Lila did not care that her bag was still in class, she would be able to come up with an excuse why she had taken so long, that was the whole point in this: seizing the opportunity to, once again, frame Marinette for an act she had not committed. Lila would spin some spiel about how upset the goody-goody made her, sealing the girls fate further toward expulsion.

That was the aim.

A way to further alienate her from the people she once called friends, and squash any of Marinette's former amazing and popular self that was still present. A way to get her further from Adrien and get him closer to the brunette.

She already had most of the class, bar Chloé, believing the blonde had been with her the evening before. The assistant had not been back in touch, so she assumed Adrien had not denied he had been with her either, his friend.

'Hopefully more than that by the time this is dealt with.' Lila smirked determinedly to herself, flicking her hair over her shoulder and standing strong.

Lila waited.

She was sure it would only be a few moments longer but the stall continued to remain closed.

'My god she's taking forever!'

The Italian had not called to her to taunt her, but that was only because she wanted to see Marinette's face when she realised she was alone with Lila once again. Some of the brunette's antics had been discovered when Lila was not there to witness them, which made savouring each and every one she could, that much more satisfying.

'If she doesn't hurry up, I will have wasted the oppor-'

The bell rang causing Lila's jaw to clench and her eyes to narrow. At the same time, the door opened to the bathroom with a pleasant looking Alya walking to Lila and handing over her bag. "Thought you'd be in here," she said casually, turning and facing the mirror, "we thought you got lost." The reporter examined her face nonchalantly while Lila smiled thankfully at her.

"Thanks Alya, you really are the best!"

"I know."

Marinette sat in the stall looking down at the message thread open on her phone:

Marinette: Is Lila in class?

After Mullo had peered out of her hiding place while her holder had been walking to the bathroom, the tiny little being had spotted someone looking suspicious loitering in the corridor. After giving Marinette a rough description by sneaking into her hair, the teenager panicked and turned her phone off vibrate and put it on silent, making sure it would not make any sound. 'Not today, you're not getting to me today Lila.' Hurrying into the bathroom, she texted Kim, to find out if there was a chance Lila could be following her.

Kim: No, she disappeared just after Stubbs came back, what's up?

Marinette: I'm in the bathroom, and I think she's in here with me. I can't deal with her today!

Kim: Stay where you are, I'll deal with it.

Marinette: Please don't just barge into the girls bathroom.

Kim: Spoil sport!

Marinette: KIM!

Kim: ROFLMAO! Just kidding M! We've been let out early, I'm on my way.

It felt like it took forever, and the worried teen sent a text to Adrien to let him know what was going on. Even though Mullo was not Tikki, the friendly Kwami was silently supporting Marinette by cuddling into her cheek. Feeling the little being was a sensation she had become accustomed to during previous moments of turmoil. Marinette was more than thankful that the Kwami had been able to spot her pursuer. Lila and her antics were the last thing Marinette wanted to deal with right now. 'At least no one's going to get Alumatised anymore,' she felt some relief with that fact resounding in her brain.

The bell rang, and Marinette was praying that either Kim or Adrien were on their way. Being accused of cornering Lila in the bathroom was the last thing she needed, whenever it had come down to her word against Lila's, the Italian had always managed to convince people she was telling the truth. If only a witness would come in, she could finally leave-

"Thought you'd be in here..."

'Alya!'

"...We thought you'd got lost..."

'Great, they can both leave and I'll be able to go without seeing either of them.'

Adrien received the message from Marinette and his stomach twisted painfully. He was thankful that he was just leaving the library, but cursing the thought of seeing people. Surprised that his classmates were already exiting the classroom, the blonde quickly made his way to the locker room. Adrien noticed Alya walking quickly in front of the crowd of students, and immediately knew where she was heading. The extra bag in her hand being used as an excuse to intercept whatever was likely to be going on in the girl's bathroom.

Making his way after Alya, he felt a hand on his shoulder, as he reached the entrance to the locker room, from behind him.

"Dude," Nino walked in with him as they made their way to the side of the room, the DJ ignoring the need to put his books away and grabbing Kim when he entered a second after. "Alya's on it."

Adrien nodded, paying close attention to the door while the students filling into the room seemingly failed to notice them in the corner away from the lockers.

"We need to tell you what's been said today." Kim spoke to Adrien after him and Nino had discussed telling him about the latest lie concerning him and the Italian. Adrien simply nodded again to acknowledge he had heard. Kim continued apologetically: "well, after you went missing last night-"

"Yes," Adrien answered with a slight growl, he vaguely remembered Nathalie mentioning Lila, but could not remember in what capacity. He had an inkling he was about to be reminded however.

Nino picked up the explanation at Adrien's obvious sour mood, "Lila said you guys were together-" Adrien rolled his eyes, "-but that you would deny it if we asked you."

Adrien let out a wry scoff, but said nothing. He was not going to dignify the comment with an answer which was obvious. The blonde shook his head with humoured disbelief, and Nino felt the need to ask:

"You don't have to tell us but, where were you yesterday man?" The spectacle wearing young man, adjusted his cap nervously. It was obvious something had happened, and he was not sure if Adrien would want to talk about it.

Adrien shot a deadpan expression at his company as if it should have been obvious, before glancing back to the female toilet door. A small blush appeared as he tried to hide his bashful smile at the fact that he had his first kiss with Marinette when he was 'missing'.

"With Marinette."

"WHAT!!"

So Lila has been foiled in her plot to bully Marinette! Yay!

Thank you for the reviews, follows and faves!

Take it easy =)

Lady Rhi X