Chapter Text
"I Wish to have everything Adrien Agreste has!"
And the world...
...went...
...b l a c k...
.......................
Seconds later, reality twisted and warped itself to rewrite fate itself.
To adjust the world to the Wisher's demands.
The universe, the director of the world, snapped his fingers to alter his script.
He moved actors around and rearranged their roles.
He rewound the show to the beginning.
He pressed "play".
And Lila woke up in a strange new room.
“Adrien, piccolino, time to wake up. We need to meet the headmaster before I go off to work.”
Adrien groaned, rolling his face into the pillow even more, hoping to go back to sleep. He ignored the footsteps and the sound of his door opening and the sound of the lights turning on. He felt a hand ruffling his hair before hearing the sound of his blinds being pulled open. He finally pulled his head away from the pillow and blearily looked at the woman inside his room.
“Come on caro. I told you to go to sleep earlier.”
“But new episode.” He whined, sounding as exhausted as he felt.
The woman shook her head, her loose brown hair shifting on her shoulders. “I’m sure it could have waited.” She approached the bed again, running a hand through Adrien’s blonde hair. “Come on, go get showered and if we have enough time, we can go out for breakfast. I hear croissants are to die for.”
“Ok, mom.”
He watched with green eyes as she walked around the suitcases and boxes in his room, gathering her brown hair into a ponytail. He got up, stumbling himself as he reached the window and looked at the view he had of the park. It was mostly runners or a person feeding the pigeons, but it was pretty. The whole of France was from what he could see. They’d arrive pretty late the night before and had struggled to get their things upstairs as their apartment didn’t have an elevator but thankfully it was only the third floor. After things were moved in and they showered, his mom went straight to bed while he did what his mom warned him not to do and watched the newest episode of Spy X Family.
“I don’t hear movement!”
“I’m coming.”
He showered and changed, pulling on his ripped jeans and stuffing his feet in his boots. His oversized cropped sweater barely brushed the end of his jeans, allowing his formfitting tank underneath to be seen. He didn’t bother brushing his hair, ruffing his fingers through it before sticking a beanie on his head. He picked up his bag, looking at the clear front. His pins on his ita bag hadn’t moved around and the charms were mostly still in place. He looked inside at the old notebooks that had been used almost a week ago at his old school in Italy. He missed it already, only having been back for a few weeks before being sent here, but he only called it a good thing that he hadn’t made many new friends before he left. He hoped he could make friends here. According to his mom, this assignment was going to be for at least 2 years.
He met his mom in what was their attached kitchen. Like most diplomatic placings, the living area was huge, the set furniture home to a few boxes and bags. His mother was flipping through things in a small carry on, putting the documents into one of her clear folders, one Adrien had ordered from Japan as a gift for doing well on an exam he had 2 days to study for.
“The school should have most of this paperwork already, but just to be safe. Maybe we can finally move these things out of this suitcase and into a safer place. I thought you got rid of those boots.”
“I did. And I got new ones.” His mother scowled at him. “These shoes are in at least 3 different outfits.”
Getting out of the house didn’t take long but figuring out the way to school was a bit harder. They only had enough time to stop and pick up croissants before they finally pulled up to school. Another town car was pulling up and letting out a student as he and his mother got out of the car. He glanced at the girl in designer clothes heavily featuring a butterfly and long brown hair, who seemed stunned to see him.
“Oh, caro, finish that quickly so we can go meet the principal.” His mother said, wiping some of the crumbs off the side of his mouth. He noticed the girl seemed upset but she quickly covered it and stormed off. He’d seen other teens at the schools he went to do the same, unwilling to show their emotions. To be honest, he hated it. The idea of not showing who you were, letting people see you at your worst and best? Sure, there were times where it was good to hide it but forever hiding it? No thank you.
Lila watched Adrien enter the classroom behind Mml. Bustier. She couldn’t believe how the once model was dressed, in cropped shirts and boots, his bag displaying pins and charms, but it didn’t matter. She had his life and she knew how this would go.
Waking up in Adrien’s life was a surprise, but it was proof she got what she wanted. The room, the clothes, the house…the absence of the father. She still couldn’t believe how Gabriel was treating his own child. The breakfast of chicken breast and celery, the massively long schedule that was recited for her, needing to book time to see her own father? But it was fine, she’d been Gabriel’s muse before and she managed to yank him in any direction she pleased so it was only a matter of time. Her classmates were acting odd around her. Adrien used to be greeted with welcomes when he walked into the classroom, smiles and general good cheer. Her appearance hadn’t gotten that. A few replies, but most was stares that seemed to go right through her.
She was Lila Agreste. They should be rushing to greet her.
“Everyone, I’d like you to meet your new classmate. Adrien, why don’t you introduce yourself?”
“Hi, I’m Adrien Rossi. I was born and raised in Italy but I move around a lot. Both my parents are diplomates, which makes this my third school of the year? I like anime, cosplay and hanging out with my mom. I hope we can be friends.”
The whole class kindly welcomed him, which made her clench her fists. But it was ok, she’d get her way.
Mml. Bustier didn’t seem to think so as she stared up at her, much like Mml. Mendeleiev would do to most students. “I don’t think so. Your free period is being spent with Max for studying remember? Your last quiz has your father very disappointed. Nino, would you please show him around?”
“Sure.”
Class was swiftly swept up and started and everything felt wrong. This wasn’t how people treated Adrien, so why were they treating her this way? But it was ok, if she had his life, Adrien had hers, which meant he’d lie. She could call him out and win affection. It was easy.
She had a chance when Literature ended a few minutes early and everyone swarmed Adrien, trying to get to know him.
“Have you been to really amazing places?”
“I mean, I call them amazing, but some wouldn’t think London for 2 weeks is amazing and the month in Scotland after that. But I enjoyed every minute of it.”
“What was your favourite part about it?”
“Food and cosplay locations. Some of my best pictures were in random places I found, though I do love a lot of the ones in Italy when we were back or visiting family.”
“You must have a really popular Instagram then. I mean, you must have access to meeting so many celebrities.”
“Not really. I’ve only met a few C list celebs, who came to benefits. But that was just in passing mostly. My mom doesn’t want me taking ad deals and such while I’m still in school and I agree. My life is pretty quiet, minus the moving. It’s only gotten more hectic recently but it’s never been anywhere extravagant. I guess I rubbed elbows with a few elite kids, but they didn’t want anything to do with me, so it didn’t matter.”
Wait, what? Where were the embellished tales? Talks of fabulous places to live, people who wanted to be near, perfect life?
“I’ve never seen you at a benefit. Must not be to high up on the ladder.” The words came out her mouth without thinking.
“What benefit would you have gone to? You never left your house until last year.” Alya stated, staring her down.
“My father stopped inviting yours after all those rejects.” Chloe, who was still sitting in her seat, spoke.
“Just watch, another lie for the media to rip into.” She heard Kim whisper.
Media? what did...She was in the media. A media who chased and exposed Adrien’s location. A media that posted his every word. Marinette might of used the media to try and pull apart her lies but no one higher ever called her out about it. But if she was in the media all the time like she’d be now, her every word, her every lie would be scrutinized.
“Well, your mother doesn’t love you!”
The class exploded, all yelling at her before Adrien stood up, glaring at her. He looked at her like that once, but this felt worse.
“I don’t know who the hell you are, nor do I care but watch your mouth about my mother. My mom happily spends time with me and makes sure I know how much she cares. Just because you’re so clearly starved for love, doesn’t mean you get to take it out on me. Grow the fuck up.” He turned to Nino. “Why don’t you show me around now?”
“Gladly!”
Adrien wasn’t one to just yell at a person, but this random girl told him his mother didn’t love him. Who did she think she was?
“What is her deal?”
“That was Lila Agreste.”
“Agreste? Like Gabriel Agretse, the fashion designer?”
Nino nodded. “You’ve heard about how he’s a recluse right? Well, Lila started school for the first time last year. We got pretty star struck when we met her for the first time. Should have realised something was up when Chloe, daughter of the mayor and never lets anyone forget it, didn’t like her. Lila kept telling us all these things, making all these promises to us but thing is, when we started talking about it to other people, word got around and the truth started coming out. She’s really good at lying and manipulating people. Once we realised what she does, we stopped believing what she said. Marinette, the Asian girl sitting behind you? she tried welcoming Lila, but she was just beyond help. Ignore anything she says. It’s a miracle she hasn’t been pulled from school with all the scandals she’s caused.”
“Well, she doesn’t matter. So, my mom works a lot. It sucks yeah, but she still checks in with me and I know she loves me.”
“Well, her mom did disappear 2 years ago.”
“And that’s sad, truly it is, but that doesn’t give her the right to act like that. My parents are divorced and you don’t see me attacking people with married parents.”
Adrien decided to put Lila out of his mind. She just seemed to be a spoiled rich girl and he had practise with those.
“Hey, any chance you know of the best Italian places to eat?”
“You want to Italian for lunch?” Nino asked, looking a bit confused.
“No, my mom and I have this tradition that whenever we move to a new place, we find the best Italian place. We judge it on how good the pizza and cannolis are.” Adrien said, nearly bouncing as they went down the steps.
“Well, I’m usually fine with whatever, but if you want a real expert opinion, we can ask Alya. Her mom is a chef at the most premier hotel in France. But first, the tour!”
By the time the tour was over, lunch had started so Nino dragged him to cafeteria, bringing him over to sit with Alya and Marinette. He waved to his other classmates and watched Lila storming into the cafeteria, Max following after looking annoyed and exhausted. He guessed the tutoring session didn’t go well.
“Hey Alya, does your mom have suggestions for Italian places? Adrien and his mom wanted to know.” Nino asked, while Adrien pulled his sweater off, pulling his beanie back down, seeming to not see the blush on Marinette’s face.
“I can ask her. You know, Marinette had a question about your cosplays. She’s a designer.”
“Oh really? That’s amazing. My skills are pretty basic. I’ve been tempted to do Hawks from Boku no Hero Academia, but trying to figure out how to do wings seems nearly impossible.”
“Oh, I’ve never gotten to do anything like that. But I’d be happy to help. Do you have pictures?” Marinette asked.
Adrien pulled up his cosplay Instagram, handing his phone over, not questioning when Alya switched between his food and personal Instagram as well.
“I know you say your life is pretty normal, but these look amazing.” Alya said, swiping through the pictures of food, landscapes and Adrien in both elaborate and simple costumes.
“I just look for the positives, I guess. You guys will have to show me your favourite spots.”
“How about in exchange for 3 of the best Italian places, as suggested to by my mom, you let me do an interview on my blog? It’s mostly focused on the heroes but after meeting Lila, surprisingly, I’ve realised it does a reporter good to have a broader reach.” Alya stated.
“Right, who are the heroes? My mom is here mostly because of this ‘supervillain’ that’s appeared, mostly to off assistance and advice but I’m a bit vague on the details.”
Alya brightened up, using Adrien’s phone to bring up her blog and handed it to him, leaning over the table so she could scroll for him.
“Scarlet Bug and Catseye, two themed heroes who appeared out of nowhere, just around the same time akumas did.”
“Demons?” seeing the confused look, Adrien explained, “Akuma is a Japanese spirit, also known as a demon. They show up a fair amount in anime, usually fantasy or magical.”
“I’m gonna ask you more on that later, but these akumas are purple butterflies. In fact, Ivan had been the first victim. They go for people experiencing high negative emotions. We don’t know how Hawkmoth, the guy controlling them, chooses the person, just that it can happen at any time. Scarlet Bug and Catseye showed up at the same time and where able to both defeat Ivan and help him turn back but also cleansed the akuma so it was just a normal butterfly.”
“Most of our class has been akumatized already.” Nino reminded. “we’ve been called the Miracuclass, since the items the heroes turn with is called the Miraculous. Hawkmoth wants them for some reason. That’s always what the akumas ask for when fighting them.”
“You know, Lila pretended that she knew the two of them, but they went on record saying they didn’t, saying the couldn’t been seen as familiar friends with civilians, even famous ones.”
Adrien leaned over, looking past Alya to where Lila was sitting, alone. He felt sorry for her, but seeing what she’d been doing and hearing what she’d been saying, it didn’t stay that way for long.
“Are they at least cool?”
“The coolest! I have this theory that they might be related to each other just because of how they act towards each other. Reminds me of me and my siblings.”
“Alya is still learning to not go running into fights for footage. She’s gotten scolded but has yet to listen.” Marinette said.
“Will you shush? Trust me, if your mom ever meets them, she’ll know they’re a major help to France.”
“I’ll make sure to mention it to her. And I’ll ask about the interview, mom is pretty insistent I don’t get into any sort of ads or media she doesn’t agree with. She only agreed to the Instagram since I don’t show my face in the food one and I’m in costume on my cosplay one.”
“Fair enough, now about those food suggestions.”