This takes place simultaneously with the last chapter.
Chapter 7: The Sleepover Scandal, Part 2
Marinette was not in a good mood that morning.
The akuma attack the previous night left a bad taste in her mouth. She had been taken out way too easily - she hadn't even realized there was an akuma! - and if Tikki hadn't magicked her awake, she might have been knocked out all night.
Still, there was a good side. Maybe she finally could convince Fu (and Tikki) that keeping Alya on as a permanent team member was a good idea. Alya was always happier after a fight as Rena Rouge, and Marinette enjoyed having her enthusiasm by her side.
But even the excitement over patrolling with her best friend couldn't shake Marinette out of her funk that morning any more than her cure helped the headache from the mud ball last night.
"Marinette!"
And just like that, her morning got better. Marinette turned to see Adrien sprinting up the stairs to catch up with her.
"Adrien," Marinette greeted.
"Good morning," Adrien said, smiling his dazzling smile. "I'm glad to see you. Luka said you got knocked out last night by the akuma, and I was worried about you."
Adrien? Worried about me? Marinette felt like she could melt into a happy puddle.
"Thanks, you're sweet," Marinette said. "For asking, I mean. I had a little bit of a headache, but it's gone now."
Adrien's smile widened. "Glad to hear that."
The two entered class just in time to hear Kim loudly proclaim his dream of coming to school in his underpants. Marinette rolled her eyes at the comment, making Adrien smile again, and they took their respective seats.
"You look smile-y this morning," Alya whispered, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Yeah," Marinette agreed, putting her head in her hands and staring off at the blonde head in front of her. "It's a good morning today."
It was the worst day ever.
Marinette's eyes widened inch by inch as Mendeleev headed towards the dreaded announcement.
Not a pop quiz!
It didn't help that her headache from the morning had returned. She could barely focus on her notes, much less on a test!
"If you've been keeping up with my lessons, this should be easy for you," Miss Mendeleev said.
Marinette and Alya exchanged doubtful looks.
Thankfully, the test didn't start right away, and as Miss Mendeleev and Chloe exited the class, Marinette forced herself to relax.
"So are we doing a make-up sleepover some time?" Alix asked. "Since last night got ruined?"
"We should!" Rose said. "And maybe Lila and Alya can come!"
"If we do it tonight I should be free," Alya offered.
Marinette perked up. A sleepover with Alya was exactly what she needed after a day like this.
But Juleka shook her head. "Not tonight. Luka's having friends over."
"Well, we can do it some place else," Marinette suggested, not willing to let the idea die too quickly. "Maybe we could hang out in the park this afternoon, and then the girls can come stay at my place and the boys somewhere else?"
"I'm close to Marinette's," Kim offered. "You can totally come to my place! I have an awesome gaming station - partially provided by Max, of course."
Nino sighed dramatically. "Why must I be stuck babysitting?"
"What about you, Lila?" Rose asked. "Sleepover at Marinette's?"
And Marinette's entire mood dropped. Right, Lila.
But then again, she wouldn't actually -
"Sounds great!" Lila agreed. "I would love to come over!"
Oh, no no no no no.
A picture of Sabrina with her diary flashed through Marinette's head, and she felt a burst of desperation. Lila in her room only spelled disaster, but she already offered, and-
"Marinette, are you okay?" Adrien's voice shook her out of her spiral.
Marinette gave him a thankful smile but didn't get a chance to respond before Lila cut in.
"Oh no! She probably doesn't want me there. It's okay - I don't have to come if you don't want me, Marinette."
"Don't be ridiculous," Alya said. "Everyone's invited."
Excuse me? Marinette turned to her best friend in shock. You can't invite other people to my house.
Marinette forced her anger down.
"That's not your place to say, Alya," Adrien said.
Marinette felt a little vindicated at the statement, and knowing she would have backup, said the exact thing on her mind.
"You're right, Lila, I don't want you in my house."
"Marinette!" Alya scolded. "This is a class event! You can't leave Lila out."
"If you want Lila to come, we need to have it someplace else," Marinette decided. "I'm not letting her in my house."
"But there's no where else we can go!" Alya argued, her voice grating against Marinette's headache.
"You shouldn't force her to let someone in her space she doesn't want," Lacy replied with a scowl.
"Yeah!" Alix agreed. "I mean, I have a room I don't let anyone into - even my old man! If Marinette doesn't feel comfortable letting Lila in her room yet, that's her decision."
Marinette shot them both a thankful look.
"But we can't leave Lila out!" Rose argued. "Marinette, aren't you the one always talking about including everyone!"
Marinette felt herself stiffen. How could she talk about inclusion if she was leaving someone out?
But then she shook the thought out of her head. She had secrets - important secrets - that she needed to keep, especially from Lila.
"It's her own personal space," Lacy argued. "That's different. It's not like she's telling Lila she can't hang out with us at the park."
"Lacy's right, Marinette," Adrien added.
Marinette knew it too, but everyone else seemed to be agreeing with Rose. She hesitated - she would look mean if she kept fighting, and she didn't want that. That was a part of Lila's plan, wasn't it?
Besides, the more she acted like she had something to hide, the more likely Lila was going to go snooping.
Marinette sighed and slumped her shoulders. "No, Rose is right. I can't preach inclusion and then leave Lila out."
"How about this? Lila can come over, but we all stay in the living room," Alix suggested. "That way, we're all included but no one is invading your space."
Marinette relaxed a little. "That's a good idea."
Adrien shot her a concerned look, but Marinette waved it off. It was a good compromise, after all.
As long as Lila held her end.
"Marinette!" Adrien called again.
Marinette hung back, allowing for Adrien to catch up with her.
"Are you okay?" Adrien asked.
Marinette sighed. "Yeah. Thanks for asking. Are you coming to the park with us?"
Adrien sighed. "I wish. But you know how my father is."
"We'll miss you," Marinette said.
"Thanks," Adrien replied. "If Lila gives you any problems..."
"You'll send your support?" Marinette finished. "Don't worry, I can handle Lila."
"I know you can," Adrien confirmed. "And tonight sounds like so much fun! I wish I could do things like that - all of my friends have, except Kagami."
"Kagami's never been to a sleepover?" Marinette asked.
Adrien shook his head. "Her mother is just as strict as my father."
"Maybe I can do something about that," Marinette thought. "Pass it off as a study session."
"I doubt it, but I think Kagami would be happy you thought of her."
"I'll call her, see what she thinks," Marinette decided.
Kagami's facial expression hadn't changed much, but the glimmer in her eyes gave away her mother's answer, even before she hung up the phone.
"She said yes," Kagami reported.
"Yes!" Marinette cheered. "We're going to have so much fun tonight!"
"I must run home and grab a change of clothes, but tell the rest of the group that I'm excited for tonight," Kagami said.
"I will! And they'll be really excited too!"
Kagami nodded before walking off to her car, Marinette watching her leave with a giddy smile.
"Was that Kagami?"
Marinette turned to see Rose and Juleka walking up behind her.
"Yes. She's coming to our sleepover tonight!"
Rose bounced in happiness. "Yay! It's always so fun when she gets to come!"
Juleka also smiled a little.
"By the way," Rose continued. "I'm sorry if I seemed pushy earlier! I just want to make sure everyone has a good time! It's so unusual for you to react like that, and Lila is so kind, but I'm sure you have your reasons."
For minute, Marinette was stunned into silence. She had gotten so defensive over the argument - but maybe she overreacted. Lila was out to ruin her, not the whole class.
"I do," Marinette confirmed. "I don't trust Lila, and I'm worried about her hurting people I care about. But I'm glad you're always there to make sure everyone's included." Marinette gave Rose her most genuine smile. "You're a sweet and wonderful person, Rose. I hope Lila appreciates that like she should."
Rose smiled. "Thanks Marinette! It really means a lot, especially coming from you!"
"Hey girls!" Alya called, joining them on the stairs. "Excited for tonight?"
Rose nodded eagerly. "Even Kagami's coming! Isn't that exciting?"
Alya grinned. "Definitely is! Looks like we're going to have a full house tonight."
Marinette gasped. "You're right! I need to go make sure we have enough food for tonight, and-"
"Calm down, girl," Alya said. "Your place always has plenty of food. Just enjoy the sleepover tonight, alright?"
Marinette nodded. "Alright." She let her shoulders relax. "Enjoy it. I can do that."
Alya patted her shoulder. "That's my girl. Tonight will be no stress, all fun!"
They almost made it all night.
Hanging out in the park had been a blast - Marc had even joined them briefly, and he and Nathaniel showed Marinette their newest comic before he had to rush home to his family. Kagami offered to teach Marinette some fencing, and eventually ended up showing Kim and Alix a little as well. Max and Marinette turned in from the park early, so they could have a brief video game tournament before the boys all left for Kim's.
For a while, Marinette forgot that Lila was there at all.
Kagami and Mylene had claimed the seats next to Marinette while Alya was in the bathroom, but Alya was fine sitting with Lila anyways. Besides, they were at a good angle to share secret looks at each other, remembering inside jokes no one else in the sleepover would get.
It wasn't until after the movie that any problems arose.
Marinette and Alya were watching a compilations of the heroes doing parkour, both making totally-not-suspicious comments about them never being able to do the tricks their alter egos were pulling, when Lacy approached them.
"Hey Marinette? Can I borrow a shirt for tonight by any chance?"
"Sure." Marinette untangled herself from Alya. "Come up with me."
Alya moved over to show Mylene and Lila the video, but as she did, Marinette noticed a strange expression on Lila's face.
Her thoughts soured as she climbed up the stairs. What was Lila planning? She had to be planning something - she had been on her best behavior for the whole sleepover, but there was no way that would stay that way -
By the time they made it up the stairs, Marinette found herself in an irritable mood. Lila was definitely succeeding in making her paranoid, and Marinette hoped no one was noticing.
"Are you okay?" Lacy asked.
"Mhm. Will this work?"
"That'll be just fine," Lacy said, taking the shirt Marinette had offered her. "Thanks!"
"Lacy?"
Lacy and Marinette both froze, recognizing the voice easily.
And here it comes.
Lila poked her head up.
"Yes?" Marinette asked.
"I just wanted to make sure Lacy found something," Lila said. "After all, I brought an extra shirt with me."
"Thanks," Lacy squeaked. "But Marinette already found me something."
"Good," Lila said, finishing her walk up to Marinette's room.
"What are you doing up here?" Marinette demanded.
"I just said-"
"Lila," Marinette interrupted. "Get out of my room."
"But I was just-"
"Now!"
Marinette didn't mean to shout, but the word came out harsh and loud. Lacy flinched, and Alya called up from downstairs.
"Girls? Everything alright up there?"
"I don't know," Lila lied. "I was just checking on them when Marinette started yelling-"
Alya appeared next to Lila, giving Marinette a glare. "I'm sure Marinette didn't mean to yell, right girl?"
"Maybe I did," Marinette snapped, her irritation getting the best of her. This is my room, my rules, why would you side with her?
"Marinette!" Alya scolded.
"I want her out of my room," Marinette decided.
"I wasn't doing anything!" Lila replied. "I would never-" she broke down "crying", leaning on Alya's shoulder.
I can't believe she's buying this.
"What's going on?" Rose asked from down the stairs.
"Marinette's yelling at Lila for no reason," Alya said.
"What?" Marinette asked. "I told her I didn't - she's intruding on my space-"
"You can't just exclude her-" Alya interrupted.
"Alya," Lacy interjected, her voice still soft amidst all the yelling. "Maybe you should listen to-"
"Stay out of this," Alya snapped. Lacy flinched and took a step back.
"Don't snap at her," Marinette said. She gave Lacy a concerned look, but Lacy looked too stunned to notice.
"Can we move closer into your room?" Rose asked. "We shouldn't be arguing like this near the stairs - what if someone gets hurt?"
"Lila's not taking another step into my room," Marinette replied.
Rose whimpered.
"Don't snap at her," Juleka said. "She's just trying to help."
"Help who?" Marinette asked. "This is my room and I don't feel safe with Lila here."
"Why not?" Alya demanded.
"Why not?" Marinette repeated. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I had to answer to you."
"You are being unreasonable," Alya replied, moving towards Marinette and shoving her finger towards her. "And now Rose and Lila are crying?"
"You're being no better!" Marinette argued. "You're yelling just as loud as I am-"
"Am not!"
"And are being so much more unreasonable. If you let me explain myself-"
Marinette was at the edge of the steps now, and Rose made another comment about moving away from the stairs, but Marinette didn't pay it any mind.
"I did!" Alya yelled. "And you had nothing to say - no proof!"
"You never make her ask for proof!" Marinette retorted.
"Have you heard the phrase, innocent until proven guilty? Or benefit of the doubt? You walked into this already suspicious of Lila and never gave her the chance!"
"I saw-"
"One lie." Alya held her finger up. "But only because you were stalking her! That proves you were already turned against her."
"That is not what happened!" Marinette took another step, nearly tripping on the stairs as she did, but caught herself before she could fall.
"Girls! Marinette! Please!" Rose begged. "You're going to hurt yourselves!"
Marinette opened her mouth to continue explaining herself again when a whistle interrupted the fight.
The girls turned to see Kagami at the bottom of the stairs.
"If Marinette doesn't want Lila in her room," Kagami began. "And Rose is concerned about us being injured by the stairs, then the obvious answer would be to come down the stairs, out of her room, and where safety wouldn't be a problem."
Rose nodded enthusiastically. "Please girls?"
Marinette nodded, and after a second, so did Alya. Slowly, the girls all came down the stairs.
Marinette could see for the first time what the damage was. Mylene and Rose were both in tears. Lacy had completely zoned out during the argument, and Juleka retreated into herself. Rose buried her face into Juleka's shoulder, and Alix quickly asked permission before leading Lacy up to the balcony. Marinette's parents were standing by the entrance to the living room, looking concerned.
"I, uh, think we should be heading out," Juleka said.
Rose nodded her agreement.
Alya scowled. "Look what you've done. Ruined a perfect night."
"Hey!" Juleka interrupted. "We're trying to leave here. You two can keep fighting after we've left."
"I'm calling Ivan to pick me up," Mylene said, slumping into one of the chairs. "I can't stay here if you're only going to argue."
"Fine," Marinette agreed.
"And I'm going too," Alya decided. "Me and Lila can have a sleepover at my place, where she doesn't have to worry about unreasonable demands."
"Go," Marinette replied. "See if I care."
With a huff, she climbed back up the stairs and slammed her trap door behind her. She collapsed on to her bed.
"Tikki?" Marinette asked.
Tikki landed on the pillow next to her head. "I'm right here Marinette. Everything's going to be okay!"
"No it's not," Marinette complained. "They must all hate me now!"
"No they don't!" Tikki replied. "Things just got a little heated! Everything will be calm by the morning."
"I hope so," Marinette replied, though she remained doubtful. "I need to check on Alix and Lacy."
"I'll be right here for you!" Tikki said.
Marinette plopped down on the chair in defeat as the last two members of her sleepover left. A second later, her mom joined her.
"Are you alright, darling?" Her mother asked.
Marinette shook her head. "I'm just tired."
"That was quite an argument."
Marinette startled, turning around in surprise to see Kagami still in the living room.
"You're still here?"
Kagami gave an approximation of a smirk. "I don't get permission for events like this often. I wouldn't want to waste it."
Marinette nodded. "That's fine with me. Ooh, wasn't there a movie you were saying you wanted to see?"
"It's a little late for a movie," Kagami replied. "But I do recall you promising to teach me to play a video game?"
"Mecha Strike?" Her father asked. "We can teach you how to play!"
"Tom, Marinette," her mother interjected. "Shouldn't we talk about what happened?"
Marinette sighed in annoyance. "What's there to talk about? Lila ruined another hang out event."
"It didn't sound like it was completely her fault," her mother stated. "Arguments happen, dear."
"No, trust me, with Lila, it was intentional," Marinette responded.
Kagami nodded. "Adrien's mentioned her once or twice, and she does sound like the type to start unnecessary drama."
"There's a reason I don't want her going through my room," Marinette added. "It would just be like her to try to find some dirty secret of mine - or plant something for someone else to find!"
"Has she done these things before?" Her mother asked. "Targeting you?"
"Yes!" Marinette said. "And all just because I don't buy her lies."
"You should have told us about this," her mother said. "We could have helped."
"There wasn't anything you could do," Marinette replied.
"Then we could have supported you," her mother corrected. "Please tell us when you're going through things like this."
Marinette sighed. "Yeah. Okay. Next time, I'll tell you."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
So I'm definitely going to try to update this more regularly, maybe at least once a week? We'll see.
