Chapter 11: Museums and Mud-slinging
"Dude, did you see the statues?" roared Le Chien Kim, as the class strolled down the walkways of Lyom's Museum of Fine Arts. "They were all naked! Might as well go to the nearest clothes shop and give them a pair of undies or two."
"Shut up, Kim," snapped Nathaniel. "It's not like you know what went into making the statues, anyway."
"Come on, Tomato-head," retorted Kim. "Take a joke!"
"Someone who doesn't appreciate fine arts like this isn't worth talking to," said Nathaniel crossly. "Don't you think, Marc?"
"Nope," said Marc, Nathaniel's boyfriend, timidly. "Someone without appreciation for the arts is shallow."
"Agreed, and Kim is certainly shallow."
"I'm not shallow!" said Kim, defending himself. "I had a record of 10 feet in the pool!"
"Need I speak any more?" deadpanned Nathaniel.
But someone who apparently did not appreciate the exhibits was Lila Rossi. She was in a corner of another room, fidgeting with another copy of The Last Supper, that was hanging on the wall. Suddenly, she tugged at a corner of the painting and it fell!
As an alarm bell went off, Lila rushed out of the room, joining the others as if nothing had happened.
The excursion went fairly smoothly - until it was time to go home. The class was on their way out when they were stopped by the manager.
"We found that one of our paintings - specifically, a copy of The Last Supper - had been destroyed," he said. "Does anyone know who destroyed it?"
"No," said Bustier. "I don't know. Class, did any of you...?"
Lila raised a quivering (cough, cough) hand.
"Please, Sir - I think it was Marinette Dupain-Cheng," she said, in a falsely tremulous voice. "I saw her coming out of the room."
All eyes turned to Marinette.
"Lila, I don't know what you're driving at," said Marinette, "but it was NOT me. I was in here the whole time!"
"Exactly," said Nathaniel. "Besides, it's not like Marinette to just destroy a fine painting for no reason. Are you absolutely sure about this, Lila?"
"Y-yes, I am," said Lila. "I know it was Marinette."
"Girl, how could you?!" scolded Alya.
"Marinette, this is very unacceptable behaviour," chided Bustier.
"You've done a terrible thing," said Mylene.
"Now, look here," snapped Zoe, coming to the forefront. "You can't make a snap judgement on something random Lila said!"
"I agree with Zoe," said Adrien firmly. "Our Marinette would not do something like this."
"You're all ridiculous! Utterly ri-diculous!" proclaimed Chloe.
"That'll do," said the manager diplomatically. "You settle this conflict in private. If one of you did destroy the painting, you'll have to pay. Now I suggest you lot get on your way then."
The class, now divided vastly, stalked out of the museum.
The bus ride back to the hotel was quiet. Marinette was met with dirty looks from her classmates and a lecture from Bustier ("You're lucky the manager was that nice"). Still upset by her classmates' sudden distrust in her, Marinette confided in Tikki as she got ready for dinner that evening.
"I know it wasn't you, Marinette," said Tikki stout-heartedly. "I was with you the whole time! That Lila's a real class-wrecker."
"I know, Tikki. I have to prove my innocence somehow," said Marinette. "Well, hopefully dinner will be a smoother affair."
Marinette stepped out of the room and walked down to the dining room. There, she walked up to her table. As expected, the atmosphere was cold. But, it was colder than the North Pole.
Alya turned to her, and if it wasn't for her glasses, her eyes would have burned Marinette.
"So," she hissed. "So."
"Uh... hi guys?" said Marinette timidly.
"MURDERER!" shrieked Rose. "YOU KILLED THE POOR GUARD!"
"What the heck are you talking about?" said Marinette, almost laughing with disbelief.
"Admit it, baker girl," said Kim. "You're guilty."
"No I'm not!" protested Marinette. "What is this all about?"
There was a pause of realisation.
"Wait a minute," she said slowly. "Lila, you told the others about this, didn't you?"
"It-it's the truth," said Lila.
Marinette scoffed. "What rubbish! It wasn't me!"
"You weren't around during the akuma attack, Marinette," said Alya coldly.
"We have every reason to believe Lila!" said Ivan.
"I don't know what you lot are playing at!" said Marinette furiously. "You're all crazy, that's what! And Lila, you're trying to turn me against the others, aren't you?"
"I'm telling the truth!" hit back Lila, standing face-to-face with Marinette.
"Well, some truth it is! For all we know, you could be framing me to protect yourself!"
"Are you saying," hissed Lila, "that I killed the guard?"
"Well I wouldn't be surprised if you did!" retorted Marinette.
"YOU BITCH!" shouted Lila, and slapped Marinette's face.
"YOU COW!" shouted Marinette, and slapped Lila's face.
Everyone gasped.
"Not cool, dudette," said Nino. "You just hit Lila!"
"And she hit me first," protested Marinette. "Tell her off for a change!"
"No-one likes liars, Marinette," said Max.
There was a pause. Then -
"You decide to believe an exchange student over me? Someone you hardly even know? Have it your way, then!" said Marinette.
"We know they are telling the truth," said Mylene. "And we know you're not."
"Well, fine!" snapped Marinette. "Screw you guys, I'm going home!"
And she marched off, back to the hotel room. After yet another pause, Adrien spoke.
"I'm going after her," he said, and headed upstairs, making haste towards Room 423, where he found Marinette trying to open the door. He saw her turning the handle to no avail. Then, she leaned against the door, and slumped against it, face in her knees. Adrien rushed over to her.
"Hey," he said.
"What now?" said Marinette, and Adrien noted to his horror that she was crying. "Come to tell me to apologise to Lila?"
"No," said Adrien. "I believe you. I couldn't bring myself to say anything to the others. I'm so, so sorry, Marinette. I believe in you. I know you wouldn't kill anyone, for whatever reason."
"Save it, Adrien Agreste," sobbed Marinette pitifully. "You believe the others too, don't you?"
"I said I didn't," repeated Adrien. "Now why don't we go inside?"
Marinette stood up slowly, let Adrien open the door, and followed him inside. She stepped into the bathroom to change into her pyjamas, then came back outside and landed on the sofa with a flop.
Adrien sat down next to her.
"You ok?" he asked.
Marinette nodded. She turned around to face Adrien. Then, before he could do anything else, she leaned forwards and kissed him.
Adrien took a moment to take in what was happening, before taking Marinette in his spindly, strong arms and returning the kiss. They stayed in that position for about ten seconds - before Marinette jumped back.
"Sorry, Adrien," she said nervously. "I didn't mean to jump on you like that."
"You didn't? That's a pity, 'cause I liked that," said Adrien.
"You mean... you love me?" said Marinette, blushing scarlet.
"I do," said Adrien. "You're a great girl."
"Wait," said Marinette. "This isn't a trap, is it?"
"Nope," said Adrien. "I love you, Marinette."
And they kissed once more. Marinette screamed with joy internally.
And Adrienette has officially begun! Stay tuned for Chapter 12: there'll be another akuma attack! Enjoy reading.
PS: I own neither South Park nor Eastenders. Those references were just for entertainment.