Once Marinette walked away, Adrien had headed up to the classroom. He didn't know how to resolve the argument between Alya, Nino and Marinette, and so with no better way to spend the recess, Adrien grabbed his stuff and walked upstairs.

Straight into a trap.

As he strode around the corner, there was a cry from in front of him.

"ADRIKINS!"

The model groaned quietly. Great.

Chloe pranced up to him and draped an arm around his shoulder. "Finally! I've been wanting to talk to you all day! It's so annoying how other people get in the way, isn't it?" She batted her blue eyes.

Adrien tried to shrug her off. "I guess. Why did you want to talk to me?" He was pretty sure he knew exactly what Chloe wanted to speak to him about, and he didn't like it one little bit.

Chloe widened her eyes, so she looked like she'd just drunk a litre of coffee. "Hasn't your father told you yet?" she gasped.

Adrien fidgeted nervously. "I, uh, I don't know."

Chloe pouted. "Well, what a shame! I suppose I'll have to tell you myself." She smiled up at him. "Don't worry, it's good news."

Adrien felt his stomach sink. He bent to place his books on the ground, in case he needed to push Chloe away. She'd always been the touchy-feely type, and her displays of affection were a little too much for Adrien.

Chloe wiggled closer to Adrien, and glanced around to make sure that nobody was around. Adrien resisted the urge to step back. Yes, he would gently push Chloe off if she tried to kiss him, but he didn't want to offend her. He'd known Chloe for a very long time, and he did not want to make her angry.

"So, Adrikins, you know how the Valentine's Dance is coming up?"

"Yeah," replied Adrien, trying to smile back.

"Well," purred Chloe, "your father wanted you to be able to go, but he wanted you to have an acceptable partner. So he contacted Daddy, and asked if he knew of anyone." She fluttered her eyelashes at him. "And so Daddy recommended someone, and your father agreed."

Adrien felt ill. He remembered his conversation with Nathalie in the car. No, no, no…

"Guess who, Adrikins?" whispered Chloe.

Adrien's mouth was as dry as the desert, but he managed to croak out an answer. "You?"

"Yes!" squealed Chloe. "Won't it be fun? We're so gonna win the cutest couple award. I planned matching outfits, and-"

"Chloe," Adrien interrupted. "I'm not-"

"Oh, don't say that!" Chloe twirled a strand of blonde hair around her manicured finger. "You're completely worthy of being my date. I mean, I know I'm totally fabulous, but you're amazing too!"

"Chloe, that's not what I me-"

"So, I organised a fitting session for Saturday. It's with your father's brand, of course. I just love his evening gowns," gushed Chloe.

Adrien held up his hand for silence. "Look, Chloe, I'm not wearing a matching outfit. And I'm not going to the da-"

"Don't worry, Adrikins, we'll work something out. After all, I was going to wear a blue dress, to bring out my eyes, but that would clash with your eyes. I'm sure your father will have some great suggestions, though!"

Adrien took a deep breath. "Chloe, my father forced me into this. I'm very sorry, and I don't want to disappoint you, but I'm not going to the dan-" He stopped suddenly as he heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

Chloe heard them too. She flashed a sugary smile at Adrien, and put her hands around his neck. "Don't worry about the clothes, Adrikins. I'm just happy that we're a couple!" She glanced towards the sound of steps, and before Adrien could work out what she was doing, he felt her hands move to grab his face.

Chloe pulled Adrien down, and kissed him.

On the lips.

Adrien tried to pull away, but she held him fast. He was forced to keep kissing her, every cell in his body screaming at him to stop.

Then the situation got even worse.

From his left, Adrien heard the dull thud of a pile of books hitting the floor, and loud gasps. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw half of his class standing several meters away, open-mouthed and staring.

At the very front was Marinette.

She wasn't gaping like everyone else. Her mouth was closed, lips pressed firmly against each other. Her face was full of pain and betrayal, like Adrien had stabbed her with a knife. The usual rosy tint on her face had disappeared, and her cheeks were steadily whitening. The girl's arms were empty, and books lay scattered at her feet.

Adrien finally managed to pull away from Chloe. He wanted to turn away and retch, but there were people watching. He wouldn't do that to her, no matter how furious he was.

Chloe turned her head and let her mouth fall into a perfect O, a look of mock surprise spread over her face. "Oh my goodness!" she said, putting her hand to her mouth. "I didn't know we had an audience. Adrikins, I'm sorry, I know you wanted us to make our couple debut at the dance, but you're just so irresistible." She smiled at him, her eyes hungry.

Adrien didn't know how to respond.

He glanced back at his classmates, panicking. His eyes met Marinette's. She turned away, and marched off, fists clenched, mouth still in a tight angry line. Several of Adrien's female classmates peeled off to follow her, shooting Adrien looks of contempt.

Adrien shook Chloe off him and strode off, heading in the same direction as Marinette. He had to find Nino. Oh god, this was a nightmare.

His classmates whispered as he walked past. Adrien ignored them, and broke into a sprint. Forget Nino's argument, Adrien needed support.

But first he stopped at a bubble tap. He needed to wash out the horrible taste in his mouth.

Oh god.

MLBMLBMLB

Comforting hands patted Marinette's back, and reassuring words drifted around her. Marinette didn't hear or feel any of it. She was too absorbed, trying to process what she'd just seen.

Adrien kissing Chloe.

Chloe kissing Adrien.

How? Why?

She hadn't thought it was possible for Adrien to hurt her more. But this was salt in the wound. It stung, fierce and painful.

She didn't know what to do. She needed help, advice, anything. She needed Alya, needed Tikki, needed her parents, heck, she even needed Chat Noir. Just comforting words from someone close to her heart.

Then, like a guardian angel, Alya appeared. A furious pillar of flannel, denim, glasses and ombre hair. She knelt down, and put her arms around Marinette, hugging her tightly. Marinette squeezed her eyes shut, trying to stop the sudden tears.

"Girls, she'll be fine. You guys head back to class, and tell Ms. Bustier that we'll be there soon. Thanks."

Marinette's friends left the locker room, murmuring encouraging words. Alya waited for them to leave, then spoke. "You okay, M?" she asked gently.

Marinette sniffed and nodded.

Alya hugged her again, and Marinette lost control. She burst into tears and cried into her best friend's flannel shirt, tears soaking the fabric.

Alya didn't push her away. She patted Marinette's back and stroked her hair, whispering words of comfort. "Shh. You're gonna be okay. Shh."

"I hate him!" cried Marinette. "He bloody invites me out for ice-cream and then goes and kisses Chloe! How could he? My heart feels…. shattered."

Alya bit her lip. "Oh, Marinette, I'm so sorry. It's my fault that you have to go get ice-cream with him. I'm really sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I'll just say that I'm sick."

Alya hesitated, then nodded. "Do you want to go home?" she asked.

Marinette brushed away the tears on her cheeks. She opened her mouth to reply,but before she could, the locker room door creaked open. Ms. Bustier peered in, her eyes full of concern.

"Marinette, are you alright?" she asked gently. "I understand that the, er, events that occured before class may be traumatic for you. Perhaps you'd better go home."

Marinette nodded silently, and slowly got to her feet. Alya copied her movements, and put a consoling hand on the bluenette's arm.

"Alya, you'd better go with her," added the teacher.

Alya was stunned. "Me?"

Ms Bustier nodded kindly. "Yes. I think Marinette may need support from you."

"Thank you, miss," whispered Marinette shakily.

"You're welcome, Marinette. I hope you feel better soon."

MLBMLBMLB

Marinette had been hoping to sneak up into her room without her parents noticing, but was unsuccessful. As the door to the apartment was locked and Marinette's house keys were sitting on her desk, the two girls were forced to go through the bakery.

"Marinette? Alya? I didn't expect to see you so soon." Sabine looked up from the register, eyes round with surprise. "What are you doing here? Was there an akuma attack?" Then she saw Marinette's bloodshot eyes and tear-stained face. "Oh, sweetheart." The petite woman rushed out from behind the counter to hug her daughter.

Alya watched mother and daughter embrace. They were so similar, yet so different. They had the same hair, but their eyes were different in both shape and colour. There was a noticeable height difference, too. But their personalities were what really struck Alya.

Sabine Cheng was one of the strongest, most capable women Alya knew. She was constantly hearing things from Marinette about how her parents sometimes had to cater for several events at once, or run the bakery and make wedding cakes at the same time. Such feats obviously required much skill, dedication, effort and passion.

Marinette, though easily flustered and clumsy, was also strong. She was so passionate about so much, and always willing to help. She cared for others, no matter how emotionally broken she was. Alya was fortunate to have Marinette by her side, though many people thought it was the other way around.

Sabine released her daughter from the hug. "Dear, would you like to head upstairs? I think a hot chocolate will do you the world of good. Alya, would you mind staying downstairs for a minute?"

"Of course, Mrs. Cheng."

Sabine waved her floury hand at Alya. "Dear, please call me Sabine."

Alya smiled and nodded as Marinette disappeared around the back. Sabine waited until she was gone before speaking.

"Do you mind telling me what's going on? It's the middle of the day, Marinette's been crying and you've come home with her. I assume you received permission from your teacher?"

Alya nodded. "Yes, Mrs. Ch- I mean, Sabine. Ms. Bustier requested that I escort Marinette home and stay with her, just in case you were busy. She was pretty concerned."

"May I ask what caused Marinette to cry?" asked Sabine, shooting a worried glance in the direction her daughter had gone.

Alya bit her lip, wondering how she was going to explain. "Well," she said slowly, "it's a bit….complicated, but I'll do my best. So, about half an hour ago, at the end of lunch, Marinette and a few of our classmates headed upstairs to the classroom. I wasn't there personally, but when they walked around the corner…" Aya hesitated. "Mrs. Ch- Sabine, do you know about Marinette's feelings for Adrien Agreste?"

Sabine smiled slightly. "Do I ever. Why, Marinette talks about him nonstop!"

Alya exhaled. "Right. So Marinette walked around the corner, and she saw, well, she saw Adrien kissing Chloe."

Sabine gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh no, how terrible. My poor girl."

"Marinette dropped her books and ran. Some of her friends followed her, and came to get me. By the time I got to the locker rooms, Marinette was sitting on the ground with her head in her hands. The others went back to class, and Marinette started to cry. Then Ms. Bustier came and said that we could come here."

Sabine took a deep breath. "I understand now. Thank you for telling me, Alya." Suddenly the small woman was hugging Alya, enveloping the blogger in the smell of fresh bread and flour, much like Marinette's usual scent: comforting and warm.

"You're welcome, Sabine."

She smiled sadly. "Would you mind heading up to be with Marinette? You're welcome to stay or as long as you like."

Alya nodded. "Of course. Thank you."

As Alya walked off, Sabine stared out the window and prayed that Marinette would be okay.

HAHAHAHAHAHA! KARMA'S A B**CH, ADRIEN!

This was for all of you requesting that Adrien gets what he deserves. Poor little cinnamon roll….NOT.

Also, spoiler alert for those who didn't know, LUKA IS HERE! Luka is Juleka's brother, and apparently Marinette is attracted to him at some stage (?). He will feature in the new episode, Captain Hardrock, which will be released on 30th of March, US Netflix. While as an Australian I will not have access to the episode via Netflix, there will most likely be a YouTube video with the episode for all those who cannot view it on Netflix.

But to be honest, Luka is nowhere near as hot as Adrien and never will be, but it will be absolutely hilarious if Adrien gets jealous of him.

Thanks for reading, and please review if you liked it! Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter!

~ xoxo Miss Eucalypt Writes