Chat knows Chloe!?

Marinette's mind was imploding on itself. Clutching her pigtails, she pulled on them in frustration. Pacing back and forth on the sidewalk where Chat Noir left her, the girl mulled over the possibilities.

It was completely plausible that Chat knew Chloe from one of her rich social circles. However, the situation just didn't add up. Though she was protective about her civilian life, Chat Noir seemed more relaxed about being himself around her. Why would he run away after saying he knew Chloe?

Turning on her heel, she started to walk home. Taking her phone out of her pocket, she pretended to dial and held it to the side of her face, sighing in exasperation as she stomped down the sidewalk.

"Tikki, what just happened?"

Poking her head out of Marinette's purse, the kwami quickly flew into the girl's blazer, near the collar.

Continuing slowly, the superheroine gathered her thoughts, "I-I just don't see how saying that would provoke that kind of response, you know?"

"But I thought you didn't want to reveal your identities, Marinette," the kwami whispered, just so the girl could hear.

"Curiosity killed the cat." Marinette shrugged. "After all, what he said must be pivotal to who he is, right?"

Tikki huffed loudly in her collar. Though it was hypocritical for her to want to know his identity now, it could help her in the long run. If she could find the boy behind the mask, maybe she could work everything out between them.

No more secrets, she silently vowed.

"What… what if I know him as Marinette?" she whispered nervously.

Scrunching her face, she cringed in embarrassment. If the boy behind the mask knew Marinette already, they saw her in all of her klutzy glory. If he hated Ladybug now, he could only think worse of her if she revealed her identity.

"So what if he knows you as Marinette?" the kwami replied. Tikki adjusted slightly so that Marinette could see her face, which had softened. "You're amazing with or without the spots, Marinette."

Slumping over, Marinette pretended to hang up her cell phone, placing it back into her purse.

The cool hit her face as she began to walk faster. Overwhelmed by the turn of events, she was consumed by the possibilities of what just happened. Because of what just happened, Chat Noir would probably avoid her as a civilian and as Ladybug. Groaning in frustration, Marinette rubbed her temples and tried to formulate a new plan to reconcile with Chat.

I am so stupid, I can't even help myself get out of this mess now. And both Chat Noir and Adrien seem to have some emotional attachment to Chloe—

Her chest tightened at the thought. Chloe had seemingly defeated her on both fronts. Both of the boys who were important in her life were taken by the mayor's daughter, and she was nothing in comparison.

No. You're better than this, Marinette, she scolded herself. You're above this. You are Paris' superheroine- boys come second.

Sliding into an alleyway, she looked around herself cautiously. Stopping behind one of the dumpsters, she beckoned Tikki out of her hiding place.

"Spots on, Tikki. Let's go home."

Nodding, the kwami flew into her earrings, and a comfortable warmth spread over her body as the transformation took place. Comforted by Tikki's presence, the superheroine grabbed the yo-yo from her hip and spun it before throwing it up to the rooftops. Swinging home, the rush of adrenaline helped clear her negative thoughts as she flung herself through her trap door onto her mattress.

As her transformation wore off in a flash of pink light, Tikki settled down onto the comfortable mattress below to get ready to sleep.

Changing for bed, she took out her signature pigtails, letting her hair fall to her shoulders. Walking over to her bathroom, she sighed as she looked at her haggard appearance. Though Marinette needed to figure out things as quickly as possible, she had other obligations. Letting her two lives overlap into one another like this was dangerous.

As she tucked herself in, Marinette's mind was riddled with the events of the day. Though her thoughts were consuming, the exhaustion soon won out over everything, and she was enveloped in darkness.

Marinette's eyes shot open. Her phone was ringing on full volume next to her. Rolling over, she saw Alya's name on the screen and swiped to answer, eyes half-shut.

"Hello?" she answered, groggily.

"MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG WHERE ARE YOU?! Are you going to be late for class? Isweartogodifyourbuttisstillinbed—"

Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she propped herself up on her elbows and pulled the phone away from her face. Checking the time, she gasped.

"Alya, it'll be fine I'm on the way right now actually so I'll see you in a few minutes!" Marinette lied, holding her phone against her face as she tugged off her clothing. Ending the call quickly before her friend had time to respond, Marinette quickly dressed and brushed her teeth. Motioning towards her kwami, she smiled meekly, knowing Tikki wouldn't be happy about the misuse of her powers.

The red kwami shook her head, chuckling. "It's fine. Just say the words."

Grinning apologetically, the girl motioned toward her earrings. "Tikki spots on!"

Hopping on top of her mattress, Marinette worked her way outside of her trapdoor onto her balcony. Looking around cautiously, she threw her yo-yo in the direction of the school and braced herself as it pulled her across the bustling city. People's faces turned towards the flash of red bounding over the rooftops, but she was too rushed to greet anyone. Landing in an alley close to the school, the dark haired girl sighed as she walked behind the dumpster to transform back to her civilian form

Tikki flew into her purse with a swiftness, and the girl rounded the corner. Running full tilt to the school's stairway, there was no way she could've noticed the leg that was stuck out in front of her.

Meeting the ground for what seemed like the thousandth time, Marinette stuck her arms out in front of her to brace herself for the inevitable fall. However, it didn't come. A strong pair of arms caught her around the waist and helped her regain her balance. Turning to thank the person who saved her, her blue eyes were met with soft green ones.

He always seems to be in the right place at the right time, Marinette thought. I need to get over him—he likes Chloe.

"Are you alright?" Adrien unwrapped his arms from around her waist with a bit of a flush on his cheeks. "Did someone trip you?"

Lost for words as always, Marinette brushed herself off and shook her head. Looking around her, she was met with familiar icy blue eyes in the crowd. Chloe Bourgeois rounded the corner, a smirk on her lips as she pulled Sabrina alongside her to go upstairs into class.

A determined look in her eyes, she walked through the threshold of th building and up the stairs to her classroom. Alya was standing in a group of people, phone out and recording as Chloe was being questioned about her whereabouts and her experience being akumatized. Adrien and Nino, walking into the classroom shortly after Marinette joined in as well.

Reveling in the newfound attention, the blonde addressed the group about how terrifying it was to be akumatized and how stressful it was for her health after the fact. Her classmates gave her sympathetic responses, relating to her experience as many of them had been akumatized as well.

Alya then piped up, phone in hand: "Chloe, you said it was terrifying to be turned into Egoiste?"

The blonde looked over exasperatedly, "Well, duh. I remember everything, it was horrible."

"No one remembers what happened while they were akumatized, Chloe," Alya stated smugly. "Unless Hawkmoth changed his entire game plan for one person, I don't see why you'd be an exception."

The class murmured as Chloe's affronted expression offered no reassurance. Tangled in her own lie, she shot back. "I deserved a break okay? It's hard being me, so I went to Italy for two weeks. Can you blame me? It was the perfect excuse if I do say so myself. Daddy supported me the whole way, so you can buzz off—"

Suddenly a hand was placed on her shoulder. Adrien Agreste, who was described as nice on all occasions had a look of utter malice in his eyes.

"You took a vacation?" Voice shaking in disbelief, the boy couldn't process the information given to him. Running his hand through his hair, the blonde-haired boy slowly walked away from Chloe and exited the classroom without so much as a word.

"But Adrien! You would've done it too!" Chloe called desperately behind him.

Without so much of a look over his shoulder, he retorted "No—I wouldn't have. I'm mad I ever worried about you, Chloe Bourgeois."

Running out the room behind the model, Chloe shrieked, "I'm sorry I didn't answer your texts, okay? I just wanted you to worry about me more! Adrien, please!"

As the class finally settled into their seats after the whole ordeal, Marinette was once again thrown into deep thought. Placing her head in her hands, she let out an audible sigh. With this, the professor turned from her lecture. Placing her hands on her hips, she addressed the girl:

"Do you think my class is boring, Ms. Dupain-Cheng?"

Shit. Not again. Her attention snapped up to see the piercing blue eyes of her teacher locked with her across the classroom.

Alya decided to step in: "Madame that was a yawn, Marinette didn't get much sleep last night. Your class is always her favorite." Marinette chimed in with a vigorous nod and a meek smile.

"Very well." Turning back to the board, the instructor continued on with her lecture. Looking down into her notebook, Marinette noticed the page she had allotted for notes was completely empty.

Shooting a look to her left, she thanked Alya for being her savior in hard situations. Placing a hand on her shoulder, the ombre-haired girl smiled broadly.

I wish I could just tell her everything, Marinette sighed inwardly. It'd be so much easier if she knew the truth. I'm sure Ayla would know what to do.

Drumming her fingers on her notebook thoughtfully, an idea came to mind.

As the class period ended, Alya rose from her seat. Marinette quickly grabbed the sleeve of her plaid shirt, gaining her attention.

"What's up, girl?" Turning towards her, Alya leaned against her desk, waiting.

"I need some advice…" Marinette chose her words carefully. She wasn't asking Alya about herself of course. She wasn't revealing anything.

Alya grabbed the girl's hands excitedly, her eyes glowing with happiness.

"I've been waiting for you to say something for weeks!" Realizing she was too happy about her friend finally opening up, she changed to a more solemn tone. "You know you can always confide in me, Mari. No matter what."

Gulping, Marinette's eyes quickly flicked back and forth, checking the room for remaining students. Peering the door, she saw that Nino was waiting expectantly on the two girls for lunch.

"C-can we talk about it after school? If you're not busy?"

"No." responded Alya, her face completely serious.

"No? Oh well I mean I understand, of course—"

"Girl, I'm kidding," Alya chuckled "Let's go to the park after school and we can talk it all out." Pushing herself off of her desk, she walked over to Nino at the door, shooting a cheeky smile back at her best friend.

After that, the day couldn't go by any slower. Throughout lunch and class, the superheroine kept looking at her watch, waiting for school to end. As more time passed she became increasingly anxious about her decision to consult Alya about her problems, but the reassuring looks her friend gave her made her feel at ease. Alya was someone she could trust above all else.

Lying to her hurts.

When the final bell rang, Marinette grabbed Alya's hand and pulled her out towards the park. Avoiding Nino's pestering about where they were headed, the two girls rushed over and sat on a bench, shaded by a large tree.

Looking over at the large fountain in the middle of the park, Marinette started twiddling her thumbs nervously. Though she was impatient about this conversation, she didn't know where to start. Looking down at her purse, she saw Tikki poke her head out in reassurance.

Her gaze fixed on her lap, Marinette began:

"So what if I was to say that I—a friend of mine got into a big misunderstanding with someone they're close to. A-and they don't know how to work it out with them because they think that friend hates them. Then, they figured out why they were mad, and now that the issue is out in the open, they don't know how to approach them anymore." Biting her lip, she looked nervously back up at her green-eyed friend.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Alya sank back into her seat, a pensive look crossing her face. Turning to face Marinette, she smiled kindly as she responded, "I personally think your friend should just be honest with this person and try to work things out. I know you probably don't think it's that cut and dry, but you just need to sit this person down and have a heart-to-heart."

"But I don't know when he will want to see me again! All he does is run away from me—" Marinette caught herself, slapping her hands across her mouth. "I mean, my friend."

Alya didn't seem to mind the slip-up. Wisely avoiding her friend's mistake, she beckoned Marinette for a hug. Embracing the girl tightly, she whispered, "Some friendships are worth fighting for Marinette. You can do this. I've got your back."

A/N: Hey guys! Hopefully you enjoy this new chapter! Feel free to favorite and review :)