Chapter Text
The school bell had just died, signaling the end of the day, and Marinette was quickly making her way to the stairs. She passed by other students coming from their last class of the day like her, all of them inpatient to finally leave the school building. And Marinette could relate to them. After all, she intended to make it to a photoshoot Adrien had scheduled today and wanted to gaze dreamily at him while imagining the many scenarios of him modeling her own designs. To imagine them becoming a power couple in the fashion world where everyone would gaze upon her in adoration and jealousy. A perfect way to end the school day after having to listen to Lila talk on and on about some fake scenario that she spewed like a script she practiced day in and out.
‘She just likes the sound of her own voice,’ she told herself with a small scowl. ‘Always seeking attention from everyone in the whole school. It’s so stupid how the others just fall all over themselves for her despite me constantly telling them she’s a liar.’
Marinette could feel her once good mood begin to decline and shook her head to snap herself out of those dark thoughts. ‘No, no, no, don’t think about Lila of all people. You only need to think about Adrien. Perfect, dreamy Adrien.’ A lovesick giggle left her as Adrien once again filled her mind. But just then, another body bumped into hers and forced her out of dreamland and back to reality.
She let out a surprised gasp before she managed to catch herself, her hand immediately reaching out to grab the railing at the top of the stairs before she could fall backwards onto the floor. A familiar voice spoke up that caused Marinette’s once good mood to decline in a second.
“Oh, I’m so sorry Marinette, I didn’t see you there,” the voice said, silky and practiced like always. “You see, I’ve been having trouble seeing lately because of the time I saved some kids from a light akuma.” Lila Rossi, the bane of Marinette’s existence and the one person she didn’t want to see, said in that stupid, fake tone with a polished smile and a confident posture.
Marinette swore she could see the amusement sparkling in Lila’s eyes, as if silently daring her to challenge her words. It was always like this, a constant battle of Lila setting traps for her, and Marinette inevitably falling for them. Sure, Lila hasn’t directly said anything to Marinette in the past few days, but Marinette could see the sly glances aimed at her in class. And the way Lila would always raise her voice when she would walk by? That was Lila just begging Marinette to take the bait. And the two crossing paths was Lila finally making her move.
It had to be.
Marinette let out a loud huff as she crossed her arms over her chest and aimed a glare at Lila, “We both know that didn’t happen, Lila. There hasn’t been a light akuma at all, and I sincerely doubt it would have left you blind for this long.” Annoyance could be heard in her tone, something that only caused Lila to raise a brow.
Lila blinked, her brow still raised and then let out a soft laugh. One that was meant to sound gracious, but Marinette could only hear the mockery. “Oh, Marinette,” she said, voice sickeningly sweet and thick like syrup. “You always take things so literally. It’s just a story, people like those.”
She tilted her head, eyes scanning Marinette up and down like she was a puzzle missing some of its pieces. “You don’t have to believe it, but you don’t have to ruin it for anyone else, either. Not a fan of stories, are you?”
Then, with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes and a nonchalant shrug, she continued on. “Besides, I figured you would be more worried about your future in designing. You know, I heard from the others that you’re really good. Maybe I can help you out by showing your designs to Gabriel Agreste! Since I work for him and all. And then we can finally be friends and put the past behind us.”
Marinette could feel her temper rising, her hands curling into themselves and her nails digging small crescents into her palms. Each word spilling from that liar’s mouth was like a cold pinch that slowly began to burn hot beneath her skin.
How dare she? How dare she try and insinuate couldn’t make it on her own? Like she didn’t have the talent needed to boost your career in the fashion world without a handout? And to bring up the idea of them becoming friends? Never in a million years would Marinette ever become friends with Lila Rossi. And for her to even suggest that was proof Lila was messing with her.
“First of all,” Marinette snapped, her voice sharp like the edge of a knife. “I don’t need your favors, Lila. I have a talent that I’ve been working on since I was a kid. Since I could pick up a pencil actually.”
She pointed a finger at her, a fierce glare that burned with an uncontrolled fire. “You don’t get to pretend to care about me or my future. You don’t get to pretend you want to be friends after everything you-” She choked with a clenched jaw and had to forcibly relax herself. “You make up these crazy lies that everyone believes. And then you humiliate me in front of all my friends when I rightfully call you out. You’re always out to get me Lila, but I won’t fall to your evil schemes.”
Marinette felt vindicated as was stunned silent from her words. Finally, after months of torment, Marinette’s simmering anger had boiled over and Lila was directly underneath the pot just waiting to be splashed by the hot water. No more would Marinette let herself be pushed around and humiliated by Lila. Now, she’ll show Lila what happens when she messes with the everyday Ladybug.
Lila was quiet for a few seconds before an incredulous laugh escaped her with a huff. “Evil schemes? Marinette, I haven’t done anything to you in what, a week? What could you possibly be talking about?”
Marinette glared even harder. “Oh don’t act so innocent! I’ve seen the way you’ve been looking at me when we’re in class, when no one else is watching. Or how you’ll so conveniently be in the same places as I am and where I can hear you. Just waiting for me to call you out just so you can turn all my friends against me. Well I won’t fall for it again Lila!”
“Okay, you have officially lost your mind Marinette. I haven’t even thought about you, let alone create multiple plans to ruin your reputation in my free time. Despite what you may think, my life doesn’t revolve around you Marinette.”
“Oh please, you’ve been obsessed with me since the moment I first tried exposing you! Admit it!”
“I’m the one that’s obsessed? Marinette, you’re the one accusing me of following you around when I’m just going to school! We’re in the same class, obviously I’m going to be in the same rooms as you!”
Marinette felt a warm flush appear on her cheeks, feeling embarrassed from Lila’s point, as she began to stutter in response. “W-well what about the glances? Or what about the way you hang off of Adrien when I’m around like a leech?”
Marinette could think of each instance like they happened yesterday. Lila grabbing Adrien’s arm and taking a selfie with him, and her poor Adrien looking uncomfortable in that lying snake’s hands. Or when Lila picked up Adrien’s pen that Marinette was going to grab so she could have a way to talk to him, only for Adrien to thank Lila as if she was his guardian angel. Or that time Lila leaned into Adrien’s ear to whisper something to him, only for Adrien to laugh! The sweet, melodious sound left Marinette breathless of course, but the fact that it was Lila of all people to draw it out from him made it worse. And Marinette swore she had seen Lila look at her from the corners of her eyes with a smirk!
Each incident had been burned into Marinette’s mind like a picture being taken, permanent and still.
“Adrien?” Lila asked in confusion. “What does Adrien have to do with anything?”
But then, realization appeared on Lila’s face. An expression that caused Marinette to freeze and feel an icy tingle course through her spine.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Marinette openly gaped as Lila let out a curse. “Is that seriously the reason why you hate me? Because you have a huge crush on him and you feel jealous that I can actually talk to him like a normal person?”
Lila began to laugh. Her head tipping back as that horrid sound filled Marinette’s ears. It was loud like thunder, or maybe it was applause, but it filled Marinette with dread and unease.
“You’re always hanging off of Adrien like you’re glued to him,” Marinette snapped, voice sharper and a furious blush on her face. “He always looks uncomfortable when you’re around, like he doesn’t want to stay near you but is too polite to do anything! And you lie to him constantly, but he doesn’t do anything about it because he’s a kind person!” As soon as she finished her sentence, she quickly added, “And you lie to everyone in class as well!”
Lila’s amused smile widened like a cat who got the cream. “Such pretty words, Marinette. The kind a good person would say. But you don’t even realize that you were so worried about Adrien that you forgot your friends.” Her voice was light and airy, making a joke at Marinette’s expense. “Is Adrien more important to you than Alya? Than all your friends in class? That’s… adorable.”
Just then, Lila took a threatening step forward. Causing Marinette to take a step back. She felt her back hit the metal railing on the top floor. The two girls were now standing at the top of the stairs. Lila leaned in until her face was inches apart from Marinette’s.
“Don’t pretend you’re above lying either Marinette,” Lila’s voice was low, her words slow and deliberate, like she wanted Marinette to hear them directly. Her words were cruel and her eyes filled with glee. “Remember when you noped out of a movie night Alya had planned for the girls because you just “had to help your parents for an order”? Or the time you vanished and asked Alya to babysit in your place because you had to “turn the stove off”? Funny how often you have an excuse when your friends need you the most.”
Lila’s smile sharpened into something soft and cruel at the same time. “People talk, Marinette. And they notice when someone is flaking on them. They might not know the reasons, but they know you’ve been lying to them too. Guess we both like telling stories."
Marinette’s mouth opened, closed, and then opened again as she tried coming up with a retort. “I- that’s different. I’m not lying to hurt anyone,” she stammered, the defense sounding weak even to her ears. “I-”
She didn’t finish. She couldn’t. Because the truth was something she could never tell anyone. One she had to keep to her chest at all costs. Instead, she snapped the easiest response that she had. “Your lies hurt people, hurt my friends…” It sounded small though, even to herself.
Lila let out a laugh, sounding pleased with herself. “And yours don’t?” Lila’s voice narrowed until it was the only thing Marinette could hear. “You keep bailing on them, Marinette. Alya and the others don’t say anything because they're waiting for an explanation you will never give them. You think they’ll hang around forever while you disappear because of “family emergencies” and “sudden chores”? People have limits.” Her voice was patient like she was explaining to a toddler.
It made Marinette feel small as each word hit her like a bullet from a gun, landing heavy against her chest. Her hands curled tighter by her sides. “They’ll realize you’re never there,” she continues. “They’ll start questioning everything you say. They’ll stop making excuses for you in their heads because you’ve given them nothing in return.” Lila pauses, savoring Marinette’s misery like a sadist. “And Adrien? He notices everything. He notices the way you act around him. With that creepy smile on your face and how you never say anything to him. Or when you run away from him when he tries to greet you. Do you really think he’s going to notice you the way you want him to when you act like that?”
Everything begins to blur around Marinette, the sounds, the sights, everything. Lila’s voice crawls underneath her skin like bugs. Make her stop is all she can think. She wants Lila to shut up and to choke on her words. But she keeps going. Keeps talking and talking and pulls out every one of Marinette’s insecurities she’s kept locked in a chest with a key and tried to bury.
Time begins to stand still. But her voice is a relentless tide. Marinette doesn’t know how much time has passed, or if any did at all. But she can only stand there like a statue bolted in place. Until finally, something snaps inside of her like a thread on a puppet.
It’s one automatic motion. It’s instant and the only language left when words fail her. She shoves.
It’s small and it’s terrible and the entire world freezes like a movie. Marinette can see Lila stagger backwards, her arms flailing around her as she tries to grab onto anything to stop what’s about to happen. Her face is one of surprise and Marinette simply watches as Lila tips back. And then? A loud cry before it’s interrupted by her body hitting the steps. And she tumbles down until she finally falls still at the very bottom.
At first, Marinette feels a smug satisfaction curl in her chest. She’s finally shut up and Marinette can breathe again. She feels triumphant in a way that makes an ache appear in her ribs. The small, ugly victory tastes like metal on her tongue.
Then dread blooms all at once, and Marinette realizes what she’s done. The world unfreezes and there’s a commotion on the first floor as the lingering students notice the body lying on the floor.
“Oh my god!” Marinette hears someone shout.
“Someone get the nurse!”
“A nurse? Someone call an ambulance, she’s not moving!”
Marinette can only watch as a small crowd forms around Lila. Who isn’t moving like someone pointed out. Marinette can’t even tell if she’s breathing from all the way up here. And all Marinette can think is:
‘This is it. This is what she was planning. And I fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. She’s going to tell everyone that I pushed her down the stairs and they’re all going to believe her because I actually did. And I’ll lose all my friends and even… Adrien.’
This must have been Lila’s plan all along. She went up to Marinette with the goal of making Marinette snap and retaliating to use against her. To turn all her friends against her like she promised to do back then. And Marinette was stupid enough to fall for it.
Marinette’s life is ruined now, and she might not ever see Adrien again.