Alya's mouth hung wide open. Marinette smiled and chuckled nervously. Tikki just floated there like this was normal. Marinette's eyes looked towards Tikki, but the rest of her body remained frozen.

" Tikki, why did you do that?" she asked through clenched teeth.

" I couldn't just stand there and let your own best friend believe a liar over her own best friend. All of this almost got you amortized," Tikki explained.

" Hey, I helped calm her down!" Alya defended herself.

Tikki gasped and went back into the pouch. Lila came into the bathroom. She looked shocked to see Marinette and Alya in the bathroom. She scowled and crossed her arms.

" Aren't you supposed to be at the Principal's office?"

" I was just going to the bathroom. I couldn't hold it any longer," Marinette lied. " I'm going now."

She pushed her way past Lila. Her fingertips accidentally brushed against Lila's arm. Lila felt like her arm had been set on fire. She shrugged it off. She walked over to Alya.

" Is Mari okay? She's acting a little weird."

" Don't act like you care," Alya rejoindered.

" Act? But I do care! Why would you think I don't care about her? Is it because-"

" Enough! I know you're a liar. You can't fool me. I'd believe Marinette over you any day!" Alya snapped.

" But you filmed me," Lila stated.

" Yes, but you said you can't transform in front of people. I know that's a lie. It was just a ruse so you could get away with it!" Alya scolded.

" Yeah? And what are you going to do about it? Everyone believes me. They'll never believe you. Just like they didn't believe Marinette. I don't want to be enemies, Alya, but if you get in my way, I'll have no choice."

Alya stood there shocked. Lila put her hand under her chin and closed her mouth for her. With one last evil smirk, she flipped her hair and left the bathroom. Alya growled. She banged her fist against the wall.

Marinette knocked on Mr. Damocles's door. She came in as soon as she was given permission. Mr. Damocles looked shocked to see Marinette of all people.

" So, what brings you here, Ms. Dupan- Cheng?" he questioned.

" Lila claims she is Ladybug," Marinette began.

" Yes, I got an autograph from her this morning," Mr. Damocles interrupted.

" That's the thing! Lila isn't Ladybug! I yelled at her in class and got sent here. But, sir, I know Lila isn't Ladybug!" Marinette yelled.

" Okay, okay, calm down. Just breathe," Mr. Damocles commanded.

Marinette's skin was boiling. Mr. Damocles noticed it was getting way too hot. Marinette's skin was now red. Mr. Damocles began to fan himself. Marinette smirked. This was her way out.

" Sir, it's hot in here. Can I go back? I promise I'll be on my best behavior."

" I suppose I'll let you go with no consequences this time. But next time, you won't be so lucky," Mr. Damocles told her.

" I understand. Thank you, sir! You're the best!"

Marinette ran off.

" No running in the school!" Mr. Damocles demanded. " And close this door!"

Marinette did as she was told. She power-walked all the way back to class. When she arrived, she saw Alya was not back. She looked at Miss. Bustier.

" Alya hasn't come back yet?" she asked.

" She went after you so I assumed she was with you," Miss. Bustier answered.

" She was. I stopped by the bathroom. Alya helped me realize that… I shouldn't make accusations without any proof. So, I apologize, Lila. Anyways, Lila came and told me I needed to be at the Principal's office. I left, leaving Alya there."

" Interesting," Miss. Bustier remarked.

" You don't believe me?" Marinette asked.

" No, no! It's not that. It's just… nevermind. If she's not back in a few minutes, I want you to go look for her since the first period will be over."

" Yes, ma'am," Marinette mumbled.

She trudged over to her seat. On her way, her eyes met Adrien's. This time, Adrien smiled at her. Marinette simply nodded with a fake smile plastered on her face. Adrien frowned with concern. It was normal for him to be all depressed, but Marinette was usually cheerful and chipper. He would have to ask her if she was okay. He would do that after class.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Marinette hopped up. She rushed out of the classroom. Adrien ran after her. Lila growled and followed them. Marinette ran into the girl's bathroom. Alya was knocked out on the floor. Marinette got on her knees. She began shaking Alya.

" Alya, wake up! Alya, wake up! Alya, wake up! Why- won't-you- wake- up?"

" Huh!"

Marinette turned around. Lila and Adriend stood in front of the doorway. Lila smirked deviously. Alya remained unconscious.

" Marinette hurt Alya!" Lila yelled.

" What! No! She was like this when I came in here!" Marinette defended herself.

It was too late. All the girls saw her crouched down by Alya. They shook their heads at her in disappointment.

" She's worse than I thought."

" Poor Alya."

" What kind of friend does that?"

" No kind of person should do that."

" I hope Alya will be okay."

" If not, Marinette will be in a sticky situation."

Marinette felt the words sinking in. She became overwhelmed. It wasn't her. What did Lila do? Would Alya be okay? She couldn't see Adrien anymore. The girls shoved him out of the way. Marinette wondered if he believed her. Alya did. Maybe he would too.

" I hope she gets seriously hurt or something."

" Maybe she should kill herself."

" She should be ashamed."

" Let's go make sure Alya's okay. Out of our way, Marinette!"

Suddenly, there was a groan. Alya's eyes slowly fluttered open. She saw lots of girls in the bathroom. She was confused at what was going on. Then, she remembered.

" It's okay, everyone. I almost got amortized. It took all the strength I had to resist her. I so wanted to give in. I feel ashamed, but I did. I'm sorry if I worried you guys," Alya explained.

" Wait, so Marinette didn't do this to you?"

" WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU EVEN ASK THAT! MARINETTE IS MY BESTIE AND SHE WOULD NEVER HURT ME ON PURPOSE! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!"

Everyone looked shocked. One by one, they left. The only ones that remained were Marinette, Alya, and Adrien. Alya grinned mischievously.

" I better go. See you later, Mari!"

Now, Adrien and Marinette were alone. Adrien figured this was a good time. Marinette felt herself getting hot. It was a different kind of hot. The hot you get when you are with your crush. Yes, they feel different.

" Hey, Marinette, you okay?" Adrien questioned.

" Yeah, why wouldn't I be okay?"

" You're just acting depressed."

" Well, I'm good. Thank you for asking."

Marinette was shocked. She was actually speaking to him. Without stuttering. Adrien smiled at her.

" Okay, I just wanted to make sure," he said.

" What about you? Are you doing okay considering what happened?"

" Yeah, I'm sorry about earlier this morning. I was a little rude. I'm just still upset about my father being Hawkmoth."

" I understand. Do you… believe Lila is ladybug?"

" No, of course not. Ladybug is much more kind, friendly, amazing, perfect, caring, helpful."

Marinette listened to Adrien talk. It hurt her. He was talking about how great Ladybug was.

" She reminds me of you."

" Huh?"

" Ladybug, she reminds me of you. You're also all those things. And you're smart like her," Adrien said.

" Oh, well, th-thank you. That's very love- I mean- caring of you. I'm so in love- I mean- flattered. I mean, I mean, I mean, th- thank yo- you," Marinette stuttered.

Adrien blinked quickly several times. It didn't take long for him to giggle. He smiled sweetly at her. For the first time in a month, he smiled.

" You're welcome. You really know how to cheer me up, Marinette. I feel like no one gets me better than you."

Marinette's heart soared at those words. They were unexpected. She felt like she was floating in the air.

" We should probably get back to class," Adrien suggested.

" Y- yeah," Mariente agreed.

Adrien took her hand into his. Marinette gasped. Adrien smiled sweetly at her. He showed no sign of discomfort. He and Marinette walked back to class together. He didn't seem to notice that Marinette's skin was pink. Either that or he didn't care. Tikki needed to find out what was going on. Maybe Master Fu knew something. She would have to find out later. Right now, she had to help keep Mari's emotions in check. She had no idea how hard that was going to be.

To be continued