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This Isn't Improv?

Summary:

Lila's plan of hiring an actress to be her 'BFF' Ladybug quickly failed after an unexpected bathroom encounter.

Or

Another Lila-exposing fic where Adrien is furious, Chloé is bored, Marinette is smug, and Lila clearly didn't think this through.

Notes:

I tried not to copy anything from the original, but the name Verity was just too good and I really wanted to use it :) I know that there are a lot of other different versions of this sort of plot (where Lila hires someone who pretends to be Ladybug) but I loved The Actress so much so make sure to check that out if you haven't!

Work Text:

Alice Verity prided herself in being a good actress.

After all, she went to a school for theatrical arts, and she had just gotten her first gig: an improv at Francois-Dupont for Lila Rossi.

Sure, she didn't think the script was that amazing (she definitely had a few things that she would change, and honestly didn't like the idea of pretending to be Ladybug, heroine of Paris, as well as the strange fact that they would all be using their real names), but Alice loved improv, so she would be able to do it.

Her first day on set (the actual school where it would be taking place at) would be tomorrow, so she reviewed her script one last time, emailed to her by Lila.

 

 

Main Characters: 

Alice Verity

[aliceverityladybug.jpg]

  • Ladybug's secret identity (hint to it a lot but never say it directly)
  • Is bullied by Marinette (exaggerate insults and 'injuries' that Marinette could have caused)
  • Best friend of Lila (go along with whatever Lila says, she's the leader of the set and knows the plot)
  • Helps Adrien and Lila get together
  • Gives interviews to Alya 
  • Always disappears during akuma attacks (just hide out in a bathroom or closet, but bring attention to the fact that you're leaving)
  • Can't transform in front of others (say that it's a miraculous thing and she needs to be alone to transform)
  • Secretly in love with Chat Noir (but don't talk a lot about him)
  • Always wears red and has hair in pigtails (like Ladybug), and wears simple black stud earrings (the miraculous)

Lila Rossi

[lilarossi.jpg]

  • Alice/Ladybug's best friend
  • Has gone on several charity trips and works with several celebrities
  • Will eventually date Adrien
  • Descends from a long line of superheroes

Adrien Agreste

[adrienagreste.jpg]

  • Model
  • Has a secret crush on Lila, but needs to be helped by Alice to get there
  • Needs to be pushed away from Marinette
  • Best friends with Nino

Marinette Dupain-Cheng

[marinettedupaincheng.jpg]

  • Bullies Alice and Lila (bring it up in a shy way and confront her in front of others)
  • Has a crush on Adrien and gets extremely jealous (always point it out)
  • Is a gold-digger and wants to be with Adrien to get famous
  • Says that Lila is lying often
  • Class president, but will eventually be voted out (Lila will take her place with you as her deputy)
  • Pretends to be kind and a sweetheart, but is secretly mean (make sure to point out flaws)
  • Best friends with Alya, but Alya eventually realizes Marinette's true self and turns against her
  • Incredibly clumsy (point it out) and always late (point it out)
  • Claims to be Ladybug but can never prove it (point out that she lies)

Alya Césaire

[alyacésaire.jpg]

  • Creater of the Ladyblog (give interviews)
  • A huge fan of Ladybug
  • Dating Nino
  • Best friends with Marinette (and class deputy), but eventually turns to Lila's side
  • Helps you with getting Lila and Adrien together

 

Background Characters

Chloé Bourgeois

  • Mayor's daughter
  • A resident bully, but stays out of the way
  • Queen Bee (say that you think it will help Chloé become a better person)

Nino Lahiffe

  • Dating Alya
  • Best friend of Adrien
  • Marinette's childhood friend, but realizes that she changed and switches to Lila's side

Alix Kubdel

  • Skater
  • Marinette's childhood friend, but realizes that she changed and switches to Lila's side

Nathaniel Kurtzberg

  • Artist
  • Huge fan of Ladybug
  • Used to have a crush on Marinette but becomes disgusted by her actions

Max Kanté

  • Nerd

Kim Chiến Lê

  • Jock
  • Marinette's childhood friend, but realizes that she changed and switches to Lila's side

Mylène Haprèle

  • Dating Ivan
  • Friends with Marinette, but soon sides with Lila

Ivan Bruel

  • Dating Mylène
  • Friends with Marinette, but soon sides with Lila

Sabrina Raincomprix

  • Basically Chloé's servant (say that Chloé treats her terribly and she should be friends with Lila and you instead)

Juleka Couffaine

  • Quiet emo
  • Friends with Marinette, but soon sides with Lila

Rose Lavillant

  • Girly-girl
  • Adores Prince Ali (who Lila is friends with and has previously visited)
  • Friends with Marinette, but soon sides with Lila

[class.jpg]

Here is the script! These are all the characters and their personalities, and the main goal of the show is to show Marinette's true colors, as well as getting Lila and Adrien together! Remember, we're always filming, so don't discuss the roles with the others except for me! We want it to look really natural <3

-Lila

 

 

Yeah, Alice thought it was really strange, as well as the descriptions. (Who would describe someone as simply 'nerd' or 'jock'?) Also, why was there no background information on Marinette's change in behavior? And how did Lila know so many people? 

It might have been an interesting story if the focus was actually on Ladybug rather than Lila, or even Adrien or Marinette (she really wanted to learn what happened with the girl). 

However, it was no time to critique on the plot of the show, so she looked to her side where the blue wig, bluebell contacts, and red dress lay. She was a bit confused as the picture Lila had sent was just a photoshopped picture of Ladybug, trying (and not doing that great of a job) to remove the mask. Red wasn't even her color! And she had blonde hair with brown eyes? It's all getting into the role, she reminded herself. Even if the edited photo looked a lot more like Marinette than herself (she wondered why Marinette hadn't taken the role of Ladybug and she could be Marinette; she always loved trying to play the antagonist).

Nonetheless, it was getting late, and she had a job the next day, one that she had even gotten out of school for! Nothing could go wrong.

 

 

Alice looked in the mirror at her new 'character'. Looking back at the script one last time, she realized she did look a lot like Marinette (once again backing up her point that Marinette should have played the roll), but it wouldn't matter.

Saying a quick good-bye to her mom and dad, who both looked proud as ever for their daughter's accomplishment, she headed to the metro, getting out at the station that Lila had texted her. 

Alright... she had never worn contacts and like she said before, red was not her color, but at least she was experienced with wearing wigs (from various plays in the past)

"Alice!" came a cheery voice from around the corner, a girl with brown hair with bangs and an orange blazer, who she immediately recognized as Lila.

"Hey, you're Lila right?" 

"Yup! That's me! Come along this way," Lila grabbed her hand, a bit too harshly for a moment before she slowed down. "Have you read your script?"

Alice nodded, what kind of actress would she be if she hadn't? "Perfect, now remember not to talk to others about the role; we want it to look real!"

"Of course," Alice immediately agreed, "Though I had one question. I was just wondering whether it would have been better if Marinette played the role, you know, because she looks a lot more like my character than I do."

Alice turned to see Lila, for the briefest moment (though it could even have been a trick of the late) narrow her eyes and form a vicious scowl, before her sweet smile returned. 

"Of course!" her voice sounded strained, "Marinette was offered both roles, since they're supposed to look the same," right, Marinette was supposed to claim to be Ladybug, "And she decided it would be more fun to be the antagonist! I think she has something against me in real life too, though..." Lila faded out, forming a... pout? Was it meant to look sad? Oh, Lila was probably already getting in character! Alice glanced around and checked her watch; Francois-Dupont was still pretty far away, so the cameras probably weren't there yet.

"You might want to work on your pout a little more," Alice said cheerfully, making Lila look a bit confused (but this looked real), "Just some constructive criticism!"

Lila stayed confused for a moment before letting out a worn laugh, "Right! I'll keep that in mind..."

Now, the school was in sight, and Lila once again grabbed Alice's hand, and she got the idea that they were starting now. Right, entering her character...

"Hey dude!" Nino. A boy who, like in the picture, had headphones around his neck, a red cap, and a blue shirt. They were definitely starting now.

"Hi, Nino!" said Lila cheerfully, "This is my best friend, Alice. She's transferring to Francois-Dupont, you know, with all the akumas-oh!"

Okay, Lila had no sense of subtlety. Nino looked surprised (in her opinion, he was a much better actor) and his eyes widened. Let's see if Alice could save this.. they didn't want the show to be over in a day!

"Alice Verity, what's your name?"

Nino still looked a bit shocked before glancing between the two and then shaking the hand that Alice had put out. "Nino Lahiffe, I'll be in your class, dudette!"

What was his thing with the word 'dude'? And who even used 'dudette'? Oh, he was still talking.

"You know, you look a lot like my friend, you'll meet her soon, Marinette!"

The plot must be starting.

She noticed Lila's eyes flash again, maybe she actually had something against real-life Marinette? No, she was just acting, which reminded her that she was acting as well.

"Really? I'm sure it'll be fun -"

"I know," Lila cut in with her 'sad' voice (she really did need to work on that, even if she had no problem faking anger), "There are lots of people copying the look..."

Nino once again looked confused, but they had already arrived at the school.

"Alya!" Lila yelled out, cheerful again, and waving to a girl with glasses looking at her phone with a ladybug charm, Alya Césaire! She looked up promptly, and Lila dragged Alice over, once again giving the same introduction (but Alya seemed to immediately get that Alice was supposed to be Ladybug, and she was definitely better at acting than Lila... what was it with the casting?)

Alya seemed starstruck at seeing Alice, playing her role very well, and Lila chatted about how they met (some wild tale that wasn't really believable) as they walked into the class. She quickly saw each of the other characters, Nathaniel drawing in the back, Juleka and Rose chatting nearby, Alix, Max, and Kim arguing about something (she didn't hear much other than 'bet' and 'percent' and 'panther'?), Chloé was sitting in the front with Sabrina diligently doing homework next to her, and Myléne and Ivan were listening to something through headphones. Everyone looked forward as Lila walked in (sans Chloé and Nathaniel), and Lila did the same blunt introduction. 

Lila lead her to their seats in the back, and Alya said something about Marinette being able to take her seat back (which made Lila angry for a moment again, Alice thought it was too many times to be a coincidence). Looking around under the pretense of being introduced (everyone was immediately enamored by her, almost too realistically), she noticed that the only two people missing were Marinette (though she was supposed to be late a lot, wasn't she?) and Adrien (who she obviously knew from magazines, and most likely also had to balance his other work as a model).

The teacher, a kind-looking redhead named Ms. Bustier, entered the classroom and once again introduced Alice, and everything seemed to be going well.

It was only two minutes after the bell had wrung when a girl with a grey and pink outfit and pigtails ran in the room, nearly tipping over a pastry box, though luckily nothing fell out. This must be Marinette. She could tell Lila stiffened for a moment next to her.

"Sorry I'm late, Ms. Bustier!" Marinette called out quickly as she sat down next to Alya, placing the pastry box on her desk and setting her bag down next to her, "I, uh, had to help at the counter for a minute but I brought macarons!"

She really was playing her role well... if Alice didn't know the script, she really would have thought that Marinette was just a kind-hearted person. However, she did notice the bags under her eyes (once again with the details), and the way she immediately sank down in her seat when sitting down, clearly exhausted.

She felt someone elbow her, Lila! Right, she was supposed to point out mistakes of Marinette (even if it really didn't make sense if she was just a new student)! Either way, she had a job, so she politely raised her hand with a smile.

Ms. Bustier looked towards Marinette, letting out a small chuckle, and introduced Alice again to Marinette before calling on her (did she see a similar flash of anger in Marinette's eyes?).

"Thank you, Ms. Bustier. I was wondering whether it's normal for students to be late? I just wanted to make sure that I knew the flexibilities of the classes, because of..." she trailed off, mentally congratulating herself. Not only did she inwardly insult Marinette, she also hinted at the idea that she would often be out during class because of akuma attacks!

Luckily, Ms. Bustier didn't seem to take it as an insult. "Well, we try to keep students on time, but a lot of them have extracurricular activities, so we try to be as flexible as possible at the same time!"

Unluckily, Marinette was now narrowing her eyes in suspicion at Alice (very realistically, by the way!).

But Ms. Bustier had already focused on the classwork, and Alice paid attention (this was supposed to be a realistic set).

About half an hour later, a blonde boy who she immediately recognized as Adrien Agreste entered the class, saying that he had a morning photoshoot and passing a note to Ms. Bustier, who took it gratefully and had him sit in his seat next to Nino. The teacher once again introduced Alice, but Adrien had a similar reaction to Marinette: suspicion. He raised an eyebrow and shot a quick glance at Lila before making a smile (one that was easily recognized as fake, she thought he would be a better actor than the others if he was a model) and opening his tablet.

Before she knew it, class was over (a rather boring one if you asked her), and her table was immediately surrounded by others, all talking at the same time.

"It's so nice to meet you!"

"Any friend of Lila's is a friend of ours!"

"Have you gone on any trips like Lila?"

"No, she probably had to stay in Paris!"

"Wait why?"

"Akuma attacks, of course!"

"Wait wh-oh!"

"Is it true you're Ladybug?" 

The last one was a hushed whisper, but made everyone quiet. They all turned to Alice with expecting eyes (They were so much better actors than Lila! It honestly looked real), and she let out an exaggerated gasp.

"O-of course not," she said shyly, immediately followed by, "and no one should know Ladybug's identity anyway!"

She looked out of the corner of her eye to see that Lila wasn't looking at her like the others, but rather at the two out of three people (Chloé was still doing her nails) that were not flocked around them: Marinette and Adrien. Wait, she understood Marinette, but wasn't Adrien supposed to like Lila? Why wouldn't he be around them? Alice couldn't help but feel that something was off, but continued with her act.

"Don't worry, girl, we wouldn't tell anyone," said Alya quietly, and everyone nodded quickly in agreement.

"Not a single soul!"

"We can keep secrets!"

"We could help you!"

"Well," Lila cut in, "We can't really keep it from you anyway..." Alice whipped her head around, what happened to hinting at it? 

But she was supposed to be following Lila's lead, so she let out a small sigh and looked down bashfully. "I can't believe my identity was revealed so quickly!" If Lila was moving fast, then she would have to as well.

The class acted gullible and immediately bought it, once again erupting in whispers (Alya was quickly asking for an interview, and Lila agreed on Alice's behalf). But Adrien and Marinette still weren't coming over? Adrien specifically? And wasn't Marinette supposed to call out 'lies'? And claim to be Ladybug? Why wouldn't she point this out? After all, Alice and Lila had provided no evidence (and wouldn't be able to, since Alice obviously wasn't Ladybug).

The wonders of the situation were shut down as Ms. Bustier entered the class again, making everyone reluctantly return to their seats. Everyone occasionally glanced over to the back of the class, but Alice tried to focus more on Adrien and Marinette; they weren't acting at all like their characters! 

The bell rung again, and they were dismissed for lunch. Once again, Lila grabbed Alice's hand, quickly moving over to Adrien, and Alice supposed this was the beginning of the love story.

"Adrien!" she said chirpily, letting go of Alice and draping herself over the model (Yeah, Lila definitely was not a good actress... maybe Alya would have been better fit for the roll? She seemed really into it...) "Have I introduced you to my best friend, Alice?"

Adrien chuckled awkwardly, trying to pull away from Lila (he really wasn't into his roll!), "Hi, Alice. I'm Adrien."

"Nice to meet you! You and Lila make such a cute couple!" There we go, Alice was really doing well with this, but -

Did Adrien make a face of disgust?

No, it must have been a mistake.

"Lila and I aren't a couple!"

It was quick and sharp, and he shoved himself away from Lila, unconsciously standing next to Marinette, who was glaring at the Italian (okay, now Marinette was in character) (but Adrien wasn't?)

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Alice backtracked, she could still turn this around. "Lila never said so, it's just that you'd be amazing for each other!"

She took the oppurtunity to look around the class, noticing most glancing in between Marinette and Lila and Adrien, a few (Juleka and Rose, Alya and Nino, Alix and Nathaniel, and Ivan and Mylène) whispering to each other.

"Will you be joining us for lunch, Adrien?" Lila said in that sweet voice (really the only part of her acting that was good), "I'm sure that it would make Alice feel more welcome here!"

Alice went along with Lila, nodding in agreement.

"Sorry, Lila," Adrien said (in a not-sorry-at-all voice), "I'm eating lunch at Marinette's bakery with Chloé -"

"- What?! -"

"- today, but I'm sure that the rest of the class will make Alice feel welcome!"

Before anyone could say anything else, he grabbed the two girls' arms and pulled them out of the room (Marinette looked like she knew what was going on, Chloé not at all).

But that wasn't it.

She saw the flash of anger again in Lila's eyes.

Something wasn't right.

She didn't pay complete attention as the rest of the class looked confused but excited at the same time (something about Adrienette) and Lila lead her out of the room, her nails digging into Alice's skin.

Something definitely wasn't right.

 


 

"Where are we going, Adrikins?!" Chloé snapped as soon as they were out of the school, sending side glances at Marinette.

Adrien sighed and explained. "You obviously know that the new girl, Alice, isn't Ladybug, right?"

"Well obviously," Chloé drawled, "She looks like a knock-off version of Dupain-Cheng! Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"

Marinette teetered nervously, knowing that this was definitely way closer than she would have liked to an identity reveal, but tried to focus on the task at hand. "Well, everyone thinks she is -"

"I know that, I'm not deaf!"

"Right," said Marinette, rolling her eyes, "but Adrien and I agreed that Lila's lies were going to far - Alice could actually get hurt if Hawkmoth thought she was Ladybug, especially with Alya posting an interview - and you're the only other one who knows, so..."

"You need my help," Chloé finished and the other two nodded. "Well -"

She was cut off by something falling on her head and the loud squawking of pigeons. "Again?!" Adrien and Marinette groaned together, looking at each other in shock for a second before awkwardly laughing at the continuous akumatization of Mr. Pigeon. "That's got to be like the sixth time this week!"

"Eighth."

"Huh."

Though neither of them knew it, both Adrien and Marinette were thinking of ways to excuse themselves when Chloé spoke up.

"Well, aren't we going to go watch 'Ladybug' transform?" she said boredly, and the other two immediately brightened up.

"Right!" Marinette squeaked, "I'll meet you back in school!"

"But it's right there -"

"See you there!" Adrien agreed quickly.

Chloé looked up from her nails to see them both gone.

"Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"

 


 

"Mr. Pigeon was akumatized again!" announced Alya at the lunch table, immediately getting up. Alice usually didn't care for akumatizations (they rarely occurred around her neighborhood and school, but now she was 'Ladybug'. So, she quickly got up, making a purposefully flimsy excuse to leave, and repeating (word for word) the lie about her miraculous that Lila had written in her script.

Now that she was by herself in the girls' bathroom, keeping an eye on Alya's blog (and glad to see that the real Ladybug and Chat Noir showed up), she was able to think about the first day of the shoot.

First of all was the fact that none of the main characters seemed to be following their role (except Alya, maybe, and herself). Adrien seemed like he had no interest in Lila, Marinette actually looked kind and really in love with Adrien (not his money), and had never once been rude to Lila or Alice (except for the suspicious glare). Adrien didn't seem comfortable near Lila, rather staying near Marinette (maybe they were dating in real life?), and Chloé wasn't supposed to be friends with Marinette or Adrien!

Even more so was that Lila seemed to be the worst actor on set! Everyone looked so realistic with everything they were saying (to a point that it was really suspicious), except for Lila. She was overdramatic, made up outlandish stories, and (in Alice's pretty good opinion) seemed like the gold-digger there who was constantly harassing Adrien.

If anything, she thought that Lila and Marinette should have switched roles.

She got up from her seat as the livestream had ended and the akuma had quickly been taken care of (she heard that Mr. Pigeon was quite common), and was about to leave the bathroom when she heard the sound of the door opening and two... people? (one of them was a person, the other didn't really sound like one) talking.

"I know, Tikki, but I just don't know what to do!"

Wait, this voice sounded familiar.

"Well, you have Adrien on your side now!" That was the not-so-human voice, and the other was definitely Marinette. They weren't filming in the bathrooms, were they? That would be perverted, but Marinette still seemed in character.

"Yeah, but we don't have any proof," Marinette was quieter now, and Alice could guess that she was thinking. They definitely couldn't be filming at the moment (if they were, then Alice would certainly sue Lila), so she went against the script and stepped out to talk to Marinette. She saw a quick flash of red (though that may have just been a hallucination) before finding Marinette standing frozen in shock. 

Alice looked around and noticed there wasn't anyone else there, so who was this 'Tikki'?

"Aah- haha Alice, what are you doing here?" her voice was strained and she quickly hid her phone behind her back. Maybe Marinette had been calling someone?

"We aren't filming in here, are we?" Rather safe than sorry.

But Marinette was confused.

"...filming?"

"Yeah, they can't have cameras in the bathroom, right?" Alice laughed it off, but could tell something was going on.

"There aren't any cameras anywhere."

...

"What?"

"Why would there be cameras?"

Oh gosh, this was worse than she thought.

"We... we are filming a show, aren't we?"

Marinette looked confused for another moment before realization dawned upon her and her face lit up. "You think we're filming?! Did... did Lila hire you?"

"Yeah," responded Alice awkwardly, and Marinette jumped up and squealed.

"I knew it! I knew it! I- oh my god, I'm so sorry, Alice- that is your name, right?"

"Yeah, but, uh, what's going on?"

"This isn't a show," said Marinette bluntly, all traces of her past excitement gone as she pulled out her phone and texted someone.

"What?!"

"I'm so sorry," Marinette put the phone away, "Lila lied to you. None of us are actors, but Lila transferred here a few months ago. She talked about her 'BFF' Ladybug, and a whole bunch of her other stories. I, obviously, pointed out the lies, and, well, Lila didn't really like that. She told me that she would take all my friends away and I guess she hired you as a sort of 'proof'."

Alice blinked.

Holy shit.

That explained everything.

"Oh my god, I can't believe I fell for that! She said that it was a realistic improv show! She even sent me a script of the characters and everything -"

"Could I see the script?"

Alice immediately agreed, pulling out her phone and handing it to Marinette, when someone came bursting through the door. 

"Come on, Adrikins!"

"But this is a girls' bathroom -"

Chloé came in, dragging Adrien by one hand (his other was covering his eyes), and looked over Marinette's shoulder at the phone. Chloé pulled off Adrien's other hand, forcing him to look at the script, though he quickly read on his own as soon as he started. She saw their eyes widen, Chloé scoffing, Marinette rolling her eyes, and Adrien glaring.

Marinette handed back the phone.

"First of all, I am not a bully nor a gold-digger and I am definitely not Ladybug!"

Alice noticed that she didn't say anything about the crush on Adrien.

"And I definitely do not like Lila like that," spat Adrien, "I don't like her at all!"

Alice looked towards Chloé, expecting her to deny something like being a bully, but she just tilted her head and shrugged.

"Eh, she got it mostly right, but I'm treating Sabrina better!"

"Good for you," Marinette muttered distractedly. "Well," she spoke more firm, "now we know how to expose Lila." She looked towards who Adrien, who nodded in agreement, a fire still lit in his eyes.

"You go ahead," Alice said grimly, "I'm gonna take off my costume first."

"It's alright, I'll help!"

Adrien and Chloé left, this time with Adrien dragging the other blonde out, and Marinette stayed put, looking slightly awkward. 

"I'm sorry that Lila lied about all that," she said sincerely, "I know you probably have a bad impression on me, but I'd love to be your friend if you like!"

"No worries," Alice smiled (Marinette was nothing like the script), "This school is pretty cool and so are your classmates. I just wished that I hadn't been here under a role." She moved to the sink and immediately took out her contacts, sighing in relief as the discomfort was gone. 

"So... is it all a disguise?"

"Pretty much. I'm actually blonde, and red is totally not my color. And, as you can see," she turned around, "my eyes are brown."

They chatted while Alice took out her wig (Marinette offered to braid her hair, which Alice quickly accepted; she hated having hair in her face), talking about how Alice had thought the script was weird, how Marinette would have made a better protagonist and 'Ladybug' (Marinette quickly changed the topic from that), Alice's school and her past roles, and lastly, how Alice thought that Marinette and Adrien were dating in real life.

Marinette giggled, muttering, "I wish," before promptly blushing and freezing.

Alice laughed, "I suspected, but don't worry, I won't tell. If anything, I think he definitely returns your feelings."

They left the bathroom before walking into pandemonium in the classroom. 

Chloé was sitting down looking annoyed, Adrien was nearly breathing fire in Lila's direction, and Lila herself was sobbing (clearly fake, though) with Alya and Rose comforting her.

Everything turned silent as they saw Alice and Marinette enter the room.

Alice was immediately reminded of Lila's scam and glared at her. Lila's look turned confused. Adrien looked relieved and quickly gravitated towards Marinette.

"...Alice?" Alya's voice was quiet, as if she didn't want to believe it, but restarted the chaos.

"What happened to Alice?"

"Was she wearing a wig?"

"Is it Alice?"

"Is Chloé right?"

"Alice is friends with Marinette?"

"QUIET!" 

Marinette's yell once again quieted everyone, as no one really thought that she was capable of looking so angry and fierce. Marinette, herself, had tapped into her 'Ladybug' voice, glad that it managed to catch the whole class's attention.

"Now," she said quietly, yet everyone could hear it, "You'll find that Lila has been lying, just like I said, and Alice is actually a paid actress."

Gasps.

"She's right," said Alice, "I thought this was a whole show that was supposed to be 'Ladybug's civilian life'. I had a script and everything, and the 'goal' of the show was to turn Marinette's friends against her -"

More gasps.

"- and to get Lila and Adrien together. I had no idea that Lila was scamming me until I heard Marinette in the bathroom and she explained everything."

Lila paled. She looked around, trying to find a way to victimize herself, when she realized it was too late. 

Alya's gaze was murderous. Nino was shocked. Rose was horrified. Even Nathaniel had looked up from his sketchbook.

"Why... why would Lila try to turn us against Marinette?" Rose barely whispered, but Marinette answered in a clear voice.

"Because I pointed out her lies. I knew it was all fake from the beginning. She threatened me in the bathroom -"

"She WHAT?! Why didn't you tell me that?" Adrien turned from his glare at Lila to Marinette, who bashfully continued. "I didn't think it was that important. Besides, no one believed me when calling out her lies, why would they believe me about this?"

The class quickly came to defend Marinette, saying things like how they would have believed her and how much she meant to them, while Lila tried to slip out of the classroom.

"Not so fast." 

Alice grabbed Lila's arm, pulling her back into the room. 

"I'll be suing you. You could have put me in danger! You could have put my family in danger! What if Hawkmoth believed that I was Ladybug? Huh? What would you have done then?"

"I-i-"

"Nothing! That's what! You lied to me and the class, put me at risk of a terrorist kidnapping or hurting me, and tried to isolate an innocent student who has been nothing but kind!"

"W-well-"

"What else have you lied about then?"

"She obviously doesn't know Ladybug."

"I bet she's never been to Achu!"

"But then she missed so much class -"

"And all those injuries!"

"She's never met Jagged Stone!"

"Jagged Stone doesn't even have a cat -"

"Gosh, I feel so stupid!"

"We're so sorry, Marinette!"

 


 

Lila's lies were brought up to the principal and she was expelled.

 

Alice stayed in contact with the class and Marinette, getting her first real job the next month after Marinette met with Clara Nightingale and suggested her.

 

She teamed up with Alya, helping Marinette and Adrien together, which succeeded after a lot of planning and a cancelled picnic.

 

Lila was never heard of again.