[Narrator's POV]

Chloe is lying on her bed with her hand outstretched, staring at the golden card held in it.

"I could just slip it into mom's purse or something." She mumbles.

"That won't solve anything." Pollen says.

"I could put a note in there as well," Chloe replies. "From Queen Bee saying sorry."

"Then why don't you just give it back in person?" Pollen questions.

"I wouldn't be able to get anywhere near mom as Queen Bee." Chloe says. "She wants to arrest me!"

"So you're going to keep hiding in the shadows like the lowly criminal they're claiming you to be?" Pollen says.

"No..." Chloe grumbles.

A knock on Chloe's dooring sends her scrambling in a panic to hide the Mayor's credit card.

"Madam, are you ready? You won't want to be late for school." Her butler says from the other side of the door.

"Yeah, I'm coming!" Chloe replies.

.

"Marinette's back at school already? I thought she'd killed herself."

"She sure looks like the living dead."

"Have you heard? Marinette and Adrien broke up, and her family bakery has gone bankrupt. It's no wonder she's so depressed."

"He was probably paying off all of her family's debt for her, that's why. What a gold-digger."

"Marinette deserves to feel the worst, she broke the heart of Adrien Agreste!"

Marinette lowers her head as she walks through the school courtyard. She wanted to help out her parents to distract herself from her heartache but her parents had practically forced her outside.

"I thought I told you that none of those stupid rumours are true." Says a stern voice. "Don't you have anything better to do than ridiculing an innocent girl?"

Marinette's eyes well up with tears. She should be happy that someone is sticking up for her but it only makes her feel even sadder, because she knows that voice. And she knows that even after everything, Adrien is still caring for her...

Marinette tenses up when she hears footsteps approach her.

"Princess..." Adrien says softly.

Marinette bites her quivering lip and looks away.

"Sorry, er, Marinette." Adrien corrects himself. "Mari, don't make this harder on yourself by listening to them. You know I still love you—"

"Don't. That's the point of this." Marinette says. "You—You have to stay a safe distance from me. I'm sorry!"

Adrien reaches out a hand as Marinette runs away. The group of bystanders begin whispering again. Chloe had come striding in halfway through the scene, her fuse rapidly burning out.

"You think this is some kind of reality TV show or something? Are you happy that Adrien and Marinette are sad? Entertained by bullying Mari? Or maybe hoping to finally get with Adrien? Newsflash you pitiful, disgusting, slimy little garbage rats—Adrien would never date any of you so stop wasting your time!" Chloe rants, flailing her arms at the gossipers. "Seriously! Do you have nothing better to do than hate Marinette purely because of bitter jealousy? Like, been there done that, it's not cool get over yourselves!"

"No matter what, Chloe's still a bitch." They mutter as they walk away.

"Yeah, whatever, I rock it!" Chloe says, crossing her arms.

"You probably shouldn't have been so mean, but thanks anyway." Adrien says.

"You need to get over yourself too!" Chloe replies. "You love each other so much that you broke up? What kind of bullshit is that? Are we in a Korean drama? Like, 'oh, woe is me, we can't be together because I don't want you to get hurt'—This sappy whining is gonna make me vomit! It's ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"

Nathaniel yawns as he walks into school. He hadn't gotten much sleep last night, his mind won't stop racing with a million different thoughts. When he sees Chloe practically fuming as she explodes in Adrien's face, he immediately rushes over.

"What's the matter?" Nathaniel asks worriedly.

"Everything!" Chloe exclaims in frustration.

Adrien looks overwhelmed and a little frightened, his wide eyes pleading for help. Nathaniel sighs and wraps his arm around Chloe's shoulders. She immediately simmers down, falling silent as he pulls her in so her head is resting on his shoulder.

"Chloe, let's calm down." Nathaniel says soothingly.

Chloe nods quietly. Adrien is bewildered to the point of fear. She's completely settled all of a sudden, there is no way witchcraft isn't involved!

Nathaniel smiles at Adrien. "I'll take care of her."

And with that, he leads Chloe away without any resistance on her part.

"Creepy..." Adrien whispers ominously. "Scary unnatural."

"I think it's sweet."

Adrien turns to see Alya and Nino, hands links with Alya cuddling Nino's arm. "Of course you do", Adrien thinks bitterly.

"I guess it's nice for Chloe to have some impulse control." Nino says with a shrug.

Upon noticing the miserable look on Adrien's face, Alya pulls away from Nino.

"It's okay," Adrien sighs. "You don't have to hide your happiness from me. Relationships are great, you guys are stupidly cute and Chlonath is sickeningly sweet."

"Why does it feel like you're insulting us?" Nino says.

"I can't help it." Adrien whines. "Colour is drained, light is cold, the life in my world has died."

"So Marinette still won't budge." Alya concludes. "Have you seen her yet?"

"Yeah but she ran away from me." Adrien says dejectedly.

"Cut her some slack, man," Nino replies. "It must be really hard for her to be around you."

"But I don't want my princess to feel this way and I especially don't want her dealing with it alone." Adrien says croakily.

Nino feels a strike of fear. "Please don't cry! You know I hate it when you cry because then I cry. It's so upsetting, like watching a Disney princess weeping or a puppy whining! You stupid, beautiful boy!"

"I'm fine. Please, just go be with Marinette." Adrien says drearily.

The school bell rings and Adrien slinks off. Alya and Nino exchange an uneasy look.

"That guy...His sombre sorrow is so dense you can practically feel it in the air around him." Nino says, ruffling his hair stressfully. "He's so gloomy and damp that he'll start growing fungus!"

Alya cocks an eyebrow. "Are you gonna cry?"

"You're gonna cry!" Nino says defensively.

Alya slips her arms around Nino's waist to give him a comforting hug. "I know it's hard. I really thought Adrien and Marinette were an inhumanly perfect couple. I hate seeing them like this too."

Nino wraps his arms around Alya tightly. "I love you Als...please promise me that we'll never have a break up like this."

"Never." Alya says, leaning up to kiss her beloved boyfriend.

Luckily, the first two classes of the day are sports followed by a study period so Adrien and Marinette don't have to interact. That didn't stop them from moping around though. In sports class they played Capture the Flag but Adrien, having no strength, just let himself get caught so he could curl up in jail and sulk. This left Marinette no other option but to try as hard as she could not to get herself caught and stuck with Adrien, resulting in her winning the game. Adrien got the idea that she didn't want to be anywhere near him right now so when study class came round, he made sure to make it easy for her to avoid him and didn't attempt approaching her again. Instead, he sits in at a table in the dark corner of the library and pretends that he is actually capable of focusing on work. It doesn't make things any better when Chloe and Nathaniel sit down together on the couch right in front of him, giggling blissfully as they help each other with work.

Adrien groans and lets his head fall onto the table.

"Same." Someone says flatly.

Adrien rolls his head to one side to see Sabrina retrieving a book from the shelf next to him.

"I can sit in front of you and block them from your view if you want." She suggests.

"Sure, thanks." Adrien says.

"No problem, I was looking for a place to sit anyway." Sabrina replies as she takes the seat opposite Adrien. "Chloe and Nathaniel are overcompensating for their time apart. They're joined at the hip! I can't help but feel like a third wheel when they're acting so lovey-dovey. Is it just me, or have they been a lot touchier all of a sudden? I mean, before they would get so embarrassed just talking to each other."

"Yeah, I think they crossed a barrier when they made up cuz they shared this super long hug." Adrien says.

"Chloe? Hugging?" Sabrina giggles. "Nathaniel really has been changing her for the better. I can't help feeling happy for her."

"I should be too but I can't stop thinking pessimistically." Adrien says with a dispirited sigh.

Sabrina tilts her head with a frown. "What happened between you and Marinette anyway?"

Adrien spills the whole story to Sabrina, from the family dinner with Audrey to Marinette's family being evicted.

"Seriously?" Sabrina crosses her arms in appal. "I always hated that woman."

"Chloe's mom? Really?" Adrien says in surprise. He's never seen the spineless Sabrina with such a fiery look in her eye.

"She's the one who twisted Chloe up in the first place..." Sabrina says.

"Chloe still has hope but I hate how easily Audrey is being let off." Adrien replies. "I don't understand why she hasn't been kicked out of the Mayor's office yet."

Sabrina shakes her head. "Chloe's dad would do anything to make her happy. He couldn't make her mother walk out on her again."

The school bell rings out, initiating break time.

"Hey, wonna eat lunch together?" Adrien asks. "Marinette needs space but I would feel better if our friends were with her so I'm going to be avoiding everyone today, and you're actually pretty good company."

"Really? Okay then." Sabrina says. "You know, I wasn't really sure about you but you're alright Adrien."

"Thank—Wait, what's that supposed to mean?" Adrien replies.

"I'm sure you would be sick of someone too if Chloe was yapping in your ear about them none stop for years." Sabrina says, rolling her eyes.

Adrien actually lets out a weak laugh at this. "Fair enough I guess."

.

Alya and Nino stand in the courtyard looking back and forth between two odd pairs.

"Were Chloe and Nathaniel always this close? Since when did Adrien and Sabrina even talk?" Nino questions. "What is happening?"

"A charming Chloe and cutesy Nathaniel taking the place of Adrien and Marinette. The real Adrien instead gossiping with Sabrina like Chloe—Where is the real Marinette?" Alya says hysterically.

"Following your logic, wouldn't she be alone in the art room like Nathaniel used to be?" Nino replies.

Alya and Nino rush to the art room to test their theory but they find it completely empty.

"If she's not here being an angsty social outcast then where is she?" Says Alya.

Marinette doesn't want to cause a rift so she took it upon herself to be the one to leave the group but she also knows that Adrien won't accept that and will send Alya and Nino after her, so she's sneaked outside to eat in hiding.

Marinette walks round the corner of the school building and squeaks, jumping back in fright. Lila is leaning against the wall on her phone. She looks up and glares at Marinette coldly. Marinette gulps, her throat suddenly feeling extremely dry.

"What do you want?" Lila asks shortly.

Marinette flinches. "Nothing! I just—I didn't know anyone would be here. W-What are you doing behind the school?"

Lila crosses her arms. "Nothing that concerns you so scram."

"But..."

Marinette looks around. There is little space between the brick wall of the school building and the line of hedges that surrounds it. It's an empty, closed off place that would be perfect for Marinette to hide away alone, though she can't see why someone would actually want to spend their time here.

"Why are you in such a place all by yourself? Where are your friends?"

"Don't have any." Lila says in a bored tone.

Marinette feels somewhat guilty. Lila is probably lashing out because she has nothing to lose. Back when she transferred she was so desperate to fit in but after Ladybug exposed her lies, everyone turned on her.

"Quit looking like you actually care. It's my fault, right?" Lila says. "What are you even still doing here?"

Marinette takes a step forward but Lila cuts in with her sharp tongue again.

"If you even try saying that you'll be my friend, I'll hurl on you. I don't like people, I don't want friends and I like it here by myself, okay?"

"O-Okay, then I'm sorry for intruding but would you let me stay here? Please?" Marinette says pleadingly.

Lila scoffs. "Sure! Why don't we invite Chloe too and form a Rejected By Adrien club?" She replies sarcastically.

Marinette lowers her eyes sadly. "We don't have to be friends. I just have nowhere else to go..."

Lila exhales through her nose and goes back to scrolling on her phone. "Do what you want."

Marinette isn't sure what Lila means by this so she just stands where she is awkwardly. Lila continues to stare at her phone silently. Eventually Marinette slowly shuffles a bit closer. She fidgets timidly for a moment before taking a two big side-steps toward Lila, placing them next to each other.

"What?" Lila snaps in annoyance.

Marinette nervously fumbles for the small box in her hands. In an attempt to open it quickly, she drops the box and ends up juggling it around, macaroons flying everywhere. By the time she snatches the box securely, crushing it slightly in the process, there is nothing left inside. Lila raises an eyebrow at the empty, crumpled box that Marinette has held out. She looks down at her offering and slumps in disappointment.

"Sorry, I'm such a klutz..."

"I was aware of that already." Lila says bluntly.

Marinette's eyes suddenly light up. Lila recoils as Marinette reaches a hand out toward her.

"Relax!" Marinette laughs as she snatches up a stray macaroon from Lila's hair. "Look, a lucky survivor!"

"Gross." Lila says as she wipes her hair. "It's gonna be sticky."

Marinette smiles and holds out the macaroon. "Sorry again, but now you can try one."

Lila stops to stare at the macaroon in Marinette's hand. "But...it's the last of your food. You don't want it?"

"I don't not want it but I'd prefer you to have it." Marinette says.

Lila's face scrunches up in puzzlement. "Whatever. As if I'd want a gross, hairy macaroon." She denies stubbornly.

"Well, sorry..." Marinette mutters as she munches on her macaroon.

"Why do you say sorry all the time? It's so annoying." Lila huffs.

"That last one was sarcastic." Marinette retorts.

Lila cracks a smile. "So you do have some attitude in there."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Marinette asks defensively.

"It means you're a bleak goodie-two-shoes whose only purpose in life is gushing over some plain old pretty boy and now that you're without him you're about as plucky as an empty plastic bag." Lila answers.

Marinette gasps. "I'll have you know that my parents call me a sassy young lady all the time. And my life doesn't revolve around Adrien— I have hobbies!"

Lila snorts. "Alright, slow down speed racer."

"I could kick your ass!" Marinette threatens.

Lila rolls her eyes. "Geez, people don't like it when I lie, people don't like it when I tell the truth, what do you want from me?"

"How about being a decent person?" Marinette yaps.

"That's funny." Lila replies.

"I'm not tryna be funny!" Marinette says, stomping her foot. "I'm really smart and artistic you know. I have my own skills and ambitions, and my own life. Besides, that plain old pretty boy is someone you had a crush on too, and he's not just that anyway! He's kind and funny and—"

Lila holds up a hand to interrupt Marinette. "I was getting all excited about you showing some spunk and then you started gushing again. Guess Adrien really is all you have."

"Mmmrrrrrhh....!" Marinette puffs up her cheeks angrily and turns away.

"So, answer me this," Lila says. "Why'd you two break up?"

"None of your business." Marinette grumbles.

"Alright, fine, I didn't care anyway." Lila says. "We'll just bask in silence for the rest of the break then. Ah, and even after I let you into my special place too. So ungrateful..."

Marinette purses her lips. Lila has tipped her emotions over the edge, now she really needs to let some of it out. So before she knows what she is doing, she has vented out the whole story. Marinette's chest is puffing in and out by the end of it, her eyes wild with distress. Lila stares at her blankly for a moment before concluding,

"Well that was a stupid story."

"You asked for it!" Marinette says.

"I was asking for some juicy goss but that was so pathetic I can't even enjoy your suffering." Lila replies.

Marinette crosses her arms self-consciously. "What would you do then?"

"Well, if Audrey's going to ruin your life anyway then why did you bother giving up the one advantage you had over her. Nothing spites her more than not getting what she wants, right? But you just handed Adrien over on a silver platter. If I were him I would be seriously offended." Lila says. "You should have just told Audrey to shove it."

"You're too self-righteous and reckless. My parents are suffering too because of me. Audrey hasn't done anything else since evicting us but it's better to sacrifice what I want to make sure she stays away." Marinette says. "Don't you consider that?"

Lila taps a finger on her lip. "Hmm, then if I were you...I'd stop whining because you brought this upon yourself?"

"Argh, forget I asked." Marinette says, waving her hand to ward off Lila.

Lila smirks in amusement. The school bell rings and Marinette grips her head in dismay.

"Ack, no! I have class with Adrien next! What am I gonna do? My heart feels like it's going to burst!"

Lila opens her mouth but Marinette cuts her off.

"Yeah, yeah, all I can think and talk about is Adrien—Whatever! I'll just shut up and suffer then."

Lila double-blinks as Marinette storms off.

.

When Marinette slumps into class grumpily, Alya and Nino ambush her straight away.

"Where were you?" Alya asks urgently.

"Nowhere in particular." Marinette answers dully.

She steps past them and makes her way to the very back of the classroom where she sits in the desk beside the window. Chloe and Nathaniel enter the room quite loudly, sharing a long laugh with each other, followed by a more civilised Adrien and Sabrina. When Adrien catches a glimpse of Marinette tucked away in the back corner, his heart sinks. Sabrina notices the sudden fall in his expression. He lowers his head as he sits down by himself as if even looking in Marinette's general direction is painful for him.

"Hey Nathaniel, you can sit next to Chloe today if you like." Sabrina speaks up.

After being called out up front, Chloe and Nathaniel begin to slip back into their bashful selves.

"W-What? I never asked—" Nathaniel stammers, waving his hands.

"It's really not necessary—" Chloe joins in.

"I-I mean, I don't not want to—"

"Right. And it's not like I even care either way—"

"Just go ahead, I don't mind." Sabrina waves her hand to dismiss them as she takes a seat beside Adrien.

"Thanks..." Adrien mutters, his eyes still locked on the ground.

"W-Well, why not then..." Nathaniel says, scratching his head.

Chloe shrugs nonchalantly despite her blushing cheeks. "Yeah, sure, you can help me do my work I guess."

Nathaniel chuckles softly and shakes his head. "Still not doing your work for you, Chlo'."

"I said help. I'll do some as well, geez." Chloe insists.

"I don't believe you." Nathaniel pats Chloe on the shoulder as he passes her to sit down at their desk.

"What'd you say, tomato head?" Chloe responds, rushing over to join Nathaniel.

Marinette is trying to concentrate on keeping her eyes out the window but she keeps catching herself staring at Adrien. She knew she couldn't handle being here but her parents wouldn't listen.

"Morning class!" Ms Bustier sings as she walks in.

She stops abruptly to do a double-take, surveying the classroom more steadily. Sabrina is sitting with Adrien, Marinette is sitting alone in the back corner and Nathaniel is sitting up the front with Chloe.

"Rightio then..." Ms Bustier starts. "So, er, today's lesson—"

The classroom door flies open, slamming the against the wall with a BANG! Everyone jumps in fright and stares at Lila as she calmly steps inside.

"Um, may I help you young lady?" Ms Bustier asks.

"No." Lila answers shortly. "I'm here for Marinette. She needs to come with me."

Everyone peers at Marinette curiously but she appears just as confused as they are.

"What do you need Marinette for? You'll have to provide some kind of proof or reasoning to take her out of class." Ms Bustier says.

Lila rests a hand on her hip, her stone-cold expression unfazed. "Do you really think I would want anything to do with her if it weren't an unavoidable emergency?"

Ms Bustier pauses and places a hand on her chin. "No, I suppose not..."

"Settled." Lila says, raising her hand in the air to click at Marinette.

"Huh? Wha—Oh! Er...um!" Marinette scrambles to pack up her things hastily.

She makes her way to the front of the room and quickly bows to Ms Bustier before following Lila out the door.

Alya leans over to whisper to Nino. "Since when was Marinette associated with Lila?"

Nino gasps sharply. "Disappearing during school without a care, sitting in the back seat by the window, not paying attention in class and now just wagging it altogether, hanging around bad company," Nino grabs Alya's shoulders. "Our sweet little Mari has become a delinquent!"