Adrien

As he was dropped off in front of school the next morning just in time to catch Marinette. "Hey, Mari! Wait up!"

She turned around and smiled at him, waiting at the base of the steps as he ran over. "Hi Adrien!" Her happy expression changed to one of concern instantly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Adrien lied, hoping she would buy it. "How about you?"

"I'll be okay, I just hope the class doesn't dissolve into chaos like Tuesday." Adrien nodded his head in agreement. The two of them were just in time to see everyone else enter the room. Once again, the seating had changed. Sabrina wasn't in the front with Lila, but Juleka was sitting next to Chloe instead. Sabrina was behind Alya and Nino in Juleka's old seat, comforting a sad Rose.

Marinette gave him a sad smile and went to the back row where she had been sitting the previous day. Adrien moved to follow, only for Lila to latch on to him. "Adrien," she said in her fake, sweet, helpless voice. "Could you please help me with taking notes? I hurt my wrist again yesterday."

Alya and Nino both gave him expectant looks, clearly believing whatever Lila told them. He sighed and moved to sit in his regular seat, Lila still clinging to him sitting next to him. "Thank you so much, Adrien. You are so nice to me." She leaned closer and kissed his cheek. His left cheek. The same cheek his father had struck him earlier that week. Adrien usually cringed around Lila but now he did his best not to yelp in pain.

Marinette watched him, first noticing he wasn't comfortable when Lila started clinging to him. Marinete saw Lila pull Adrien down to sit next to her, jealousy burning inside her. Suddenly, Lila kissed Adrien's cheek and he shuddered? Did Adrien just shudder? Or was it a wince? Marinette watched him through narrowed eyes, concern over taking her jealousy.

Adrienette chat

Adrien was on his way to the locker room to put away his books from the last period when Marinette suddenly popped up and pulled him into an empty classroom. He was about to ask her what was going on when she held a finger to her lips. Adrien remained silent, unsure what was going on. A moment later, he heard Lila walk past with Alya and Nino calling, "Adrien, where are you? We need to get a table for lunch!"

A few moments later, they couldn't hear anyone outside anymore. Adrien gave Marinette a look of gratitude. "Thanks, Lila seems to think I like it when she invades my personal space."

Marinette frowned at him, asking, "If you don't like it, then why do you let her? I've seen the photos from shoots and I saw you with her this morning. Only a blind man could miss the look of discomfort you have when she gets clingy. This morning you were cringing when she touched you and even winced when she kissed you."

"It's okay…"

"It's not okay, Adrien!" Her tone mixed with anger and concern surprised him. This wasn't the cold tone of his father or the sickly sweet tone of Lila, but concern that he only heard from Ladybug after he sacrificed himself for her. "If you don't like it, then tell her to back off. She shouldn't be touching you like that without your permission anyways! Only people who are dating act like that or even close friends. Which, the last time I checked, you two are not."

Adrien tried to sputter out an excuse, "But Nino and Alya…"

"Damn Nino and Alya," Marinette spat. "If they really cared for your well being, then why didn't they pull Lila off of you? I can see from the back row that you are uncomfortable, why can't they see it? Why did Nino switch seats just so Lila could sit next to you?"

"Because I can help her with homework…"

"She doesn't need help, we both know that. And if she needed help with literature so badly, then why doesn't Alya help her? You already have a packed schedule and I deliver notes for your missed classes all the time." Adrien found himself backed in a corner by Marinette's arguments. "The class is splitting, Adrien. I'd recommend getting on the side that cares for you before it's too late." Marinette started towards the door, turning back to say, "I'll always be there for you, Adrien, but you gotta make some decisions for your own well being." She walked out, leaving Adrien alone with his thoughts. Once again, Marinette's words had got to him. The fact that she was visibly concerned for him also drove her words deeper.

As Marinette walked out of the room, Nino ducked out of her sight. Alya asked him to find Adrien while she and Lila went to save them a spot in the cafeteria. But after hearing Marinette just now, Nino wasn't sure what to think. He had noticed Adrien's discomfort before, but Alya dismissed it as the early stages of them dating. Lila had even told them that she and Adrien had started dating but wanted it to be secret so people like Marinette didn't overreact. Now Nino just didn't know what to believe.

Adrien walked out of the room, frowning as he looked around. He spotted Nino and waved, "Nino, what's up?"

"Wanna go out for lunch? Just us two bros?" Adrien smiled and nodded. As he went to put away his books, Nino pulled out his phone and texted Alya.

Nino: Adrien and I are going out for lunch

Alya: OK, Lila and I are on our way, where are we going?

Nino: Sorry, just bros this time. Maybe next time you two can join. TTYL!

Nino silenced his phone and put it in his pocket just as Adrien returned. Adrien stopped suddenly and pulled his phone frowning at the messages. "It's Alya and Lila. They are both asking me where we are going."

"Don't answer, bro. They can survive one lunch without us." Adrien nodded and put his phone away. It had been a while since he and Nino hung out together. After Nino and Alya started dating, she would join them most of the time dragging Marinette along. Then Lila pushed Marinette out and Adrien began to dislike the group outings. It felt good to go back to simpler times.

Adrien

When he and Nino got back from lunch, Adrien felt a little bit better. They walked into class where Alya glared at them, clearly not happy that they took some guy time together. Lila jumped up at the sight of them rushing around to latch on as Nino moved to sit down next to Alya. "Adrien! I missed you so much! Did you not get my texts?"

Adrien rolled his eyes, she had sent constant texts. At first they started as simple questions but quickly switched to threats, saying he better respond or else. "Yes, I got them, but as Nino said, we wanted to be alone for lunch."

Lila pouted at him, "But I wanted to spend time with you. Did you get Natalie's text? We are doing another shoot together!"

Adrien groaned, not excited at all. "Yes, I know." He caught Marinette eyeing him from the back row, her silent message clear.

But it was Alya who broke the camel's back. "Adrien, you can't just run off and make plans like that without talking to your girlfriend first. Lila was so hurt when you left without saying anything."

Adrien shook off Lila, forcing her to let go of him. "One, don't touch me ever again. I don't care if you want to or my father says you have to, it's never gonna happen again. Two, I don't care what you are telling people, we are not dating. We never have and never will."

Alya's face grew red, "How dare you say…"

"Say what? The truth?" Adrien snapped at her. She opened her mouth to try and talk again, but Adrien cut Alya off again. "No! I'm talking now, you are listening. I don't like the way Lila touches me, I don't like the way she lies, and I certainly don't like it when she tries to use me for everything and you help her. I am done. Lila is a liar and I am done hoping that she will change." With that Adrien turned his back on them and walked up the stairs to the back row. Marinette gave him a smile as he sat down next to her.

Lila ran up after him, seeming like she was about to cry. Once she was out of the rest of the class' earshot, Lila snarled at Adrien, "Fall in line or I will tell your father."

Marinette glared at her while Adrien simply stated, "What? That I won't help you with your homework that you missed because you stayed home from school?"

Lila glared at him, then turned away and put on the waterworks. "I can't believe you would leave me just because I won't sleep with you!" Alya gasped and rushed to comfort Lila while shooting a glare at Marinette and Adrien. While most of Lila's side of the class tried to comfort the sobbing girl, Nino looked away, knowing something wasn't right.

Alya took Adrien's spot as Ms. Bustier walked in. She looked over her students' new seating arrangement and decided to follow school policy: let the students sort themselves out.

Adrien

Class was much more enjoyable sitting next to Marinette instead of Lila. She let him have his personal space to himself and didn't try to touch him when he didn't want to be touched. When school let out, he texted his driver to take Lila ahead, he had to stay late to get homework for a friend. Lila didn't know what was going on when the Gorilla took off without waiting for Adrien. Her texts came with all sorts of threats, but Adrien didn't care. The photoshoot was in the park, so he could walk Marinette home before going there. Maybe he could get a treat from the bakery too.

Adrien caught Marinette just as she was leaving the locker room. "Hey Marinette, mind if I walk you home?"

For a moment, Marinette was back under the umbrella on the second day of school in the rain. She shook herself out of it, stuttering out, "Ye-yeah, I mean if you-ou want to-oo." She cursed herself, why did start stuttering again now? She had no problem talking to him earlier, what was so different?

Adrien beamed at her, making her melt inside. "Awesome." They walked out of the school in silence, passing Alya and Nino on the way. Alya was ranting and gesturing wildly while Nino appeared to be listening to music with earbuds. He gave the pair a small wave, Alya not even noticing them pass. Once they were walking the front steps, Adrien said, "Thanks for telling me what I needed to hear earlier. I really needed that and I'm sorry I didn't help you earlier with Lila. I made a deal with her thinking she actually would change, but she just played me again." He sighed, "I never should have told you to take the high road. Clearly it didn't work so well."

"It's not your fault entirely, Adrien." Marinette sighed as she looked down, admitting, "I guess I should have listened when she threatened me last month."

Adrien frozen, putting a hand on her shoulder to stop her. Marinette looked back at him, the anger in his emerald eyes sending a chill down her spine. "What?" Marinette looked away, not wanting to tell him more. "Marinette, what did she do?" Adrien asked, insistent on getting an answer from her.

"Lila cornered me in the bathroom when she came back after Heroes Day. She told me if I didn't go along with her lies, she would turn everyone against me. And she almost pulled it off."

Adrien frowned, his expression darkening. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Marinette looked at her feet as she started walking again. "I was going to, but you wa-wanted to take the high road an-and I didn't want to di-disappoint you."

Adrien felt his heart sink, the confession in the museum and Alya implying Marinette had feelings for him. She wanted him to think the best of her, so when he wanted to believe in Lila's ability to redeem herself, Marinette went along with it even if she was going to get hurt. And she did. "I am so sorry, Marinette. All of this happened because I didn't look to see how it was affecting you."

Marinette opened her mouth to deny it, but a loud stern call came from the park. "Adrien! Where have you been?" Natalie was striding towards them, not at all happy.

"Sorry, Marinette. I promise to make it up to you." The young designer mumbled something about him not needing to as she continued to the bakery.

"Adrien, you are ten minutes late. What were you doing?" Natalie asked.

"I was walking a friend home and I would have arrived five minutes ago if I took a car ride here. I don't see the difference," Adrien stated, not sorry at all.

Natalie scowled and beckoned him to follow her. An assistant offered him a cup of coffee which Adrien accepted, giving her a grateful smile. He was led to where Lila was already sitting. She was seated in one of the two chairs set out for the models as make up artists did their job.

Lila was fuming when he sat down next to her. "What do you think you are doing? I thought we were friends."

"We are anything but friends. You hurt Marinette, you kept lying and now the entire class is split."

"Only because Marinette wouldn't let them believe in a fantasy I made for them. And now you are trying to mess it up too. What did you and Nino talk about at lunch?" Lila asked, her eyes narrowed at him.

"Nino asked me how I really feel about you and I told him the truth. He is a bit conflicted, but I have a feeling he will come around. Now would be a good time to fess up before Alya wisens up."

Lila snorted, "I guess I need you to smarten up and play your role. Unless you want me and Gabriel to have a talk about how you should be homeschooled with me." Adrien gave her a questioning look, to which Lila smirked. "Oh yes, my dear Adrien, your father and I are on a first name basis and if you want to keep enjoying school, play your role as my boyfriend. After all, your father is considering making our relationship official." She reached out and pinched his bruised cheek, making him wince in pain. "You are mine and if I were you, I wouldn't dare to step out of line."

Adrien looked around to see no one watching them, then at his coffee, then back at her. "Bring it." He threw his coffee at her, hitting her in the face and chest. When Lila screamed in pain, Natalie rushed over to see what happened. "Natalie, Lila tried to kiss me, but when she grabbed me I lost my balance and spilled my coffee on her by accident!"

Natalie shooed him away, calling over a staff member. Adrien smiled and went to sit outside the area blocked off for the shoot. Behind him, chaos ensued as Lila started making it seem worse than it is. Adrien shook his head, trying not to laugh.

"Did I miss something?" Adrien looked up to see Marinette holding a small tray with two coffees and a bag from her parents' bakery. She was looking over at the panicked scene where Natalie was attempting to keep everything under control but failing miserably.

"You came back!" Adrien beamed at her, a grin forming on his face.

Marinette blushed, her face turning a cute shade of red again. "Well I-I figured you-ou would like to have a tre-treat from the bakery," she stammered. Adrien felt his heart swell. How did he not fall in love with her before? She was everything Ladybug was minus the superpowers. He kicked himself mentally, Marinette was even a part-time superhero as Multimouse.

"Thanks, I really appreciate it, Mari." Adrien patted the spot next to him, inviting her to sit with him. He eyed the coffee and bag. "What's in the bag? And you didn't actually bring a coffee for Lila too, did you?"

Marinette didn't answer, eyes narrowed at his cheek that he applied the cover up to. Where Lila pinched him, removing some of the cover up. "Are you wearing makeup?" Adrien opened his mouth to deny it only for her to cut him off, "You never wear makeup to school." Rushing ahead of him so she could look him in the eye, Marinette asked him, "What happened?"

Adrien hesitated, then realized Marinette wouldn't let up until she knew. "There is a bruise there," he said quietly, not daring to say more.

Marinette took a deep breath, then asked as calmly as she could, "Why is there a bruise on your cheek, Adrien?" Adrien didn't want to tell her, staring at the ground. "Adrien, please tell me," Marinette pleaded.

Adrien could feel his hands trembling as he remembered his father's fury. He sighed and whispered to Marinette, "I tried to stand up to my father and he hit me." He waited for Marinette to say something, but she remained silent.

Marinette barely heard his whisper, but it still broke her heart. She placed her hand in his trembling hand, squeezing it tightly. "It's okay Adrien, you are with me." She then realized that she was touching him without asking, just like Lila did. "I'm sorry, Adrien, I shouldn't have…"

"I don't want to model," Adrien blurted out as he squeezed her hand back, not letting her pull away. It felt so good to say the truth to someone, to finally let it out. "I used to do it because it was fun and I enjoyed it. But now ever since my mother disappeared, I only do it to please my father. At first, I thought it would make him happy, but he just grew more and more distant."

"Does he ever thank you?" Marinette asked, already knowing the answer.

Adrien shook his head, "No, he just tells Natalie to fill up my schedule and never checks on me unless I step out of line. It's my job to be perfect according to him." Adrien sighed, "I don't want to be perfect." He closed his eyes, a tear starting to form.

"You don't have to be perfect, Adrien." Adrien looked at Marinette, her blue eyes filled with honesty. "No one should expect you to be perfect. I don't want you to be perfect, I want you to be who you want to be."