Buzz!

" That's weird. This camera isn't working. The others seem to be fine," Mr. Damocles said.

" Maybe all the ice froze it," Marinette suggested.

" Yeah," Adrien agreed.

Marinette cheered silently to herself. This was a miracle. She thought for sure her identity was going to be revealed. Now that's what you call luck.

" I suppose that would make since," Mr. Damocles said.

" Maybe it was stormy weather. She can create ice," Adrien suggested.

He knew who it was from. But, he couldn't risk revealing his identity. Miss. Bustier sighed.

" Let's get you two back to the cafeteria."

" Sometimes I wonder if I'm good enough to be Ladybug," Lila lied.

" Are you kidding?" Rose asked.

" Yeah, you totally saved all of our lives on multiple occasions!" Kim added.

" Yes, and according to my calculations, there's only 1% of the population in Paris that would have what it takes to be Ladybug," Max chimed in.

Everyone began talking over each other. Alya was sitting across the room, scowling at Lila. Lila just smirked at her. She then put on a feigned caring face. She put her hands over her heart.

" Aw, thank you guys for your support. It means so much to me!"

Marinette and Adrien arrived. Marinette frowned when she saw everyone in her class hovering around Lila. Alya got her attention. Marinette went over and sat with her.

" Hey, girl," Alya greeted.

" Hey," Marinette greeted.

" I need to go to the bathroom," Alya announced out of nowhere.

" Okay…"

Alya hurried out of the room. Marinette rubbed her head in confusion. A sweet voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

" Do you mind if I sit here?" Adrien asked.

" No, no! Not at mall! I mean tall! I mean ball! Uh, heh, heh. Please, don't sit down."

" Can I stand then?" Adrien inquired.

" No! I mean yes! I mean if you want to! Oh, I meant please sit down! Heh, heh, heh!"

" So… Can I sit down next to you?" Adrien inquired.

" No! Yes! Maybe! Sure! Heh, heh. Oh! I'm so sorry. I can't talk today!"

" It's okay, we all have those kinds of days," Adrien said.

He sat down right next to Marinette.

" So, are you not eating?" Adrien asked.

" No, I'll eat when I go to the movies with you. Uh, I meant, when I get home."

" Same," Adrien said.

It was then when Marinette realized it. Alya purposefully left so she and Adrien would be alone. She banged her head on the table. Adrien looked at her with concern. Marinette just smiled and nodded her head.

Lila gasped and scowled. Everyone was still making comments. They were so excited the Ladybug was one of their classmates. Lila went back to smiling at them. She said her thank yous.

Marinette looked around nervously. Adrien didn't seem to notice how nervous she was. To him, this was just how she always acted.

" Uh, so how are you?" Adrien asked, trying to start a conversation.

" Muy bien! Bonne! Uh… good," Marinette answered.

" I didn't know you speak spanish," Adrien remarked.

" Uh, yeah! My mom's been teaching me. She learned it when I- she was in high school," Marinette replied, surprised she managed to get some words out that actually made sense.

" Cool, I have a tutor who teaches me different kinds of languages. I've learned Chinese, french, dutch, german, english, mandarin, and lots more!"

Marinette stared at him dreamily.

" You're so handsome. Uh, I mean smart!"

" Thanks. You're very smart too," Adrien replied.

" For really?" Marinette asked.

" Yep," Adrien answered, not noticing she had used incorrect grammar.

" I mean, I try to learn all that I can. But, I'm terribly clumsy. I ruin everything," Marinette said.

" What! No, you don't! If anything, you help lighten the mood," Adrien argued.

" How?" Marinette inquired.

" Chloe's birthday party wouldn't have been nearly as fun if you hadn't been there," Adrien told her.

" But that was just one time," Marinette protested.

" And you always help people. You helped Ivan tell Mylene how he felt. You helped guide everyone through Darkblade's ambush. You helped Mylene through her fear of everything. You helped Mark and got him a new friend. There are so many times you've helped people that I can't name them all!"

Marinette was blushing like crazy. She felt like she was going to faint. Adrien failed to notice that she was blushing. He looked at her with concern.

" Marinette, are you okay? Your cheeks are really flushed," he said.

" Yeah, I'm fine. It's just really hot in here," Marinette told him.

That wasn't a lie. It was burning hot. Everyone soon noticed too. They were all sweaty. It was like a fire was burning in the cafe. Adrien took his jacket off. Marinette did the same. Suddenly, there was a fire on their table. They both yelped and jumped back. Fire then began appearing out of nowhere. Everyone panicked and ran out of the cafeteria.

Marinette looked around. She smiled when she saw exactly what she needed. She grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed the whole cafeteria. Soon, the fire was gone. Everyone began cheering. Lila scowled.

" See? You just saved us all," Adrien stated.

" I couldn't just let the fire spread. Tons of people would have gotten burned alive!"

" I was too slow. Thank god Marinette was here. We all would have been burned to a crisp. It would have been my fault for not thinking quick enough," Lila cried.

Tears spilled out of her eyes. A bunch of students comforted her. Kim looked over at Marinette.

" Look what you did. You made Lila upset!" he rebuked.

" But I didn't do anything," Marinette protested.

" You never do," Kim rejoindered.

" Hey, leave her alone," Adrien demanded.

" Mind your own business, rich boy," Kim snapped.

" Bullying my friend is my business," Adrien shot back.

Kim punched him in the face. He shoved him into a wall. He then repeatedly punched his face. Lila just smirked.

" Guess that's what he gets for standing up for the girl who is mean to a superhero."

Everyone murmured in agreement. Adrien's face was bloody. Kim threw him onto the ground. Marinette snarled. Her fists were clenched.

" LEAVE HIM ALONE!" she screamed.

Everyone stopped.

" You wanna know what? I should have just let you guys burn in hell," Marinette yelled. " And you, LILA! THIS IS NOT WHAT A HERO IS SUPPOSED TO ACT LIKE! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HELP EVERYONE, NOT JUST LET ONE GET BEATEN TO DEATH! THIS IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF HOW A HERO ACTS! YOU CALL YOURSELF A HERO? WELL, YOU'RE A LIAR! I HOPE LADYBUG AND CAT NOIR DON'T SHOW UP THE NEXT TIME THERE IS AN AMOK!"

Marinette picked Adrien up and put him over her shoulders. She stormed off, carrying him with her. Everyone just stood there in shock.

" Marinette, why did you say that? That's a little extreme, don't you think?" Adrien weakly inquired.

" I know. I didn't mean it. I was just so angry. How can anyone actually believe Lila is Ladybug? Ladybug never would have just stood there and watched someone get beaten up, much less say what Lila said. But you're right, that was extreme," Marinette admitted.

" You did stand up for me. Thank you," Adrien mumbled.

" That's what friends are for," Marinette replied. " Let's get you to the nurse's office."

To be continued