Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. This fanfiction is entirely that – fiction.

Trigger and Content Warning: This fanfiction will be a slow burn and will consist of mature and dark themes such as bullying, depression, self harm, suicide attempts, and later in the story adult themes such as sex. If you do not wish to read this, do not read this story. Writing is my vent. You have been warned.

I don't write very much so please be kind! this is the first time i've written a fanfic in years.

"I'm sorry but I didn-" An angry locker slam cut the quiet voice off.

"NO, Marinette! What don't you understand, are you really that stupid? I don't want you here, NOBODY wants you here. Please just go home." Alya was shaking, clearly vexed. There was a hint of sadness in her face too, and disappointment, but Marinette didn't see any of it. The only thing Marinette saw was tears as they fell from her eyes. She couldn't bear to disappoint anyone else, and she didn't mean to – she just seemed to be really, really good at it.

"o-okay. Right. I'm sorry"

Thursdays didn't usually tend to be as bad as this one had been. Mondays were usually bad, and Tuesdays – and of course Fridays were always bad because the weekend would come after and Marinette would be all alone with her thoughts and a whole lot of free time. But Thursdays? They tended to be pretty neutral. Not good by any stretch, just not this awful.

It had started out like most other days – Marinette woke up, made a half-arsed attempt at breakfast (today it had been a few big bites of croissant stuffed into her face as she headed out the door), then trundled her way across the road to school. She'd seen Alya and Nino hanging out by the front gates so had chosen to go through the back entrance of the school: it wasn't that she didn't want to see her friends per say; they hadn't fallen out or anything and she still loved them with all her heart. Quite simply she just wasn't in the mood for socialising today. She was tired and worn down.

Usually students weren't allowed in the back entrance of the school but being class rep had its perks – she was well trusted among the teachers and staff and as the door wasn't locked or alarmed, Marinette could usually get away with using this door without any bother. If a teacher did happen to see her they'd likely just wish her a good morning and be on their way. Even still, she didn't push it, this was the first time she'd used the back door in about a week.

The back entrance of the school made it easy to reach the locker rooms without bumping into anyone and as she needed to sort her belongings out for the day anyway she decided to head there first. Composing herself in the otherwise empty room, she sat on a bench and counted her breaths; in, out, in, out. The peace, unfortunately, didn't last long. The sound of the door opening was enough to drive her focus off of her breaths and on to the person walking into her brief sanctuary.

Lila had been a full time student for a few months now and she had made it her personal mission to make Marinettes life miserable. At first it wasn't that bad, just a few off the cuff comments in the hallways or a slight bump in the corridor. Lord knows Mari had been getting that for years from Chloe so she told herself she was used to it, but somehow this felt… different? After about a month or so though things started to get worse. The off the cuff comments became manipulative lies told to friends and horrid comments said to her face, and those small bumps in the hallways became tripping her which became pushing which more recently had become throwing her against a wall. It never really hurt, at least that's what she told herself - she was never beaten up to the point of excruciating pain or anything. At worst it was a few light bruises or a sore arm. So that's what Marinette was expecting today, too. Nothing too horrid, she just had to grin and bear it and not show any emotion. Simple.

The girl came in looking as innocent as ever, even giving a small giggle as she walked into the room in case anyone else happened to be there. When she saw that it was only herself and the small bluenette however, Lila's demeaner changed so fast it was almost frightening. Her smile dropped, her expression becoming hard. Her eyes burned like a raging coal fire and Marinette knew she was in for it. Lila looked pissed.

Shit. You've got this, Mari. Just get through today. We have patrol later! We get to see Chat… just hang on until then. Okay?

In an instant, Lila came storming towards her. Marinette flinched and stood up, backing away until her back reached something hard, solid, and cold with a small thud. Firm hands gripped slight arms, pinning the girls small frame against the locker.

"Where. The FUCK. Were you?" Lila's voice came out gritty yet firm. Marinette let out a muffled whimper but tried to steady herself. Rather than retreating further she instead forced herself to lock eyes with the bully. Hopefully Lila wouldn't notice the small shiver running through her legs, or the fact that she was holding back tears.

Confidence Mari, she doesn't hurt you, remember?

"I'm really not sure what you're talking about." The bluenette took in a shaky breath. "Let go of my arms, Lila."

That, apparently, was not what the girl wanted to hear, and a spark of something in her eyes showed this. She did, however, let go. Eerie calmness radiated through Lila. "Okay Marinette. I won't touch you." Seconds went by, the two girls staring at one another. Thirty seconds. A minute. Then, just as Marinette was about to move, the rage was back. In an instant hands slammed into the locker narrowly missing either side of her head. The eerie calmness returned a second later. "Marinette where the fuck were you yesterday? I was waiting for you after class and you just… never came. Sweetie I had something to tell you and it was important."

"ca-cant you just tell me now?" Marinettes voice came out as little more than a whisper, despite her best efforts. She didn't notice when it had happened, but she was no longer holding eye contact.

Lila spoke as though she were talking to a wounded animal, with a sickly-sweet ring to her voice. "Oh, Mari. But you already know, don't you? Do I really have to tell you?" Giving a smile, she leaned in close so that the two girls cheeks were brushing. Her voice changed to a whisper however it was no longer sweet. "Marinette you are nothing. You'll see. Nobody wants you around, nobody wants you here. Hell, nobody even likes you – they just don't quite realise it yet. But don't worry sweetie, they will. Real soon."

A single tear escaped Marinettes eye, though her expression held steady, gaze fixed at a spot on the wall behind Lila. The other girl noticed the tear and pulled back slightly, wiping it away with one finger.

"Oh darling don't cry! You're really not worth that. You should be happy I'm telling you now, you'd have found out sooner or later anyway. You are weak. Stupid. God you're annoying. You know you'll never be loved – how could anyone love this?" the finger that had previously wiped away the single tear then delicately traced down Marinettes face to her chin. Once it reached the very bottom of her face, the finger lifted slightly, angling the bluenettes face up. " I pity you Marinette I really do. I'd hate to be as worthless as you. I'm no angel but at least I'll equate to something in this life. You, on the other hand? You'll always be nothing." Letting out a small giggle, Lila backed away a little, letting her arms fall to her sides. "That was all I wanted to tell you sweets! Anyways, I'll see you in class. I have a special treat planned for you today!" And with that, she turned and left.

Marinette felt sick. She stood there frozen for a few seconds, trying to process what had happened. Lila was being cruel, right? She knew she was being cruel. So why did Mari feel as though she'd been the one who'd done something wrong? A sleepy Tikki poked her head out of the girls purse, rubbing her tired eyes.

"Mari is everything okay? What's going on? Was it Lila again?"

"No, no Tikki, everything's fine. Don't worry" Mari looked down and gave a small, sad smile. "Go back to sleep. I packed you a cookie for lunch today!"

The tiny creature gave a faint 'hmm' then flitted back into the purse, closing it with a snap.

The rest of the morning flitted by fast with nothing notable happening. Lunch was okay too, Marinette spent it sat on a bench with Alya, Nino and Adrien and ate some sandwiches. She didn't really follow what they were talking about- school work or weekend plans or something, just giving soft 'Hmms' or 'okays' when the conversation called for it. Adrien asked her a question at one point and Marinette gave a friendly automatic "yeah, sure" but she didn't really know what she'd just said yes to. It probably wasn't important and he seemed to take the yes as an answer so it probably made sense in context.

That was lucky. Come on we've got to focus more than this we can't afford to slip up.

After lunch the first class was double Maths with Mme. Bustier. The last class of the day, thank god. Marinette was sat next to Alya and behind Adrien and Nino. Plonking down in her seat she took her workbook out and was just about to write the date when–

"Marinette?" Madame Bustier called her name from the front of class. She wore a friendly, kind smile, as she always did.

"Yes miss?"

"Lila has come to me today. She feels a bit lonely, so I was wondering if you'd be willing to sit with her today? As class rep its your job to make her feel welcome and included, after all." A few students let out small 'awhs' at this, clearly feeling compassion for Lila. Marinette tried to choose her next words carefully, but before she could, Lila piped up from the back of class. She looked… scared?

Why does Lila, of all people, look scared right now? Surely that's what she wanted, to torment me more? She knew Mme. Bustier would ask that of me if she told her she was lonely – its what happened when Juleka was off sick for a week and Rose was lonely. Class rep helps out. What's going on?

"A..actually, miss. I'll be f-fine here."

"Lila is everything alright?" Mme. Bustier asked from the front, clearly a little concerned.

"I just don't think Mari would want to sit near me that's all." Lila really did look scared, and she sounded perfectly sincere too. Everyone in class was tuned in to the conversation at this point.

I don't know what she's playing at but… this can't be good. I'll just sit with her – she wouldn't do anything in class anyway.

"Lila its fine, I'll come and sit with you."

"No! No, I'm okay please don't worry about it." Lila looked close to panicking now.

What the hell is going on?

"Lila, is there a reason you don't want to sit next to Marinette?"

"n-no miss"

"Okay then, Marinette please pack your things and go and sit next to Lila. We need to begin class."

The bluenette did as she was told and took her seat in the very back row, in the seat closest to the stairs, next to Lila. She kept her belongings as compact as possible and tried not to make too much noise. The last thing she wanted to do was provoke… whatever this was. Lila gave her a smirk she was sure only Marinette would see, and turned to face the front of class when the teacher began talking.

About half way through the first hour when the room was relatively quiet, Lila let out a small but audible gasp and a whimper. "p..please stop." This, understandably, prompted a few students to look her way in concern – Marinette included. Lila was looking right at her, tears in her eyes.

What the fuck?

A few people in class whispered a bit, but the room fell silent again after a minute or so and class resumed. This happened a few more times throughout the next hour and a half, with Lila saying things like 'please don't…' and 'why are you doing this?' and each time the class got a little more concerned with what the fuck was going on in the back row. The teacher never seemed to notice, too engrossed in paperwork. Marinette kept her gaze down at her work. She didn't know what Lila was up to but she did know that she wanted absolutely no part in it.

When class ended Lila packed up her things pretty fast. She stood at the back, at the top of the stairs. It looked like she was texting or something as she was on her phone, but she looked almost distracted? Her face wore a smirk but this was fairly normal for a teenager on their phone. It took a few moments for Marinette to pack up her stuff – today had been weird to say the least and honestly she just wanted to go home. Once she'd gathered her belongings, she walked around Lila to make her way towards the exit. As she did however, Lila let out a squeal and threw herself down the stairs.

What. The. Hell.

Marinettes ladybug instincts kicked in before she could even process what was happening and she reached out to try and catch the falling girl, but it was already too late.

"Lila!" a few voices chimed her name in unison.

"oh my goodness Lila are you okay?!" Rose reached her first, she'd only fallen down a few steps and had mainly just skidded down on her butt. It was highly unlikely she was hurt.

Mme. Bustier came up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, telling her not to move if she was hurt and asking Ivan to go and fetch the nurse. "Lila, what happened?"

"Mari- Marinette pushed me!" The words were said through sobs. Audible gasps were made in the class. Marinette stood in shock, directly behind where Lila had been stood moments before. Marinettes hands were still stretched out in front of her. This… did not look good.

"I didn't! I haven't touched her!"

"Then why are your hands stretched out? From your stance and Lila's fall there's a 72% chance that you did, in fact push her." Max spoke next. The class looked outraged.

"No! I reached out to try and catch her when I saw she was falling! I would never push someone down the stairs! You know I wouldn't."

"Nobody's reflexes are that fast Marinette, especially not yours." Chole looked sceptical, but not as convinced as everyone else.

Lila smirked and bit her lip, knowing that the only person currently looking at her was Marinette. Everyone else was looking as the frightened bluenette at the top of the stairs. In an instant Lila plastered on a distraught face again and carried on stammering through tears. "sh..she did p-push me. She's been bullying me f…for weeks. Its why I didn't want her to sit next to me. Ss..she hates me. I don't know why. I just wanted to be friends! B-but she was saying mean things all day. She even cornered me before school. and sh..she threatened me in class today."

"Oh my god. Is that why you've been pulling away from us Mari - because you're bullying Lila? What's wrong with you?" Alya looked hurt and shocked. "and its true – I didn't see you before class today at all. Me and Nino were waiting for you and you no showed, we thought you were sick or something, but when we came in this morning you were already in class."

"Yeah, we waited for nearly an hour no way you got there before us. and Lila has been telling you to stop all afternoon, we heard her! She was terrified! Not cool dude, not cool at all."

Marinette looked around for Adrien, knowing he'd believe her, but then she remembered he left halfway through maths for a photo shoot. He wasn't here. Sheer panic was overtaking her, the words she needed to defend herself wouldn't come.

"This is profoundly serious. Marinette, I have an urgent meeting now but I need to see you first thing tomorrow, before class. Lila, please feel free to take the morning off tomorrow until I have spoken with Marinette. Everyone else –" Mme. Bustier looked around and sighed "I ask that you leave this be until we get to the bottom of it. Rose, you may stay with Lila until the nurse comes. Everyone else, please retrieve your belongings from the locker room, then go home. Class dismissed."

Marinette got to the locker room a minute or so after everyone else, having taken a moment to try and clam herself down. She was in shock but could feel panic clawing its way up her throat.

Oh god, everyone will believe her won't they? I didn't do anything, I just want to get home. I need to get home. Nobody's going to believe me. And I cant tell them what she's been doing to me because she'll get so much worse and they wont believe me anyway. Oh god. How could anyone be this evil? How could she do this to me I didn't do anything. How cou-

"Marinette how could you?" No longer upset, Alya looked furious. She'd always been an extremely passionate person so it didn't take much for any high emotion to turn to absolute fury, and Marinette knew this about her best friend.

"I'm sorry, I didn-" the loud bang of a slamming locker cut the quiet voice off.

"NO, Marinette! What don't you understand, are you really that stupid? I don't want you here, NOBODY wants you here. How could you do that to her? Please just go home." Alya was shaking, clearly vexed. There was a hint of sadness in her face too, and disappointment, but Marinette didn't see any of it. The only thing Marinette saw was tears as they threatened to fall from her eyes. She couldn't bear to disappoint anyone else, and she didn't mean to – she just seemed to be really, really good at it. She didn't have the willpower to stand up for herself, so she turned to leave.

"o-okay. Right. I'm sorry"

Run. Go home. Don't cry, don't cry. Just go home. Everything Lila said this morning is true… they all hate me.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, thank you so much for reading! i will update when i can. Reviews are always appreciated 3