Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug. I own only my OCs for the purpose of this FanFiction. I do not own the songs Bang Bang by Will. , Burning Love by Elvis Presley, You're The One I Want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley, and A Little Party Never Killed Nobody by Fergie.
Note: Lila's exposure continues!
"Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful."
Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein.
The dark of night fell. Everything was dark, except for the Françoise Dupont lycée lighting up like a Christmas tree. Saturday night was the night of the school's dance, the biggest event for them of the year. Students bounced with zest for the night, yet one girl wasn't as excited…
"This is bad, this is really bad, this is really really bad…"
"Will you calm down?"
"This is so BAD!"
"Cool it! We're already here."
A French-manicured hand gripped the edge of the front door, violet eyes peering into the gymnasium and hearing the voices of the many kids chattering. She shook with the giddiness bubbling within her, making her squeal in silence uncontrollably.
Banners darted across balconies, colourful balloons hung, retro posters from the 50s and 60s were pinned up. The theme was vintage rock'n'roll so the kids dressed up in outfits from movies such as Grease, Hairspray, West Side Story, The Great Gatsby, etc, in that genre. The food was on a table clothed in a red-and-white-striped sheet. Despite the hype, it gave off a lukewarm effect. Simply put, the event was not all great. It was hardly the dance of the year, almost worst yet. The best Alya could do in a day (and the worse Lila could make yet). It was all Alya managed to pull it off in a short few days.
It wasn't a great dance, but Vanessa was beaming.
"Wow...This is so...gritty! I love it!"
Her first average dance. So different from the high-class banquets, celebrities' parties, and Olympe's galas with their boy counterpart school.
Marinette wasn't as fired up. Instead, she was scared.
"1 hour and we're out of here, right? That's what we agreed with the matron. Noon to 8. We have an hour to kill. But why here, why not with your sister? This place is basically off limits!"
"Just blame it on me, say it was all my idea."
"It IS all your idea!"
"Take it easy. Besides, you have a date. Come on, Mari, what do you say? Let's take a walk on the wild side!"
Marinette groaned, not fully convinced. Hands took her own and hold them up to chest level. The blue-haired girl brought her downcast face up to Vanessa shining with kindness.
"Mari…I know I dragged you into this, but I didn't do this just to attend an ordinary party. This is your chance to show all who hurt you. You came bouncing back, stronger than ever, better, more confident than ever. Don't let them get to you, they haven't broken you. You're not broken, just cracked. And cracks can heal."
Touched by her statement, Marinette made a little smile of her own.
"Ready, ladies?"
Luka appeared to the girls. He looked so devilishly handsome wearing a cool leather jacket, a faded blue shirt, and tight black pants with slightly ripped knees, dressed as one of the T-Birds right down to the sexy smirk.
He offered his arm gentlemen-like, to which Marinette gently roped around it. Vanessa hopped ahead of them, grinning to the corners of her cheeks.
"My sister is waiting inside." Luka added to his 'date.'
"She has a date?" Marinette questioned.
"Only if Vanessa can see her."
The gymnasium, despite the rushed choice of decorations, was bustling with kids dancing to the beat. Kim was taking over the dance floor with his mad moves and his equally driven date, Ondine. For the night, Kim obviously went for the typical portray of a high school jock, completed with a red/white varsity jacket, black shirt, tight jeans and clean white trainers. Ondine, however, flaunted in an outfit from 70s, a blue jumpsuit covered in sequins, white platform-shoes and big sparkly earrings in the style of small disco balls.
Well, the theme called for vintage.
It did not call for Lila spurting that she single-handily organised the dance.
"She didn't lift a finger! She left it all to me!" Alya scolded. For the dance she pulled off, she came as Sandy from the end of Grease, right down to the voluminous curly hairdo, big gold hoop earrings, red lipstick, matching red toenails, a tight black top both short-sleeved and off-shoulder, tight black leggings, and brown-stitched high-heeled wedges.
"Let her lie." Nino assured, setting up his DJ equipment as he was doing the music for the dance. He was clad like Elvis Presley. He had the duck-tailed black wig, the flamboyant white suit embellished with fake rhinestones and a guitar just for decoration. "It'll bounce back to her like it did at the hotel."
His unbelievably hot date sniffled a chortle. "Oh, that's funny!"
Adrien fiddled with the pearly clasps of his jacket, feeling nervous yet also in glee to be here. He decked out in his finest costume as The Great Gatsby. He dazzled with his pale-skin dress suit, white dress-shirt, gold tie of satin, and a green emerald ring on his left hand.
"You look good, man."
"I look like my father. I gave up a lot just to spend one night here. As long as I have no strains or rips at the end of the night, he would be at least contented. "Adrien scanned the room, looking for something. Or someone. "She's coming, right?"
"Yeah, Juleka told Rose that Marinette is coming."
Adrien found himself scowling of jealousy. "With Luka."
"And her new friend. Juleka was more excited about her than Marinette."
"There they are!" Alya cried.
Adrien jumped and looked ahead just as three figures stepped into the limelight. All eyes set on the girls, marvelling them.
Marinette was a sight for sore sight, wearing a black top with quarter-length sleeves and a scoop neck, fitted on her blooming torso and went tight at her waist, a full pink skirt, a black belt around her waist with a shiny silver buckle, a red ascot with black polkadots tied around her neck, and simple pink flats with straps around her ankles. Her navy hair was pulled into a peppy high-bun, a red ribbon entwined.
"Wow..." Adrien said in awe upon seeing her, frowns when he saw her with Luka.
"Dude, are you hissing?" Nino asked, making Adrien shut his mouth in a firm line.
Vanessa tiptoed in the gym, taking off her fedora to express child-like wonder. She was so hyped up for this night, a night to dance in a new setting. She came as either Danny Zuko or Michael Jackson, with a humble black dress-jacket and matching trousers of rich material, a silky purple shirt where the collar was open to her chest, and shiny black tap-dancing shoes. Her curly-braided hair was roped up in a perfectly contained updo under her cool-black fedora.
"This is...imperfect!" She cheered, throwing her head back and twirling around.
"Not the compliment I was hoping for but still." Alya shrugged.
Across the room at the refreshments, Juleka dropped her drink once she caught sight of Vanessa under the lights, happiness beaming, as beautiful as a Disney princess on a rare chance of freedom. Vanessa set her fedora on her nice hairdo, her plum lips smiling in a nice, alluring way. Juleka felt her throat go dry and her cheek burn up.
"Juleka? Helloooo?" Rose waved her hand in front of her best friend's face to get her attention. Alas, Juleka was starstruck.
"Marinette!"
Marinette squeaked as a boy tackled her, squeezing her tight in a desperate hug.
"Hey, Marc."
"I'm so glad to see you again!"
Marc let go of her, still grinning at her. For the dance, he showed up as one of the Sharks from West Side Story, the red dress-shirt tied at his waist, open collared and wore as a jacket, a black shirt, tight black pants, black leather fingerless gloves and blue sneakers.
"Are you here with Nathaniel?" Marinette asked.
Marc snorted, a scowl brewing and crossing his arms. "Hell, no! I rather die in a pit of snakes than have do anything for that two-faced deadbeat con artist!"
Nathaniel groaned, hearing Marc's rant from a different room of the hall yet knowing that he had every right not to trust him. The redhead thought of appearing as one of the Jets from West Side Story in a yellow t-shirt, a blue vest stripped with thin lines of white, skinny tan-coloured pants and grey shoes.
His Shark counterpart hated him. Art in the making.
"Tough break, buddy." Alix patted his back. She customised as a Pink Lady, a pink satin bomber-jacket and all black outfit version of her usual clothes, long-sleeved shirt and capris, and her classical bright-green sneakers.
Ivan, Mylene and Max were with them, the three of them glancing at Nathaniel with sympathy.
Ivan put on a heavy black leather jacket, torn blue jeans, brown boots and a black faded t-shirt bearing the Rolling Stone's tongue icon on the front, putting the rock in rock'n'roll.
Mylene came as a cheerleader, adorned in a fitted white jumper with the letter 'M' on the front in light-blue and a matching light-blue collar, a light-blue skirt, white knee-high socks, yellow shoes, one pom-pom light-blue and one pom-pom white clutched on her hairs, and a blue hairband pushing back her dreadlocks.
Max was no different from his typical attire, so he just wore a white dress-shirt, a brown jumper on top, skinny grey trousers, brown Oxford shoes, and a bright yellow bowtie as a geek of the retro era.
Loud music blurted from Nino's music stand, sounding more modern than vintage. Apparently one of the records he was meant to play for an authentic taste for the dance was made within in the last 10 years or less.
Bang!
Bang!
Shot 'em with a bang
Love him down down I shot my baby with a bang
Bang!
Shot 'em with a bang,
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang
Bang!
Bang!
Shot 'em with a bang
Love him down down I shot my baby with a bang
Bang!
Shot 'em with a bang,
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang
Alya glared at the DJ, shouting in protest. "That is not from the roaring 20s!"
"It was on The Great Gatsby soundtrack!" Nino defended himself.
Nonetheless, everyone jumped into rapture. The song prompted wild dancing, couples and groups dominating for the status of best dancer tonight.
Then Vanessa leaped in and started doing her own kind of dancing. She moved stiff and rhythmic as a robot meshed with her tap-dancing, putting Michael Jackson to shame. She even did his moon walk! The other dancers gathered around, cheering her on, clapping and snapping thumbs. The crowd went wild for her moves. Marinette stood on the edge, watching her best friend take the stage. Vanessa was naturally charismatic, effortlessly drawing everyone in by a simple grin and swing of her hips.
"Mari! Let's go!"
Her smile dropped as her friend grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out onto the floor.
"What are you doing?"
Her question went unanswered. Vanessa placed a hand on Marinette's left hip and another hand in her right hand and started to make her dance wildly along. Despite her reluctance, Marinette grooved to the music and moving. The girls made swirls, twirls, dips and lifts to everyone's amazement. In a fit of impulsiveness, Vanessa flipped Marinette over her back, her skirt making lively ruffles and the latter hopped on her feet, no clumsiness made. The crowd exploded into cheers at their performance. The girls threw their hands up in the air.
Oh, yeah,
I love my baby
Hey baby yeah I love you
Stupid is what stupid do
Tom and Jerry and Scooby Doo
Oh baby, I'm a fool for you
Come here, baby, be my lollipop,
I make it better, make the booty drop
Hey baby, can't get you out my brains
Damn girl, you're such a sexy thing
You're pretty little lady, and my baby makes me go down down
And my baby make me go down down
Ey my baby make me go down down
My baby make me go down down
The kids resumed their own dancing, Vanessa and Marinette separating to do their own thing, Vanessa on her own and Marinette with her date, Luka.
Adrien eyed Marinette from his place on the edge of the mob. Longing clouded his vision. It was lucky Marinette's friend wanted to come here tonight and Marinette 'accepted' Luka's invitation. A bittersweet plot twist. He nervously twisted his emerald ring around his finger as he kept his eyes on her.
Oh, how he wanted to twist with her...
He breathed in, bustling in courage, and readied himself to walk out and finally talk to Marinette.
"Adrien!"
He barely took one foot forward when not one, not two, but three girls blocked his path.
"Care for a dance, Adrien?" Lila asked in a low, seductive voice. She leaned in, her chest and hands flat on his chest, her smirk under his chin. Lila came as a movie star from the 1930s in a golden gown, sleeveless and one shoulder, a slit cut teasingly up her right leg. She paired the dress with a fake yellow daffodil upon her hair, long black satin evening gloves, black high-heels and big maroon garnet-stone earrings.
He wanted to say 'no', but the rejection wouldn't come out his mouth. "Uh..."
"Come on, let's dance!"
Her hands grasped his arm and begun to pull, using her force too strongly.
"Stop it!"
She ignored his pain and kept pulling. Then the other girl pulled him back on his other arm.
"Adrikins!" Chloe cooed. She showed up in the same costume as Amber from the movie Hairspray. She adorned an extravagant dress styled from the 50s, a dress of white lacy ruffles decorated with green specks, a yellow sash wrapped around her chest and a full skirt flaring out. Her hair was done up in a poufy beehive, not a curl out of place. She finished off with cream stilettos, a two-strand choker of real flawless white pearls, big pearl earrings, and white short evening gloves of pure silk. "We match so we must be together!"
Sabrina was right behind her, spraying extra hairspray in Chloe's big hair. The ozone layer was no concern for her. She was Sandy Olsson, like Alya, yet from the start of Grease, donning a short-sleeved white top with a V-neck collar, a creamy-yellow cardigan hanging over her shoulders, an ankle-long yellow full skirt with a white poodle stitched on, white/black saddle shoes and frilly white socks. Her hair was pulled up in a humble ponytail with a white hairband.
"Actually, I-"
"This is a dream come true!"
"Get your own man, Chloe! He's with me!"
"No, me!"
"But I-"
A red/black fan swept under his chin, bringing his head up and making his gaze focused on the third girl.
"Want a duo with me?" Kagami finished as she opened her fan, unfurling a red oriental paper and fluttering it in front of her face, just under her eyes for a seductive effect. For this dance, she wore lounge pyjamas inspired from the 1920s or 1930s, coming off as Jordan Baker from The Great Gatsby. Her clothes of smooth silk came with a kimono-inspired black robe with teal rims and red/teal/blue bubble designs on the edges, teal sleeveless top with red/blue designs added with black ones on front, black pants with fat teal ends and the same red/teal/blue bubble designs, black flat heels, and even wearing red lipstick.
"Back off, he's mine!"
"No, mine!"
"I asked him first!"
"No, I did!"
"Whatever, he's coming with me!"
"Says who, tramp?"
"Ladies! If I-"
Overlapping demands washed over his meek pleas, three loud screeches speaking over his kind voice. All he could do now was watch helplessly at Marinette dancing with Luka.
Just then, Elvis Presley's Burning Love came on.
Lord Almighty,
I feel my temperature rising
Higher higher
It's burning through to my soul
Girl, girl, girl
You gonna set me on fire
My brain is flaming
I don't know which way to go
Juleka showed no shame in hanging her mouth open, tongue waggling, drooling over Vanessa strutting on the floor.
"She's so great..."
"Go on! Go ask her for a couples dance!" Rose urged. Like others, she presented herself as one of the characters of The Great Gatsby, Daisy in this case. The dress she wore for tonight was cream in colour, entirely clad in feathers, a straight shape with a slightly full-ish skirt, and strapless with a light-pink wrapped around her waist and draped across her right shoulder and tied in a big bow. For accessorises, she had big and long gold earrings trailing down from her earlobes, chucky crystal bracelets, a gold headband with a fake yet blooming white daisy on the side, and white t-strap shoes. Ends of her short hair was curled in her face.
However, Juleka shut her mouth and turned her back on the girl she held a rising crush on. She put her hands on her forearms, tight lipped. Her heart was beating as mad as the atmosphere of the dance, this feeling vibrating throughout her body wouldn't stop. "She wouldn't notice me. She thinks I hate her."
Her outfit matched her gloomy demander. She had on a flapper dress in soft and shiny black, pitch black curved stripes curved along her body, a wide magenta band around her waist, and strands of black beads dipping from the ends. On her head, a headdress with purple feathers sticking out and her bangs hid her face. She accessorized with over-the-elbow-log black satin gloves, long pearl necklace, and plain black flat shoes.
While she drowned in her sorrow, her protective older brother caught sniff of her and decided to intervene.
"Hey, V. You need a partner for a change."
Vanessa halted her swagger to stare at him. "I never thought of that. I always dance on my own. But with who? Everyone is pretty much taken."
"I was thinking of her."
With both hands on Marinette, Luka lifted one finger to point at Juleka, back still turned and oblivious to her brother and her crush.
Vanessa squinted. "She's your sister? I met her earlier at the hotel. I don't think she likes me though."
Luka chuckled at just how little she knew about Juleka. "She's shy, that's all."
Vanessa considered the request. "When you put it that way…Ok."
With that, she walked over to the girl in black, said girl grumbling to herself.
"She's a goddess. There's no way she would notice a stick in the mud like me."
"Hey, wanna dance?"
Juleka craned her head up and once she saw her, she suddenly went rigid, standing up straight, arms at her sides, eyes wide open and impulsively said the answer she wanted to say to that.
"Absolutely!"
A bit taken aback by this, Vanessa managed a small grin. "Follow me."
She headed off and Juleka just eyeballed her until Rose pushed her. Juleka clumsily stumbled to maintain her balance and chase up with Vanessa who stride through the floor in a cool manner, unbroken by Juleka's awkwardness.
'Cause your kisses lift me higher
Like a sweet song of a choir
And you light my morning sky
With burning love
"So…" Vanessa said to break the ice. "Luka is your brother, huh? We're both the little sisters."
Juleka tried to bring out an answer to her comment but all that she sputtered out was funny noises of utter nonsense and weird expressions to match.
"I, oh, de, ba, a, Loch Ness Monster!"
She blushed beet red once she realised that she accidentally compared Vanessa's nickname 'Nessie' to the mythical Scottish lake monster. Vanessa was more uneasy about Juleka's awkward manners than the nickname comparison. She got it all the time. By now, she wasn't too sure about Juleka by the bucket load.
A new song played, sparking Juleka's low confidence to higher levels.
You better shape up
Cause I need a man
And my heart is set on you
You better shape up
You better understand
To my heart I must be true
Nothing left
Nothing left for me to do
The flapper girl started jerking her arms about, doing an odd prance much to Vanessa's shock.
"What are you doing?"
"I...I, uh, just m-making it up as I go along."
"That is some bad dancing. It's like Lila at Balter."
"But I don't care! I'm having fun!"
Interest lit up Vanessa's face and brought her happy smile back.
"Really?"
Without further ado, she stated copied her partner's awkward moves, finding herself enjoying it.
"I-I-I-I mean, come on! Do you really have to show off? I mean, not that you're a bad dancer, you're a fantastic dancer, I just mean…uh, well I…" Juleka stumbled over her words. "I just mean…uh, well I…"
She was too busy talking to noice Vanessa smiling at her, finding her babble adorable.
"Can't you just enjoy it?"
That made Vanessa think of a good reason, one that brought her into deep thought and express her true feelings. "I guess I always have to fight my right to dance. There's so little this mayor's daughter could do, like go into law and politics. Uh. I don't like it. I have to prove myself to everyone to show that I can make my passion work. At Olympe, everyone is so competitive it's naturally to bust a move to beat someone else."
"It's a dance with friends! You shouldn't have battle-dance at every chance you get."
"It's...no fun!"
You're the one that I want
You are the one I want
Oh, honey
The one that I want
You are the one I want
Oh, honey
The one that I want
You are the one I want
Oh, the one I need
Oh, yes indeed
Juleka and Vanessa danced like idiots together, joined bad dancing slowly evolving to good dancing, moving onto working in sync. Arms and hips swinging in perfect balance, the lively smiles flashing in laughing mouths. They were busy with the fun they had together to notice the crowd forming around them, watching them perform together perfectly. Without a doubt, the shy girl and the bold princess were the best dancing couple there. The centre of attention.
All eyes set on them, but they only had eyes for each other.
Juleka let herself go, spinning and flaunting her arms at Vanessa who was doing daring flips. They even the Charleston together. Then Vanessa took Juleka by the hand and pulled her in, smirking teasingly at her red blush, and then they danced with their hands joined.
Marinette and Luka stopped their own waltz and smiled proudly at them.
You're the one that I want
You are the one I want
Oh, honey
The one that I want
You are the one I want
Oh, honey
The one that I want
You are the one I want
Oh, the one I need
Oh, yes indeed
One boy wasn't pleased with their shared waltzing. He wanted to march over and say his peace…if only the three girls will let him go!
"Girls, I came here to have fun."
"Let's have some fun, then."
"I can give you fun."
"You'll have more fun with me!"
"Guys, please!"
Adrien was running out of patience. The three girls were making him stay by hugging his arms and even his legs while begging for him. And all the while, he had to stand still, not having any fun and watch the girl on his mind dance closely with another boy. Lila ducked when a teacher on duty passed by, allowing Kagami and Chloe more room to seduce Adrien.
Then Lila darted up in front of Adrien and proceeded to drag him to the dance floor for an unwilling tango.
Chloe pouted. "Hey!"
Kagami snarled, seething in fury. She marched right up to the thieving girl with her crush and readied her fan for a whack. "Get your claws off my man, Rossi!"
"How about you get your claws off my man, boyfriend stealer!" Chloé exclaimed, running towards them in her heels.
She ended up colliding with the three, immediately causing a catfight while Adrien stood watching them, look upset. Three nearly grown women behaving as wild cats, shrieking and brawling and fighting, all over a superficial chance with him. As kind as he was, he would dance with them all, but those girls were only interested in using him as a pawn, an ornament, just for decoration!
That was the last straw for the prize.
"ENOUGH!"
The girls stopped mid-fight, all directing stunned stares at a livid Adrien.
He exploded. "I have enough of this! You're all acting like toddlers! This is not a competition and I am not a prize to be won! I never say no or yes to any of you! None of you actually listened to me! I never been to a school dance before and I was really excited about it. But I am not happy about being used in a tug-o-war! I had to beg on my knees for just to spend a few hours here. Do you know I have to sacrifice a month's worth of free time to come here? My father wanted me to stay home and practice my Chinese! Chinese! I came here to dance but I haven't made one step without you three throwing yourself at me and each other. I tried to nice. I tried to create some solution to this problem. But I couldn't get pass your big egos. I don't want to dance with any of you if you keep acting like this. I'm gone. See ya."
He turned his back on them and stalked away. Perfect hair messed up, Lila huffed at the loss of a date but Chloe and Kagami were guilty about what they unintentionally did.
Adrien made his way to the refreshment table, getting a full glass of punch and chugging it down in one gulp. A hand patted his back.
"That was harsh, man." Ivan said, coming up behind him. The guys surrounded him, save for Nino keeping busy at the turntables.
Adrien coughed and took another drink. "I couldn't take it. God, this is a nightmare I can't wake up from."
Kim mocked a whimper at him. "Oh, I know. This must be so hard. Oh, no! So many girls love me. They're all gorgeous and sexy. My wallet's too small for my fifties, my teachers keep giving me straight A's and my diamond shoes are too tight!"
The boys shot him looks of disapproval.
"Not helping, Kim." Nathaniel answered. "You've seen the way those girls acted. It's no wonder Adrien got so stressed."
"The number of girls dying for a dance with you is 3 times the probability an average guy will get in this event." Max "But the real question is: Do you want to dance with them?"
Adrien thought about this, slowly wandering to the swinging form of Marinette.
"Just the one."
Without any further ado, he breezed across the dance floor to get to Marinette, while the music settled down to a soft, husky ballad.
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
Marinette smiled softly to herself, resting her head on Luka's chest, faintly hearing his hearing heart. Then a tap lightly hit her shoulder, causing her to glance over her slim arm and jolted out of her daze.
"Adrien!"
Standing in front of her, Adrien held out his open hand to her, as if offering his warmth and splendour. A kind look graced his features, his lips curled in a charming smile, his satin suit shining from the lights bouncing off.
"Can I have this dance?" He asked.
How many times has she dreamed of this moment? How many various scenarios of happy endings sprung through her head? How often did she wanted to be swept off her feet by the boy of her fantasies?
The answer: too many times.
But now she stopped dreaming, saw the harsh reality of her silly daydreaming and so, clung tighter to the man she moved on with.
"As you cannot see, I'm already taken."
"Oh, please?"
Luka stood there, watching bemused as Marinette and Adrien begun to argue back and forth.
"No, thank you."
"Please?
"I said no."
"Just one dance together?"
"No!"
"Adrien, you're being rude. I am someone else now and you have girls waiting in line for you."
"I don't want any of them, I want you."
"I came with Luka. It's not fair to him."
"Please? Just one dance?"
Marinette was about to turn down his plea when Luka placed his hands on her smaller shoulders, interrupting her.
"Just have a dance with him. I don't mind." He suggested it so calmly, his face so serene it was difficult for the girl to read his emotions, looking for a hint he was just as displeased as her.
Yet she sighed, succumbing to defeat. "OK..."
She took Adrien's hand. Without the slightest hint of hesitation, he pulled her in against him away from her date, flushing her up against him, her blushing face full of his smooth satin jacket. His other hand laid on the left side of her hip. She leaned back and placed her free hand on his right shoulder.
They joined in the slow dance, their easy movements swanning perfectly in unison, the feel of their bodies, differently shaped yet pierced together in a puzzle. Such closeness rose a heat in between them, both holding their breaths. Adrien pulled by a bold move by spinning her around in a twirl. When she slowed down to a stop, she felt his chest touching her back, and simultaneously breathing heavy of nervousness.
At the corner of her eye, Marinette saw Vanessa and Juleka in a calm swing, holding each other snuggly. The sweet sight gave her a smile until she then noticed Luka standing on his own. That sight brought her guilt.
And then Adrien cleared his throat, nervously shifting his gaze on her. "Marinette…I just wanna say-"
"Shush!" She snapped, joined by the guilt of leaving her date and discomfort of dancing alongside her ex-crush. "Shut up and dance with me."
Adrien bit his lip, understanding her discompose and quickly staying silent as she ordered, although how he yearned to speak out for once.
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
Chloe and Kagami observed Adrien on the dance floor from their spots on the edge. After telling them and Lila off, the two girls found him with a blue-topped beauty, an unhappy one yet she was the girl Adrien wanted to be with. The rejection stung. And their behaviour earlier made a big contribution to it. Hurt rushed through them, followed by thoughtful musing.
In the midst of her gazing, Kagami found herself next to Luka who was looking at the boy and the girl as well.
"They're something, aren't they?" He asked out loud, not expecting an answer from anyone.
But since Kagami was right beside him, she gave her answer. "If you like double standards. She clearly didn't want to pair with him in the beginning. How was that any different to how I, Chloe and Lila acted towards him?"
"Its-"
"If you said it's a boy thing, I'll cut off your boy thing with my fan."
Any other boy would squirm at her kind of talk. But Luka chuckled humorously. "I was gonna say it's a stupid-in-love move."
Kagami let a blush of embarrassment cloaked her face. "Oh."
"Not a wise move though."
"Quite right. But on the other hand, if he's more comfortable with her than me, I should let him be."
They went back to their staring at their representative crushes, silent until Kagami blurted.
"The boy I wanted to date is dancing with your date."
"Yeah. I know. He's your first love?"
"Yes." Kagami then released an outtake of air, abundant of her true feelings. "I took a bold dive and acted cocky of my arrogance."
"Sounds like you rushed the lyrics without learning the melody."
She turned to him with a blend of puzzlement and impassive towards his music terms.
"If you mean I've been rushing into love, then yes I have. I've never felt this way before. I felt wanted, needed, loved in way I never felt."
"But he doesn't feel the same way."
Luka's answer made Kagami look away from him, feigning sadness.
"It's hurt but it's not the end of the world."
She looked back to him, slightly more surprised. "How are you so calm?"
"Then there will be two irrational people in this conservation, and we won't be getting anywhere."
"I suppose he's more of a brother than a lover. Maybe I need to take a break. Lessen my speed in pursuing my target."
"The next guy will be not so oblivious."
"How about you? Are you giving up on your first love?"
"I like Marinette, I really do. But she needs someone more..." He gestures his hand to Adrien and Marinette. "Determined. Look at them. True love in the making." With Adrien and Marinette's current discomfort, it seemed more of true love in the fighting. "If two people are meant for each other, it doesn't mean they have to be together right now, but they will eventually."
Kagami sighed again and recited a line she deemed appropriate to her blight. "The course of true love never did run smooth, But either it was different in blood."
"O cross! too high to be enthrall'd to low." Luka followed.
She stared wide-eyed at him. "Or else misgraffèd in respect of years—"
"O spite! too old to be engag'd to young."
"Or else it stood upon the choice of friends—"
"O hell! to choose love by another's eyes."
Once finished, Kagami gasped for air after reciting elaborate words while Luka stayed perfectly smiling at her, not a wrinkle made or a hair out of place. She didn't understand what was more preplexing. The fact that he recited Shakespeare right off his heart or the fact he bravely countered back to me in his own relaxed way.
"How…?"
"Hey, I know some Shakespeare. He has the best lyrics!"
Just then, Chloe showed up in thin air at Kagami's side, getting her attention from a tap on her shoulder. The Japanese girl stared her down coldly, harbouring a little bit of animosity for her.
"Kagami." Chloe said, sounding strangely calm yet serious. "We need to talk."
They talked for God knows how long. The ballad muted out their conversation and Luka focused his sights on the most popular couple here. As much as he loved Marinette, he was no match for the boy she loved despite her denials. And so, with a heavy heart, he had to let go just as she does of Adrien, although Adrien was stupid in love with her even though he doesn't realise it. it was only a matter of time and trials to go through.
Chloe and Kagami had ended their talk and shook hands just as a loud, hiphop song played next.
A little party never killed nobody, so we gon' dance until we drop
A little party never killed nobody, right here, right now's all we got
"NINO!"
"It was on the soundtrack!"
The lively song brought the couples into mad dancing once again, ultimately causing Adrien and Marinette to jump apart. Adrien worked fast to grasping her arm, pulling her in against him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and guided her away from the mad crowd. Lila saw them as soon as possible, glowering to herself. After spending most of the night avoiding teachers and flirting with Adrien, she was all but happy. She was about to march over Adrien's fleeing form and interrupt him with Marinette when her fellow rivals for his affections blocked her path, stopping her.
"Oh, what do you want now?" Lila groaned.
Chloe gave out a low snarl at her.
Kagami drew her gaze to the blonde before setting on the brunette. "Chloe and I have reached an understanding with each other."
"He was right. We were acting selfish over him." Chloe added. "We came to the realisation that we're not in love with Adrien. We were going crazy at the notion of first love. He's a brother to us than a lover."
"So, we decided to let go of any romantic feelings for Adrien and just be his friend." Kagami finished.
"So that means I win!" Lila shrieked, overjoyed. "He's mine! Grazie!"
She began walking, grinning like a cat who caught the canary in a silver platter, yet she halted her step again when Kagami drew her fan in front of her as swift as her fencing sword, narrowing her eyes at Lila.
"Hold it there, Lucrezia."
"Just because we're not chasing him anymore means you can have him!" Chloe exclaimed.
"I thought you both were giving up on him!" Lila gawked.
"We did."
"We also agreed not let you anywhere near him."
"You're a bad influence."
"Says who?"
"Everyone!"
"Here and at my daddy's hotel!"
A little party never killed nobody, so we gon' dance until we drop
A little party never-
"So, I'm powerless outside, big deal. As long as I have my alpha status in this school, I'm untoucha-"
"LILA ROSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
Nino jumped, the music he handled stopped and the records scratched to a halt, thus the dancing dropped, replaced with confusion of the sudden shout. Mr Damocles stormed through the gymnasium, heading straight for Lila standing scared of him, not the one bit satisfied to spot her here tonight. The principal charged at her like a furious bull in the ring, his huge size dwarfing her and trapping her in plain view of everyone else.
"Miss Rossi, I thought I told you that you are barred from attending the dance!" He shouted at her, unable to contain his rage.
"But I'm the class rep-"
"Ms Bustier told me you are no longer class rep. Alya is. She organised the dance in a day when you didn't do anything about it for two weeks! Didn't you listen to me when I told you all this earlier?"
"I have trouble hearing, my tinnitus, not to mention my sprained wrist-"
"Until you have a doctor's note confirming your disabilities and as well as good reason from your parents for your absence, you are banned from participating in any social event by the school. School trips, talent shows, even dances. I only confronted you about this on Monday but since I have you now while you denied the one order you've been given, I might as well tell you in plain view of everyone present!"
"I already gave you those notes!"
"I called your doctor. He's fully Italian! He doesn't speak any French! I also contacted your parents and they have no idea what I was talking about. They told me that my school was closed for a month due to Akumas not being cleansed!"
…
…
…
"...Oops."
"I was so embarrassed! You made me look like an idiot! And more so, I received a call from the headmistress of Olympe, a prominent boarding school for girls. The boarding school I referred miss Dupain-Cheng to. It seems a handful of her students were confronted by my school, saying that one of my pupils prompted a verbal and physical fight, a girl named Lila Rossi from Françoise Dupont. The owner of the club both parties partitioned had CCTV camera to confirm your involvement. The fight escalated when you made up lies involving celebrities. What you fail to realise that you insulted the daughters of their parents. Several of those girls come from powerful families. One of those students is the daughter of the Mayor of London! And you shoved her!"
Vanessa slapped her forehead, groaning in annoyance that she was brought into an argument due to her famous status.
"Now Catherine-Marie thinks I only favour students with rich parents!"
"But you do..."
"That's only with Chloe and she's forceful without her parents!"
Mr Damocles was red in the face and clutching his hands. He was so emotional with his rants, he actually called the headmistress of Olympe by her first name. His infatuation with her mixed in with the ire caused by Lila embarrassing him in front of his crush and the trouble she brought along.
"You don't think I would look into your excuses for missing class? One class is expected. 3 months of nearly all of your classes are unacceptable. After several weeks of your repeated absences, I spend the last few days trying to find proof of your alibi and all I got was expectations falling short. I found none exist. Appointments to the doctor, the dentist, the embassy, your parents, all excuses! And for further note, there is newspapers and websites are speculating a whole lot of ridiculous theories, particularly about you. Imagine my surprise of opening the morning paper only to be bombarded with your face splashed across the pages. I also received a call from the embassy. Apparently, your presence on the internet and newspapers caused quite stir there and your parents have been caught in it. Your big mouth just caused a rift between three countries. Britain, France and Italy. You harassed Mayor Camberwell's youngest daughter and blackmailed his eldest."
"I didn't blackmail her! That's a lie! The media made that up! The media is making up more lies!" Uncommonly, that was true. The media was making up more lies to accompany her real lies. But that didn't aid her case. "Besides, how can I cause a rift? He's just the Mayor of one city! My parents run a whole country!"
"Know your geography and politics. That city is the capital of a country and that capital's mayor's daughter resides in this capital. Your parents don't run a country. They are only the representatives of Italy. They don't make the rules, they follow them. The Camberwells have more connections than your parents. You're in big trouble. Your parents will be hearing of this."
He stared her down, making Lila crumble to her knees, head tilted down as a sign of her defeat even thogh she refused to accept it, shaking her head. "I'm beginning to believe my transfer of miss Dupain-Cheng is a blessing in disguise to escape you. Now, if there's anything else-"
"LILA IS A BULLY!"
The principal, the girl in trouble and every pupil shot their focus on Juleka who made the shout. The goth girl went still and straight, clamming up with all eyes on her. She glanced to Vanessa. Her crush stared back her, her eyes bright, soft and gentle, sending messages of encouragement to keep speaking her heart out. Juleka took in air to her chest, her straight thin lips creased in a determined frown and rolled her shoulders, bracing herself for the biggest battle yet.
"Lila has been bullying me for weeks because I saw through her lies. Lila pushed me around, she cuts in line in front of me, she corners me and says she'll take away my only friend. And I wasn't her only target. Marinette was the same and she was shunned by us all blind to Lila's tyranny. I was afraid to lose my best friend, my only friend, the one person I felt comfortable with, even when she followed Lila without a doubt. I was afraid to be truly alone, so I stayed quiet about it. But now…I got hope."
She looked back to Vanessa, the representative of hope.
"You bullied my best friend without me knowing?" Rose shrieked angrily at Lila.
"If you don't believe me, sir, just look at the Jagged Stone website and what Lila said. They don't add up. And ask Marinette how she felt about Lila and why she didn't believe her lies on the first day that Italian showed up, ask anyone who thought of Marinette just before she transferred, how she bullied Lila when Lila was skipping school and lying about knowing famous celebrities when she single-handedly caused a media storm with all her lies and almost drove every guest out of Hotel de Paris with what she said!"
The hall stood by in astonishment. Juleka was so…talkative. Voluminous even. Luka was most gobsmacked yet proud that his sister had finally roared.
"Wow." Vanessa simply said.
Mr Damocles opened his mouth slowly as a fish, gasping out his words. "…Ma-Marin-Marinette, is that true?"
Marinette broke away from Adrien and answered with full confidence, glad to finally knock Lila down. "Yes sir, it is."
"Two victims, miss Rossi?" Mr Damocles asked Lila rhetorically. He looked around the gym to his students. "Is anyone else being bullied or felt threatened by miss Rossi?"
Inspired by Juleka's speech, many kids stood out and spoke up.
"At first, I found her exciting and exotic, but later she started acting hostile."
"She tells me to do things for her and twists my words."
"She scares me."
"She made me do her homework for her!"
"She made me make her my writer for my comic and she hasn't done any work for it!"
"I covered for her when she had 'doctor appointments'!"
"I found out that none of her travels match up and she threatened me!"
"She claimed she organized the Louvre's Egyptian Exhibition on her own when my father and brother did it!"
"I learnt from my father, Officer Raincomprix that several of Lila's 'daring deeds' are illegal and she should be in juvie for it!"
"She scares me!"
"She thought I was making my relationship with Prince Ali up when she did it! And she was picking on my best friend behind my back!"
"She almost hospitalized Jagged Stone by saying she rescued his cat when he's allergic!"
"She lied about owning Freestyle Class when small-B is planning on delivering a lawsuit on her for copyright theft."
"She had Crystal Camberwell's sister kicked out of the Hotel de Paris!"
My daddy can confirm it. She caused a mess at our hotel! It made the news."
"She told everyone she skipped school when she was supposedly traveling!"
"Lies! Nothing but lies! They're picking on me!" Lila wailed.
"Lies proved and documented!" Alya snapped, holding out her phone. Her thumb pressed down and a recording played loud and clear for all to hear.
"The interview you promised me didn't happen. Ladybug didn't tell me her secret identity. She only told me off for repeating asking for her secret identity and for believing in you. You're not Ladybug's best friend. You don't know her, only after you got akumatized. Your interview was fake. I only saw the hits, not the comments. When I finally looked at the comments, they were negative."
"That's a lie. I do know Ladybug."
"Cut the act, I know the truth. It slapped it hard on my face."
"Marinette hates me! She's been picking on me since I got here!"
"Because she knew you lied about everything! Not just Ladybug. Jagged Stone, Prince Ali, Crystal, Steven Spielberg, everything!"
"You didn't record the talk last night. How would you know I lied?"
"You have no proof of knowing Ladybug."
"No proof I lied either."
"Save it. Now I know the truth, you only look pathetic to me. You lied to me. You risked my reputation as a reporter. You turned me and everyone against my best single-handily destroyed everything I loved! I can't believe I fell for a liar!"
"Look who's talking."
"Excuse me?"
"You're the one who abandoned your best friend. You're the one who believed my word over hers. Didn't you accuse her of lying out of jealousy and demanded proof when I didn't have no proof at all?"
"Marinette is a great person! She's forgiven me when I expose you!"
"Will she? When is the last time you talked with Marinette? Did she say she forgives you? Do you know where she even is? Just keep the video up or else face the consequences. If you do expose me, no one will believe you. You'll be casted out. Like Marinette. If I fall, I'm taking you for the landing. Now, if you're done, my friends are wondering where I am."
Murmurs were made at the recorded words, proving Lila's twisted cunning. Lila gaped, then she glared at the reporter. Alya just smirked.
"I rather be called out for being a lousy reporter than listen to your false stories any longer! I'm also sure Ladybug will come now clear up a matter concerning public safety."
Marinette knew she would as it was the most responsible thing to do.
"My sister will be happy to tell how she felt about me being uprooted by her against instructions." Vanessa bravely stepped forward, joining in the exposure. "She made her quite unhappy. Along with Missus Edward, small-B, Jagged Stone, XY, Bob Roth, Clara Nightingale, Alec…Not to mention Ms. Auberon and Balter can verify her behaviour towards confronting the truth."
Lila whipped her head around, twisting her form. Disappointed faces blocked her exits, her chances of escapes nil to none. Her only hope for help shone in sunlight blond and pink satin.
"Adrien, I'm innocent! You believe me, don't you?" She pleaded to her, clasping her hands together.
Adrien stared at her. She looked back at him as helpless she can to convince him. Everyone else waited for his answer. All eyes were on him. The gentleman side pushed him to honesty. For the first time in a month since this begun, he knew what to say.
"She's telling the truth. She's did met Ladybug before..."
Happiness on Lila's face grew, and the crowd groaned. Marinette was even disappointed with him.
That was until Adrien hurried the rest of his confession. "Ladybug chewed her out for spreading lies about being best friends with her and lying about being the descendant of a superhero!"
"Adrien!"
But he kept going to her shock. "I made a foolish mistake to Marinette. I said lies weren't hurting anyone and I was wrong. I saw Lila hurting Marinette with her lies, hurting just about anyone, especially will say anything to get anything she wants and I'm on the menu. He wants me yet she flirts with other boys when I'm around! I told her a hundred times I don't like to be touched without my consent and she ignored me! She touches me, harasses me, gropes me even, she does anything she want and gets anything she wants with even thinking about the consequences."
Mr Damocles turned back to Lila. "The evidence is overwhelming. The problem is bigger than I imagined it at first. You are in big trouble, young lady."
Lila snarled. "No! No, no, no, no, no, no, NO!" She threw her sausage-haired head back, screaming at the top of her lungs. "HAWKMOTH! HAWKMOTH! HELLLLOOOOOOOO? I NEED A BUTTERFLY NOOOOWWWWWWW!"
Hawkmoth's lair was dark, damp and gloomy, perfect for a supervillain. White butterflies fluttered the air. None of which turned a black and purple in their master's hand. He stood still with both hands on his staff and a callous frown on his hard face.
"HAWKMOTH! DO YOU HEAR ME? AKUMATIZE ME!"
"Sir, aren't you going to send a butterfly to her?" Mayura questioned.
"I am not akumatizing that girl. Not after she has been exposed for sexually harassing my son. Let her face the consequences on her own. Lord knows she needs to."
"HAWKMOTH! HAWKMOTH, WHERE ARE YOU?! GET HERE RIGHT NOW!"
Lila screamed and screeched and shrieked to the sky for a butterfly. Nothing happened. Slow realizing this, she squeaked as she timidly arched her head forward. Everyone witnessed her desperately call out for the villain that plagued on vulnerable souls. Some pupils had their phones out recording her put-down, including Alya and Vanessa.
"Why you…" Mr Damocles snarled as the anger in him threatened to explode. "You lied, sneaked, skipped, threatened, harassed, bullied, abused…"
"Don't forget willing to endanger others and using her influence working with Hawkmoth to get what she wants." Chloe added, smirking in delight. "Trust me sir, I know."
…
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…
…
…
…
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…
"THAT'S IIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! LILA ROSSI, MY OFFICE! NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW"
Lila gulped. She was screwed.
Busted.
The first song Bang Bang referred to Adrien's newfound feelings for Marinette and Lila's treatment of him.
The daffodil in Lila's hair symbolised her vanity. The daffodil plays a part in the Greek legend of Narcissus. Narcissus was a beautiful man, but he disdained his admirers, and then he fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water. Narcissus is the origin of the narcissism, which is the fixation with oneself and one's physical appearance.
Kim's mocking line to Adrien is based from Friends. Guess the character and episode?
Marinette's line "Shut up and dance with me." comes from the song Shut Up and Dance.
Kagami and Luka's recitement of Shakespeare came from his play A Midsummer's Night's Dream.
Kagami's nickname for Lila, Lucrezia, is a reference to Lucrezia Borgia, who was the illegitimate daughter of the Italian Pope Alexander VI in 15-16th century. Her family, the House of Borgia, is considered the first crime family. They murdered their rivals for political ambition. Lucrezia was involved in many advantages marriages but her husbands would be killed or divorced until she finally died of children. She's typically cast as a femme fatale.