27: Volpina

My grandma believes in many superstitions. And I spent a lot of time getting to know some of the things she would be very adamant about.

Never have open umbrellas inside your house.

Don't spill salt, and if you do, throw it over your left shoulder.

All bad things come in threes.

So far as I was looking through my closet, my umbrella fell on top of my head and somehow opened by itself as it fell to the floor.

As I was making breakfast, my salt tipped over and spilled on my coffee pot which was undrinkable by that point. Not allowing me to spill it over my shoulder unless I wanted to clean up that mess.

And now I'm just waiting for something else that may or may not ruin my day.

So I was extra careful as I crossed the streets, which made me be at school much later than what I usually would.

It didn't take long to find out that someone was transferred today.

"Yo, Jolene," Nino greets me as he was with Kim and Max. "Lila, the new girl, told me that she knows all of the Hollywood directors. She promised me that she will mention me to Spielberg," He grins. "That would be so cool!"

"…She promised you that? That's… pretty impressive," I said instead.

"Hey, do you know any movie directors?" Nino asks.

"Personally? Not yet," I answered truthfully.

"You should totally talk to Lila then," Kim says. "You want to be an animator don't you?"

"Yeah, but I'm sure I can do that on my own. I don't want to owe a stranger a favor, unless we are very close friends," I said.

"That is a valid point," Max, the voice of reason, quips. "Lila seems like an amazing girl, but we hardly know her."

"But she promised me that she'll introduce me to Spielberg," Nino pouts.

"Does she even remember your whole name Nino?" I asked hesitantly. "I'm sure she means well, but don't be surprised if she forgets."

Nino pouts and sighs as he leans his body forwards. Then he looks up and gives me a small smile, "When you meet a Hollywood director, you'll introduce me, right?"

"I'll make sure you both are in the same room," I promised as I stuck out my pinky.

Nino instantly cheered up as he hooked his pinky with mine.

"Hey, what about us?" Kim pouts as he points to himself and Max.

I smiled wryly at them, "How about when I actually make a movie, you will be invited to the premier and food and drinks are on me?"

"I'll take it," Max smiles as he pushes his glasses.

"Heck yeah, can't wait!" Kim cheers.

"Well, I have to go to the library. Need to return a book," I waved at them as I made my way towards the place.

As I walked the halls, the name 'Lila' was repeated over and over again. The things that she says she has done sound… fake.

I know I don't have proof of it, but just something about the situation rubs me the wrong way.

Is the third bad thing about to happen to me sometime soon?

"Jolene!" Adrien greets me as he rushes out of the library. "Hi."

"Hi," I smiled as I was about to grab his hand when I saw a girl approaching us.

It could've been my imagination or a trick of the light, but I swear when she saw me her eyes narrowed and her lips twitched to a frown for a quick second before she smiled too innocently to me.

Immediately I already knew who this girl was.

"So you made friends with the new girl, Lila?" I asked my boyfriend.

Adrien nodded and I already knew why he was looking tense.

"Have fun at fencing," I told him and he nodded before rushing towards the lockers to change.

"You're Jolene?" Lila asks. "Adrien mentioned that you are one of his best friends."

I really didn't like the way she emphasized the word 'friend'. And I especially didn't like how goosebumps rose from the back of my neck as she took a step closer to me.

"Yeah, it's true," I smiled wryly, ignoring the sensation of dread. "And what about you? I've heard so many stories of what you have done. I'm impressed."

"Oh that? It's just my life," She waves off, trying to be modest. "I was so nervous to come to school and make new friends that I wanted to share with you all what I've done."

I nodded as I hummed softly, "Well, congrats on that. I'm sure you'll be friends with someone soon."

"Are you not considering being my friend?" She asks, a totally fake, puppy pout as she looks at me.

I sighed as I rubbed the back of my head, "Look, Lila, Adrien and I became best friends because I trust him a lot. In fact, if it wasn't for him, I would not have been friends with anyone.

"And I'm happy to have Adrien and Nino as my best friends. And most of my classmates are friends too.

"I'm sorry if I can't consider you a friend yet, but be assured that I respect you as a fellow classmate.

"I hope you understand that it will take time to form a friendship. But if you need something, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll do it if it's in my power, of course."

Lila looked sad, but then she cheered up, "Then in that case, can you help me be alone with Adrien? Please? You're his best friend, I'm sure you can do it."

And just like that, I did not like Lila. And she would never be my friend.

"I'm sorry, but I can't," I said softly, my acting skills getting dusted off. Two can play this game.

Lila immediately was shocked and was about to say something, but I beat her to it.

"Adrien is my best friend and I'll only set him up with someone when he asks me, not the other way around.

"I'll do the same for Nino, but Adrien helped him first."

"Oh? Are you and Nino," She smiles as she crosses her fingers in front of her.

I shook my head as I smiled innocently at her, "I'm not his girlfriend. I'm not that lucky."

"Oh, it's a shame, you two would be so cute together," She grins. It reminded me of a cat after eating the canary.

"Well, it doesn't matter. I'm not the type of girl to go behind my friends' backs," Then I took a deep breath and stared at her, "If you want to meet with Adrien privately, you'll have to do it on your own. Sorry I'm not much help, but it's my code of honor among my friends."

I went inside the library and gave Lila a side glance, "I'll see you around."

"See you," She says, the hairs of my body standing on end.

Bad things come in three.

Already, I knew this was the third bad thing coming my way.

I looked at my jade bangle and already saw that little over half of it already had milky clouds formed in it.

Yeah, I'm going to need to visit Mr. Chan very soon.

But before that, I'm going to need to have a talk with a certain boy.

Mr. D'Argencourt knows me well enough to allow me to observe his classes. As long as I don't distract his class.

Quietly I sat on the bench and observed the fencers fighting against their opponents. Naturally, everyone looks the same as they are covered up in the white uniform from head to toe.

But no one has the same rhythm when it comes to fencing.

And most of the time, I'm able to pick out which one is Adrien.

"Class dismissed," Mr. D'Argencourt said after giving a speech about how tournaments are about to begin against other schools.

The students went to their lockers to change, but the fencing teacher approached me.

"Miss Baudelaire," He greets me. "I was wondering if you are interested in fencing?"

"Huh?" I replied smartly.

Mr. D'Argencourt continues, "Several of my students are graduating and will no longer be part of my class. Naturally spots will be open. Since I saw that you have been observing my class for quite a while, I was curious if you are interested."

"Oh," My eyes widened. "Well, fencing is very fascinating to watch. And you know I watch these because Adrien is my friend. Plus, I've never touched a sword before…"

Mr. D'Argencourt waves me off, "Everyone starts somewhere. I just wanted to let you know.

"I've noticed that Adrien is more passionate when you are here. He's faster in attacks and gets a lot more points."

I felt my face getting warmer.

"He does?" I try to play it off, and I guess Mr. D'Argencourt doesn't care or doesn't notice because he continues.

"Yes. And I believe it's because you get him to be motivated. I just wish he can be like that in every practice and now that tournaments are coming up, I would like to invite you to join us to watch as well."

"Thank you, I would love to watch and cheer everyone," I smiled as I still felt a blush on my cheeks. "Do I ask for a private lesson with you to try out for the team? Or what should I do?"

Mr. D'Argencourt grinned, "I just happen to have an open spot on my busy schedule right after school. If you would like, you can come here and I will see if you have any talent for the blade."

I nodded, "I'll see you then."

"I shall be waiting," He nods, allowing me to sit up from the bench and walk towards the lockers where I was waiting to meet Adrien.

But then I heard Lila's voice.

"We need to meet at the park after school," I heard her say. "There's something I need to tell you."

"Sure, I'll just tell-"

"I can't trust anyone, Adrien," She interrupts as she puts her face way too close to Adrien. "The moment I saw you, I just knew that you are very trustworthy."

One look at Adrien's conflicted face and Lila's scheming one, I knew I had to butt in. But I had to be careful. My gut is telling me that Lila is like a fox. And not the good kind of trickster. Her tricks are lies to hurt others and to benefit her.

"Adrien, Lila," I greeted them.

"Jolene," Adrien smiles as he makes my way towards me. From behind him, I saw Lila's narrowed eyes, but she was all smiles when Adrien turned around to look at Lila.

"There is something you need to do," I said to Adrien in Japanese.

Adrien blinked, confused, and I saw Lila didn't have an idea of what we were saying, but she is a great actress.

"What is it?"

"Whatever I say, don't make an obvious expression. Pretend that I'm making a funny joke," I smiled as I made a cutesy voice.

Adrien laughs, "Okay, what's happening?"

"Let her meet you where she asks you. Text me where you are so I can meet you both later on," I nodded as I tilt my head to the side.

"Thank you," Adrien nods.

I looked at Lila and smiled, "Well, I have to go. Need to get ready."

Adrien grabbed my wrist and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Where are you going?"

"The ladies' room," I said easily as I carefully moved my wrist away. "I'm a big girl. I'll be fine going on my own."

Adrien smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head, "Hehe."

I smiled fondly at him, before looking at her with a neutral smile, "See you, Lila."

"Yeah, see you," Lila smiles, but I could tell that she was clenching her jaw afterwards.

If I thought Chloé was bad, Lila is worse.

Lila did not appear during class. Ms. Bustier said that Lila was so overwhelmed by people's kindness that she needed to go home to rest. And I saw how everyone, including Ms. Bustier, bought the excuse.

School went on and soon I had to visit Mr. D'Argencourt.

"Jolene," Alya calls out to me, "You aren't going to wait for Adrien?"

I shook my head, "I have to do something first."

"You know it's kind of weird not to see you two together after class ends. You both wait for each other," She says casually.

"Well, most of the time. Plus, it was the three of us, not just Adrien and me," I pointed out.

Alya nodded slowly, before wincing, "Was it because of me?"

I gave her a reassuring smile, "Alya, we are happy that you make Nino happy." But then I pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear, "Nino is one of my best friends. Please take care of him."

Alya nodded as she hugged me back.

I pulled away and we both smiled.

"Sorry, but I have to run," I waved at her as I quickly made my way towards the lockers and put on the mask and the lamé. And finally I took the epee weapon.

By the time I was on the courtyard, Mr. D'Argencourt was checking his pocket watch.

"Miss Baudelaire, you made it," He nods his head before putting on his mask. "Now, time to start."

Watching Adrien's lessons should have prepared me for Mr. D'Argencourt's intensity, but it's very different when you are in front of him, yelling at you to get in position.

So far I managed no points.

When a timer was set off, we stopped and returned to a resting position. Mr. D'Argencourt took off his mask, and I did the same.

It was only five minutes but it felt like an hour.

His face was serious, but then he smiled proudly, surprising me.

"You are very nimble, do you know that?"

I shrugged, "I have focused more on evading than attacking… in general."

He nodded, "So I've noticed. You have potential Miss Baudelaire. I had a hard time making a clean strike. You're fast, flexible, and impressive footwork, more than I had expected.

"The way you used your sword reminds me of… what were they called… Ah, yes, batons!"

Well, I had cousins who were in the colorguard team and they would let me practice with the flags and teach me simple twirl techniques.

"Is that a bad thing?" I asked.

"Not at all, it's brilliant!" He grins. "Now I definitely wish that you try out for the team. Of course, once spots are available."

I nodded with a wry smile, "I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. D'Argencourt."

"See you then, Miss Baudelaire," He nodded back and I quickly rushed towards the lockers and took off my equipment.

I looked at my phone to see Adrien's location.

My legs were burning from the speed I was running, but I didn't stop until I saw Marinette. I was slowing down when suddenly I saw a little flying creature holding a book.

"Tikki, spots on!"

My jaw dropped as I unknowingly stumbled upon a secret I wish I could unsee.

Marinette is Ladybug.

I felt nauseous as I stumbled as I leaned against the gate surrounding the park. Morbid curiosity allowed me enough strength to watch as I saw Ladybug landing in front of Adrien and Lila.

I was too far away to hear what was happening, but I just knew that Ladybug was angry at Lila.

I hid when Lila ran away crying with her bag in her hands.

My eyes returned to Adrien and Ladybug. Adrien was frowning as he stood up in front of Ladybug as he said something that I could not hear. For a second, Ladybug froze in surprise before looking away and frowning as she replied something. Soon she left, leaving Adrien alone.

That's when I finally allowed myself to approach him.

"Adrien," I said softly.

"Jolene," He walked towards me and grabbed my hands. He licked his lips before asking, "Did you see…?"

I nodded slowly.

"You look pale," Adrien frowns softly. "Let me take you home."

I nodded as I let him lead me away towards the school where Giles was waiting in the car. My knees felt weak and I grabbed onto Adrien.

"Jolene, you're starting to worry me," Adrien says quietly after he instructed Giles to drop me off first. "What did you see?"

I opened and closed my mouth, before shaking my head. "I'm just… disappointed with Ladybug."

That's the best answer that I could come up with. I know I promised Adrien to be honest with him, but I can't tell this to anyone.

If I didn't say anything to Adrien once I knew, then I will do the same for her.

Oh my god.

They were in love with each other, or each other's personas all this time!

"You've gone paler," Adrien's worried voice snapped me out of my thoughts as his hands cupped my face. "You're cold too."

"I'll be fine," I said softly. "I'm just tired."

Adrien frowns, but I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm just really tired. I might be catching a cold. Nothing too serious."

Adrien didn't look completely convinced, "I'm making you a pot of tea before I leave."

"I would like that," I answered softly.

Adrien left after knowing that I had drank chamomile tea and was ready to take a nap. He promised to come back later tonight to help me prepare dinner.

"See you tonight," I said.

"See you, my love," He kisses my forehead.

"Get better," Plagg flies above me and kisses my forehead too. "A sickness is starting in your body, but I think a cleanse should work to make you feel better."

"Huh?" Adrien looks at the cat kwami.

"An energy cleanse," I said with a softer smile. "And yeah, I was planning to go somewhere soon."

"Huh?"

I smiled at my boyfriend, "Don't worry about it. I'm sure that when you get back, I'll be better."

Adrien pouted, but gave me one last kiss before they left, making sure to lock the door behind them.

I looked at my bangle, worried at the milky clouds that appeared at the once pure green stone.

Lila is going to be a problem.

Along with Marinette.

Damn. I should be angry with her. But… I stole her crush.

But then she ordered me to stay away from Cat Noir forever.

I grabbed a pillow and screamed in it.

It's going to be difficult to see Marinette without harboring mixed feelings.

More than once, I wished I never saw what I did today.

I must have been really tired because I slept through an Akuma disaster.

Hell, my heart almost jumped out of my chest when I saw images of a meteorite almost crashing here.

It was an illusion. Adrien explained to me later that night all that happened when I was sleeping.

"There are other miraculouses," I said softly as we ate chicken enchiladas. "Plagg, do you know them?"

The kwami nodded as he ate his cheese enchilada. "Of course. We all live together in the box."

"Box?"

Plagg suddenly turns quiet and stops eating. "I'm not supposed to say more."

Adrien wanted to ask more, but I grabbed his hand and shook my head softly when he looked at me.

He sighs, but reluctantly nods. But then Adrien gave me a look, "I was waiting for you in the park."

"Um, about that…" I explained to him what happened with Mr. D'Argencourt.

"That's awesome!" Adrien grins. "I would love for you to join fencing."

I gave him a soft smile, "I would too, but…"

"But?"

"I already do so many things and I really need to spend more time with animation," I answered with a sigh. "I mean, I wish there were more hours in the day, or have the energy to do everything I want to do."

"As much as I would love to spend more time with you, if you don't want to join, then I will not get mad."

"Thank you," I smiled, relieved to hear him say it. "It's not like I don't want to spend time with you. But I really need to focus on my UTube, it is my income.

"But I hope you don't mind me still watching you during fencing."

Adrien kisses the back of my hand, "Never."

"You guys are seriously getting me a sweet tooth. It's almost making me lose my appetite for cheese!" Plagg fake gagged as he finishes his food. He floats up from his little table and pushes in his chair. "I'm going to Chez Plagg."

"I hope you are enjoying the drama," I waved at him as he flew towards the guest room.

"And now, it's just the two of us," Adrien leaned into my ear and gently nipped at it.

I shuddered as I kissed his jaw, "Now, we need to clean up."

He groans, but gives me wet kisses along my neck.

"Can it wait?"

"Hmmm, no," I said as I stood up and almost made Adrien fall forward, but he caught himself. But he grinned as he stood up and helped me clean up.

As I was washing the dishes and he was on drying duty, Adrien spoke up.

"Lila was… insinuating on me," He says.

"I know," I replied with a frown, a bitter taste already forming on my tongue.

"Wh-what?" Adrien looks at me. "Then why didn't you come earlier to get me away from her. She was really-" He stopped talking when he saw that I wasn't happy. "I swear I did my best to keep my distance!"

I sighed, "I know. I trust you."

Adrien sighed back, "She's… a lot."

I scoffed, "Adrien, I don't want to judge a person harshly. Especially someone I just met."

"You don't like her, do you?"

"Not at all," I stated coldly as I frowned, scrubbing a plate far too long than what it needed. "She's manipulative. And a great actress."

"…This is really the first time you saw her, huh?" Adrien asks quietly.

"Yeah, why are you asking?" I said as I passed him a shiny clean plate.

"She told me she personally met Ladybug after Ladybug saved her. Which Ladybug saw on the Ladyblog and told her in our faces that it was a lie, as I mentioned before," He slowly dries the plate. "And then when she saw my bookmark, the one you drew… She said that she knew Sea Queen. And that you made a video in dedication to her."

The glass cup that I had in my hand broke in pieces.

"Mentirosa hija de su puta madre," I cursed with a gutural hiss from both pain and anger.

"Jolene!" Adrien exclaimed as he carefully used his towel to move any shards away from my hand.

Thankfully, there were minimal scratches and very little blood escaping.

"Get me the first aid kit," I grit my teeth as I pull out the only piece of glass that actually got stuck in my pointer finger of my left hand.

Plagg actually flew in yelling, "What's wrong?! Jolene?!"

"I'm here," I said a little more calmly as the kwami flew in front of me. His eyes widened as he saw the small trails of blood being washed away with the water.

"You were very mad," Plagg says softly. Then he turned to look at Adrien who helped turn off the water and grabbed a new clean towel to cover my hands, "What did you tell her?"

"Just what Lila told me," Adrien frowns. "And that it was a lie, all along too."

"I knew that I hated that girl from the beginning," Plagg huffs as he crosses his arms. But then he hovered above us as Adrien opened the kit and started disinfecting my wounds. "Does it hurt?"

"A little, but I'll be fine. This will heal and I bet I wouldn't even have scars," I answered with a soft smile towards them.

It was quiet for a while as Adrien helped me and covered my hands in bandages.

"Kiss it better?" I asked, hoping both of them would stop frowning.

It did the trick and each of them kissed a hand.

Then Adrien smirked, "I don't know what you said, but I have a feeling those were very naughty words."

I gave him a dry stare, "It takes a lot for me to curse like that. Lila just happened to push my buttons just right."

"Breathe, Jolene," Plagg says, surprisingly the voice of reason. "Don't let her get the better of you."

"Since when did you become a zen master?" Adrien raised an eyebrow.

Plagg looked worried as he looked between us. "Jolene's anger can make an Akuma. And I don't want her to be a victim of it."

It was an incredibly sweet thing to say. And he was right. I can't allow myself to become akumatized.

"…I would hate to see you like that," Adrien whispered as he grabbed my hand, careful not to squeeze it. "I don't think I would be able to fight you."

"Then let me make it clear," I told them. "If I ever do get akumatized, promise me that you will do everything to help me get rid of the Akuma. I would hate to be under Hawkmoth's influence."

"…I promise," Adrien kisses me. "But promise me that you will also do everything to prevent that from happening."

"With people like Lila pushing my buttons, it's going to be hard," I admitted, "But I promise I will do everything in my power to prevent it as much as I can."

"Good enough for me!" Plagg cheers. I smiled at him as I scratched behind his ears, just the way he likes it.

Things have changed a lot in less than a year for me. And honestly, I wouldn't change it for the world.

Sure, there's a lot of obstacles ahead for us, but together, I'm sure we can handle it.

But now there's a secret that I hate to keep.

It would be a miracle if I could forget what I saw.

Marinette, all faith I had in you, was lost. I just hope that you can prove yourself to be a better hero that can separate her biases. From what Adrien has told me, you can't let it go.

And because of that, you made people turn into Akumas. I pray I don't become a victim because of you.

Omake 16

Gabriel Agreste was aware that his son spoke a girl's name more often than any of the classmates he has in school.

He thanked whoever listened to his nonexistent prayers that it wasn't Chloé Bourgeois.

No. It was a girl that he had the opportunity to meet in person.

Jolene Baudelaire, the guest of honor for the intended Christmas party he was going to have with just his son. He remembers that the girl had unnatural hair color, but wore appropriate clothes for the occasion.

But most of all, he remembers her sincere gesture of trying to calm him down. The peppermint tea was surprisingly soothing when he thought he lost his son.

He has kept a close eye on her. Afterall, he finally saw the girl's real appearance on his son's computer screen.

Doe-eyed with dark chocolate hair.

He has to admit that she is a beautiful girl.

But he wasn't completely sure if he wanted her to continue being his son's best friend. Afterall, he remembers all too well his son's worried face when Jolene was in the hospital. The sleepless nights his son went through.

Personally he was intrigued.

He did some private investigation, but was met with lots of security.

All that he knows is that Jolene got involved with the government. And that didn't exactly sit well with him.

That was until Nathalie pointed something out.

"Adrien cares a lot about Miss Baudelaire," She started. "In fact, I'm almost certain that he is… falling for her."

"She could be after our fortune," he tells his assistant.

She shrugged, "I've also investigated her." Now, that mildly surprised him. "She has two accounts, a checking and savings, both which have huge amounts of money.

"The apartment that she lives in is under her name and shows that she is paying for half of it.

"You may be right, sir, but from the interactions I've had with the girl… she seems to be a nice person. Sweet, you might even say."

Gabriel was in silent thought as his assistant was giving a rare praise on someone that wasn't himself or Adrien.

"Are you saying that I shouldn't worry if my son decided to date this girl?"

Nathalie nodded, "If Miss Baudelaire were to have bad intentions, I'm sure you can make her pay for it.

"Afterall, she has no one to defend her."

Gabriel nodded.

"I hope she doesn't disappoint. Or be a distraction for Adrien."

He hadn't worried before.

That was until he saw there were more pictures of her in his bedroom. Both of them together in rather closer positions.

It reminded him of the beginning of his relationship with his wife…

Memories that are now bittersweet…

But he has more important things to focus on than that of his son's love life.

"My book is missing. Get the security tapes."

AN: And that's the end of season one!

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter because I was really indecisive whether or not Jolene would find about Marinette's secret.

Anyways, I want to thank starrat, gwencarson126, Momochan77 and leenap1105 for reviewing. And to il2swim57, AI890, and G'rahas Warrior of Light for following/favorite this story. I hope you guys know that I appreciate you guys.

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Gwencarson126: To answer your question about Jolene feeling sick, she does sense negative energy. She's an empath, but she isn't aware that she has that ability. It's something she has been able to do since she was young so she doesn't think it's unique.

But Hawkmoth akumatize victims based on their anger or sadness and thus their negative energy is a lot more than the average person and it overwhelms her, thus making her feel sick.

I hope you enjoyed how this chapter turned out.

Momochan77: You're so sweet. I felt so proud when someone says they binged my story. Thank you again.