Ashley was half-led, half-dragged outside to a waiting white limo. The driver nodded to her as he opened the door.
"Wait," Ashley said, locking up. "Where are we going?"
"To your new school, of course," Chloé said without a second thought. "You've already been transferred. And don't worry about transportation. You'll have a ride waiting for you each morning. It's already been arranged."
"But," Ashley sputtered. "But, my parents!"
Sabrina patted her on the shoulder. "They already know. It was covered when your father was promoted this morning."
"Daddy got a promotion?" Ashley asked.
"And a thirty thousand euro raise," Sabrina said. "Now, come on and hop in. We've got places to be, courtesy of your fairy godmother."
Ashley felt herself starting to tear up. She looked to Chloé, who smiled back at her. "Come on, already! You really shouldn't keep your new class waiting, Ashley. That would be ridiculous!"
"Utterly," Sabrina said.
Not sure whether to laugh or cry, Ashley turned to hug Chloé before she gratefully climbed into the limo.
Once they were on their way, Ashley looked to the other two girls and wiped at her eyes. "Thank you," she said. "I don't know who you are but thank you so much."
Chloé smiled and patted Ashley's knee. "We're just two humble, beautiful, sensational girls who know how to completely destroy someone's life if we have to. Oh, on that note? Sabrina dear? Exactly how far did you and daddy actually go?"
Sabrina stared. "What do you mean?"
"Um, with the ruse?" Chloé gestured to Sabrina's iPad. "The whole destroying their lives thing?"
Sabrina stared.
"What ruse?" She asked.
Chloé put her hand to her eyes. "Are you serious? I didn't actually want to hurt them! I just wanted to scare them a little."
"Well, that's because you've grown. You're a good person, Chloé." Sabrina reached over and gave her leg a squeeze. "And that's great, and I love you for it."
"Then why did you actually pull the trigger on them?" Chloé asked.
Sabrina sighed. "Because we used to be those girls, and as well-intentioned as you are, they weren't going to roll over from an impassioned speech, even if it was from you. There was a time when the only thing we would have responded to was fear." Sabrina shot Chloé a feral grin. "So, I put some fear into them."
Chloé looked Sabrina up and down. "So cool," she whispered under her breath.
Sabrina took out her phone. "I'm texting your father now. I think a public apology and a good scare to their parents was more than enough for one day." She glanced at Ashley. "Unless you'd like to see them homeless? Your call."
Ashley quickly shook her head. "No, um, no thank you. I'm okay now. I really am. You don't have to do that." She looked Sabrina over. "You'd do that?"
Sabrina shrugged. "She's the hero, not me."
"Sabrina, she's good," Chloé said. "Please stop destroying people. Pretty please?"
Sabrina sighed and sent off a text.
"Seriously," Ashley said. "Why are you helping me? Are… Are you friends of, of…"
Chloé smiled and nodded. "Please. I am a superhero, after all. And yes, I'm familiar with Ladybug. I work with her. She's our team leader."
Sabrina nodded towards Chloé. "It's true. She's Queen Bee."
"She sent a superhero to help me?" Ashley felt her tears starting to come back. "You… You did all this for me? And daddy's job?"
"Your parents will never have to scrounge again," Chloé said. "And they won't have to pay for you to go to that dreadful school. Although I was surprised that Kagami was there. If I'd known that, I suppose we wouldn't have had to go quite this far, but I honestly didn't know."
Sabrina shrugged. "She doesn't say much about her personal life, does she?"
"Um, where are we going?" Ashley asked. "Am I going home?"
"Nope," Sabrina said with a grin. "You're going to your brand-new school!"
"My what?" Ashley asked.
When they arrived at College Francoise Dupont, Caline and principal Damocles were waiting outside alongside Ashley's mother, who was beaming.
"Mom?" Ashley asked, still bewildered as she climbed out of the limo.
Ashley's mother hugged her. "Oh sweetie, why didn't you tell me you got a scholarship? This is so incredible! Ms. Bourgeois here was just telling me about it, and how your transfer has already been cleared. Oh, this is wonderful! But, it's so sudden! Sweetheart, are you okay with it? Are you sure you can say goodbye to your friends at your old school?"
Ashley stared at her oblivious mother for a moment. "I think I'll be okay," she said in a shaking voice.
"Hey kiddo," Caline said as she patted Ashley on the shoulder. "My name is Ms. Bourgeois, and I will be your new homeroom instructor. Come on, I'd like to introduce you to the rest of the class."
Ashley was led into the building as her mother continued to speak with the principal. As soon as they entered the classroom, Ashley was greeted by a banner welcoming her and a chorus of hellos. At the front desk was what looked like a chocolate sheet cake with WELCOME ASHLEY spelled out on the front.
"Dupa… Marinette over there baked the cake," Chloé said. "She's your new class rep. It's worth your time to get to know her."
"Hi!" An exhausted-looking Marinette said excitedly. She was in an oversized red and black sweater and was sporting some serious bags under her eyes. She got up to say hello and ended up hugging Ashley instead. "I got a call last night letting me know you were transferring in. It's so great to get a new student! I'm so happy to meet you!"
Chloé pried the bluenette off the new girl. "Okay, enough of that. You'll be sitting by Alya over here. Her old seat mate transferred after an, ahem, beach outing gone wrong."
"Hey girl," Alya said, smiling. "Welcome to the class."
"You're the person who runs the Ladyblog!" Ashley squeaked. "Oh, my God! I've seen all your videos!"
Alya grinned. "We are going to be fast friends, I can feel it."
"Dudette," Nino said, waving. "Cool glasses."
"Class?" Caline said from the door.
The room quieted down.
"Everyone, I'd like you all to please say hello to Ashley Peintre. She'll be with us for the rest of the year."
"Hi! Welcome to the class! I love your sweater!" Rose cried out.
"Your hair is lovely!" Mylene chimed in. "Is that it's natural color? I love it!"
"Are those charcoal pencils?" Nathaniel asked, pointing to Ashley's overflowing grocery bag. "Do you do art? We have a club! What type do you use?"
"How much can you lift?" Kim asked.
"Bitchin' shoes!" Alix offered.
"ALIX!" Caline snapped. "Um, please find a seat, Ashley. We need to serve some welcome cake and begin our lesson for the day."
"Welcome cake?" Ashley stammered.
Caline nodded. "Marinette refuses to let anyone join the class without baking a welcome cake. So, this morning, we eat welcome cake."
"I made some welcome lemonade," Marc offered. He held up a plastic jug.
"I brought welcome plates!" Kim said. He held up a package of white plates.
"I brought better welcome plates!" Alix countered. She held up a package of green plates.
"Dammit children," Caline muttered. "I'm sure both your plates are fine. They… Alix, quit hitting Kim and put the plates away!"
Secretly, Caline planned on stretching the welcome party out to eat up the rest of History class.
That morning was about making new friends. And cake. Cake was good, too.
History could wait a bit.
Notes:
Well now, it looks like everything's about wrapped up for this arc... OR IS IT?
Well, yeah. Mostly. One more chapter to go before the next section starts.
NEXT TIME!
Some hot rooftop action takes place!
Chloe: Ashley! Why are you back on the roof? Wait!
...And by that, I mean more talking. How will things resolve for our characters? Also, what does Marinette have to say about what went down?
This arc is winding down, so don't miss the emotional conclusion! Be here tomorrow! Same Bug Time...
Rose: Can I pick which bug?
...Same Bug Channel!
