Anyone want to see Chloe put in her place?! Read on :D

The next day at school, Adrien caught up to Marinette in the hallway. Marinette looked exhausted and sad, and promptly dropped all her books and papers in surprise when he touched her arm.

"I'm Sorry!" they both gushed in unison, kneeling down to gather her things. Marinette looked like she was about to cry. Adrien put a hand on her shoulder, ignoring the books and pens on the floor. Marinette looked up into his green eyes, and her stomach flipped. "I just wanted to tell you, your designs are fantastic. I'm really looking forward to wearing your clothes at the charity event, Marinette. Chloe was so mean yesterday, you'd think she was akumatized!" He finished gathering her things, and then stood, pressing her belongings into her hands. She looked at him with her brow furrowed, thoughts clearly elsewhere. "Th-thanks" she whispered, almost too quiet to hear, and then ducked her head and hurried away down the hall.

Adrien watched her go. "Well, Plagg, I tried.."

Later that day, Marinette was sitting in the school courtyard with her sketchbook, musing over the final dress. She had been so sure that Chloe was wrong for it, but she had no idea who was right for it. It really was beautiful, standing out in her mind, a corseted bodice with a high neck and full bustled skirt, in iridescent fabric that shone both purple and green, like feathers. If she could, she'd find a few long feathers to spark out from the back. It needed someone regal and handsome, not with the conventional, light colored features of Chloe but with a darker, more mysterious quality. She turned her thoughts to the courtyard, considering her peers. Her eyes drifted to the upper floors and then to the staircase, when it hit her. Juleka! She watched as Juleka descended the stairs, listening to Rose, her hand draped on the bannister and her long black and purple hair flowing down her back. Of course! Juleka could pull off this dress as no one else could, but of course she had been too shy to sign up for modeling.

Filled with new energy, Marinette sprang up from the bench and made for the stairs, running smack into Adrien, of course. This time, though, there was no shyness or worry in her face, but rather the bright glow of inspiration. Adrien was taken aback- his mouth was suddenly dry and he couldn't get a word out.

"Adrien! Perfect! Come with me!" Marinette grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards the stairs, single-minded and unabashed. "Juleka!" Marinette cried, dragging Adrien up the stairs. "Juleka! I need –huff- to –huff—talk to you!" Marinette panted. Juleka, Rose, and Adrien looked at her expectantly as she tried to catch her breath.

"…Yes?" asked Juleka, from behind her purple fringe.

"Youhavetobethemodelformyfinaldressatthefashionshow!" blurted Marinette, unable to contain her excitement.

"Uhm.. what?" asked Juleka, frowning slightly.

Marinette finally caught her breath enough to explain, and realized she was still holding Adrien by the wrist. He was looking at her with bemusement, and god it was so cute, but no she had to get this to happen.

"For the fashion show, Juleka, I've designed this dress, the final dress of the whole show, and I didn't know how to finish it because I didn't know who should wear it, but I just realized that it has to be you!" Marinette turned to Adrien, grabbing his shoulder again. His breath caught at the passionate light in her eyes. "Adrien, you've seen the dress, wouldn't Juleka make it so special and just perfect? You know that the right model can make the clothes really, I don't know, sing, like your dad's designs do when you wear them." She looked eagerly into his face, and he smiled and turned to Juleka.

"Marinette is right, Juleka, you would be perfect in that dress, and the perfect end to the really amazing show that Marinette has put together." Adrien beamed, and everyone looked expectantly at Juleka.

A blush was spread over Juleka's cheeks, and for a tense moment, everyone thought she would succumb to her self doubt. But then a small smile came to her lips, and she looked up into Marinette's eyes. "You're sure, Marinette? I was too shy to audition.. but…if you think so.." She trailed off, hopeful but scared.

"Juleka," Marinette said in her kindest, most soothing voice, not noticing how Adrien was looking at her, "I don't want to pressure you to do this if you don't want to. But I would be really honored if you would wear the final look for this show."

Juleka looked up and her timid smile grew into a wide grin. "Thank you Marinette, I"ll do it!"

"Ah!" Marinette squealed and hugged Juleka tightly, pinning her arms, so that Juleka could only stand there and laugh. Rose and Adrien cheered.

"WHAT is this?!" came a familiar, haughty cry from the top of the stairs. "You want scaredy camera shy Juleka to wear the final look in the fashion show?! That is MY spot! It has to be! My daddy, THE MAYOR, is sponsoring the whole thing! Juleka will just mess it up. I'm the only one with the beauty to make Marinette's silly designs look good, right Adrichou?!" Chloe had descended the stairs during this speech, thrusting her face into Juleka's, before turning on Adrien.

Marinette's heart sank. No way could she stand up to both of them, and no way would Adrien disagree with his oldest friend, and no way would Juleka walk in the show after this. Her bright bubble had just been popped.

"Actually, Chloe," said Adrien, in a low, steely voice that none of them had heard before, "Juleka will wear the final look at the fashion show, and you will not do anything to stop her."

"But my fa- " Chloe began, but Adrien put up a hand, cutting her off.

"Your father will be much more disappointed if I don't walk."

Everyone gasped. Adrien had played his most powerful card. Chloe turned purple, opening and closing her mouth in shocked fury.

"You will wear the look that Marinette has chosen for you, Chloe, and you should count yourself lucky. If I find out that you have sabotaged Juleka, or insulted Marinette or anyone about the hard work they have put into this event, I will not walk, and YOU will explain that not only to your father but to the kids at the shelter whom this show is supposed to benefit. Is that clear?" Adrien's face was like stone.

Chloe had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Adrien turned on his heel and walked down the stairs, not looking back. Everyone was stunned. Finally, Chloe let out a shriek of rage and marched up the steps and away, practically emitting steam from her ears while Sabrina bobbed after her. Marinette blinked, then swooned right onto Juleka and Rose. Alya came running up the stairs.

"Girl, that was amazing! I got it all on video! Adrien just totally defended you guys against Chloe, can you believe it! She better shape up! Ha HA!" Alya cackled with glee.

Marinette's heart was in her throat. Adrien just defended me and my designs in front of everyone! She needed to be alone. Turning to Juleka, she blurted "I'll text you about the fitting!" and then ran down the stairs, sprinting towards home. "I'll send you the video!" called Anya, shaking her head with affection.

thanks for reading! Stay tuned for some romance next chapter...