Unbeknownst to Marinette, Lila was having a similiar problem. Only she was significantly more worried over it, and was currently rolling back and forth on her bed and freaking out. She was fresh out of a fast shower and in a change of casual clothes. Now that she was out of Marinette's vicinity, she was safe to react as much as she needed to, which was a lot.

I held her hand I held her hand I held her hand I held her hand!

I kissed her I kissed her I kissed her I kissed her!

We're dating we're dating we're dating we're dating we're dating!

Lila pressed her hands to her face as she felt the corners of her mouth turn up. After the whole Volpina thing, Marinette being Ladybug was a lot more bearable and all she felt was elation and happiness. It was a small thing next to the words, "We're dating," coming from Marinette's mouth. A mouth she had kissed. Lila felt her cheeks go red yet again and she laughed to herself. If Marinette had said they were dating then Lila was ready to believe it. She may or may not have just been saying things impulsively when she'd said that they were girlfriends but she really wanted it to be true. After she had said it, she'd had a brief moment of terror that Marinette was going to look at her strangely and tell her off or something, but no, all she had done was agree.

Lila began to worry that she might have pressured Marinette into it by saying it like that. Then she thought she needed to text to Marinette to confirm that they were dating. Because really, all that happened was that they kissed and held hands, but not once had either of them confessed to each other. Sure, Marinette had said "yes," to Volpina's question earlier, but it was not asked in a romantic way.

What if that had just been a one-time thing? Lila put her head into her pillow and then gently screamed into it. She was happy, yes, but she was unsure about their current status. The only way she could confirm it is if she contacted Marinette somehow. She needed to confirm it before she could change her relationship status on Facebook.

Lila rolled over so she was face up and she stared up at her phone uncertainly. She should text her, but she didn't know exactly what to say. Just then, the phone vibrated and Lila made an aghast expression as she dropped it directly onto her face. Ouch.

Lila grunted and rubbed at the faint ache in her nose as she sat up and picked up the phone.

Marinette texted her.

Lila's eyes widened as she stared down at the screen, contemplating whether or not she was about to die. What if Marinette was going to dismiss everything that happened? What if she was going to break up with her?

Hold on. I don't even know if we're together yet.

Lila shook her head slightly as she brought the phone closer to her face.

No fear.

Lila swiped her finger across and inputted her password, feeling the world slow down as she prepared herself for whatever message Marinette had sent. As she put in the last number she squeezed her eyes shut and looked away, as if that would shield her from any bad news Marinette had typed.

Calm down, Lila thought. You can do it. It's just a text.

With a final burst of courage Lila turned back to her phone and read the screen.

Mari: hi

Lila was assaulted with relief, disappointment and disbelief. Marinette had not come to shun her, but Lila had worked herself up into a fret over a simple two-letter word.

Be cool. She typed and erased approximately three different greetings, and then settled on the most casual-sounding one. Marinette probably saw the little typing bubble appear multiple times, and she didn't want to take too long.

Lila: hey

Lila tossed the phone several feet away as if it were a bomb, and brought her knees to her chest as she watched the screen from afar. Several seconds passed and then the typing bubble appeared. Lila bit her lip as she watched it. She wished she had a friend who could help coach her through this whole talking-to-the-person-you-like-thing, but the only friend who could actually do that was also the person she liked. She could try texting Alya, but she felt like she didn't know her well enough. Then again, Alya had the one to decide on making her time in France the best months of her life, which had really touched her.

The phone buzzed again and Lila literally hurled herself at it.

Mari: so

Lila was on the verge of going to the bathroom and flushing her phone down the toilet.

Lila: yes

She knew she needed to bring it up and ask. But she was too scared to touch the topic.

Lila: how is it going

Lila pressed send and then she mentally slapped herself. She had literally just gone out with Marinette and now she was asking how it was going? Lila needed someone to take this phone away from her.

Mari: better now that im talking to u

Lila almost shrieked in embarrassment as she read that, and then took a moment to compose herself. It didn't sound like something Marinette would say but it still made her happy to see it.

Two can play that game! Lila was a master at being charismatic, as long as she wasn't in the vicinity of Marinette. Since this talk was over text, it was a lot easier to calm down and sound smooth. But she blanked; she didn't know exactly what to say in response. Lila stared at the words for a solid several minutes, head spinning with joy and embarrassment.

Lila: if only i could talk to you forever then

Lila could feel her face turning red as typed. Her cheeks were hot and she could barely believe the words she spelled with her fingers.

After Marinette and Alya had their text conversation, Alya deemed it necessary to go out yet again and personally carry Marinette through her chat with Lila. So she arrived out the bakery like the goddess she is, and began to coach Marinette. However, by "coach," she actually meant "steal the phone and text something flirty to get the ball rolling." So as Marinette sat on her bed and looked at her hands and talked about what she should say after Lila's greeting, Alya had literally taken the phone and then replied for her.

"How could you do such a thing?" Marinette asked, betrayed as she stared at her phone screen.

Mari: better now that im talking to u

"Well, it's not like you were going to say anything anyway." Alya chuckled and winked. Marinette shot her a look, and Alya's hands went up. "Okay, I'm sorry. I won't do it again." She apologized, "but wait and see what Lila says next."

Marinette looked back the screen, horrified. Nothing happened for a solid minute, and she gave a withering look to Alya.

"She's not saying anything." She said, and then promptly put the phone down and put her head in her hands.

Just then it buzzed.

"What does it say?" Marinette asked to Alya. "I'm too embarrassed to look."

"I got you." Alya picked up the phone, and then she whistled. "She says, and I quote, 'If only I could talk to you forever, then.'"

Marinette turned to look at Alya, jaw dropped as she felt blood rush to her face. Alya handed her the phone.

"What could I possibly say back?" Marinette said, backing away from the phone. Alya rolled her eyes and placed it in her hand.

"Well, I've already done my part. Don't you think this is confirmation that she likes you a lot?" Alya inquired, sitting down next to Marinette to pat her on the shoulder.

"Maybe?" Marinette answered as she posed her fingers over the keyboard, mind racing with possibilities.

"Ask her if you're dating." Alya urged. "That's why you're texting in the first place."

"I told Adrien we were dating in front of her, though." Marinette bent her head forward as she recalled. "She said we were girlfriends."

Alya nearly threw her hands in the air, but she refrained.

"Isn't that the answer, then?" She asked.

"But we never confessed or anything." Marinette said mulishly.

"Then you need to ask her." Alya sighed. "You can do it, Marinette. I believe in you." She patted her shoulder again in an act of support.

"Ok, ok. I can do it." Marinette repeated. Just then, Alya's phone vibrated, and she paused to take it out. Marinette glanced over in curiosity, but Alya moved it away before she could see the screen. Alya shook her finger at Marinette, smiling.

"I'm here to help you with your texts, not the other way around." She said, and then moved away to reply. Marinette stuck out her tongue, and then turned back to her own battle. Just ask it. Be straightforward.

Mari: do u think we are dating?

Lila: r we dating?

Marinette's mouth opened in shock again, the two had just texted each other at the same time. The same question.

Lila: oh.

And then for a moment it seemed unclear what Lila meant to convey in that message.

Lila: srry

Marinette moved to reply asap, suddenly realizing what Lila thought. Just then Alya shot her a look, but she barely noticed.

Mari: i hope so c:

Then she waited, blushing at her forward attitude.

"So?" Alya asked.

"She doesn't know, either." Marinette answered. "But I want us to be dating." She said.

"Then tell her that." Alya said. "It won't happen unless one of you makes it clear to the other."

Lila: really?

Marinette looked at Alya and then back at her phone.

"Ok." She said, determined as her heart raced.

Mari: yes

Lila: i

Lila: i guess we are, then

"We're dating!" Marinette exclaimed, suddenly feeling her emotions hit a high point.

"Awesome! Did you confess, though?" Alya was still texting away, too. Marinette wondered who she was talking to.

"No." Marinette said honestly. "But I think I will."

"Good."

With all the courage she could muster, Marinette moved to type again. Just to make it clear.

Mari: i like u a lot lila

"Ok, I did it." Marinette said, feeling a weight come off of her shoulders. She felt happy. Several seconds passed again. Alya just sent a text out. Then...

Lila: i like u more

And then Marinette was blushing again.

"I think I've completed my job here." Alya said, laughing.

"You are literally the best." Marinette smiled.

Mari: ill fight u over that

"Shall I leave you to your girlfriend?" Alya asked teasingly.

"But you came all the way here! Hang out for a bit." Marinette said. "Besides, I've third-wheeled off of you and Nino for too long now. This is nothing compared to that."

Then it was Alya's turn to blush slightly and she smacked Marinette on the arm lightly.

"Fine." She said, crossing her arms as she sat back down.

Lila: meet me in the pit (ง •̀_•́)ง

Alya looked over at the screen and laughed lightly.

"You two are adorable." She commented as she closed her texting app. Had Marinette taken the time to look over at the screen, she would have seen Lila's name at the top of the screen and realized that Alya had guided not only her but Lila as well.