Chapter Text
Adrien, much to the class’s dismay, entered the room alone.
“Dude! How come you never told us that the snake was back!” Nino ambushed him first. “I thought we saw the last of him when he went back to England!”
Adrien slid into his seat just to be caged in as his classmates began to cluster around him.
“But now he’s back?!” Adrien almost had to jump out of the way as Alya leaned down in a rush, “What the hell is he even doing here in school!”
There were murmurs of contempt as the classmates reminisced and discussed their last impression of Felix. Adrien visibly hesitated, as if he wasn’t sure how to begin to control the situation.
Someone cleared their throat behind Adrien’s seat, the sound somehow cutting in through all the chattering.
“Oh Lyla..” Alya blinked at her seatmate that she hadn't even noticed entering and sat down next to her.. “W-we missed you yesterday! That was an amazing livestream by the way, I wanted to ask you about-”
“Actually,I wanted to ask about Felix.” Lila purred.
“Oh, that’s right,you didn’t meet him there that day.” for once Adrien was glad to hear Lila talk, it’d be a nice change for someone not to know Felix when he was in a more.. compromised state of mind.
“He's my cousin! His name is-”
“Felix?” Lila innocently batted her eyes, “of the Graham De Vanily family?”
Suddenly the spotlight was switched onto Lila sitting right behind Adrien. She smiled as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
“We’ve met before actually, he and I are quite close friends!”
This caused the crowd to burst forth with a flurry of new questions, even Adrien spluttered in surprise. There was scoff that distinctly sounded like Chloe, but it was quickly drowned by the chatter.
”Friends? With Felix of all people? It’s just another lie- but, how did she know his full name? I’ve never told anyone about my family’s-”
“Wait, De Vanily? As in the 'De Vanily Studios'? Aren’t they super big in the film industry?” Mylène piped in, “My dad and I love their films!”
“Are they actors or something?” Alex scratched her head, already steadily losing interest.
“Mme. Vanily is, she’s amazing! Her husband's a director, they own a movie studio together!” Mylène gushed, “her best performances were definitely in the films her husband directed.“
Natahaneal cut in, “Wait now that you mention it, there was a movie I really liked, I think it's called ‘To A Dying Star’.. wasn't it a ‘De Vanily’ film?”
“That’s one of their biggest hits!” Mylène squealed, “It even blew up so much internationally that-”
“Woah, woah, woah!” Kim cut in loudly.
“Are we forgetting who we’re talking about here? Who cares if his family’s some big shot snobs- all the money in the world won’t make up for his nasty personality!”
Kim folded his hands, staring down his classmates who awkwardly agreed.
“Oh Kim!” Lila sniffled, “I wish you wouldn’t speak so bad of my friend like that, whatever he had done it couldn’t have been that bad. I’m sure he’s changed, after all he helped me so much at the gala!”
“The gala?” Alya looked at her puzzled, “wait, you met him there-?”
Everyone was so engrossed in their conversations that they didn’t even notice their own class teacher who had entered the room. It took Mme. Bustiere clapping her hands to get her students attention.
“Good morning class! Please take your seats! We’re starting a little early today because we have something special to announce!”
Before she could continue however, the door once again burst open. This time the entrant had the whole class’s full attention.
“I-I’m sorry Mme. Bustiere! I didn't realize everyone else already went inside! I mean-” Marinette couldn’t stop the apologies that tumbled out of her in her stumble.
“Ah Marinette! Just who I had wanted to see.” the teacher cut in brightly.
“Hm?” Marinette stood straight as she collected herself. Her sheepish expression turned into confusion.
Was the teacher not going to scold her for once?
’Oh! Maybe she’s letting me off easy because of all the work she gave me yesterday!’
She slipped her bag off of her shoulder ready to hand in her papers she finished last night,
“No need to take off your bag in my class Marinette. Take it with you to the office, the principal is expecting you.”
Marinette froze, one hand already rummaging in her bag. “Hm?”
After clarifying that no, it wasn’t because she was in trouble, the principal had simply called for the class president to his office for some work, Marinette was ushered out of the class.
“But Mme. Bustiere-” I already have enough work as it is!’ “I need to give you these-”
“Let’s not keep the principle waiting, Marinette! You can borrow notes of the lesson from your friends later!”
“But-!”
“Later!”
Which led to where she is now. In front of the principals' office, knuckles poised ready to knock. Marinette sighed, in the brief, hectic moment she was in the class she spotted Lila lounging back in her old seat. Gleefully watching the show as Marinette was kicked out of her own class almost as soon as she entered.
Granted it wasn’t for something bad, but Marinette hated the feeling of making herself a fool in front of the lying snake. She shook her head, she supposes the temporary peace that had lasted yesterday was now officially over.
She knocked. The principal's voice granted her permission and she opened the door.
“Ah Marinette! Good, good, I do apologize for suddenly pulling you away from your class so suddenly!” principal Damocles piped from behind his desk.
He gestured for her to take a seat. Marinette put on a smile.
“oh, it's fine sir. I was just surprised.”
Marinette sat down in one of the two chairs placed in front of the desk.
“Right, well I suppose you are wondering why I called for you,” he began.
Marinette wondered how much she's going to have to miss on her lessons before she can get back.
“The thing is, we're having a new transfer student. And well, it being the start of the prémiere year, as well as his special circumstances we've come to an agreement. He will need someone to help him for a while until he gets used to his new school and how it works around here. As the class president, we figured you'd be the perfect choice to welcome the new student to your class!”
‘New transfer student?’ Marinette's mind flashed back to this morning. Mon dieu, please don't let it be him. Anyone but him!”
The principal cleared his throat. “Ahem. Marinette, are you quite alright? You're looking rather pale all a sudden! Do you need to see tge nurse?”
“N- no sir! Not at all, I'm quite alright, it's just-well.” Marinette squirmed.
‘please please’
“You haven't told me who he is exactly, sir.”
‘No way my luck can be that bad right?’
“Oh,” the principal chuckled. “No need to be frightened of this boy Marinette.”
‘Not any boy’ Marinette thought exasperatedly. ‘Just not-’
The principal continued obviously, “I assure you he won't harm you! He's quite a gentleman in fact, he was supposed to meet you but went out for a bit for a-”
In that moment the door swung open cutting the principal off as both he and Marinette turned.
“My deepest apologies,” his voice was brisk yet low. “there were some last minute issues at work I needed to take care of.”
‘Him.’ Marinette could have cursed herself for expecting anything less of her luck.
“Ah Felix!” principal Damocles happily beckoned him to sit next to Marinette. “It's quite alright, I have just finished talking to your new class president! Marinette here has happily agreed to take care of you while you find your footing.”
Marionette blanched at his words. She quickly swiveled back in her seat narrowly avoiding Felix's gaze that she felt pin in her back of her head.
“Actually sir- I was going to say I might not have the time to give him the..proper support he needs.” she took in a breath,
“I'm already quite busy with school work and my own personal projects that I need to attend to. Speaking of which-!” She made a show of prepping her bag up on her lap and straightening as if about to leave.
“I should return to class if I don't want to miss any more lessons!”
“and if I remember correctly,” Marinette nearly jumped as Felix spoke up sitting next to her. She hadn't realized Felix had already sat down on his seat.
“I had specifically asked for no special guidance for my inauguration. I can handle myself just fine while I attend here.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Marinette glanced at him discreetly. It was him alright, aside from added height he seemed like the same old Felix that caused so much chaos in the short time he had been in Paris. Now he was attending her school? She wondered what he was planning this time.
“Oh I'm sure, but it's just for a short while. For example Marinette can show you where everything is, the library, the cafeteria and what not. Isn't that right Marinette?”
“Sir, I just said I should get back to class.”
“Brilliant idea Marinette! You can show him the way to his classes! Go on now, both of you have wasted enough time dallying in this office already.”
Marinette almost face palmed herself.luckily the small self respect she had left was enough to keep her hands at bay. Instead she got up along with Felix and trudged to the door. She blinked in surprise when he stepped forward to open and hold the door for her. Gesturing her to pass first with a polite smile, she ducked her head and went through muttering a thanks.
Marinette was confused. In all the times they had met eyes already not once had she seen a flicker of recognition flash through them. Has he forgotten what happened? Or simply pretending to forget?
She glanced back to make sure Felix was following her, and began walking back to her class. Perhaps thanks to some miracle Felix had changed after his visit. Marinette felt a flare of shame flicker in her as she began feeling guilty for judging the boy so quickly.
Marinette bit her lip in thought, maybe it wouldn't hurt to give him the benefit of the doubt. She stopped right at the door of her class, turning around to face Felix behind her.
“Okay,” Marinette steeled herself internally. “I know we got off on the wrong foot but,” She lifted her gaze and held his,
“I want to give you another chance, to show us that it's not all who you are.”
Marinette held out her hand for him to shake. “My name is Marinette, as class president, I'm willing to help you if you have any problems related to this class. I will do what I can but, I can't speak for the rest of your classmates, I think you have a lot to make up for.”
For a moment Marinette thought Felix was going to ignore her handshake. His eyes giving away not a hint of his thoughts, yet finally as if he had come to a decision, he smiled connivingly.
Before Marinette could react, he reached out his hand and deftly caught hers from underneath, making her fingers curl around his which he then brought closer to himself. Almost looking like he was about to kiss her hand, making Marinette's brain short-circuit.
“Of course, I'll be relying much on your generosity, mademoiselle.”
Marinette gaped. She was hit with a heavy sense of deja vu, only snapping out of it when she caught a glimpse of the boy's knowing look. She wrenched back her hand.
“You-!”
The door of the classroom finally opened, and Mme. Bustier stood with her hands on the handle.
“I was wondering what the ruckus outside of my class was,” She shook her head, “Marinette, I know having a new classmate is exciting, but you shouldn't hog him all to yourself!" The teacher cheerily held the door open for them to enter, "Come along now, it's time for the exciting part, introductions!”