Chapter 2
-Marinette
Luka had left already, he had to get to the band room for a meeting with the teacher on a music contest, and all too quickly Marinette was alone. Tiki slipped out of her purse, sitting on her shoulder. "It's okay Marinette, I'm here," she said sweetly. "Thanks Tiki." Marinette smiled. "Look!" Tiki gasped quietly, and Marinette looked up. Adrien was walking down the steps from the cafeteria, and he was alone. He stood at the railing from the upper floor and was looking around the courtyard. He seemed to be looking for something. It was weird enough to see him without Lila attached to him, and Marinette wondered what he was possibly doing without his admirer. His eyes reached the staircase Marinette had taken shelter under and he didn't seem to see her. He sighed somewhat defeatedly and started off down the quiet staircase, the very same one Marinette was hiding under.
Marinette felt a panic rise up in her throat as Adrien's footsteps grew slightly louder over her head. Tiki dove into Marinette's purse as Adrien turned the corner of the staircase on Marinette's left. 'Please don't see me, please don't see me' Marinette prayed silently, but as Adrien kept walking, he sensed her presence and turned behind him and looked. He spotted Marinette in her place of refuge and his face lit up. "There you are!" He grinned, "I've been looking for you everywhere!" Marinette was puzzled, "You were looking. . for me?" Adrien smiled, "Yeah. You seemed to disappear a lot these last couple weeks. What's the matter?" He noticed Marinette's unhappy face.
Marinette bit her lip. Did she dare to tell him what he already knew? "I thought you hated me," she answered, deferring her response. Adrien was surprised, "Why would I hate you, Marinette? I could never hate you." It was Marinette's turn to be surprised, "So you don't believe what Lila told you?" "About what? About not bothering with you, why would I want to do that?" Adrien asked. Marinette didn't want to say it, it would be like admitting defeat, but she'd have to find a way to tell him anyway. "Lila told everyone that I'm the liar. She said I've been spreading rumors about her when I was really just challenging the lies she's been telling everybody. But even Alya believed her, especially after Ladybug and Chat Noir saved her from being Chameleon. Alya wanted another interview for her Ladyblog." Adrien's face was horrified, "You're not a liar!" He argued, "You're like the sweetest person ever! You threw a party for Chloe, and she's the most spiteful person at the school!"!
"That's nice of you to say, Adrien." Marinette answered sadly, "But no one believed me even when when I tried to defend myself." "I believe you," Adrien said. There was a small pause. "I don't want you to be alone here all the time," Adrien said, "do instead of lunch under the stairs with no one, how about you come home with me and eat there?"
Marinette didn't know what to say. Adrien Agreste was inviting her to eat lunch with him. "You'd do that?" She questioned. "I do anything for a friend." Adrien answered. "Thank you," Marinette answered, "I'd love that."
-Adrien
Adrien didn't know what to do now. Once the bell rang that signified class starting again, he got to his feet and held out his hand to Marinette. She took it slowly and he pulled her to her feet. "Thanks," she smiled sadly. The rest of the students started pouring out of the cafeteria, heading back to the class. Adrien winced as he heard Chloe and Lila squabbling around looking for him. Marinette noticed. "It's fine," she said, "Just go. I'll see you later." She managed a little smile. Adrien nodded. He didn't have much to say anymore. But he had a plan.
He waved to Marinette as she finished gathering up her stuff, "I'll see you in class, Mari." He went up the steps to class, but he managed to beat Lila and Chloe into the classroom. He strode over to Miss Bustier's desk and she looked up from her papers. "Hello Adrien, what can I do for you?"
"Can I move my seat? Marinette's so lonely in the back, and Lila is all caught up on her work, so she doesn't need me to help her."
"Yes Adrien, go ahead and sit there now. I'm sure Marinette won't mind." She smiled extra brightly at Adrien as he turned away from her desk and walked to the back and sat in the seat next to Marinette's. The rest of the class came in, Marinette saw Adrien's change, and her mouth opened a little and then she smiled. She moved to sit next to him and flashed him a smile. Chloe came in and sat next to Sabrina. Alya and Nino came in, still gabbing to each other. But when Lila came in, she turned around in her seat to Alya and Nino and Adrien and Marinette heard her hiss, "Where did Adrien go?"
Lila was unfocused for the first 5 minutes of class. Eventually she raised her hand, "Miss Bustier? May I go into the hall to look for Adrien? He's not in his seat and I haven't seen him since lunch."
"Don't worry Lila," Miss Bustier smiled, "Adrien is just fine. He updated me on what he was doing." Lila looked confused, "But he's not in his seat." "Yes I am," Adrien stood, revealing his location.
"Why are you back there?" Lila asked, an angry pitch rising in her voice. "I want to sit by my friend Marinette. You're all caught up on work, so you don't need my help." Lila fumed silently, her brain furiously cooking up another lie. Adrien shrugged at her silence and sat back down. Miss Bustier took advantage of the pause and resumed class.
-Marinette
Marinette was in shock. Not only had Adrien invited her to lunch at HIS house, but he'd essentially just stood up for her against Lila. Her only complaint was "why not sooner?" As class continued, she furiously took notes on Miss Bustier's presentation on types of literature. She announced the assignment of a book report on a novel of any type. As the bell rang, Marinette drew a breath, waiting to see how her classmates would react to Adrien's choice. She picked up her books and slid them into her backpack. She felt her fingers slip and she dropped her pencil on the ground. She furiously bent over and picked it up, but managed to hit her head on her desk. "Oop!"
"You okay?" Adrien asked her as she rubbed her head. "Yeah, I'm fine." She was silent for a minute, just watching him for a moment in near wonder at what he'd done for her. But everyone else took advantage at her silence. Lila came scurrying up the aisle up to Adrien where she grabbed his arm and started to pull him away hissing, "we need to talk." Adrien resisted as Alya and Nino came up behind Lila. Alya had her arms crossed as she surveyed the situation and Nino looked pensive. "What's up with you?" Alya broke the ice, still not acknowledging Marinette. "I see no major problem." Adrien said blatantly. "What do you mean?" Nino asked. "Marinette's not a liar, but you're still treating her like one." Lila laughed her classic laugh and Marinette tried not to boil in anger as Lila threw her a look as she prepared to throw another curveball at Marinette's reputation.
"Oh Adrien. You're so oblivious. You can believe whatever that Marinette tells you," Marinette felt her heart burn, it was like she wasn't even there, "But she only wants you because you're cute. That's the only real reason." Adrien turned and just looked at Marinette, his brain fighting for the truth. "It's not true Adrien. You're adorable but you care about people, and you're nice. You try to do what's right. That's why I care so much about you." Marinette spurted, her eyes not leaving Adrien's face. "You can choose to believe her-" she gestured to Lila, "or you can listen to my real feelings. Your choice." She sputtered, and with that she tipped her head before turning away and leaving before another word.
She walked out of school at an irregularly fast pace, brushing away a few telltale tears. She heard someone calling her name behind her, but that only made her go faster. They called again, but instead of stopping or slowing, she just ran. Marinette ran down the road, cutting through the park until she made it to the front door of the bakery. She yanked open the door, and ran up the stairs as fast as she could to her room. Marinette threw her backpack onto her bed and collapsed onto her bed. She let the tears shake her. Adrien had believed her and now Lila was going to take everything away again.
"Marinette?" Tiki's voice called her. "You just missed a call from Adrien." She tossed her phone to over to Marinette. "I think you should listen to the voicemail he left you." Knowing the kwami was right, she grudgingly picked up her phone and held it next to her ear. "Marinette," Adrien's voice said, "You're right. You and I both know the truth, but I need you to keep up hope. I'll see you tomorrow at school. You can do this Marinette." Marinette wanted to cry so so hard. "Marinette." Tiki's voice brought her back to reality. "Aren't you forgetting something?" "Ack! I'm supposed to meet Luka!" She bolted up from bed, and ran up to the balcony after snatching up her phone. "I've gotta hurry, Tiki, spots on! We gotta get there fast!"