Adrien's POV—Yesterday

I had just barely gotten in the school when I see a crowd listening to Lila… This can't end well.

"S-She said she would take my f-friends awa-ay. Th-then she cal-called me a privileged b-b-bitch!" She bursts into practiced sobs, and I'm instantly concerned.

"Who, Lila?" I ask, hoping it's not—

"M-M-Marinette!" It is. Oh no.

"Don't worry, girl. We'll keep her away from you. You won't ever lose us." Alya-that's right, Marinette's best friend, says to Lila.

"Lila, are you sure it was Marinette? That doesn't sound like her…" I say, as I try to hint to the others she couldn't be telling the truth.

"Sh-she said no one would b-believe me…"

"We believe you!" Kim and Ivan chime.

"Yeah. She's the one who's going to lose all her friends." At this, I see Lila smirk before going back to fake crying.

"You come sit next to me, honey." Alya says. I can't believe they chose to believe Lila over someone they've known for years.

The crowd disperses, and we all head to class.

Marinette runs in panting, as per usual. I send her a sympathetic smile, knowing things are about to get ugly. Hopefully she knows she hasn't lost me…

Marinette starts walking towards her chair before seeing Lila there.

"Marinette, how could you do that?" Alya demands. I wince.

"Do what?"

"You know what. Lila just told us all how you've been sneaking around and telling her you'll take all her friends. She said you called her a privileged bitch."

"Not cool, Dudette." Nino adds, and I look at him with disappointment, though he doesn't see it.

"And you believe her over me? How long have you known me? Why don't you trust me?" Marinette pleads for her friends to see her, but they don't. They see the girl that Lila's created with lies.

"Well, you do have a history of being violently paranoid about Lila… You're pretty mean to her, actually…" Rose brings up from the back.

"Because she lies to you! I'm sorry for trying to protect you? I have bent over backwards to try to help you all, and it always gets thrown in my face as soon as Lila is involved. I'm done."

It looks like the light has gone out in her eyes. She sends one last betrayed look, then she leaves.

"See, Lila, everything's alright." Mylene says, patting her shoulder. I see the smirk Lila tries to hide.

"Th-thank you so much. I-I know you guys haven't kn-known me long…"

"We stand up for people who need help. Never be afraid to tell us when she hurts you." Alya says. I just look at her in disbelief. Unfortunately, I can't even say anything because Lila is right there and Ms. Bustier walks in. I wait till lunch, then I escape. I summon Plagg, my kwami, to change me into Cat Noir. I run along the roof tops to Marinette's bakery. I tap on the hatch to her room, trying to get her to let me in.

"Princess? Marinette?! Please! Marinette! Purrincess, please let me in. I need to know that you're okay!" I plead, growing even more concerned. Then, she lets me in. "Thank God, I was getting worried the longer it took." I look at her, and I almost do a double take. Her blue pigtails are gone, leaving straight, black, shoulder-length hair with red tips. "Woah your hair… It's pawsome, but why did you do it?"

"I'm done, Cat. I'm done being a doormat."

"What are you talking about?" I ask, even though I know what happened.

"Doesn't matter. Please leave. I have work to do." She doesn't even show any emotion.

"No! I'm not just going to go!" I cry, grabbing her arm. She cries out in pain, but I know it wasn't me. I would never grab her too tight or dig my claws into her. I roll up her sleeve, afraid of what I will find… Oh god. …Did she? "Marinette…"

Her cuts are bleeding, so I lead her to the sink in her room. I clean out her wounds, resisting the cat urge to lick them. I bandage them as I ask her what happened.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Kitty."

"Marinette… did you do this to yourself?" I pray she didn't.

"So, what if I did? There's nothing to lose when you're friendless." My eyes are filled with tears.

"But you aren't! You have me!"

"Cat, I only have you when you come around. I don't have anyone else. They want to paint me as the bad guy, then I will be." You have me as Adrien, too, but I can't tell you that. Wait did she just say bad guy?

"What do you mean?" I look at her. I hope she isn't teaming up with Hawkmoth or getting akumatized.

"I guess you're going to have to wait and see. Please leave. I have work to do." I stand there staring at her like a cat left in the cold. When she doesn't turn, I slump miserably and leave her room.

I run back to school, though I don't focus at all for the rest of the day. I go through the motions of my daily activities, photo shoots, fencing lessons, and dinner. I go to my room after words, and though I want to go check on Marinette again, she made it pretty clear she doesn't want to see me. Plus, I have patrol. Maybe that will cheer me up…