Author's Notes: Sorry for such a late update, life is extremely unpredictable and busy. I want to warn you now that the start if this chapter is a little harsher towards Adrien than I originally ment but I have a future reason for it so all you Adrien lovers please bare with me. I hope you all like this chapter.
"Adrien... Do you have anything you would like to say?" Ayla asked her voice strained.
Everyone turned to Adrien confused. Adrien just shook his head.
"Leave me out of this. Rena Rouge never should have gotten involved in something that had nothing to do with her." Adrien said.
Ayla felt something snap inside of her. "Listened here Sunshine boy, Ladybug had confirmed what Rena Rouge said, and added a little more. I know all about Ladybug confronting Lila in front of you about her lies." Alya hissed.
Adrien's eyes got wide and he stumbled back. "She told you about that?" He asked, his confirmation caught everyone's attention.
"Yes and apparently that confrontation happened the first day Lila ever attended this school. Which means you have known from the very beginning that Lila is a liar. But did you support Marinette when she tried to warn us?" Alya demanded rhetorically.
"You can't fight lies and rumors that come against only, you can only fuel the fire. But if you just ignore them those who truly care will normally seek the truth out." Adrien responded back defensively.
Alya shook her head angrily. While it was true she should have sought the truth Adrien was crazy for thinking that not defending his friend would help her. Nino set a calming hand on Alya's shoulder to keep her from fully lashing out at Adrien.
"Adrien my dude, you do know school is not the tabloids right? There is a big difference between supporting a friend through a rumor neither of you could do anything to stop; and defending them when they are being harassed and bullied. And as far as I can tell you did not really do either one." Nino said calmly his voice laced with disappointment.
"What do you mean harassed and bullied?" Maylen interjected suddenly, Maylen had admittedly been unsure of Lila. She liked her and wanted to hear her stories, but always felt her heighten fear instincts kick in around her especially when Marinette was near by. And Maylen could never quite figure out why.
Alya turned to Maylen. "Turns out Lila had threatened Marinette in the bathroom to turn us all against her. Which was why she had planted the evidence to get her expelled." She explained, but to her surprise she was met with skepticism from everyone except Nino, Adrien and Maylen.
Alya could not wrap her head around it, why was most of the class was looking at her like she had grown another head. Then again it took Trixx planting the seed of doubt that Lila was not everything she claimed to be and then actually catching Lila pinning down Marinette and attacking her akumatized for Alya to truly start looking into how much of a devil that girl really was.
"What?!" Adrien asked appalled snapping Alya out of her musings. "Marinette didn't say anything about Lila threatening her." He exclaimed.
Alya turned to glare at Adrien. "Would it have made a difference if she had? Would you have grown a backbone and stood up against Lila in defense against her attacks on Marinette? Or would you have continued to push for being meek? To tell Marinette you were in her corner so long as she let Lila walk all over her like you let everyone in your life do?" Alya hissed causing everyone there to gasp.
"Uh Alya I get your angry, I am too; but that last one may have a little too far." Nino said.
"Am I wrong Nino? Does Adrien not simply let his Father, Nathalie, Chloe, and now Lila push him around and walk all over him? I suppose it's no surprise that he can't stand up for others since he can't even stand up for himself!" Alya practically shouted.
"That is enough! It sounds to me like the only bully here is you Alya." Alix snapped storming between Alya and Adrien who was now close to tears.
The rest of the class with the exception of Adrien who was now lost in his own world, Nino who was scratching the back of his neck unsure what side he should be on, and Maylen who seemed to be contemplating somthing; all jumped in at accusing Alya of being the bully.
Maylen's soft voice cut through the chaos. "You know, Lila must be pretty upset by everything that has happened. Perhaps we can ask Ms. Bustier if we can play her song when she comes in. You know the one that Jagged Stone wrote for her." Maylen suggested causing Alya to gawk at her.
"Ooo, that is a great idea Maylen." Rose said with a look of pure adoration on her face.
"Thanks Rose, but um I don't think I ever caught the name of the song. Did any of you?" Maylen said sending Alya and Nino a subtle look when they were about to protest causing both of them to keep quiet.
The class all thought about that before they all denied knowing the name of Lila's song. "Ok well Max do you think you can look it up?" Maylen asked.
"Well knowing who the artist is and who the song is about, I am 99.9% certain I can find it." Max said confidently as he pulled out his phone.
The class waited a few minutes while Max went through his search engine. "Huh I am not finding anything about a song written about Lila Rossi." Max said confused.
"You know maybe you should look it up by what the song is about. I think Lila mentioned Jagged wrote it because she saved his Kitten." Juleka stated.
"Yeah she saved it from an airplane engine causing her to gain tinnitus in her right ear." Rose said sympathetically.
"Wait I thought it was her left ear?" Kim jumped in confusion. The group debated for a moment whether it was her left or right ear when Maylen cut in again.
"We can ask her later, but we are almost out of time. If we want to suprise Lila by playing her song we need to stay on topic. Max did you find anything under a song written for someone saving Jagged Stone's cat?" Maylen asked.
Max scrolled through his phone a bit only for him to go from optimistic to confused to irritated.
"Hey Max care to fill the rest of us in?" Alix asked impatiently.
"Well apparently Jagged Stone never had a cat because he is allergic to animals fur and has raised Fang since hatching. Also a plane engine would have left Lila completely deaf in both ears and not just with tinnitus in one ear." Max admitted feeling a little stupid for not already knowing that.
"So Lila is a liar?" Kim asked looking at is best friend.
"It is looking about 98.7% likely." Max said is voice laced with uncertainty, like he could not quite understand how that was possible.
"Okay so maybe she likes to exaggerate some of her stories. That does not necessarily mean she is a bad person, Lila has always been very kind to us." Rose said defensively.
"No! No she has not! Lila is a lier and a manipulator. She wasn't being kind she was using you for her own gain." Adrien exclaimed suddenly. Everyone turned to him suprised by the amount of authority in his voice and for a moment a wave of deja-vu washed over the group as they tried to place where they had heard that tone before.
Adrien took a deep breath and spoke again, a little calmer this time. "Alya is right I do let people walk all over me but I have no excuse for not helping our everyday Ladybug. I did not know about Lila threatening her in the bathroom but I did know she had planted the evidence during Marinette's exploitation. I had bribed Lila afterwards to get her to clear Marinette's name and get Marinette back in school." He admitted.
This new revelation left the class shocked, and for a moment no one said a thing as they tried to process what they had originally believed to be true.
Before anyone could come up with a response a loud and often dreaded voice suddenly echoed across the room. "What are all you incompetent loosers (minus my Adrikinss of course) standing around looking like idiots for?" Chloé demanded walking into the classroom, Sabrina trailing behind.
The whole class (minus Adrian who silently sighed) groaned and split up taking their seats ignoring the blonds comment completely. Before Adrien could do the same though Chloé through her arms around him in a clingy hug.
"Adrikinss! Did you know that daddy got me this amazing new 20kt yellow gold with 20kt black gold bee necklace pendent and braided chain? The eyes are even real round cut diamonds!" Chloe announced waving the new necklace in front of Adrien's face as she hung off of him.
"That is cool Chloe." Adrien responded politely as he gently pushed her off of him like he always does. Just then everyone's (except Chloe's and Sabrina's) phones dinged.
Chloe looked around suspiciously as everyone took out their phones to read the group message sent out by Alya.
Alya:
Look I am sorry if I came off as harsh, but we can finish this discussion after school in the park if you all are okay with it. Please treat Lila like you normally would for now but also give Marinette a little extra special attention today. Even if I am wrong about Lila, Marinette has done more than enough for this class to earn that.
"What are you all conspiring about without my knowledge?" Chloe demanded.
Adrien quickly grabbed the spoiled blonde and escorted her to her seat. "Nothing you would be interested in or that is worth you time. Do you think you can come to next week's photo shoot?" Adrien asked in an attempt redirect her attention.
Just then Lila walked in limping. With every step she let out an exaggerate whimper grabbing everyone's attention.
"Oh Lila are you okay what happened to your foot?" Kim asked jumping up to help the Italian. Max, Rose, and Sabrina also got up to help.
"Oh don't worry about me I'm fine...Ow!" Lila yelped as she tried to brush off the help and step down on her 'injured' foot. This caused several other people to get up as well. Even Nino seemed to express concern as he peered out over his desk at the now crowd of people.
"Here let me help you." Kim said and before anyone could say anything else Kim scooped Lila up and started to carried her to her seat.
"Oh Kim that really isn't necessary I just sprained my ankle in the Akuma fight yesterday." Lila said with fake sincerity.
"Nonsense you should not be walking on it if it is causing you that much pain. Kim said setting her down in her seat.
"Oh well thank you but..." Lila started then trailed off sending Alya a discreet look.
"But what Lila?" Rose asked in concern.
"Well I don't really want to be carried around all day and I'm sure my ankle will be feeling better by the end of class. However my seat is at the very top of the classroom and I'm not sure I should be walking down these stairs. Do you think Alya would be willing to trade seats with me, just for today?" Lila asked and the whole class turned towards Alya in the front row.
Alya could not believe this. A memory of the first day Lila returned came into Alya's head. The whole class; Alya herself included had forced Marinette to the back of the classroom over a lie.
Fury filled the young reporter. Alya was about to challenge the legitimacy of Lila's sprained ankle; and even use the video from her blog as evidence that it at the very least did not happen during the Akuma fight. However Sabrina spoke up first.
"You can have my seat Lila." The ginger haired girl said gathering her things. Chloe scoffed looking at her best friend with disbelief.
"Oh thank you Sabrina, but I think I would rather be carried around all day then sit next to Chloe. Besides I'm sure Alya would not mind, right Alya?" Lila tried again but this time Chloe spoke up.
"Oh don't worry you underdressed lier, I would not want to sit next to you either. Besides there is no way I am going to let Sabrina sit above all you peasants without me." Chloe stated grabbing her own things and standing up.
The whole class was stunned silent by the sudden change of events and just kinda stared at Chloe who grew impatient.
"Well are you all just going to stare at me like the buch of idiots you all are or you going to get a move on?" The mayor's daughter demanded which stired Kim to quickly pick Lila back up and move her to the front left row and place her in the right seat.
Marinette then came rushing in out of breath and clumsily stumble into her seat next to Alya right before the bell rang. Catching her breath she looked up to greet her best friend only to notice Lila sitting in Chloe's seat? Marinette looked at the back of the class puzzled to see Chloe and Sabrina sitting in the back left row where she had gotten moved to herself at one point.
"I will explain later." Alya wispered quietly to her BFF as Miss Bustier called the classes attention to the front.
Lila scowled silently at her desk vowing not to let this little hiccup stop her from ruining both Marinette and Alya's reputations.
However the Italian had no idea that a pair of bright blue eyes peeking out from inside Marinette's purse had no intentions of letting her get that far. After all Alya had no idea how lucky she was that Sabrina spoke up before Alya could, or that Maylen somehow had the courage to redirect the earlier conversation.
And with ever stroke of good luck that came and stream of bad luck must balance it out. But who the bad luck is directed at may just work in everyone's favor; with the exception of the one it is directed at of course.
Inside of the pocket of a certain model a little black diety rubbed his paws together in anticipation. He could feel what his counterpart was doing for her holder, and he had every intention of making sure that in balancing it out he helped is own holder in the process.
While the class showed genuine concern and care for Lila's new medical issue, it seems the class followed Alya's suggestion and also gave Marinette alot more attention throughout the day
Marinette wanted to be grateful, but it seems her classmates don't want to let her out of their sights and that could be a problem if and Akuma shows up.
Never the less the young designer found herself enjoying the day. When everyone went to lunch Lila started playing into her sprained ankle only for Maylen to suggest that Max look up the proper way to care for the injury which led to Max and Kim taking Lila to the nurses office to get an ace wrap and a bag of ice.
And with Lila gone the remainder of the class (minus Chloe and Sabrina who decided to go to a sushi shop for lunch) swarmed Marinette and began asking for
design orders and a few macaroon orders as well. Marinette now sat in her seat with her note book out writing down everyone's orders.
"Okay a pink summer dress with rose patterns on the dress. Do you want the patterns on the whole dress or just in certain areas?" Marinette asked Rose who smiled kindly.
"I will let you decide, I trust your judgment and know that whatever you make will be beautiful." Rose said causing Marinette to blush.
"I agree, you really are talented Marinette." Adrien said coming up to the group.
"Ah you thank.. I mean yank thou... Ugh thank you!" Marinette managed out embarrassed by her inability to speak.
Adrien just smiled kindly ignoring her nervous habits that he never understood. "Your welcome, do you by chance think you can make a special order for me as well?" The blond model asked.
"Me!? But your the son of Gabriel, can't you just ask him for whatever you want?" Marinette asked surprised.
"I could but I would rather have you make it. Besides I don't think my father would necessarily agree to this." Adrien said scratching the back of his neck nervously as he handed Marinette a folded piece of paper.
Marinette took the piece of paper and unfolded it. A blush hit her cheeks as she let out a surprised "Oh". She quickly refolded the paper and cleared her throat. "I can do that." She stated simply putting the paper in her purse.
"Thank you Marinette." Adrien said with a shy smile that nearly turned Marinette into a pile of goo.
About that moment Kim and Max returned with Lila who now had a wrap on her ankle and a bag of ice in her hands. She stared hatefully at the exchange, her mind already trying to think of ways to ruin it.
"Come on Lila, the nurse said you should stay off your feet as often as possible and if possible elevate your foot while keeping ice on it." Max said escorting Lila over to a table.
Once Lila was begrudgingly seated Kim and Max went over to the lunch line to get theirs and her food. Max hesitated and turned to Kim.
"Hey Kim I think maybe we should meet Alya in the park after school." He said quietly to his best friend.
Kim furrowed is eyebrows in confusion. "Why? I'm not sure I want to stand around and listen to that boring nonsense Alya was was spewing this morning. I would rater go for a five mile run." Kim said and Max nodded in understanding.
"I agree Alya did not do a good job at convincing us of anything other then she has a temper. However between finding out that the Jagged song was a lie, what Adrian said about Marinette's exploitation, and the confusion at the nurses office just now I think it might be worth going." Max explained.
Kim stopped and thought about it before nodding. And with that Max sent Alya a text message agreeing to meet again after school.
After lunch on their way to Ms. Mendeleiev's class Rose and Juleka spotted Lila following Marinette into the bathroom.
Neither one of them believed that Lila had ever threatened Marinette in the bathroom as Alya claimed and yet with a quick glance between one another they both proceeded to check it out.
Open the door slightly Rose and Juleka heard Lila's voice but it spoke in a manner that neither had ever heard before.
"If you think that you have won you seriously mistaken. I still have most of the class wrapped around my fingers and it was selfish of you to bring Alya into your demise." Lila spat.
"Let it go Lila. It is not to late to do the right thing, stop lying and manipulating the class. The only thing you are going to accomplish by doing so is cause everyone to hate you when they find out." Marinette replied with confident authority.
"Ha, I told you before but will tell you again. I only tell people what they want to hear, they are the ones who chose to listen to it. And they will continue to listen to it because the truth would mean they were wrong. Nobody likes being wrong, they would rather stay ignorant to the truth than be wrong." Lila stated with prideful arrogance.
Marinette sighed. "You bring what comes upon yourself Lila." She said and walked out of the bathroom completely missing Rose and Juleka staring after her in horror.
Lila let out a growled scream of irritation. "I will ruin you Marinette." Lila said with malice.
Juleka and Rose took off before Lila could exit the restroom herself and possibly spot them.
It did not take long after that for Alya to receive a text from Rose saying that her and Juleka would be there after school as well.