Nothing Left to Lose: Chapter 1 – What do you do when no one will believe you?
In the beginning, Lila's lies started off tame, at least in comparison to the lies that she would tell in the future. Then, they started to get larger, and as they went on, it was a wonder that anyone believed her at all anymore, when some of them were so damn outrageous. Especially when it was considered who the lies were against. But it seems that Lila is just that good at manipulating people; good enough to manipulate people who have known me for years. People who I've always been there for, people I thought would have my back. Even my best friend, who's supposed to support me and believe me always, even more so against someone who they have barely known more than a month.
I suppose I should be grateful that at least someone believes me, that person being Adrien Agreste, who has seen right through her after I, as my superhero persona, exposed her in her lies. That should be enough, and maybe it is, but its also just…not. Not when everything and everyone else has been taken away from me; not even taken, but willingly left me behind. It's as Lila promised me what by now feels like centuries ago: she will turn everyone against me. While not everyone was against me, she has succeeded far enough that she had basically followed through.
I always try to defend myself, and I always tell people she's a liar, but they don't believe me. Ever. It's funny how they will so easily believe someone who is lying but refuse to believe someone who is telling the truth. Who they have always been able to trust. Who seldom ever lies. I mean, that's the kind of stuff that really hurts. Hurts deep. It's hard.
It always leaves me wondering: what do I do? What am I supposed to do when no one believes me? Do I become the person that Lila has made them believe I am? Does it even matter, considering I have nothing left to lose? I'm not sure how to answer any of those questions. Until I ask myself: should I give Lila that power? Do I let her be right? I shouldn't, but maybe at this point I'm better off just giving in and letting them see the person that they want to see. And so, does it matter if I give her the satisfaction of being proved right? Yes. Because when her lies finally come crumbling down, they'll come begging for my forgiveness and see the person they have created.
So, what do I do, when no one will believe me, with nothing left to lose, and everything to gain? It's simple, really. Become the very thing they believe me to be.
I'm always tempted, but then I remember Adrien, and I couldn't possibly do that to him. I couldn't disappoint him in such a way. Of course, I could let him in on what I plan to do, but then he'd try to talk me out of it and tell me I'm better than that. Call me their 'everyday Ladybug?' But really, what's the point in being their everyday Ladybug when I'm already Ladybug anyway. And, do they even deserve to have me as their everyday Ladybug? No, definitely not.
A shrill ringing rips me from my thoughts, and I look around the courtyard, seeing people head off to class. I stand up from my spot beneath the stairs, and walk in the direction of my class, dragging my feet along. Walking into the class, I move to my seat in the back, since my old seat was stolen by Lila after my 'best-friend' told her to sit there instead. I shouldn't even be calling her my best friend anymore. She's made it perfectly clear that she is no longer any friend of mine.
Everyone slowly moves inside, and they take their seats. I'm surprised to see Lila not yet in the classroom when the bell goes signalling the beginning of class, but I'm not disappointed and hide a smile.
My smile soon drops when she comes bursting into the classroom in tears. I don't miss the smirk she subtly throws my way before she sinks into Alya's arms. Ms. Bustier watches her in confusion for a moment, before asking her what's wrong. I know that whatever is to come will not be good for me at all.
"M-M-Mar-Marinette's b-been threatening me!" She sobs out, and all heads snap in my direction with glares on their faces. Unbelievable.
"Marinette? Is this true?" Ms. Bustier asks, and I can see the shock in her eyes. I have hope, maybe she'll believe me! She doesn't think I would ever do this! I'm reminded why Ms. Bustier is my favourite teacher, and then Lila pulls out her phone.
"I-I have pr-proof." My eyes go wide. What kind of 'proof' could she possibly have? "See? Those are screenshots of all the emails and messages she has sent me. They're absolutely horrible!" She turns around to me, and I can see the absolute pleasure she is getting out of destroying me as she says, "Why do you hate me so much? You've always had it out for me, and I don't know why or what I ever did to you! I've always been nice to you and tried to be your friend, but you were always so mean!" She breaks down into more practiced sobs, and I search all the faces of everyone in the rooms, desperately trying to find someone – anyone – who isn't glaring at me.
"But that's not true! None of it is! You couldn't possibly think I could have done something like that! That's just not me, you guys should know that! You've known me for years!" I plead helplessly.
"We thought we did, Marinette. But I guess we never did. No Lila has exposed you for who you really are, we see your true colours now, all your lies and manipulation." Alya says, and her words drip with poison. "You're nothing than a lying, manipulative, disgusting bitch!"
A tear rolls down my face, and everyone starts agreeing and hurling horrible insults at me. Ms. Bustier does nothing to even attempt to stop them. She just tells me to come with her and Lila to the principal's office.
I follow, looking around at everyone. Adrien, I finally realise, has been standing in the doorway, late to class. He's heard the insults, but nothing more, as I can tell he looks absolutely confused about what's just happened and knows that it was nothing good. As I walk past him, I can barely muster a sad smile.
As I walk, Lila stands beside me, and whispers to me, "I'm not finished yet, just watch this." She raises my hand to her face, and yanks it back, then yanks it toward her face, slapping herself hard in the face with my own hand. "Marinette? How could you do that?" She sobs, and the tears are immediately rolling down her face. A red mark is already forming on her face.
"Marinette! How dare you slap Lila!" Ms. Bustier yells. She's never yelled before, not even at Chloe.
"I-I didn't!"
"What, you expect me to believe she just slapped herself?! That's ridiculous, Marinette!" I search desperately for words to defend myself, and can't come up with any. "Right." She takes my wrist forcefully, and drags me along behind her, and I know that before long, my wrist will be bruised.
As I'm forced into Mr. Damocles' office, I'm helpless with nothing left to do.
The whole story is told, and it ends with me getting a week long suspension, as there's not much else that he can do.
When I get back, I'm so completely hated, that with nothing left to do and nothing left to lose, that I decide to become who they think I am.
For, as I have said, what else is there to do when no one will believe you?