^ HER SHIRT SAYS BEESEXUAL IM FXCKING DONE!

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 [Narrator's POV]

"I'm all for missing a day of school, but spending half of it with Chloe—Eugh!" Alya complains as she and Marinette ride the hotel elevator to the top floor.

"You're the one that agreed to do this." Marinette says.

"I wasn't really thinking though, I was distracted. It was right after some gang attempted to kidnap me!" Alya replies.

"Chloe's not that bad, you'll see." Marinette says. "Don't you think it was nice of her to invite you and Nino to this fancy event? She's really making an effort to be your friend."

Alya grumbles in response. The elevator opens up to the top floor of the hotel and the two friends approach the door with the gleaming, golden label reading 'Chloe'. Alya has her arms crossed stubbornly and is averting her eyes as if she despises even seeing Chloe's name.

Marinette elbows Alya is the ribs. "You knock! And be nice—smile, please."

Alya makes an exaggerated point of grinning as she bangs on Chloe's door. "Open up sunshine!"

Marinette slaps a hand on her forehead. The door opens and Alya stretches her grin even wider, staring at Chloe.

"Heeeyy!" Chloe greets spiritedly. Her eyes meet Alya's and she shifts uncomfortably but Alya continues to grin creepily. "S-So glad you could make it—"

"I'm glad to be here!" Alya exclaims in a sarcastically happy tone.

"Right..." Chloe says awkwardly. "Please, come in..."

Chloe steps aside for Marinette and Alya, shutting the door behind them.

"Alright stop it." Marinette whispers to Alya as they walk inside. "I get it, you don't want to be here. You've made your point so you don't have to keep smiling."

Alya immediately drops her grin to a frown.

"Shall we get ready? I'm excited to see the dress you made, Marinette." Chloe says.

Alya raises an eyebrow. She wasn't aware that Marinette and Chloe actually keep up with each other, she thought Marinette was just playing nice for Adrien's sake.

"Yeah! I worked really hard on this one, seeing as there will be so many fashion designers there." Marinette says happily.

"I could definitely introduce you to some people." Chloe replies.

Chloe thinking of doing something for someone else? Alya just can't comprehend this.

"I'm going to go get changed." Alya says before shutting herself in the bathroom.

Alya is wearing the same orange dress she wore to Marinette's birthday ball last year because unlike Chloe she doesn't have the money to buy a new one and unlike Marinette she doesn't have the skills to just make one. It is still her most prized procession though. As well as this, Alya has taken off her glasses and put in contact lenses for a refreshing change.

A/N: Is this dress not perfect for Alya?!! It litterally looks exactly like the fox heroine costume.

Alya emerges from the bathroom to find Chloe ready and waiting while Marinette is off putting her dress on.

"A-Alya!" Chloe says, her eyes widening. "You look so gorgeous!"

Alya shudders a bit, completely shocked and slightly uncomfortable by Chloe's sudden compliment. Never has she seen Chloe actually admire someone else before, and never ever has she seen Chloe acting so bubbly and friendly.

Alya shifts her eyes awkwardly. "Er, thanks....but you saw me in this same dress at your ball last year."

"Oh...I guess I just didn't notice." Chloe says, frowning slightly. "I-I didn't really care about anyone else last year..."

So she's self-aware, Alya thinks. Uninterested in conversation, Alya takes a moment to look at Chloe's outfit.

It is a simple, short, black dress with a gold belt. Much different to the dress she wore last year, which was golden and sparkling and very tight, drawing most of the attention...and the light. Just her style alone reflects on the changes she has gone through. She is not as self-centered now; she doesn't feel the need to force all eyes on her.

Alya strains herself, mustering up all of her willpower to...to...to compliment Chloe! Alya shivers at the idea and readjusts herself before speaking reluctantly. "You look nice as well. The dress...suits you."

Chloe's eyes light up. A genuine, friendly comment from Alya—success!

"Thanks!" Chloe says brightly. "We should totally take a photo together!"

"You want photo evidence of being associated with me? This is certainly unexpected..." Alya replies.

"You think I wouldn't want people to know I'm hanging out with you?" Chloe says dejectedly.

"Well, yeah. As far as I know you hate me," Alya says. "I don't even know why you invited me here."

"I don't completely hate you—" Chloe starts.

Alya frowns.

"I-I mean! No, I don't hate you! That's the whole point of this—I want to be your friend!" Chloe recovers quickly.

Silence.

Chloe grips the skirt of her dress anxiously as she waits for Alya's response. Alya crosses her arms and surveys her with narrowed eyes.

"I just don't understand," She says. "Forgive me if I suspect an ulterior motive."

Chloe clenches her fists, her expression serious. "People can change you know!"

Alya freezes, memories swirling through her mind. Those words ring over and over in her head, they seem to be a reoccurring thing that everyone has been telling her.

"People can change you know." Marinette had said. "She might not be quite there but she's trying."

But still, Alya was reluctant. Stubborn and presumptuous as always.

"You're just hot-headed and presumptuous and, and I'm sick of being under-minded by you!" Carapace's hurt voice says.

Alya feels a pang in her chest. Is this how Chloe feels? She had treated Carapace horribly because she was clinging onto the image she had created of him.

"I'm a different person than whatever impression you first got of me." Carapace says softly. "I know you're not easily won over, but...people can change, you know?"

Alya feels saddened with guilt. Perhaps she is wrong to hold onto her grudge, she knows this, but she still finds it hard to forgive Chloe.

"I'm trying my best to change..." Chloe says quietly. "But it's hard when you won't let me."

Alya feels uneased by the aching pity in her heart. Is she seriously considering forgiving Chloe, the evil witch? Except...she doesn't looks so evil right now. She looks sad and heavyhearted. The emotion in her eyes is genuine.

But forgiving is one thing and apologising is another, Alya thinks stubbornly. She shouldn't have to apologise when she has ever right to be sceptical—Chloe made her life a misery! All those years of torment should be enough to vindicate Alya's retaliating behaviour. Chloe is the one begging for forgiveness here, not her.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done, I really am. I want to be rid of the horrible person I was but you keeping slapping me in the face with it. I can never truly move on if you keep digging up the past." Chloe continues sadly. "It's not just proving to you that I've changed, it's proving it to myself as well!"

And in an instant, Alya's heart is tipped over the edge.

"I'm sorry, Chloe!"

Chloe freezes, looking up at Alya in surprise. "W-What...?"

Alya looks fairly surprised herself. "Y-You heard me! I give in alright?! I'm not saying it again."

"Does...Does that mean you forgive me? You want to be my friend?!" Chloe asks, her eyes shimmering with hope.

Alya crosses her arms. "How about we settle for acquaintances. I'm only choosing to trust you because Marinette, my best friend, seems to have taken a liking to you. So let's cooperate together for her sake."

Chloe nods rapidly. "Sure, sure, sure—I can work with that!"

"Speaking of Marinette, how long does it take to put on a dress...?" Alya grumbles.

"Not long really."

Alya and Chloe spin around to see Marinette stepping out from behind the corner.

"Every time I'm having a moment with someone, my friends are eavesdropping!" Alya mutters embarrassedly.

Marinette brings a hand to her mouth and giggles innocently. "Forgive me for not wanting to interrupt."

Chloe smiles broadly. "Marinette, that dress is amazing! The cherry blossoms are so you."

Marinette twirls around for her friends. "I was thinking of having my hair and makeup match the Chinese theme, think you could do it Chlo?"

"Leave it to me!" Chloe says with a thumbs up. "I'm going to keep my hair in a simple ponytail but I was thinking a black, smokey-eye look for my makeup. Any requests, Alya?"

Alya looks at Chloe unsurely and sighs. It's now or never—Trust, activate!

"Maybe just some light makeup?" Alya says hesitantly with a shrug.

Chloe claps her hands excitedly. "Yay! Let's do it—Girl time, go!"

My precious girls, I'm so proud of them >.<