Nothing Left to Lose: Chapter 2 – Diminishing Power
At first, I thought that becoming what Lila had made me out to be would be giving her power, but really, it's taking away all the power that she once had over me. And it's great! With her lack of power, I feel powerful. It's not really something I can even begin to put into words.
Seeing the look on not just hers, but everyone's, faces as priceless, and that's how I know that this will all be worth it.
The moment I walked into that classroom, Chloe decides to pipe up. Big mistake. "Oh look! The lying bitch returns!" She snickers, and others laugh with her and agree.
"That's funny, I thought she was already here!" I make an obvious glare at Lila, and add, "But my bad, I almost forgot that you're all moronic lemmings. Oh well!" I'm clearly mocking them, and I sashay my way to my seat, swaying my hips with me.
"Oh, real funny! All you've done is prove Lila right!" Alya flings back, standing up, fire dancing in her eyes behind her glasses.
"Just shut the fuck up, four eyes!" I flip her off and hit her where I know it really hurts. She's confided in me many times how much it hurts her to be made fun of for having glasses, and I can't help the smirk that rises on my face, as tears that immediately spring to her eyes, from the betrayal or the insult, or both, I can't be sure. Pay back, bitch!
"That's low, Marinette. Real low." She seethes, and I just laugh at her.
"Aw, boo hoo! Go cry a river to someone who'll actually care. Maybe Lila can fake some sympathy for you." I stare at her dead in the eyes, smug satisfaction shining in my eyes.
A small flicker of guilt crosses my mind, but I smother it before it can become a raging flame, telling myself that she deserves it, and I shouldn't be feeling any guilt about anything I do from now until Lila's exposal. If anything, they should be the ones to feel all the guilt. For everything. Not me.
Consoling myself with all that in mind, I hold my head high, and stare down at the rest of the class as they glare at me, most of the girls going to comfort Alya. Then Juleka turns to me, which surprises me.
"You know Marinette, I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt in all of this, but now I have to agree with Alya. Sorry, I guess." She mutters, not looking at me.
"That's the point, Juleka. I've just become the very person you think I am. I don't see the point in trying to defend myself anymore." I snap back, and I see her flinch, giving me a small sense of satisfaction. She turns back around, nothing left to say.
Adrien walks in at that moment, earlier than usual, and looks around the room, then up at me, as I smirk down at them. He doubles back as he takes me in, and his mouth drops almost unnoticeably. He takes in the black leather jacket that I traded in for my cloth grey one; my pink and white flower shirt traded in for a deep crimson cropped halter top; my pink jeans traded in for a skater skirt; and my pink ballet flats traded for cute black heeled boots. It's all designed by me, and it all looks amazing. I figured that the look I had going just wasn't going to cut it for who I was going to be now. Oh, and my hair is out, as I said goodbye to the childish pigtails, instead I slightly curled my hair, and left it out.
"Don't stare for too long, Agreste; it's getting kinda weird. I'd tell you to take a picture so it will last you longer, but it just wouldn't do my new look justice." I say smugly, and watch the utter confusion set in on his face. "Do you like it?" I ask, making my voice all sing-songy and innocent sounding. This is fun. More fun than I was expecting. I'm almost beginning to enjoy myself. Maybe this isn't too bad?
Ms. Bustier walks in as the bell goes, and class continues on, the only thing happening being many hateful glares from my fellow classmates, and worried glances from Adrien.
During lunch, I'm just sitting in a stall, listening to Tikki lecture me.
"But Marinette! You shouldn't be doing this! I know that you're hurting, but is this really the best option? Isn't there ANYTHING else you can do?" The kwami pleads.
"No, Tikki, there isn't! I've already tried everything else! Besides, this is the only way I can protect myself." I sigh, and close my bag, tired of having this conversation.
As I leave the stall, someone enters, and it's none other than the spawn of satan herself, Lila.
"Wow, you know, I can't believe I was actually right about you, Marinette!" She giggles, and I just roll my eyes at her.
"No, Lila, you weren't. This is me taking away all of your power over me. I become the person everyone thinks I am, what does that leave you with? Nothing. You can't hurt me anymore, Lila. The more you lie about me now, the more shit that you're going to get when you get exposed for lying."
"We'll see about that. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy being lonely and hated." And then she's gone.