Chapter 19: Back to School

"...and I'm going to have to do physical labour! Ugh, can you imagine that? Damaging my beautiful, exquisite nails? Ridiculous! Utterly ri-diculous!"

It was the first day of school after the hearing, and Chloe Bourgeois was in a bad mood. She wasn't looking forward to her detention, and she certainly didn't like the fact that she had to perform hard labour for the next year!

"It can't be all bad, Chlo," said Zoe, as she walked into school with her sister. "I got in detention a few times back in America, and they didn't keep you for more than two hours. Besides, all that hard work will protect your beautiful physique!"

Chloe rolled her eyes.

"Well, I suppose you have a point there," she sighed.

"And if you need, I could arrange for you to have a facial once we get back to the hotel."

"Y'know, that doesn't sound too bad," said Chloe, scrunching her nose. "But I'm guessing Sabrina won't be there?"

It was clear to see that Sabrina wasn't Chloe's all-purpose-girl anymore: rather than preparing Chloe's notes like she used to, she was now chatting animatedly with Mylene and Alix.

Marinette sat down next to Alya, like she used to do.

"Good to have my BFF back, girl," grinned Alya.

"Good to have you back, Alya," said Marinette.

"Whatever happened to Lila, would you know?" inquired Alya.

"From what I've heard, she got sentenced to jail back in Italy," explained Marinette, "hopefully she will leave us alone for a long time afterwards."

"Well, if she ever comes back," said Alya hotly, "there'll be one difference: we'll all be united against her."

"That's true," said Marinette, as Fred Haprele came in.

"Good morning, class," he greeted jovially. "It's going to be a bit different, working with me, but we'll all have fun, I expect. Now, my own daughter aside -" Mylene giggled - "I don't know your names. So, we'll have an icebreaker before we begin. You must tell me your name, your hobby, your favourite food and your favourite actor, or actress."

The icebreaker was fun, though it finished all too soon.

"And now, class," said Mr Haprele, "I have a treat for you."

"It's not another pop quiz, is it, sir?" moaned Kim.

"As a matter of fact, Kim," smiled Mr Haprele, "it isn't. For today's Literature lesson, we shall be watching a film: the 2000 edition of Gladiator!"

Everyone cheered. Working with Mr Haprele was going to be fun.

Marinette was walking out of school at the end of the day, when a voice called out to her.

"Dupain-Cheng!"

It was Chloe, on her way to detention.

"Chloe?" said Marinette. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to say... I'm sorry I was a bitch to you all this time," said Chloe, with her head bowed. "It's not easy, being the Mayor's daughter and everything. I just feel - ya know - different, not like the rest of you, and sometimes it gets to me. Can you forgive me?"

Marinette could tell Chloe sincerely meant what she said.

"Of course, Chlo," said Marinette kindly. "I understand. Friends?" She stuck out a hand to shake.

"Friends," said Chloe, and shook the hand that had been offered. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be on my way to detention."

She waved to Marinette as she walked off, and Marinette waved back. Could this be a dream? Would she wake up all of a sudden and find that it was all a dream?

She pinched herself. Nope, not a dream.

Marinette continued to walk out, when another voice called out to her.

"Marinette? Mari?"

It was Adrien.

"Adrien, how are you?" said Marinette. "I couldn't talk to you."

"Yeah," said Adrien. "I'm sorry I avoided you. I guess I still needed the space."

"I don't blame you," said Marinette with a noncomittal chuckle. "I wouldn't take finding out that I was being stalked very well."

"Thanks," said Adrien. "Uh, listen - I was going to the bookstore to get something for Fabio's daughter, and later, I was thinking of buying some ice-cream. Would you like to join me?"

Marinette paused. The idea sounded good - but she wasn't available.

"Uh, I'm sorry about this, Adrien," said Marinette. "But I promised my mum and dad that I'd help them out in the bakery. Another time, perhaps?"

"I'll be free when you are," grinned Adrien. "That's alright. See you at school tomorrow?"

"See you at school tomorrow... Adrikins," grinned Marinette. "You don't mind if I call you that, do you?"

"Not in front of Chloe," warned Adrien, "she'll kill you."

"Oh don't worry, I'll be extra careful not to," said Marinette, and gave Adrien a quick kiss on the lips. They walked away in opposite directions.

Marinette pinched herself once more as she got to the other side of the street. Nope.

Lila was gone, Chloe was nicer, and she and Adrien were together.

Life was looking up for her.

THE END

Whew, that's it! I hope you enjoyed the story. Thank you for your reviews, and more are always welcome.

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