Work Text:
I've been having a hard time adjusting
I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting
Marinette was overwhelmed with everything unfolding in front of her during that moment. She watched in horror as she saw her sketchbook being drenched with hot coffee, her art supplies being destructed by Ivan and Kim, Lila crying because of a bruise that had never been spotted until today morning and Alya and Nino's furious glares made her want to go back home and wrap herself in her blankets, just to gain some protection from what was to come in a few seconds.
Marinette didn't have time to dodge the punch aimed right at her stomach. She doubled over with pain as she flailed while holding her stomach and much to Lila and Alya's dismay, Adrien had immediately secured her, holding her and looking at the attacker with wide eyes, full of astonishment with a swirl of rage. Marinette slowly looked up from her fetal position to look at her attacker and she might've countered Tikki's eyes for a moment.
Because out of all the people, it was Rose's punch that had landed on her. Sweet, innocent little Rose!
Well, at least that was what she used to be, before Lila decided to join the party. Lila broke the rose-tinted glasses through which the girl used to see the world and that used to her own benefit.
Chloe watched in horror as Sabrina approached Marinette from behind, with the intention of kicking her but thankfully her feet moved and she stopped Sabrina.
"Sabrina What the fuck?!"
Chloe's shriek echoed through the now silent locker-room, only the sound of coffee still being poured on her already destroyed sketchbook was heard in the background.
What had happened?
This question circled in every person's mind during that time. Marinette was their class rep, the role model, their everyday Ladybug! And now, they'd laugh at anyone who would say that they're friends with Marinette. What did go wrong when Lila came?
Lila watched in mock-horror and tried not to smirk in victory.
I didn't know if you'd care if I came back
I have a lot of regrets about that
Lila had finally won! Marinette Dupain-Cheng was ruined and the only next step to be taken will be making her suicidal, which she was sure Alya would.
.
As Marinette got home crying again, Adrien physically and mentally stopping her from being akumatised, they had decided to do what would be best for Marinette (Adrien was included too because they definitely couldn't separate their main ship because of a lying bitch!), they decided to make her shift schools.
They talked to Gabriel about the liar and having love the girl like his own daughter, he was mortified. He knew Lila Rossi was sent to get Marinette akumatised but physically bullying her was something Gabriel was strictly against!
Let's just say the two lovebirds were transferred to go to Felix (who was staying at Paris currently), Adrien's cousin's school.
.
Moving into a new school wasn't only a fresh breath for Marinette, but Adrien felt at ease too, though he was initially worried for Marinette as he knew the acts pulled by Felix when stayed over at Adrien's. But at the end, he and Marinette were blossoming into young adults in a much less toxic environment.
They still had their regrets though. Adrien feeling guilty for leaving Nino behind and Marinette for not exposing Lila for when she had the chance. But now, it didn't matter. It was all in the past and long forgotten.
Pulled the car off the road to the lookout
Could've followed my fears all the way down
But wounds opened again as the Akuma class (the people at Rosefort high liked to call them by that name) made plans to go on a picnic at the same spot where Adrien and Marinette were having a date. Adrien swore he had never felt angrier than that. It was clear that the scheming bitch had planned that.
Lila whimpered as soon as Marinette can into her line of view, Alya wrapping a protective arm around her and pulling her into a hug, completely missing the smug look that crossed Lila's face. Alya was quite literally baring her teeth at Marinette and the rest of the Akuma class looking just as angry as Alya.
A tear rolled down Marinette's eyes as she watched her former bestfriend look at her like that. Yes, it had been a while since she left them but it wasn't enough time to heal. At all.
Alya marched towards Marinette, her eyes almost red with anger, leaving Lila to Juleka and Rose. As she came near, another tear escaped Marinette's eyes. None of them had enough time to react before a searing slap landed on Marinette's face.
And maybe I don't quite know what to say
But I'm here in your doorway
Marinette's cheek still burned from the slap delivered to her a few days ago. She refused to get out of her house and performed her duties as Ladybug reluctantly. Chat had become her mental and physical support.
Unfortunately, the next Akuma was caused at Alya's house and they needed the new fox miraculous user at the scene. Alya had caused a huge ruckus when Marinette's alter-ego had showed up to the scene. Alya knew her identity and refused to be helped by the 'insolent brat' as she liked to describe Ladybug now.
But fortunately, Alya never told Lila or anyone else about Ladybug's identity. She said Marinette didn't deserve the attention.
Marinette had really been trying not to break down in the past few days, even though she had changed schools, each scar given to her by alya and her (ex-) friends burned when she saw them.
The thing that was the last stop for the heroine was when Alya had put up a video on the Ladyblog of the class cornering Marinette in the locker room and hitting her, abusing her and ruining her personal belongings. The video was titled "When a bully gets back what he's sowed". It was as if a dam broke and tears came gushing down Marinette's cheeks. It was a good thing Adrien was with her again, as Chat Noir of course, but his presence had calmed her down.
They had decided to cut every contact with their ex-friends after that night.
Adrien blocked all their contacts to prevent them from sending her more death threats and had decided that Marinette would move into the school dorms the day after. This had to end. Today.
I just wanted you to know
That this is me trying
The last message sent to Alya by Marinette was "This is me trying" and Marinette was trying. She was moving on.