Chapter Six
Alya caught sight of Adrien and Lila turning a corner as she bolted out into the hallway, and she quickly hurried after them. No one paid them any mind, the crowds in the halls beginning to thin as it got closer to starting class. She followed after them, and she couldn't help but shiver as she watched Adrien– she had never seen him like this.
His every movement was stiff as he lead Lila away, hands curled into fists. She couldn't see his face, but his jaw was tense, and she could imagine coldness in his green eyes. The same coldness he had given Lila as side glances over these last few days, but had never done anything more with everyone around them. But as he and Lila entered an empty classroom her stomach twisted, the idea of them being alone making her sick after everything Lila had told her.
Did he think he had a right to be mad at her? Lila was her own person, and if she hadn't returned his feelings he should have grown up and moved on. Well, moved on without being bitter– as it seemed to be with him and Marinette. That of course only made her feel worse, knowing just how much Marinette admired him and hated the idea that she might have just been his second choice, a rebound.
Was being told no just something he couldn't handle? He had grown up privileged like Chloe, but had always seemed much more relaxed. Her head was spinning, trying to make sense of this change in Adrien. Of course she had seen a change in him in the last few days, but this felt even more jarring than his flirts and puns. She ran a hand nervously across the screen of her phone as she approached the classroom they were in, the door opened slightly. Should she burst in? Grab Lila and tell him to leave her alone?
She hovered outside the door instead, holding her breath, instantly going into reporter mode. It was easy to slip into, phone in hand and her mind on alert, listening carefully so she wouldn't miss any little detail. She reminded herself that Adrien was Adrien, and Lila was more than capable of holding her ground. She was there to step in just in case Lila needed her, she was clearly shaken up and didn't want to be left alone with him.
"So," Lila said slowly, her normally sweet voice gone. "You wanted to talk?"
"Don't act surprised," Adrien growled– and shivers raced up Alya's back. There wasn't just an edge to his tone, it sounded like he had actually growled between words. "I've given you more than enough chances– so why don't you just back off before this has to get ugly."
"Hmm," Lila hummed, seemingly unaffected by what was clearly a threat. "Yeah, it would be a shame if something had to get ugly. I am very fond of you, Adrien, you know that."
"Just know the feeling isn't mutual," He replied. "Regardless, we had a deal, and you're breaking it."
Deal? What kind of deal? What was that even supposed to mean?
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Lila said softly, in a tone that Alya was very used to. The meek Lila, an almost apologetic tone in her voice. What startled her though was just how different it sounded to the neutral indifference Alya had heard only moments ago. The same voice, but it felt like a different person.
"I told you to leave Marinette alone!" Adrien snarled, his rising voice causing Alya to jump. "You said you'd leave her alone, and then I'd play nice!"
"But I didn't do anything, I just didn't like how she was talking about my friend Ladybug–!" Lila protested, hurt in her voice.
"I really don't care about your lies, Lila," Adrien cut her off, his growling-like voice back. "I learned a long time ago there was really no stopping them. So go and tell everyone that you and Ladybug are besties or whatever celebrity name you pull out of the hat, but don't you dare make it look like Marinette did something wrong. You stay away from her, and we'll have no problems."
"The thing though, Adrien, is that we already have a problem," She said coolly. "I just adore being your friend, you see, but I just don't think that arrangement is going to work anymore. Especially with you and Marinette being together," She practically spat out Marinette's name. "So as long as you two are together, I'm not going to 'play nice'."
What? Alya's mind blanked, reeling at these words, not sure of what they meant.
"What are you saying?"
"What I'm saying, Adri, is that you need to break up with Marinette, then we won't have any problems," Lila said, giggling. A giggle that had once seemed sweet, but coming after those words it just sounded so fake. "You want me to leave her alone? I can do that– just go and tell everyone that you don't like her."
"I would never do that!" Adrien snarled. "You expect me to hurt her like that? And you actually think that I would?"
"Well, it might hurt Marinette for a little bit, but it would hurt a lot less than everyone turning against her, wouldn't it?" Lila asked. "I told her that's what I would do if she got in my way, and that's what I did. It was by my actions she was expelled– and it was only because of our little deal that my word let her get back in."
Silence.
"You threatened her?!" Adrien roared, shattering the tension in the air, and Alya's blood ran cold.
"Oh, that was a long time ago," Lila said with a slight laugh. "When she first caught on to my little game. I just told her we'd have no problem if she stayed out of my way, and if she stayed away from you. I'm sure she thought everyone else would catch on soon enough or something, but everyone at this school is a naive idiot."
Alya's phone was slick in her palmy hands, and she risked peeking through the opened door. Lila and Adrien stood facing each other, and if she would have walked in on them like this she would have been frightened at Adrien's expression– his fists curled at his sides, emerald eyes burning in rage– almost glowing in the dimness of the classroom. Lila had a soft smile on her face, a gleam in her own eyes as she watched the blond.
"Honestly I wish it hadn't been you that caught on as well, Ladybug had to ruin that, didn't she..." Lila's eyes darkened, and instantly Alya jerked away from the door– she looked nothing like the Lila she thought she knew. "But honestly, you're getting a bit boring. It's obvious that I have no chance of having you, so there's really no point in trying to keep you around. It's actually quite funny that you think it's Marinette I'm targeting right now."
"...What?"
"I've already told my little tales about her, and everyone believed them, hook and sinker," Lila replied. "Everyone believes what they want to hear, and I guess no one could quite believe that someone could be so... 'perfect' as her. Sweet, helpful... people wanted to hear something wrong about her, so the moment they did they listened without hesitation," She could hear the grin in her voice. "And how she's treated me these last few months? Picking on the poor new girl that just wants to be friends? Marinette's been planting doubts in their minds herself– and it's been hilarious. No one's perfect after all, and they've been quite willing to listen to how Adrien Agreste is far from perfect."
"What game are you playing now, Lila?" Adrien asked, and for the first time there was a slight wary tone in his voice.
"Just a little 'checkmate', that's all," Lila happily. "We can walk out of this room as good friends Adrien, maybe even something more– all you have to do is tell Marinette that you and her was just a game. Sure it will hurt her, which will be hilarious to watch, but I'll never go near her again. I'll even make sure everyone is her friend, there to comfort her after the way you played with her."
"I would never hurt her," Adrien snapped. "She knows you're a liar, Lila, she always has. She won't buy it for a second– she knows I would never betray her. We trust each other completely."
"You want to be the selfless one and take the fall then?" Lila asked cheerfully. "That's just fine too– that's what I thought you'd do. Just so you know if that's what you pick I won't be leaving Marinette alone. They never did find out who actually stole my necklace after all when I put it in her locker... maybe I'll just have to put it there again. So many choices, after all everyone believes my stories."
"I trust my friends, Lila, they won't turn against me," Adrien said. "Threaten me all you want, I don't care what you do to me. But I'm not going to let you hurt Marinette– no one hurts My Lady."
"That's what you think," Lila said softly. "Maybe you trust your friends– but do they trust you?"
"One day you'll be all alone, Lila, and maybe then you'll see that perhaps it was better that you didn't depend on your web of lies," Adrien said, not even sounding intimidated. "And I won't even feel sorry for you. Give me your worst– but my friends will always trust me."
Alya heard footsteps in the classroom, coming towards the door. For a moment she stood there, paralyzed from what she had just heard, but the sound of the footfalls jerked her out of the trance. She stumbled back a few steps– before turning on a heel and bolting before anyone could see her.
"Looks like Alya's the one racing the bell now," Marinette joked as Alya burst back into Miss Busiter's room as the bell to start class rang. Miss Bustier was already writing up on the board, shooting a glance at Alya, telling her to sit down before she would be marked as tardy.
Nino chuckled at Marinette's joke, shooting a smile at Alya, but paused when he saw just how pale she was. He stared at her for a few moments, before mouthing 'Are you okay?', the concern in his eyes clear. She looked at him, before shifted her gaze to Marinette, who was looking worried herself as she stood in the doorway.
She stared at Marinette, the words of what she had just overheard echoing in her head. Lies, threats, that her best friend had been facing on her own. That she had been carrying around as if they were nothing to worry about. The tense way she had always acted around Lila suddenly seemed to make sense– Mari hadn't been hostile, but had actually been the tolerant one. Silently suffering through the words she knew were lies, the smiles from Lila probably feeling only like taunts and warnings.
Why hadn't she told her?
Her stomach twisted the moment she thought this though– and every time Marinette had said Lila was a liar flashed through her head, every glare and fearful look that had crossed her face from just being in the same room as her. Every dismal, every muttering of 'don't be jealous' Alya had said in reply soon followed, her own words echoing in her mind. Her gut twisted, and she wanted to throw up as the guilt settled around her.
Marinette had been threatened. She had tried to warn her of the manipulation their class was unknowingly being put through– and she had ignored it. Brushed it off as jealousy and hadn't taken her seriously, when her friend had just been trying to help her. Begging her to see the truth that had been right in front of them. Lila's stories had always been compelling, but was that enough of a reason to disregard her friend? To let her best friend suffer in silence?
Just how much of Lila's words had been a lie? Every trip? Every big name that she knew? What about her injuries and illnesses– Marinette had always protested those. Would someone really fake that much? But she had heard every word Lila said just minutes ago, the way she had boasted about her manipulation she had so carefully crafted. Putting the spotlight on her in the best of moments, but able to push it to someone else as needed.
Lila had tried to hurt Marinette, she had said so herself. She had wanted Adrien to break up with her– and had tried to threaten him into doing so. She had been the one to have gotten Marinette expelled, she had said so herself, even putting the 'stolen' necklace in the locker. The stolen answers must have been her doing too, and falling down the stairs... Lila had seemed fine the next day. No limp despite her knee being wrapped up the day before. Even if the fall had been an accident...
It was just like Marinette had tried to tell her, which she had ignored when her friend had been framed by someone.
"Alya Cesaire, would you please sit down? Class has already started," Miss Bustier said, snapping Alya out of her racing thoughts. "There you are, Adrien, Lila. You two sit as well, you kids are all late."
Alya whipped around, watching as Adrien walked into the classroom followed by Lila. Adrien's form was still tense and his eyes cold, while Lila had a slight smirk on her face. It was so small that one might not even notice it, and it vanished the instant Lila stepped into the classroom. Alya watched in fascination and horror as her expression change so swiftly– something she had seen before, but had never even questioned.
Tears pricked Lila's eyes, arms slowly wrapping around herself as she hunched her shoulders. She bit her bottom lip, eyes flickering about the room fearfully. Her gaze landed on Alya, every action looking so real that for a half second she felt a pang of worry wash over her. She was an actress, Alya realized, an amazing actress.
"M-miss Bustier?" Lila asked, a waver in her voice, and instantly all eyes were on her. Concern in their classmates' gazes at her tone, their teacher's frustrated look softening as she saw Lila's expression. "I... Adrien... he..."
"Is everything okay, Lila?" Miss Bustier asked.
"Adrien forced a kiss on me!" Lila cried out, her forming tears now running down her face. Her eyes pressed shut, breathing turning ragged as she tried to hold back sobs. "He said he wanted t-to talk to me– and he–! He–!"
Alya tore her gaze away from Lila, eyes flashing across the classroom. She watched as her classmates' eyes widened, disbelief in their gazes for a few moments– and it was frightening just how quickly that gave way. Alya opened her mouth, but the words seemed to get caught in her throat. She wanted to cry out that Lila was lying, that they shouldn't listen to her, but yet she couldn't say a word.
Because she knew that if she hadn't followed after them she would be reacting just like them.
"Adrien?" Miss Bustier shifted her gaze to the model, who looked paler.
"Miss Bustier, I didn't–" He began, but in the same moment the class erupted out with cries.
"You did what?"
"Not cool, man."
"My Adrikins would never!"
"Lila, are you alright?!"
Alya's breath hitched, fascinated and frightened as she watched the glares being turned towards Adrien, the looks of shock and disgust on their faces. Alya's heart pounded when she saw Nino's outraged expression– but she felt her rising fear fade as she realized he was looking at Lila. Chills raced down her, but she was relieved that Nino hadn't been turned against his best friend.
Just like she almost had.
"Would you shut up?!" A voice snarled, drowning out the others, Marinette rising to her feet. Her hands slammed down onto her desk, a raw rage etched right into her face. An accusing finger was pointed at Lila, Marinette actually trembling as she spoke. "I have put up with your stupid lies long enough– but this is crossing a line! You do not get to say a single thing about Adrien– someone who had literally given you chance after chance!"
More tears entered Lila's eyes, pouring down her face. "Wh-why d-do you hate me so much? I didn't– didn't do anything to you! Now you're taking h-his side when he– when he–!" She broke down sobbing, burying her face into her hands. "I j-just don't want to be alone, but everyone, n-no one believes me and–!"
Miss Bustier wrapped her arms around the sobbing student, her gaze locked on Adrien, expression unreadable. "You do understand this is something the school takes seriously, right Mr. Agreste?"
"Ma'am, I didn't–" He began, but once again the class cut him off.
"Adrien has been acting quite strange around Lila as of late," Max remarked.
Juleka frowned. "Lila said Adrien was making her uncomfortable at lunch..."
"Alya," Lila whispered, voice sounding almost begging. "I t-told you about the photoshoot, please I... I..."
She was more than just an actress– because this wasn't something she had pulled up at the last minute. It was just like she had told Adrien, people wanted to hear about his faults, and it was now quite clear Alya wasn't the only one who had been told lies about him. Small little tidbits scattered about in conversation, things that were supposed to click together now as she put on this act. 'Poof' that her words were true. And right now it wasn't just an outrageous story, but rather accusing an innocent person of harassment.
Now the class was watching her, waiting for her response. With a horrible feeling she realized she was the grand piece to this carefully crafted puzzle, she having been trusted with 'secrets' and her protectiveness of her friend being used. Her gaze drifted up towards Marinette, whose expression was now fearful.
She thought she was going to take Lila's side. Alya almost wanted to laugh– because this was cruel. Of course Marinette wouldn't believe that Adrien had done such a thing, but watching her own friend turn against her would be nothing but painful– and it would all come from her concern for Marinette. Wanting to protect her had lead to a set up that could have hurt two of her closest friends.
Alya turned to face Lila, her guilt being suppressed– because the raw anger she was feeling couldn't be contained.
"I can't believe I trusted you," Alya whispered, voice eerily calm. Lila's eyes widened, her fear and tears momentarily gone– because this wasn't the reply she was expecting. She quickly put on her mask of being the victim once more, which she did have to give her credit for. "I can't believe I actually tried to help you."
"Alya?" Lila whimpered.
"You tried to turn me against Marinette!" She snarled, foot stamping against the ground as she took a step towards the liar, who flinched. "And now you're accusing Adrien of harassment– someone who would never hurt anyone?!"
How many crocodile tears did this girl have? "I kn-know you two are close, b-but I thought you believed me, you said you did–"
"YOU'VE BEEN USING ME AND THIS ENTIRE CLASS THE WHOLE YEAR AND WE ALL FELL FOR IT!" Alya cried, a faint echo of her shouts reverberating about them. Everyone else was silent, staring at her, and she whipped around towards Marinette. "Mari, I'm– I'm so sorry I didn't believe you! You were just trying to warn us and, and–"
No, she didn't deserve that smile Marinette was giving her. She didn't deserve that look of gratitude, because she had almost believed Lila. She had become suspicious of Adrien, of her own friend without even questioning it.
"Thank you, Alya," Marinette said softly.
"This is something serious!" Alix cried. "You can't ignore this, Alya, you know Lila!"
"And you know Adrien!" She snapped back. "I– I heard their conversation! Lila was threatening Adrien! Trying to get him to break up with Marinette!"
"I– I would never do that!" Lila stuttered out, looking at Alya with wide eyes. "Why would you lie about that, I thought we were friends–"
"I have proof!" Alya seethed, holding up her phone. There was something satisfying about the way Lila's eyes widened even further with realization. "I saw how 'scared' you were, Lila, I went after you because I was worried about you. Ironic, isn't it? If you hadn't played your part so well I would have probably still believed you!"
"I need everyone to calm down," Miss Bustier said, the teacher trying to get control over the wild classroom. "This is a serious matter, everyone sit down and those involved go to the principal's office, he will handle this–"
"You called Marinette out in front of the entire class, it's only fair the same happens to Lila," Alya snarled, pulling up the recording of the conversation she had taken. "Lila has been lying to the entire class, and no one gets away with threatening my friends!"
Perhaps it was just the sheer rage radiating from her, but Miss Bustier made no effort to stop her. Lila's eyes flickered about the classroom in a panic as she cranked the volume up on her phone as loud as it could go. The liar took a step towards her, but Adrien's arm shot out, blocking her from reaching Alya.
"Don't touch me!" Lila yelped, as if Adrien had physically held her back. "Miss Bustier help me–!"
"What's wrong, Lila?" Alya hissed. "It's like you said, no one is perfect, so doesn't everyone want to hear what's not so perfect about you?"
Shivers raced through her as those dark green eyes glared daggers at her, a raw hatred lining her gaze. It was frightening, seeing someone she had known as shy and kind look at her so murderously, but Alya refused to let it show. She didn't break eye contact as the video began to play, Lila's own words incriminating her– and Alya hoped this could somehow make up for how she had ignored Marinette's silent cries for help for so long.
A deal. Adrien had made a deal with Lila to protect Marinette. Here she had been thinking the model had been playing her friend, but yet he had been a better friend than she had been these past few months.
She only broke eye contact with her to look around at her other classmates, to watch as the realization settled into their eyes. Rose had let out a gasp, covering her mouth, tears pricking her eyes. Nathaniel, who had been Lila's desk mate and a 'close' friend sank down in his seat, clutching his drawings close to him.
Lila was, surprisingly, silent throughout the entire time the recording played. She was trembling up at the front of the classroom, her cold and bitter gaze never leaving Alya. She would be more than happy if she came at her– because she wasn't going to pass up the chance to put this manipulator in her place.
The video ended with the sound of Alya's footsteps and panting, and she turned off the phone, looking out at the class expectantly. Her rage was still boiling under her skin, though the satisfied smile on Marinette's face seemed to ease it somewhat. Lila wanted to threaten both Adiren and Marinette with having no one? Then a taste of what it meant to be alone was more than deserving.
"That– that was fake!" Lila sputtered out as all eyes fell on her. "She wants to be a reporter, they always twist the facts!" Her eyes darted around, searching for some form of sympathy. "She edited it, she's trying to frame me–!"
"Clearly there is much more going on here than I originally thought," Miss Bustier said, surprisingly calm, holding up a hand to keep the class from erupting out once more. "Rossi, we take false accusations of harassment just as seriously as actual harassment, and on top of everything else, well... this is out of my hands. Alya, please bring that recording with us to the principal's office, I think he needs to see this."
"I'd be more than happy to," Alya said, perhaps a bit too smugly, earning another death glare from Lila. She had messed with the wrong reporter.
Miss Bustier put a hand on Lila's shoulder, guiding her towards the door. Alya was careful to tuck her phone away into her pocket, having a feeling Lila wouldn't be above trying to knock it from her hands. As she followed after the teacher she looked at Adrien, who was smiling softly at her.
"Thank you," He said quietly, but she only felt guilty. She had doubted him, had believed horrible things about him– she didn't deserve his thanks.
Adrien's gaze then flickered behind her, eyes suddenly widening. Adrien's arm snapped out, grabbing Alya by the wrist and forcefully yanking her towards him. She let out a yelp as she was suddenly wrapped inside Adrien's protective grasp, a hiss escaping his throat, and she turned her head as much as she could to see what had happened.
Her mouth went dry as she looked at the small black butterfly fluttering around right where she had been moments before. It then began to fly towards her, and with a forceful shove Adrien pushed her away, standing in front of her as the akuma came closer.
Lila tore herself out of Miss Bustier's grasp, reaching for the akuma. Alya's eyes widened, a few people gasping as she snatched it right out of the air, letting the creature merge with one of the bracelets on her wrist. A purple glowing mask surrounded her face.
"Hello, Hawk Moth," She said softly, as if greeting an old friend.
"Alya, run!" Adrien shouted, and the next thing she knew Marinette was at her side, grabbing her wrist. She was dragged out into the hallway by her best friend as dark energy become to consume Lila.