Marinette's POV
The next morning, I get up early and head to the bathroom where I find an unfortunate surprise waiting for me: my period. Quickly dealing with the situation, I rethink my outfit for today to something still in my new persona but more comfortable. I dress in low slung black sweatpants, a white off-the-shoulder crop top, a black sports bra, black high tops, and a loose black zip-up hoodie, leaving it open. I still look fashionable, but I'm also comfortable to combat whatever discomfort I have in store.
Pulling my hair back into a low messy bun, I grab my bag and make my way towards school. As I walk in, I see Adrien glance over at me from where he was talking to Nino. He quickly double takes, and I'm glad to see even in my lazier clothes I still have an effect on him. I go to the bathroom before class starts, and Lila walks in as I finish washing my hands.
"Who are you trying to fool? We all know you're a fake."
"No, Lila, I've just become exactly what you want me to be."
"Watch your back, Marinette. It's only so long before you lose everything else."
"No, Lila. Maybe you should watch your back," I say walking closer, causing her eyes to widen in alarm. "After all, there's nothing to lose when you're lonely and friendless. There's no telling what I'll do. The devil's on my shoulder where the angels used to be. Now I'm the Queen of Mean."
She tries to be unaffected. "You're still a wimpy little bit-", she doesn't even get to finish before I've slapped her. I have even less patience on my period.
"I'm trying to be nice, Lila. I'm not going to put up with this much longer. They'll see soon. I just have to sit back and watch them learn who you really are. I can't wait to see them begging for my good graces." I smirk and walk out as she stands there holding her cheek.
Honestly, they should be grateful I haven't been akumatized. The only people keeping me sane are Tikki, Adrien, and Cat. I walk into class and to the back as usual, though I do pause and grab my stomach as a cramp hits me. I continue to the back trying not to wince and sit in my seat. Adrien turns around and looks at me in concern. I pull out my phone.
"I'm fine." I send.
He replies with, "Are you sure? You looked like you're in pain."
"It's nothing I can't handle." - Me
"You're not even going to tell me why you're in pain?" - Adrien
"Let's just say we can't do much besides kissing for the next 7 days." - Me
"What? Why?" - Adrien
I don't get to reply as Lila walks into class, still with a slight handprint on her cheek. Damn. I must have hit hard. She makes a show of crying, but not explaining why. I'm sure she has something up her sleeve, but I just roll my eyes and put in headphones until Ms. Bustier walks in. We go through role call and then Ms. Bustier speaks up.
"Today starts the competition for Class Representative. Both Lila and Chloe will give their speeches today and continue to campaign until Wednesday when you all will vote. Who wants to go first?"
Lila speaks up, "Chloe can go first. I'm sure she has a great campaign." I struggle not to laugh, knowing how full of shit she is.
"I'm clearly the best choice for representative. If you vote for me, I can get you signed Jagged Stone merchandise and tickets to his next concert. Plus, I am Queen Bee, and I can make sure you're protected from akumas." Wow. That was a really short speech and a tall order to fill. I'm sure she could make the Jagged Stone things happen. She has the resources. But Queen Bee? I'm not planning on giving her a miraculous again, and I know she can't promise protection. Hell, she is the reason half of the akumas occur. Thank you, next.
"Alright, thank you, Chloe. Lila, you're up."
"Thank you, Ms. Bustier. I know I can't promise all the things Chloe did. I only wish I had those kinds of resources. But I would love to help all of you with your problems, and isn't that really what being a representative is about? I mean, that's what Marinette did to hide her true colors from all of you," At this, I roll my eyes, but continue to listen to her spew bullshit. "I'm sure she actually did help with a lot of your problems… She never helped me with mine, though. She created them. Just this morning, she hit me. Just for approaching her and trying to help her get through whatever made her like this. I recorded some of it for you all." She pulls out her phone and hits play.
"No, Lila. Maybe you should watch your back. After all, there's nothing to lose when you're lonely and friendless. There's no telling what I'll do. The devil's on my shoulder where the angels used to be. Now I'm the Queen of Mean." My voice comes through. I smirk a little. She's only helping my cause.
"I-I just…" she bursts into fake tears. "I don't understand why she hates me so much. I just want to help everyone." Even Chloe seems to be falling for her lies. She wipes her tears as she adds, "So that's why I want to be representative. To help you all and to stop bullies like Marinette."
Immediately, she's being hugged by Alya, and numerous glares are sent my way. Adrien doesn't glare at me, but he looks at me, and I know I'm in trouble. Where I was smirking at everyone else, I sink down a little in my seat, worrying about Adrien's reaction. While the class continues to baby Lila, Ms. Bustier calls me out into the hall.
"Marinette, we do not tolerate bullying or violence in this school."
"With all due respect, Ms. Bustier, if that were true, you would have protected me when I was on the other side. This isn't bullying. This is defending myself. I understand violence takes it a little too far, but I'm on my period, and I wasn't about to put up with her calling me a bitch, not that she recorded that part for all of you. It's fine if you don't believe me. I've learned not to trust anyone in this school because they aren't reliable. Not teachers, not students."
"Lila has been nothing but kind to everyone, Marinette. She has proof of your bullying where you do not. Because you hit her, you will serve detention today and come in tomorrow for Saturday detention."
My eyes well up with tears due to my overactive hormones, but I refuse to let them fall.
"Thanks for showing your true colors, Ms. Bustier. I thought you were the most understanding of our teachers, the kindest. I see even you have let me down. I'll serve detention. I don't really care anymore. There's no reason to." I look at her, and I can see her notice the darkness in my eyes, how dull and lifeless I actually am behind the mask. She goes to reach out, starting to say my name, but I just turn around and go back into class.
Adrien looks at me, concerned, but I ignore him, too tired from all of the emotional stress I've been going through. I start to head back to my seat when I'm hit with a cramp so strong I fall to my knees in pain. It's never been this bad before. My ears start ringing, my vision tunneling, and everything fades to darkness.
When I wake up, I'm in the nurse's office, Adrien sitting by me vigilant.
"A-Adrien?"
"Marinette! I was so worried!" He wraps me in a hug, and I sink into his warmth.
"I-I'm ok-okay."
"Bullshit!"
The nurse chooses to walk over at this point to ask me what I remember.
"I was hit with a really strong cramp from my period. It's never been that strong before." Adrien blushes at the mention of my current condition. "The next thing I knew, I was passing out."
"Have you been under a lot of stress recently?"
"Yes…. Could that have caused it?"
"It may have. I want you to take it easy for the rest of the day. If this happens again, you will be sent to the hospital for further evaluation."
"Okay, thank you." She heads back to her desk, and Adrien turns to me.
"Now that I know you're okay, do you want to explain to me what that thing with Lila was about?"
I look away from him. "Not particularly." He grips my chin in his hand and pulls my face so I have to look at him.
"Marinette."
"She only recorded part of the conversation. Once again, she was telling me how I was going to lose everything. I didn't make things physical until she started to call me a wimpy bitch."
He looks angry as he replies, "You're not a wimpy bitch, and she's full of shit. We both know this. But you can't just go around hitting people who upset you! One of these days, things will go too far, and I can't sit back and watch when I know I could have stopped you."
"What makes you so sure?"
"You're one of my girlfriends, the other being Ladybug, of course. I know you, and I know that you'll come back to me in the end. You'll find yourself again. And I'm not going to let you fall apart when you do." I start crying, and he just holds me.
Eventually, we are forced to head back to class. The day goes slowly, and at the end, I sit in detention with kids I've never seen before. I ignore them, putting in my headphones and working on my homework. I'm actually ahead of the class at this point, and I know my grades are flourishing even if my disciplinary record is not.