Redemption

A boy was pacing in his room, completely under shock from what he had heard. He couldn't believe it. But then, he heard it correctly from the liar themself. Lila Rossi tricked all her classmates with her lies, and only Marinette called her out, which caused her to become an outcast. He couldn't believe himself. How could he have been so blind ? How did he let himself get tricked ? After some thoughts, he realized he was, after all, a pretty gullible person, sometimes. Plus, he was surrounded by people with a strong power of persuasion.

He punched the walls with his fists. How could he make it up to Marinette ? This girl was probably on the defensive now. Oh lord, how bad has he messed up ? Now, he was convinced she wouldn't even want to see him, nor talk to him. He ran a hand through his shirt hair, sighing. He wished he wasn't so gullible, he wished he would have stood up for her. For his friend. If he could call her that now. This wasn't fair. No, what had Marinette been through, she didn't deserve it. Nor the situation she was in right now. Earlier, he had seen how tired she looked, both mentally and physically. How she didn't smile anymore, how the sparks in her eyes dulled. His friend who generally was so full of life and positive energy, was now down, her light being choked by a glass full of lies. That was it.

He decided he wanted to help the brunette, even if she didn't see him as her friend anymore. Even if it meant becoming a paria alongside Marinette. She had fought alone for so long, been strong for so long. Now, it was time she had someone to rely on, someone to talk to. Because she wouldn't be alone anymore.

He didn't waste time. As it was still early, he guessed he could drop by Marinette's house, to try to talk with her. If she doesn't want to, he'll send a message and wait for her reply.

As he was dashing through his appartement, he gathered his phone, headphones and keys. He told his parents he would be back for dinner, and stormed out of his home.

He ran, he ran as fast as he could, not wanting to leave his friend into despair any longer. His breath was short but he pushed through. The sooner, the better. He arrived at the Dupain-Cheng's bakery in around ten minutes, panting really hard. He caught his breath and wiped off some sweat from his forehead. He was nervous. Has Marinette told about what happened at school ? Surely she didn't. Maybe her parents wouldn't even let him see her. He gulped but he was determined to make it up to his friend. Inhaling a good breath, he entered the bakery, immediately being welcomed by sweet and hot fragrances. He made his way in as Sabine and Tom Dupain-Cheng were nowhere in sight. Soon enough, Mrs. Dupain-Cheng emerged from the back shop, carrying a tray of freshly baked pastries. His tummy growled and he looked away in shame.

"Oh dear, I didn't notice you were here ! How are you ? It's been a long time since I last saw you." Said Sabine in a sweet tone.

"H-hello. I'm fine, thank you. I came to see Marinette, if she can." He shyly said.

"Sure, no problem dear. Follow me, I'm going to call her."

As he was following Marinette's mother upstairs, he thought 'There is a problem, and that is why I am here'.

The mother went to the stairs leading to the trapdoor of her daughter's bedroom and screamed "Honey ! A friend is here for you !"

"A friend ?" Said Marinette.

She didn't quite believe her mother. Who ? She didn't have any friends left in her class. All of them more or less turned her down. She was either bullied or ignored. She was alone. So, who could possibly want to see her ? Talk to her ? And they had the audacity to call themself "friend" ? She bitterly laughed. Well, it was at her home, her parents were here, so that person couldn't possibly bully or beat her, could they ? She sighed and told Tikki to go hide.

"Yeah, make them come upstairs please."

She opened her trapdoor, growing more nervous as each second passed. It felt like eternity when the person was finally into her view. She gasped.

"You ? You ! What are you even doing here ? What ? I thought you hated me !" squeaked Marinette, shocked by the identity of her guest.

"I… I came to apologize."

"What ? Why ?" asked Marinette, feeling anxious as to why he was here.

"How to explain ? I just… I realized what you were going through wasn't fair. I realized that I've been lied to, I was fed lies and I just ate it without even wondering where it came from. I should've trusted you Marinette. I am sorry for letting you down. I am sorry I let you down as a friend. I am sorry."

The brunette was silent, her head down. She didn't know how to react. Happy ? Sad ? Offended ? Relieved ? It was a turmoil of emotions that was going inside her. Was she supposed to trust him ? Believe his words ? Before she even had time to really think about how to respond, her heart spilled the truth, guided by her mind.

"You are what ? What are you even talking about ? You, you didn't stand up for me, you never took my side, you just stood silent as I was getting pushed by the others, you never defended me as I was getting bullied. You-" She sobbed, but pushed back her tears. "You… You just watched me and did nothing." She finished, tears now streaming down her cheeks.

She wiped it off with her sleeves, steadying her breath so as to not cry more. She already told him how she truly felt, she didn't want to give him anymore things to bully her with. She was waiting for him to make fun of her, laugh at her. He did nothing of it. Instead, he was head down, his hands holding each other so hard that his knuckles were white. He sighed loudly and suddenly pushed back his head. He took big breaths and after a few seconds, he looked at Marinette dead in the eyes.

"I know I was being a bad friend. I know I messed up. That is why I came here. To tell you I was sorry."

"Why should I even trust you ?" snorted Marinette.

"You don't have to trust me, I'm not asking you too. What I am asking for, is for you to let me help you. I want to make it up to you. You don't have to be friends with me again. Just… let me help you I guess ? Please ?" Plead the boy.

The brunette sighed deeply. What was she supposed to do ? She wanted to trust him, but she was scared she was going to get hurt again. What if it was a trap ? A trap to get on her vulnerable side and make fun of her. But at the same time, he seemed to feel bad about her situation, he genuinely seemed sorry. She felt like he truly wanted to make it up to her.

She saw a red dot in her vision, behind the boy. It was Tikki, nodding her head as if to tell her she could try to trust him. She smiled. If her Kwami was feeling like they could trust him, so be it. Since the little creature could sense when people had bad intentions, Marinette trusted her and decided to give the boy a second chance.

"I guess I can feel that you are honest. I'm forgiving you because you were just a bystander, but it does not mean I am forgetting. We're not friends again either, it will take some time before I can trust you again. But I suppose we can hang out a bit again." said Marinette, smiling.

The boy's face lit up, feeling overjoyed.

"Oh thank you Marinette, thank you so much ! I promise I won't disappoint you again."

"I hope so."

"Don't worry, I won't give you up a second time and waste the chance you gave me." He looked at his phone. "Look, I got to go, thanks for having me, Marinette, I'll see you at school tomorrow !"

He weaved her goodbye before exiting her room.

Once she was sure he left, she plopped on her chaise, feeling drained. Tikki appeared and rested herself on her holder's stomach. She pet her, and the kwami leaned into the touch, appreciating the contact.

"It's good you forgave him Marinette, he genuinely seemed to want to make it up to you."

"Yeah, I hope I won't regret this…" mumbled the brunette. "Do you think he will take my side at school ? Do you think he will do something when I'll be bullied ?"

"He said he will not disappoint you, so I'm sure he won't stand on the side lines again." tried reassuring Tikki.

"I hope you're right, Tikki… I'm gonna break if we found out he was lying…"

"Marinette, dinner's ready !" Yelled her mother.

"Coming mom !"

Chloe was a prideful person. Every chance she had, she'd take it to boost herself, to make herself the center of attention. She liked getting it, she liked people talking about her looks. Even in a bad way. Because, hey, at least, she was on their minds.

She was bossy and capricious for she hated not having things going her way. She always had very few friends, because she was always displeased with them. Thus, she was always pushing them away after some time. People sometimes wondered if she was copying her mother's behaviour, since that is what she was witnessing when she was younger.

And so, she was grateful for Sabrina for sticking up with her - even though she would never tell her that - even if she treated her badly.

Chloe was not stupid and most importantly, as most people could think, she was not blind either.

So when Lila came into her class, boasting about her fairy tale lies, she saw right through it. She said nothing since it didn't concern her and was first very amused by her classmates' foolishness. It was even funnier when it made Marinette become an outcast since the blonde couldn't stand the brunette. She couldn't stand her because she was jealous of her popularity. Marinette popularity was based on her kindness and serviceability while her's was based on her wickedness and her wildness. She wanted to be like her, but how was she supposed to do it when everyone around her was spineless ?! She secretly wanted to be friends with her but this girl had her eyes on Adrien, and Adrien was supposed to love her right ? Not some baker's girl. That's why she declared war with her and messed with her throughout the year.

But those feelings slowly faded away when Marinette bullying became worse. She didn't think her classmates would turn their backs on her for a liar. She didn't expect that the brunette's closest friends would choose the friendship of a deceiver over one they had for a longer time. Chloe was shocked when she saw Alya slap Marinette for supposedly having 'punched' Lila in the ribs. The blonde knew better than to trust the words of this girl. She felt bad for her 'enemy' when she had to sit alone and endure the torments. She hadn't thought the bullying would go this bad. Even her never hit Marinette or physically harmed her. She was not that much of a monster and wouldn't wish what was happening to the girl on her biggest enemy.

But Chloe was a haughty person, she couldn't stand herself to directly help the brunette. So she found alternative ways to support Marinette in her despair.

She either always let her know she could sit with her by patting the seat next to her when the brunette was eating at the cafeteria or she gave her a photocopy of the assignments when it didn't reach the back of the class purposefully (she would have made Sabrina do it for her but the latter ditched her for the Italian girl).

She also bought her a new sketching pen when Alya broke it, by "accidentally" making it drop when she passed the girl.

In every way, she tried to console the girl the best her ego could.

She thought for a long time and decided it was time for her to stop the war between both of them, as it was making no sense. She wanted to be friends and the first step to that was to let her know she was on her side. She wouldn't be alone anymore, now, they would be two to confront the class.

So "shocked" was an understatement when she saw not one, but two heads at the back of the class.

She glanced over her two classmates, sending them a weird look, as if to ask 'what the hell is happening'. From all of the people in the class, she'd least expect him to sit beside Marinette.

She took her seat, and wondered how a certain person would react. Those already in the room looked at them weirdly, probably wondering why he sat there. None seemed too eager to bother them, strangely. They just chat among themselves, sometimes stealing glances.

Then it happened.

Alya and Lila entered the classroom together, laughing. They didn't notice the change before at least five minutes. The reddish brown haired girl suddenly took note of the silence, and turned around. She was about to speak when she spotted someone in the back. Chloe swore she never saw Alya getting redder than what she was right at this moment. She almost bet that soon enough, smoke would come out of her ears. She hid her smirk and laid back in her seat to enjoy what was going to happen. Nonetheless, she was still ready to intervene if things were to get out of hand.

The Ladyblog owner marched right towards Marinette and the person sitting next to her. She slammed her hands on the desk, making the latter flinch.

"Marinette ! Why would you sit next to my boyfriend ?! Don't drag him with you in your weird antics ! Ah ! You would do so much for a little attention !" screamed Alya.

Before Marinette could respond, she was cut.

"Alya, good morning to you too, and Marinette has nothing to do with me sitting here. In fact, I decided to sit here myself."

The reporter was baffled. She couldn't believe what was happening.

"What do you mean Nino ? Have you gone insane ? Why would you sit with her ? You don't want to be associated with a bully."

"I disagree. Marinette is not a bully. I don't believe she would harm someone, let alone assault them and do all the things you guys accuse her of. So, I will not change seats, unless a teacher says so." firmly replied the tan boy.

"Nino… what has she done to you ? Did she brainwash you ? You can't possibly be on her side !" argued back Alya.

"I-"

He was interrupted by a sob next to them. Lila got closer to the three and started sobbing and crying.

Alya immediately took action and embraced the shorter girl, pampering her with soft words. Chloe rolled back her eyes, instantly noticing the crocodile tears. She snorted. This girl had no shame.

"G-guys, please, d-don't fight because of Marinette's behaviour… You are such a good couple, it breaks my heart to see you fight !" cried Lila.

"Oh Lili, don't cry for that please, it's not important. You shouldn't waste your tears on this person", she disdainfully pointed to Marinette, who had her head down, '' you're way better than this good-for-nothing." comforted the tan girl.

Right after the Martiniquan Creol-French girl said that, Chloe saw how Marinette suddenly became sadder : her eyes were glossy, her body was cowering in her seat, she had a hurt look on her face and overall she seemed to want to get out of here.

She sighed and shook her head. There she was, feeling obliged to intervene. She stood up but before she could make her way, Nino spoke up again.

"I was blinded by you and my stupidity. I first took Lila's and your side because I believed in Lila's lies. Since you want to be a reporter, I thought you had a good judgment and you would have checked the facts, that is why I trusted you without checking myself. But I was so wrong, I should have never. I trusted you Alya. You went too far in the bullying, you should stop. You know damn well Marinette, she was your best friend ! She would never harm someone, even by jealousy."

Saying that Alya was shocked would be an understatement. She didn't have the words to spoke, she couldn't believe her boyfriend would take a bully's side.

"Marinette is just jealous of Lila's life and achievements. She knows she could never do better than that. She is jealous because Lila is way more interesting than what she'll ever be. You know what Nino ? She is a slut for attention." Sharply declared the reporter.

Silence fell. Chloe thought her ears were deceiving her. Had Alya said the s-word ? This was a harsh word, not very fitting for the situation, she thought.

BANG.

She was startled by the loud noise. Nino had hit the desk, surely trying to restrain himself from slapping the shit out of Alya. His fists were so white that Snow-White would have been jealous.

"Alya, I can't accept the way you are talking about Marinette. I'm sorry to tell you that right now, but I'm breaking up with you. While you are still infatuated with Lila's lies, don't bother talking with me. I'm done, we are done." Finished Nino, going back in his seat, trying to comfort a crying Marinette.

Chloe was stunned, but maybe not as much as this reporter wannabe. So Nino was on their side, right ? It was good, Marinette was going to need all the support she needed.

"Al, I'm so sorry ! I'm so sorry Nino had to break up with you because of Marinette ! I never lied, I promise I never lie ! You !" she shrieked while pointing the brunette, "why must you say I lie while I don't ? You're so mean, all I wanted was to be friend with you !" cried Lila.

The blonde wanted to tear off her tongue and make her swallow it with pepper. This girl was a bitch.

By the time they started talking, the rest of the class had arrived and just listened to the scene unfold before them. They were shocked by the tan boy reaction, and they were all glaring at Nino and Marinette. Maybe two of them had guilty stares, but Chloe wasn't so sure.

"Yeah Marinette, you shouldn't have drag Nino along with you. Remember what I told you ?" said a voice.

It was Adrien's. Too happy to have the model come to her rescue, Lila hooked on her arm, a fake smile coming to her face.

"Dude, just to make it clear for the last time, Marinette had nothing to do with me seating beside her, all of this is my doing." Clarified Nino.

At this moment, Mrs. Bustier came into class, and asked them to take their seats.

Adrien shoot him a look, as to say 'we are going to talk about this' before he was cut by Lila.

"Hm, hey Adrien, since Nino is seating in the back, why don't we seat next to each other ?"

The model chuckled sadly, before placing a hand on the brown haired girl.

"I think you should seat next to Alya, she's going to need your support as you are her best friend."

Alya was currently wheeping in Rose's and Mylene's arms. Chloe saw Lila's smile fade away before returning.

"Yeah, of course, you're right." She turned to her 'best friend' and took her hand. "Come, we don't want to make the teacher wait."

Adrien smiled and sat down.

Chloe sighed and turned back in her seat and paid attention to the lesson.

Hey, I hope you are all doing well.

I'm not so satisfied with the vibe this chapter gives, but I guess I have to introduce Marinette's allies.

I promise things are going to get better (or bad haha) and it, hopefully, won't be a boring chapter. Please bear with me a little while longer.

I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTERS NOR THE SHOW « Miraculous : Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir ». It is for entertainment only.

Stay safe.

Bugs out ! 🐞