The next morning, Lila awoke bright and early, eager to start her first day back in school. She ate her breakfast, brushed her hair and teeth, threw on nice clothes, and was out the door; a massive smile overtaking her light olive face.

The night before, after sending Alya the email, she eagerly told her parents that Ladybug and Chat Noir had finally stopped the Akuma, and now she could return to school. She told them about how the week before she had been elected Class President, much to her mother's delight, and now that the akumas were gone the school was going to throw a large celebration for her and the other honor students. Sadly, her father couldn't be there today due to work, but her mother promised to make it.

Both of her parents were at work at the moment, and Lila never felt so happy to be outside of her home.

As she walked along the sidewalk, Marinette's bakery came into her line of view, and she smirked. Glancing down at her watch, she noted she had more than enough time to pay a trip to her least favorite person on the planet.

Smirking to herself, she crosses the street and happily strolls up to the front doors, the bell above lets out a pretty chime, and as suspected the place was fairly quiet, with the sounds of pots and pans clanking in the back where the kitchen probably was. She didn't get to see what the layout of the home was, just where a few of the rooms were and that's about it. She couldn't help but admire all the delicious looking cakes, cookies, and other sweets proudly set in their display case, looking too good to eat.

"Can I help you?" Lila turns her head to girl managing the register and was met with eyes of horror. Marinette had been sitting behind the counter, absently flipping through the pages of one of her fashion magazines, taking a moment to appreciate a gorgeous navy blue dress when she heard the bell ring and spoke first before looking. Much to her terror, Lila Rossi was standing a massive grin on her face, her olive eyes shimmering happily. "Lila!"

"Hello, Marinette." The Italian girl giggles, glancing around briefly for any other customers. Seeing the place was empty, she smirks deviously at her classmate. "How's life treating you? I guess now you've finally realized what happens when you cross me."

Marinette grinds her teeth to the point of cracking, "You're really something else, aren't you? What's the point in all of this, Lila?"

She snorts, rolling her eyes, "The point is to teach you a lesson, Ladybug." She smirks at how pale Marinette got, apparently she forgot momentarily that Lila knew her identity and could sound the whistle at any moment. Lila laughs, "Yeah, don't think I forgot. You humiliated me in front of Adrien, and you've been trying to catch me off guard since. I don't think you're apology back then was real, I think you were just doing it because you wanted to look good in front of him and Chat Noir."

Marinette sighs, yes she had messed up as Ladybug. Confronting her classmate like that and humiliating her in front of her crush isn't what a hero does. She had allowed her jealousy to guide her and even Tikki had been very upset as well. Thanks to her actions, Lila got akumatized. She probably does deserve this...

"...I am sorry about it." Marinette admits aloud, "I'm sorry for using my own authority to hurt you in front of your crush."

Lila smirks, "I don't forgive you, Marinette." She spreads her palms flat on the display case, smearing the class with her skin's natural oils, peering down at her former classmate, "I'm not going to forgive you because I know what you are. You're a pathetic, sorry excuse for a superhero."

Marinette glares at her hard, "I wasn't finished. I said I was sorry for hurting you in front of your crush. I am sorry for ruining your chances with him. If I was in your shoes I would be pretty mad myself. However, I'm not sorry for standing up to you, Lila. I'm not sorry for putting my foot down when I knew you were using everyone around you to make your life easier. I'm not sorry for trying to expose you as a liar in school because you were using my friends. I know they turned their backs on me and it hurt. But I'm not going to stop; I'm not going to give up because I know for a fact that you're lies are only as real as you make them and sooner or later you're going to mess up and everyone is going realize that it's all an illusion. Like when you were Volpina and you used your illusions to make me think I was outnumbered. I saw right through them and eventually so did Chat. You're not as in control as you think and when the time comes I really hope you're ready because karma isn't going to be nice to you.

"If this was about what I had done to you then maybe I would understand, but you're taking this too far, Lila. You've not only broken into my home and stolen my diary, but you also broke into the school and framed me. This goes beyond just a simple 'I'm going to get back at you' plan. You actually told me to kill myself. You're a bully, Lila. If someone doesn't bend to your will then you do everything in your power to make their life miserable. And if I don't stop you then you're going to keep going until you're caught and by that time you could get yourself into real trouble."

"So what?" She snorts, "Are you saying you're actually trying to help me? What are you, Jesus?"

"No," Marinette says shaking her head, "I'm just a good person, or at least I try to be. Look I'll admit it's my fault for starting this, but at least I put aside my pride to apologize to you. I've seen what happens when you let your jealousy and pride get the best of yourself and trust me it's going to come back and hurt you. I've had it happen to me, and I've seen it happen to Chloe. I always give the people I fight a second chance, even if I don't feel like they deserve it, it's their one shot to actually becoming a better human being. So this is your final offer to do what's right, Lila. I'm asking you to please accept my apology and to let go of your anger."

The proposal caught Lila by surprise, she wanted to gloat and make Marinette wallow in shame, but here she was being a goody-two-shoes. No, she's just wanting something out of this, that's all. "You just want me to help you get back into school, don't you?"

"No, I'm trying to help you, Lila. You're taking everything too far and it's going to catch up to you."

"Pah-lease!" She snorts, completely dismissing the warning, "I haven't gotten caught since I moved here and I'm never going to get caught. I'm a lot smarter than you, Marinette, and trust me I always win. I won't lose to a freaky girl with freaky powers, and terrible fashion sense."

Marinette scrunches her face, "You're making a huge mistake, Lila. They're going to find out one way or another, it doesn't matter if it's in this school or another school, but people will find out."

Lila rolls her eyes again, "You're such a naive girl, do you know that? I'm not going to get caught and even if I did what are they going to do? It's not like they can do anything to me. I'm untouchable, Marinette. I can do what I want whenever I want to and there's nothing anyone can say or do that will stop me from reaching what I want. And what I want." She smirks leaning closer to Marinette, almost as if to steal a kiss, but stopping to glare into her eyes, "Is to see you cry, like a baby."

Marinette frowns, "I'm not going to cry, Lila. Not for you."

"You will." She smirks, "I'm not done with you yet, Marinette. I happen to have a few more tricks up my sleeve. It was very easy to break into your room, all I had to do was call in a big order and your parents were on the job. They're so eager to make everyone else happy, I can see where you get it from."

"Wait, a big order?" Marinette's eyes widen, her mouth drops as she points at Lila, "You're-!"

Lila smirks, "Vola Pina. It's not too hard to figure out, Marinette, I mean you're parents are brain dead idiots who don't have a sense of reason in them."

She grinds her teeth, "You placed an order, just so you can break into my house and steal my diary!" Marinette launches up from her seat, one hand curled into a tight fist, the skin on her knuckles stretching white with the strain to not punch the girl. "You have to pay for that, Lila! It's one thing for you to attack me but it's another to harass my parents! Who do you think you are!"

"You might want to control your temper," She laughs, the door behind her ringing as another customer enters the building. She leans closer to whisper, "I can easily tell everyone here who you are, Ladybug."

She seeths, her teeth grinding, "Then do it."

Lila's eyes widen, "What?"

"You heard me." Marinette says, "Go ahead and tell everyone who I am. I dare you. I'm not going to bend, Lila, and I never will. You can hold this over my head all you want, but there is no way in hell that I'm going to give you the satisfaction. So go ahead and tell them. Tell everyone you know."

Lila growls her eyes sharpening, "Do you think I'm bluffing?"

Marinette smirks at her, much to her utter disgust, "I didn't say that, but I do know you're going to be late for your first class if you don't get your butt in gear.." She then nods to the clock on the wall. Lila looks and nearly screams with rage. She snaps around and glares at Marinette, wanting so much to smack her across her face. "This isn't over."

"No," Marinette agrees, "But it will be. I'm not scared, Lila. I will never be intimidated by someone who isn't real. You've built your entire character around lies, as far as I know, Lila, you're about as real as a flying pig. But that would be an insult to pigs."

She wanted to hit her. She wanted to grab her face and smash it against the glass until it was stained with blood. Lila had never felt this much rage before burning inside her.

Seeing the knowing smile on the other girl's face only made it worse.

That is when Lila realizes she wasn't playing by her own games anymore. No. She was playing by Marinette's.

No that's now how this is supposed to work!

"Excuse me." Blinking, Lila turned around and realized there was an entire line of people snaking out the door. The woman behind her was Nadja Chamack, the TVi news reporter, looking incredibly impatient as she was repeatedly checking her watch. "Please hurry up, I have an order to pick up for work."

Marinette smiles, and grabs a pink box from behind the display case, "Right here, Mrs. Chamack. Two dozen chocolate chip cookies, I hope everyone in TVi is having a great 30th anniversary."

Mrs. Chamack beams, stepping around Lila and taking the box, "Oh believe me they are, have a great day, Marinette."

"You too!" She replies before turning to smirk at Lila, "Are we done here?"

Not having any more to say and running low on time, Lila gives Marinette one final glare before stomping out the door and heading straight to school, her earlier mood dowsed like a bucket of water over a flame.

Marinette sighs to herself after the customer leaves, signaling the end of breakfast. For the next few hours until Lunch-Hour there wouldn't be much activity aside from a few customers coming in to pick up their orders.

In the back, she could hear both of her parents hard at work baking and making dough for the cookies and cake for a wedding that wasn't going to happen.

Lila had basically cheated them out of their payment. Customers didn't have to pay for their orders until they came to pick it up. Sometimes they would purchase items beforehand; obviously, Lila had been counting on it, and with both of her parents needing to hurry up and get the orders ready by Wednesday, two days away, they were working themselves to the bone to make it happen.

She couldn't let her parents' hard work go to waste, but it wasn't like she had proof Lila had been the one to call. There were just some battles she couldn't win. And Marinette was happy to take her winnings with a grain of salt, she had bested Lila when the Italian girl threatened to reveal her secret identity, calling her out on her BS.

In the past, Marinette would have grovelled at the person's feet, begging them to keep her superhero identity a secret, but that was before she realized she has control. Despite Lila thinking she was pulling the strings she failed to realize that Marinette is a human being with a choice.

Lila's lies were only as good as she can make them, and despite her reading her diary and learning all about her secret job as a superhero, she didn't have proof and it wasn't like anyone else would have believed it. The main reason why no one knows she's Ladybug, aside from Chat, of course, was because Ladybug was graceful and strong with confidence to spare.

Marinette, on the other hand, wasn't. She was clumsy, tripping on air, and had the vocabulary of a babbling toddler when around Adrien. The later of which was a bit easier to deal with now that they've spent a little more time together. She still shivers a little when he was too close, and her skin would run hot whenever he beamed at her. She felt her face was looking like a ripe tomato whenever her eyes locked with his gorgeous greens.

Yes she had it bad, and maybe she was just overlooking things, but she swears that Adrien has been extra affectionate lately. Maybe he-

Her phone buzzes, vibrating on top of the display case.

Curious she picks it up and sees a text message from Adrien.

When did he get her number?

"Come to the school."

She frowns and hesitantly replies, "I can't, I've been expelled."

"Don't worry, I think it will be worth it. Trust me. ;)"

She blushes crimson at the winky-face. What was he instigating here?

Another text: "Bring your parents too, they need to see this."

"They're working right now. Apparently, Lila placed a massive order and that's how she broke into my house."

"...WHAT!"

"Yeah... And she's not going to pay for it either."

"Well, then you definitely need to bring them here. Don't worry, Marinette, we're sorting everything out!"

What was he talking about? "What's going on?"

He response: "Retribution."

Marinette smiled brightly before jumping from her bed and going down to find her parents.

Retribution is officially her new favorite word.

Oh, Lila was loving this!

Screw Marinette's attitude, she can go jump off a cliff for all she cared. No today was Lila's day and she was enjoying it to the fullest extent possible.

Since arriving at school all of her classmates have been at her beck and call. They were eager to know her plans of what she was going to do now that she was back and acting as their official class president.

"First thing I'm going to do is organizing a study session for all of us, that way we can remain on top of our assignments. " In reality, she just wanted an excuse to keep Adrien as close to her as possible. It was no secret, at least not from what she had read in Marinette's diary, that Adrien was a wiz at physics and it would be a golden opportunity to get closer to him. He was a cute boy after all and if she played her cards right they could get together, especially since Marinette is out of the picture for good.

All of her classmates seem happy by the idea, Rose in particular fawning at the idea, "Oh that is wonderful!" She exclaims in delight, with an agreeable nod from Juleka who smiles faintly. "Yeah, that's a great idea, Lila."

She beamed, "I'm glad that you like it!" It was currently a little after 3, and an assembly was underway. Students from other classes had been called in as well, which was great because to be fair. Apparently, Lila had been doing great academically.

Her teachers had praised her the second she walked into class, claiming she was an amazing student. Which she knows she is. They also told her that she was something that everyone should focus to be especially with the SATs coming around awfully fast.

Ha, SATs that Marinette had apparently stolen the other night.

She was being spoiled left and right, whether it by her teachers' praise, her classmates' admiration, or the fact that Marinette was nowhere in sight. Yes, that last one was a major delight to Lila Rossi.

"Lila," Miss Bustier said, beaming at her, "Will your parents be arriving soon?"

"Yes," she chirps merrily, oh this day was so great. "My mom is coming, my dad has work to do. He is a well-respected businessman after all."

"Of course!" Miss Bustier said, "Well we best get ready for the assembly. Let's head to the stage. Nino is working on a special video that he plans to show the whole school."

"Oh, exciting!" Lila grins, following her teacher. "He's such an amazing guy, I can't wait to introduce him to Steven Besielberg, he's a famous director from the States and he and my dad are best friends!"

Miss Bustier didn't comment. They made it to the stage where Nino, the school's DJ, was busy at work editing the sounds on his laptop, colorful waves played out over a black background. There was no sound as he had a large set of headphones plugged in, but Lila swears she could faintly hear her name being said but could not recognize the speaker as their voice was too distant to understand.

"Is everything ready, Nino?" Miss Bustier asks clapping the boy on his shoulder. He grins and nods, "Yes, everything is ready!" He then winks at Lila who giggles in delight.

Yet she could not understand the feeling of dread pooling into her stomach. Perhaps it was just her nerves getting to her. That sounds about right. She's never had a massive assembly held in her honor before, so maybe she was experiencing a little stage fright.

Miss Bustier touches her shoulder in encouragement, "It's alright to be a little scared, Lila. Everyone experiences cold feet every once in a while."

"I know," she giggles, "I'm just so happy! I've never had a school do this for me."

'"Well we love you," Nino said, "Platonically, of course, I love Alya."

"Noted." Lila giggles.

"Oh, I already know that." Hearing her name, Alya who was speaking to Adrien not too far away (Lila made sure to keep a specific eye on him after entering the courtyard) hugged the DJ's arm, pressing a warm kiss to his dark cheek. He smiles in return, eyes lighting up.

"Akhem." Miss Bustier coughs, glaring at the two, "Keep in mind this is still school grounds you two. Keep it under PG."

They instantly jump apart a good arms' length away, "Yes, ma'am!"

Nodding her approval, Miss Bustier cast a loving smile down at Lila, "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be!" She chimes in reply, absently tugging one of her tassles. She shouldn' be this nervous. She was getting what she wanted, and yet it felt as though a sinister shadow was cast over her since arriving at the school.

No, Lila shakes her head, there was no way that things were coming out to get her. Then out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a lick of dark blue hair bobbing in the sea of students. Anger boils in her chest. She quickly threw on an innocent smile at her teacher and classmates, "Excuse me, but I need to use the bathroom."

She quickly leaves before they could say a word to her, not that she cared. They were all annoying anyways. Everyone in this school was annoying. She didn't have to worry about it though, soon she'll be out of here and back on the road, and then she can start all over again.

Lila followed the head of midnight hair and she quickens her speed, narrowing her eyes as she got closer and closer.

She pushed aside a few other students, happily chatting amongst themselves, not at all phased by her presence as they were too caught up in their own bubble of conversation.

There. She was chatting with another student, she thinks his name is Luka Couffaine, Juleka's brother. Lila only knows this because she made fast friends with Juleka who mentioned her brother to the Italian girl and even showed her a picture of him playing his guitar. Speaking of guitar he was holding a large black case by the handle and was speaking about the upcoming Jagged Stone concert coming up this February.

"I'm excited because I always liked his charisma, and his alligator is pretty cool too."

Lila grabbed the girl by her shoulder as she bobbed her stupid black head, and spun her around, "Marinette, it's so nice to see you!" Her smirk deflated upon seeing that this was not her rival. No, this girl had dark and thin amber eyes, unlike Marinette's blue eyes that were round and inviting, this girl's gaze was guarded and suspicious.

Unknown to her, Luka's smile fell as well. He did not like the aura Lila had. If he had his guitar out the sounds of her heart would be slow and devious, like the theme to a shark movie.

"Anta tte honto baka, I'm not Marinette." The girl huffs, violently shrugging off Lila's hand. The Italian winces, retreating a step, "Sorry. I thought Marinette was here."

Luka frowned, "She has been expelled. Seems very out of her character. What do you think, Kagami?"

The Asian student shrugs, "I've heard of some things that don't seem like Marinette at all." She casts a dark look at Lila, "Anata ga arawareta koror, rira."

Geeze jus speak French you cat-eating freak! Lila chews the inside of her cheek to keep herself from scowling. It annoyed her that she couldn't understand what Kagami was saying, she couldn't understand Japanese, though it was clear Luka could as he nodded in agreement.

She wasn't going to let this get to her though. No. Today is her day. She was winning, soon Adrien will be hers and everything will be great. Then she will move and start all over again.

"There you are, Lila!"

Spinning around, the Italian girl smiled brightly, "Mother! I'm so glad you made it!" Not wasting a beat, she eagerly rushed over and hugged her mother's middle, the older woman laughs, affectionately rubbing her daughter's head, "I'm so proud of you, Lila, you've accomplished so much since coming to school. And you know, your father and I have been talking, we were thinking that maybe we could settle down and make this our permanent home."

Her eyes widening, Lila immediately recoiled back a step from her parent, "Per-permanent?"

"Yes," her mother nods beaming in pride, "We know that moving all the time is difficult for you, especially when making so many friends, and seeing how well you've adapted to this school and having made so many amazing friends." She nods at Luka and Kagami, "I would feel like a terrible mother for making you leave this place, dear. I want you to be happy."

Lila shook, so many emotions raging through her body. They might stay here permanently? No. That can't happen. If she stays here permanently, then her lies will be found out. Her moving all the time was the reason why she never got caught in the first place.

And she had been sloppy.

When she was younger, Lila would take extra care in keeping her lies as real as possible, but after so many years of lying, moving and then lying some more, she became cocky and didn't concern herself with the consequences.

She didn't wear gloves.

Chills of dread rolled down her spine, making her shiver. She could get into real trouble.

"I'm not scared of you, you should be scared of yourself. Lying to everyone around you is going to come back and when it does you'll have no one to blame but yourself."

Damn her.

"Lila, are you okay? I thought you would be happy." Her mother asks. When Greta told her daughter the exciting news, Lila's face suddenly fell stark white. This wasn't the reaction she thought she would get. She and her husband had started talking about staying in Paris as the city was beautiful, with lively people and despite the Akuma attacks, the city was lovely and her daughter was making so many amazing friends and even had a boyfriend!

Granted Greta had never met Adrien before, but Lila showed her his picture and he was a very handsome young man, not to mention the son of Gabriel Agreste, who actually does go to Lila's school. While Greta was a bit hesitant about letting her daughter date a boy, she felt this was Lila finally getting settled in. It was no secret that moving so often has been difficult for her child and she always felt like a terrible mother for doing so.

Her biggest regret was when Lila was seven and had made a wonderful friend in Rome, they were the best of friends, always chatting at school, or visiting each other's house. Her daughter was so happy, the way her olive eyes light up with pure pleasure at talking about her friend.

Then they had to move to Venice.

And Lila was so devastated, she sobbed for hours, gazing out the rear window, watching Rome get smaller and smaller until it was a dark structure in the distance.

Greta had done everything she could to make her daughter happy, but Lila just wasn't responding. She had become a shadow of her former self, Lila was no longer the happy, lively little girl she raised. No, for months she was down and sad, depressed even. Greta felt like the worst mother in history for doing this to her child. She didn't know how to make things better for Lila. Finally, her husband told her to give Lila her space, she needed time to think and grow, and so Greta did. She gave her daughter space, gave her time, and gave her all the love a mother could offer her child.

And it worked. Months after moving into Florence, Lila began to chat happily about all the friends she was making, all of her new friends who were so nice to her. It made Greta so happy to see her daughter smile again. And then, when they moved, Lila didn't get upset as she had before. She was still happy and bubbly just like her old self.

Moving to Paris had been an interesting change, usually, they would migrate throughout Italy, but this was the first time they moved to the United Kingdom. In this part however there was trouble with akumas, they were all over the news and always popped up in so many places in Paris. It didn't seem like a good place to raise a family, but then Lila started talking about all of her friends, how happy she was. Even though the school was canceled most of the time, Lila still made an effort to do her best. Greta was so proud of her, she loved her daughter dearly and never doubted her.

Lila forced herself to smile brightly, "I'm so happy!" She darted forward to hug her mother's middle, much to Greta's delight. She affectionately patted her daughter's deep chocolate hair.

Lila was grinding her teeth as she held her mother, fury was boiling inside of her. How could she be so careless? She needs to be extra careful now, especially if the police have been involved.

No matter, she thinks. A lot of kids go in and out of the headmaster's office and besides they found the answer sheets in Marinette's desk, I'm in the clear.

Through the distance, past the flood of students all mingling, the doors opened, shinning into an abundance of bright light. A small shadow craned its head in hesitantly. Because of the light, Lila couldn't make out any identifiable features, however, she did see a familiar set of pigtails. The figure walked in followed by a larger shadow and a smaller one. As soon as the door closed, the light died out and Lila froze, grinding her teeth upon seeing none other than Marinette Dupain-Cheng and her parents.

Pulling away from her mother, Lila pointed to the crowd ahead, "Oh hey, I see another friend of mine! Mom, do you mind if I go talk to her?"

Her mother looks to the crowd trying to locate who Lila was pointing at, deterred by the sea of students, she nods, "Sure, sweetie, don't take to long, they're going to make your announcements soon."

She nods happily before darting off.

Marinette was nervous, just the other day her school kicked her out for something she didn't do and now she was back. No one seemed to notice her presence, which was good, they were all enjoying themselves, oblivious to what was going to occur, the only person who knew was Adrien and apparently Nino, the later she was surprised by since he had also voted her off as class president. Apparently, he was one of the few moles in class.

Marinette stops when, in front of her, a group of students was politely parted aside by none other than Lila Rossi. The Italian girl smiles, to the untrained eye it was a kind, but having known who was beneath that mask, it was devious and hateful. She could saw the absolute disgust churning in Lila's eyes.

Marinette sighs, "Hi Lila, it's good to see you."

"You as well," She grinds through her teeth, "I thought they expelled you from school."

"I invited her," An arm winds around Marinette's shoulders pulling her into Adrien's side. Her face suddenly explodes in red, completely thrown off by his unique smell of chalone. "I know for a fact that Marinette wouldn't do such a thing, she's far too nice and kind." He smiles knowingly at Marinette, the French-Asian flushes under his admiring gaze, feeling like she was going to melt into goo any second.

Lila suppresses her feral growl. How can Adrien still side with her? Hm, maybe he knows she's Ladybug. It was no secret that the model liked the red-clad heroine, so perhaps to get him wrapped around her finger, Marinette decided to come clean and tell him that she's a superhero.

Pathetic.

Smiling to herself, Lila decided to play it off as if nothing in the world was bothering her. And it isn't. Nope. She's perfectly happy. She'll win one way or another, regardless of what Marinette has to say. It's not like anyone believes her, so who cares? Lila knows she's untouchable and that's all she needs. Casting a look around the room for a teacher, Lila spots Marinette's parents speaking to Officer Raincomprix and showing him the screen of their phone. He nods his head, doting down something on a small note pad.

She cocks a brow, suspicious. What if they found her fingerprints?

Lila cringes to herself, then quickly shakes the disgusting thought from her mind. No, these French-people were too stupid for their own good. She made the evidence pretty clear that Marinette was the one who did it. Besides, she has been out of the country.

"Oh I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding," Lila chimes, fluttering her eyelashes at Adrien. She moved to take his arm and drag him away to another part of the room, but the model stops her advances by pointing ahead, "Oh look, there's Nino! Marinette, let's go see if he needs any help, okay?"

Blinking in surprise, the ravenette nods, her face alight with a scarlet blush, "S-Sure, Adrien..." The two wiggled their way through the crowd of students, Adrien's arm never removing from Marinette's shoulders.

Lila gritted her teeth, seething with rage, wishing for Hawk Moth to send out one of his akumas so she could destroy Ladybug once and for all. Oh, Ladybug was going to pay for this, one way or another, she was going to pay for everything she's done. Lila will make sure of it.

A tap on her shoulder made the angry teen spin around, "What!"

Alya instinctively retracted from her classmate, having not expected for her to get so feral, "Sorry, I just wanted to let you know that you're needed on stage, we're going to start in a few minutes."

Sighing to herself, Lila pats Alya apologetically, "I'm sorry for being rude to you, it's just that I'm a little nervous because-"

"Marinette?" Alya guesses, to which Lila nods, "Yeah, I know. I don't know why she's here, but try not to worry about it okay. I'll make sure your special day goes perfectly."

Smiling, Lila embraces Alya, before hurrying through the crowd to the other side of the room. Her mother was waiting near the short well of stairs that lead to the stage, texting on her phone. Spotting her daughter approaching, Greta Rossi happily opens her arms and gathers her child in a loving hug. "I'm so proud of you, dear!"

"Thanks, Mom." She beams in return, "And about us staying here...Are we?" She watches her mother's face change from surprise to comforting, no doubt finding her question to be innocent, probably believing she wanted to stay rather than move again. "Well, it's not official, but your father and I really love living here and we think it will be great for us to settle permanently."

Inwardly groaning, Lila smiles, "That's great, Mom. I'm glad..."

"Lila Rossi, please come to the front of the stage. Lila Rossi, please come to the front of the stage."

Mother and daughter broke apart, with Greta beaming from ear to ear, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Looks like you're up!" She squeals before kissing her daughter's forehead.

As typical for any teenager, Lila briskly bats her mother's affection aside with a long whine, "Mooom, not in public..."

Her mother giggles, "I'm sorry, sweetie, I'm just so happy for you! You've made us so proud!

Guilt stabbed Lila's heart. She shouldn't feel any remorse, this is her day! She should be excited and happy. Instead, she felt dread.

"Lila Rossi, please come to the stage. Lila Rossi, please come to the stage."

Smiling at her mother, Lila hurried through the crowd of students gathering around the stage, above them Nino was playing some K-pop music, jamming away in his own little world, holding one side of his large set of headphones with one hand, while the other danced away on the keyboard of his laptop scaling the beats up and down.

Kind of a strange way to celebrate, Lila noted to herself, stepping onto the short set of stairs. But it was probably something Nino had begged the staff to let him do. Again this was her day!

Rise before the fall.

With each step she took, time seemed to slow and her mind unearthed an old memory of her previous school. It had been like any other school of course, with teachers and students and the typical tyrannical order of popular vs the unpopular. Because Lila had been very popular thanks to her stories, she made a lot of temporary friends. One of those friends was named Julia, she had been a golden-haired beautify with bright blue sunset eyes that shined with inner merriment.

Her and Lila had become pretty good friends and at one point she convinced the Italian girl to go with her to a poetry reading after school. They were reviewing old poetry from Shake Spear and Edgar Allan Poe to name a few.

The last line of poetry was by Percy Bysshe Shelley and it was read by Julia herself. The way she spoke to the small room of girls was bone-chilling, her tone gravel and deep with repentance as if she herself was the very person who had recounted those events with her own set of eyes.

"I once met a traveler from an antique land,

Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

Stand in the desert...Near them, one the sand,

Half sunk a shattered visage lie, whose frown,

And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read

Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,

The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;

And on the pedestal, these words appear:

"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings!

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, despair!"

Nothing beside remains, Round the decay

Of the colossal Wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands stretch far away."

Why that always bothered her so much, Lila wasn't sure, but not too long after hearing the poetry, Julia revealed she knew Lila wasn't telling the truth and tried to reveal her as a liar. Lila hated Julia from then on and made sure to break Julia's spirit and succeeded. Pretty soon those merry blue eyes became shallow and held little light in them. Her happy-go-lucky temperament changed drastically. People began to turn on her, the ones who Julia had once called friends began to ridicule and shame her. Her school life became a never-ending nightmare and no matter how hard she fought, Lila blocked her strikes, muted her voice and robbed her of everything she held dear.

It came to an end though. After months of dealing with Lila's invisible torment, Julia was finally free. Thanks to the pistol she found in her father's study.

Lila was already on the road when they received the news of Julia's death and she shredded a few crocodile tears in mourning.

Julia was a weakling. Just like Marinette is, Julia didn't know when to stop sticking her nose in other people's business. She was, without a doubt, a waste of a life and if she hadn't crossed Lila, then perhaps she would still be alive.

Rising off of the final step, Lila hurries past the curtain and became flooded by an octave of clapping from her schoolmates. Everyone was clapping, cheering, and hollowing her name. This praise swept aside her doubts and paranoia, leaving her beaming like the sun, grinning down at the other students and thanking them all.

She scans the bobbing sea of students for Marinette's signature pigtails.

There. A few yards back from the stage, peering from behind Ivan's large build, Marinette was watching Lila solemnly, here expression unimpressed, almost bored. Next to her, was Adrien Agreste, holding up his phone and taking pictures as indicated by the occasional bright flash from his phone's camera lens.

Lila smiles, waving at everyone in the room, all the while keeping one eye trained on Marinette. Hopefully, one of the teachers will notice her and escort the brat out.

Alya yells, "Smile, Lila!", from her spot next to the stage, shooing students aside and holding up her phone. "I'm going to post all of this on the Ladyblog!"

Lila beams. Pictures are snapped; most by her mom.

Standing behind the podium, Miss Bustier speaks, her voice carried through the microphone and echoing out of the massive speakers that had been set up the night before in high corners. "Welcome everyone to this special occasion. Today, we are not only celebrating our top students, but we are also here to congratulate our very own Lila Rossi for her amazing achievements."

The teacher gestures to Lila, the students below the stage clap and whistle, through their cheering she could hear Kim yelling overtop the rest of the crowd with his extra set of lungs. "Great job, Lila!"

She giggles and waves at him. Thanks to his signature red jacket, Kim stood out like a sore thumb. Lila turns her gaze down to Adrien.

He was still with Marinette.

Lila manages to bear through it, watching her rival flush and stutter next to Adrien, who continued to record everything on his phone. For this, Lila puts on her best smile, eager to impress him with her ravishing charms. She will too. It was no secret that she had the uncanny ability to trap boys her web of lies, stirring something private in their chest like a pro. Her wicked fingers, primed with knowledge of what they look for in a romantic partner plucked their little heartstrings like a harp. Playing them until she grew bored and left.

Of course, if they are staying here, she may have to shift her approach. Usually, her actions would invite her target, luring him in like a moth to a flame. It never lasted long though, she was always out of their lives before actual feelings were developed and explored. While she knew plenty of girls in her many schools who have "gone all the way", Lila herself was a bit more modest than that. She was above using her body to get a boy to like her and instead preferred to keep them at arm's length all the while making the boys believe it was their idea to take things slow. She was amazing at manipulating the people around her. All it took was confidence, her best characteristics to her lies, and a good set of convincing stories to draw people in by the dozen, winning them over with ease. Then when it was time to go, by then she would be bored and ready for a new toy to play with.

Adrien, however, wasn't just any toy. No, he was a prize to be won. He was her trophy, the perfect item to behold and admire: Handsome, smart, and rich of course. Any girl in the world would kill to hang from his arm.

She wasn't going to kill anyone of course, but with her plans, she may as well shatter the competition away.

Behind Lila, a large white screen starts to descend on metal rails, covering the backstage completely, aside from the blood red curtains that shift a little, with two heads peering out cautiously.

Miss Bustier, who looked back at to watch the screen slide into place, spotted the two students and quickly wave them over. Nino emerged, pushing a metal cart with a projector on it. Alya followed him, armed with her phone. She creeps behind Lila, looks to the crowd. Spotting Adrien, she flashes him a smile and thumbs up, the model responds with his own raise of thumb and then shifts his hand over to Nino who immediately turns on the projector.

The screen remains white, but a loud audio blast from the speakers located all over the room.

Lila was ready to give her speech when she heard the telltale sign of static. Like what was heard when someone goes onto the wrong channel. She sees the crowd lift their heads curiously and turns around to see a massive screen sinking behind her. "Um... what's going on?" Looking at Miss Bustier, her home-room teacher only shrugs, looking just as confused as her.

"That's what you think!"

Wait, was that her voice? Lila looks at the screen once more, an image flashes on, revealing a video of Lila herself, rummaging through the desk drawers and file cabinets.

"I've been doing this for a long time and I haven't gotten caught. Just wait, you're not going to have any friends, even Adrien is going to hate you by the time I'm done and when that happens, Marinette, I hope you will do yourself a favor and die!"

"You're sick." Marinette seeths in response. "You're sick, Lila, and I really hope you get better soon."

"Oh, I'm sick? You're the one who can't keep her life together. I may have lied about a lot of things, Jagged Stone, Prince Ali, and my trip to New York, but here's the thing, I always get away with it. You, on the other hand, can barely hold yourself together. I've read every page in your diary. You're a joke. You're the definition of a joke. I hope you end it all, no one is going to miss you. Not even your stupid dad and is mail-order bride. But go ahead, take your diary back, it's not like I need it anymore. I just wanted to get as much dirt on you as I could and I'm happy I did. You're going to be alone Marinette. You're going to be alone and no one is going to love you. I'll make sure of it."

Lila spins around to her audience. All of the students are frozen in shock, their eyes wide with horror. She clenches her teeth, hot, angry tears blurring her vision. It was Marinette who was following her into the school. She was using her stalking tendencies to catch her in the act.

Another audio plays. The familiar ringing of a phone call, three rings before an audible click is heard and an American voice answers it. Given that most of their school taught some English, a lot of students could understand, but for those who didn't take any English courses, French subtitles appeared to translate.

"Hello?"

"Hello!" Alya's voice greets in reply, "My name is Alya Cesaire, I was the one who messaged you about the video my friend made. I just wanted to verify that it was your video."

"Oh, Alya, it's you. Hi, and yeah that was mine. It was featured on Daily Bugle Communications, I can send you the link if you want. I don't know why your friend said it was hers. I was the one who interviewed Spider-Man, heck, I almost died trying to interview him!"

"Well thanks, I'll be sure to show it to my friends."

Lila's eye bulge out, she spins around only to be face-to-face with a cellphone lens shoved in her face. Alya grins from behind it, "Smile, Lie-la!"

She bursts out crying, her resolve crumbling. Everyone was watching her, they were judging her! She slaps Alya's phone away, turning around and running off the stage, straight to her mother.

Greta had been shell shock by the horrible video playing out on the large projector screen. At first, she didn't want to believe it. Her daughter. Her baby...

Surely it wasn't real. It must be a trick right...?

"We've never closed..."

"Lila stated that you're in New York right now..."

"We've been open this entire time..."

Her daughter was lying to her? When did this happen? How long has she been doing this?

"...Do you honestly think I would skip out of class?"

"...Next time, don't believe I'm lying to you."

"Mom!" Lila cries embracing her and hiding her face in her mother's shirt, her fists clenching her sleeves. "They're akumatized! They've all been akumatized!"

Greta looks around, so far she couldn't make out all the students in the room, as the lights were still dimmed, but she could see no one was looking out of the ordinary. At once, she pushes her daughter away, her child's hands nearly tearing off the sleeves at the force of the shove.

"Mom!" Lila cries again, tears running down her face, "They're akumatized, don't you believe me!"

"Lila..." she chokes, her own tears welling up and stinging the back of her eyes. Her throat became dry and started to close making her voice hoarse and brittle. "I-I..." She wanted so much to say, "I believe you."

Instead, she says, "I don't."

Her daughter explodes in accusation, "You're akumatized too!"

SLAP

Lila freezes in place, her eyes explode wide in horror. "...Mommy?"

Her mother chokes, eyes flickering with tears. Crowding around them were the shell shock faces of all the students staring with their eyes blown wide open, the lights from the ceiling blast back on furiously making their pupils shrink significantly, but no one dares to look away, eager to watch what was going to happen next.

"I thought I was a terrible mother... I believed in everything you said, but now...I-I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE!" Her mother raises her hand as if to strike again, her arm shakes as if she were straining to hold up an elephant. Her mind begins to scream doubts, yet the evidence was undeniable.

What kind of monster did she raise?

Lila cradles her swelling cheek, tear streaks staining her face. "Please!" She begs, "Believe me, Mom! I didn't lie!"

Greta shakes her head, unable to respond.

Lila tries to move closer, but is seized by the arm, she looks back and spots Officer Raincomprix, holding her above her elbow. He holds up a cellphone, showing the screen to Greta Rossi. "Mrs. Rossi, do you recognize this number?"

Greta quickly wipes her eyes and squints at the small numbers, "Yes."

"Who's are they?"

"That's Lila's number."

"So this is your daughter's number?"

Confuse now, she nods fighting herself to speak up a little louder, "Y-Yes... Why, what's going on?"

"Mom, don't listen to him!"

Officer Raincomprix nods at the Dupain-Chengs who had followed him, "They claim that they received a call from this number placing an order for pick up."

"It's not true!" Lila yells again, wrestling herself out of the officer's hold. She grabs her mother's blazer pulling it furiously, "Mom, they're lying!"

Glaring at her hard, she moves her daughter aside, "Enough. I'm done listening to you, Lila. Mr. Dupain and Mrs. Cheng, what did she order?"

"We have the receipt," Tom announces quickly, holding up a long slip of paper, he begins to read off the list of items. With every word, Greta's heart sank deeper and deeper.

"And it all comes up to a little over 800 Euros."

She blinks before turning back at her daughter. Lila pales, stepping back as it makes a break for it. She turns quickly and bumps face first into a black shirt with three colorful strips, covered by a white jacket. "I don't think so..."

Lila gasps stepping back, "Adrien?"

He smiles and reaches out next to him to grab a very solemn looking Marinette. "I think you have someone to apologize too."

She hisses, bristling like a feline, "Do you think we're done, Ladybug!"

Marinette blinks, cocking her head to the side innocently, "What are you talking about?"

"You!" She points, and hollers for everyone to hear, "She's Ladybug! Marinette is Ladybug!"

"Lila, shut up!" Greta snaps, "You're making a scene!"

"But I'm telling the truth!"

Her mother sighs, shaking her head in disappointment, before giving the bakers an apologetic look. "I don't know how I can ever apologize to you two. I will make sure Lila pays you out of her own allowance. She won't be getting off easy."

Lila's stomach drops, "Mom, you can't-"

"Enough! Your father is going to hear about this and when he does you're going to turn in your laptop, that can pay off at least some of the money, or at least the damage you made in Mr. Domacles' office.'

Her pupils shrink to dots, "My laptop...?"

"Yes," Greta growls, "Your laptop. After of course, we're going to search through your internet history. I can't imagine what else you've been up to."

"But-but... SHE'S LADYBUG!" Lila points at Marinette once more, "I read her diary! She's said she's Ladybug!"

At this her mother gives her a pitiful shake of the head, looking disgusted, "I would stop while you're ahead young lady, or else this is going to get out of hand."

"It already has," Adrien chimes happily, his voice was rather low just enough for Marinette and Lila to hear. He produces his phone and holds it up to Lila's face, revealing a new video on the Ladyblogg. "Your face was made for TV. I bet Jagged Stone is so happy to see his favorite girl on the internet."

Her jaw unhinges in shock. The video was of her on stage watching with everyone else her exploits. Her confessions, her threats, and more. It even featured a side-by-side clip of her video of Spider-Man compared to the original video with Mary-Jane Watson. And the comments.

Oh, the comments.

They were rolling up the screen next to the video:

"Ha! Shame!"

"I know this girl, she used to go to my school!"

"OMG. Wasted!"

"Pathetic!"

"Oh my gosh, I smell a lawsuit!"

"She used to go to my school too!"

"Mine too!"

"I thought she was living in Prince Ali's castle!"

"Lol, thot!"

Panic coursed through her veins. This was much worse than when Ladybug exposed her in front of Adrien. At least then she could still dance around and control Adrien to choose her. Now, he was in on it. He was part of the traitors that were exposing. Not only that, but it was on a much larger scale. Everyone who watches the Ladyblogg knew her devious nature. more angry tears film over her eyes. She seeths her hands raise to wring Marinette's neck. The French-Asain simply smiles, her eyes half-lidded in a self-satisfied smile. "You know, Lila. I would hate to say I told you so... but that would be lying."

Lila screams lunging forward to strangle her rival, only for a tan hand to grab her by the collar and pull, choking her for a second as she stumbles back. Looking at the perpetrator, she finds Alya standing next to Marinette, her arms crossed. "I don't think so, Bestie."

"Alya, you-you betrayed me."

She laughs shaking her head, "You do realize how ironic that sounds right?"

Lila couldn't come up with a proper response in time, in less than a minute the rest of her classmates were there as well, also giving her disappointed looks. All of them watching her with faces of hurt, disappointed, shock, angry, and more. Even Chloe looked as if she had been played for a fool.

Kim was the first to speak, "So you've been playing with us this whole time?"

"Marinette didn't give us those notes, did she?" Mylene whispers looking up at Ivan. Her boyfriend shakes his head, guilt written on his face.

They all look at Marinette, she casts her eyes to the floor unable to meet their gaze. Despite the truth finally being set free, it was bittersweet. Her friends, her classmates had all turned against her like a pack of lions. She was glad, for what it was worth, that they finally understood, but that didn't mean she was ready to forgive them. The way they dismissed her as if she meant nothing left her heart in pieces.

Adrien's, sensing her thoughts, wraps his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him to offer comfort.

None of their friends said a word, they couldn't. Nothing was going to win back Marinette that easily.

Lila glares menacingly at Alya, "So what if I spread a few lies, it didn't hurt anyone!"

The blogger frowns, cocking her head to the side, "Oh really? What about Julia Gardener?"

The name sent chills down her spine, "I-I don't know what..."

"Don't start lying again," Alya interrupts as a matter-of-actually, she whips out her phone, pulling up a photo and showing it to Lila. By now the adults, who had been discussing Lila's punishments, saw Lila attempting to grab Marinette, only to be interrupted by Alya. The later girl then whipped out her phone and was showing them a picture of a young school girl, around the students' age, with light blonde hair, and deep blue eyes.

Greta recognized her almost immediately. How could she forget such a tragedy...

A finger of fear presses in her heart, did Lila have something to do with Julia's death?

Lila scowls and shakes her head, "I didn't do anything! She's the one who shot herself!"

"But you were the one who bullied her to suicide!" Alya snaps and points her finger at Marinette, "Just like you tried to do to Marinette!"

"So! I didn't kill her! She shouldn't have..." Lila was going to say "Oppose me," but that would give away everything. Instead, she bites her tongue.

Alya nods in approval, "You're a sick person."

Lila doesn't reply. She hadn't meant to kill anyone, Julia was just being a pest. She didn't have to kill herself, but when she wouldn't stop ruining Lila's fun, Lila decided to take matters into her own hands. Turning Julia's friends against her, as she did to Marinette, and pulling some strings to make her look like a dysfunctional student. It was pretty easy, not as easy as it had been in this school, but still, she found ways to make Julia's life hard.

Around them, students gasp disturb by the reveal. The teachers in the room quickly urged most of them out through the doors. Adrien, Alya, and Nino were allowed to stay, however, as "they had ruined what was suppose to be a school event." The three of them knew they weren't going to get into too much trouble.

Alya glances at Marinette, she was still standing under Adrien's arm. If things were different Alya would have playfully teased Marinette, praising her for her conquest at finally winning Adrien's affections.

But they are no longer friends. Marinette wasn't about to forgive her that easily. And Alya could not blame her.

Lila was immediately expelled from school. Not only that, but she will have to work over 40 hours of community service, thanks to the charges that were placed against her from both Marinette and her parents. The prospect of her going to a Juvenile Detention Center was brought up and considered, but the Rossi's lawyer was quick to change the judge's mind on it, insisting that Lila was already publically humiliated and her social life was beyond ruined thanks to the video on the Ladyblogg.

However, the judge determined Lila was to seek psychiatric help for her actions.

Her home life wasn't going to be any better. From what Marinette learned, Lila was going to have her phone, computer, everything taken away or sold off, and all the money that was made, whether from Lila's belongings or allowance, was going straight to paying for the damage done at the headmaster's office and for her orders at the Dupain-Cheng bakery.

There was also a restraining order put against her as well. Since she openly attempted to attack Marinette, Officer Raincomprix had insisted that should be a must. Lila was no longer allowed within five hundred feet near Marinette or the Dupain-Cheng bakery.

The video Adrien and the others took of Lila's reveal turned out to be a hit with the Ladyblogg fans, hitting over 100 million views within three days. It even appeared on TVi a few times.

Lila's lies were rolling over her like a steamroller. She was never going to get away with anything ever again, and thanks to her exposure, future schools she was going to attend will be on high alert with her around. Anything she was going to say for now on was going to be taken literally, her lies would need to be followed by written proof from her parents, and if she managed to commit forgery as she did with Marinette, then her actions will result in her going to Juvenile Prison.

The age of Lila's deceit was finally over.

However, the damage was anything but done.

For the next two weeks following Lila's expulsion, Marinette stayed out of school. The faculty understood and didn't press on it any further. This gave her and her classmates time to cool off and think over what had transpired. The war between Marinette and Lila was finally out in the open and fresh on everyone's mind. Though some of her classmates did try to text and call her in hopes to apologize, the only person(s) she was willing to talk to was Adrien and Chat Noir, the latter of which began dropping in every few days to make sure she was alright emotionally wise. Marinette was mostly exhausted, the reality of her situation had finally caught up with her and she spent several days lying in bed sleeping it off.

Adrien often came by to make sure she was caught up in her homework, helping her with her physics and everything she may have missed in class.

When the day finally came for her to return to school, Marinette knew she wasn't ready. She was not ready to face her former friends again. They were going to surround her, smother her with their undivided attention, and after so long of being ignored and neglected she couldn't handle them staring at her.

"You don't have to go," her mother said, with Tom by her side nodding in agreement, "We can call the school and tell them you're feeling sick."

"I know," she sighs, pain rolling over her heart. "I really don't want to go, but I need to. If I don't then I never will and I'll just be a coward."

"You're anything but a coward, Marinette," her dad says, reaching down to pet her head, "No one is going to hold it against you."

"I would hold it against me," she explains, offering them a light smile, before opening her arms wide, "Can I get a big Papa Bear Hug."

Tom laughs, scooping up both his little girl and his wife in a massive hug, "Of course!" The stayed there, basking in their embrace. Sadly the moment came to a close when a polite knock sounds at their front door. Tom puts his girls down and answers it. He was pleasantly surprised to see his daughter's school mate, Adrien Agreste standing, behind the teen model a black car with a massive man in the driver's seat was waiting.

"Hello Mr. Dupain, I'm here to pick up Marinette."

Smiling, Tom steps aside, reveal his daughter.

Marinette gasps a little, her face erupts in an apple blush. In her turmoil over Lila, she had forgotten most of her affections towards Adrien, but now her feelings came back full force returning her to her original, babbling, unorthodox self that would trip on air if she wasn't careful. "He-Hey Adrien..."

He beams, gorgeous green eyes, like clovers, glowing beautifully. Was she drooling? She was probably drooling.

"Good morning," He says, "I'm here to take you to school." Her heart jumps wanting to burst from her chest. She fumbles for something to say, "...ya?" Two letters, she was doing good.

"Yeah, if that's alright. I figured it would be good for us to ride together, I would hate for you to return to school by yourself." Realizing her parents are still standing behind her, he quickly adds, "U-Unless your parents want to walk you there, of course!"

Tom and Sabine giggle at the boy's flustered expression. He was definitely son-in-law material. "Well, we do have to get ready for our early morning rush." Sabine said smiling up at her husband knowingly, "Don't we, dear?"

"Yes," he laughs, catching on, "We do, I still have some crullers to make! Would like some lemon croissants, Adrien? They're delicious!"

"And they're healthy too, so you won't have to worry about your dietician having a heart attack," Sabine adds in winking at the two teens.

Adrien laughs his stomach rumbling at the prospect of food. He'll definitely bring the Gorilla a few as well. Not many people knew it, but his driver has a massive, unquenchable sweet-tooth.

After a quick breakfast, Adrien and Marinette got into the car, with Adrien handing Gorilla a large bag full of croissants, cruller, and eclairs, his favorite. Even with the separate dark, tint window up both teens could hear the driver happily gorging himself on sweets.

Through the drive to school, Marinette remained quiet. Her silence did not go unnoticed by Adrien, as he pretended to stare out of his window, he occasionally stole glances at her. Five minutes, he thought to himself. It's supposed to be a five-minute drive, but to him, the minutes were stretching into hours. He swears they are going in circles, was Gorilla purposely making their trip longer?

He sighs, then feels a light poke in his chest. Glancing down, he spots Plagg's black head peek out from beneath his white jacket, staring him down before nodding towards Marinette. Adrien winces shaking his head.

Plagg rolls his eyes and nods at her direction again, more insistently.

Adrien bites his lip and looks at Marinette, she was fiddling with the bracelet he had given her on her birthday, rolling the beads between her little fingers. Her eyes dark now, reflecting her hurt. He wanted to say something to offer her comfort but knew nothing was going to fix what had been done. He can't imagine what it must have been like to lose everyone thanks to one selfish girl.

Without thinking, Adrien reaches over and brushes his fingertips along her wrist, making his classmate jump. "Sorry," he says, retracting his hand, "I just want to make sure you're okay..."

"I'm fine..." She mumbles, casting her eyes down to her pink flats.

"I'm sorry," he says again, "I can't imagine... But Marinette..." When she looks at him he swallows, speaking from the heart. "You're not alone in this. No matter what happens from today onward, I want you to know that you're never alone. Don't let Lila's actions make you doubt the world, because even though she is one bad person, there are literally a hundred great ones we have yet to meet. And I know they will love you."

Her face glows hot at hearing him say "Love"

"You're a strong person, Marinette. You've proven it by standing up to Lila and never bending to her will. Even when everyone seemed to turn against you, you still held your head up high and that's the kind of person we need in this world. That's the kind of person who we look to when we have problems. You're the kind of person I admire, and I hope that you stay that person forever."

Her eyes flicker with tears, "I will." She promises, "I plan on it."

"I'm glad." This was his lady. This beautiful, strong, confident girl who could take on the world without a second thought. She was his partner and she always will be.

He's so grateful to have her in his life.

The car stops, Gorilla grunts signally they have arrived at their school. Adrien gets out first and hurries around the vehicle to open Marinette's door while she was busy grabbing her belongings. He smiles at her blushing face and offers her his hand. Marinette smiles and grabs it gently allowing him to lead her inside. The two head straight for their classroom. Adrien grabs the door again and opens it, allowing Marinette to enter first with him close behind her.

The classroom fell into a hush of silence, their classmates' guilty eyes zeroing in on Marinette. For a solid minute no one, not even Miss Bustier, spoke a word. It was as if the silence suffocated them.

Then, in the front desk, Alya stands up first and without a word, walks over and encloses her arms around Marinette's neck, hugging her tightly while breaking down into a sob.

Marinette blinks but gently pats her friend's back, returning Alya's hug with her own half-hearted one. It was more out of social habit than actual affection. Alya didn't seem to notice this and if she did, she did not bother to bring attention to it.

After a minute of them awkwardly hugging, Alya pulls back, wiping her tears away, smearing her makeup. "Marinette, I don't know how I can ever, ever make up for what I did. I was a terrible friend to you. I should have listened when you first told me Lila was lying, but instead, I was a complete jerk and I know this is selfish, but I hope you can forgive me."

Marinette sighs her voice carrying her soul's weightful pain, "Alya... I can forgive you, but I don't know if we can ever be friends again. You were terrible. I would be lying if I said I'm willing to put this all behind me because you told Lila a secret. A secret that I trusted you with. I don't think I can be your friend anymore."

Alya's eyes reflect began to gloss over, her words were like a slap to the face. "I understand..."

"That goes to everyone else," Marinette says, raising her voice to speak to her classmates, "I don't think I can ever trust any of you again."

They all bow their heads, casting their eyes to the floor and allowing their own guilt wash over them like a tidal wave, dousing any true hopes they had of winning Marinette back. In the end, they knew they are at fault and it would take a miracle for Marinette to trust them again.

Marinette walks past Alya, nodding at her silent teacher, and sits down in her usual spot.

Their class continues on a defeated note, with everyone half-heartedly answering questions and just overall feeling the downpour of their actions. When class finally came to a close, Marinette was the first to get up and leave.

"What do we do now?" Mylene was the first to ask, shattering the silence with her pillow-soft voice. "Marinette hates us."

"She doesn't," Adrien says turning back to her from his seat, "She's just disappointed."

Everyone grows quiet, each of them developing a slimy knot in their stomachs.

"We really messed things up." Alix states earning a lot of nods in response, even Chloe bobs her head a little. "We need to make it up to her." Her attention goes to Adrien, "You're the only one who can talk to her, do you think we have a shot of winning her back?"

He deflates, bowing his head, "I don't know..." Marinette was a very kind and generous person, but even she had her limits. Their friends had done a number on her, turning their backs and ignoring her warnings. That being said it would take a miracle for Marinette to trust them again.

"Maybe it will be best if we leave her be." Max says, adjusting his frames, "She wants to be left alone."

"Well, even if she doesn't forgive us, we could still try and make amends. At the very least show her how sorry we are." Sabrina admits, she winces in preparation for Chloe's scolding, but the blonde doesn't' respond, too far gone in her own thoughts. Perhaps she was feeling the aftermath more than she was letting on. Of course, it could be that Chloe felt used and was still upset that Lila had tricked her as well.

Adrien knew better though. Whether Chloe would admit it or not, she secretly liked Marinette and after becoming a superhero, she was finally opening up to others. It was a slow and unrewarding process, but at least she was trying.

The rest of the class began discussing what to do next. It wasn't going to be easy, but one way or another, they were going to make it up to their class president.

AN: And roll credits. XD YAY! I'm done! Lol obviously joke intended. Man, you guys have been amazing. I know some of you probably don't like my writing style and I can't blame you because there are a lot of mistakes that I need to iron out, or better yet find a beta so I have a fresh set of eyes searching for grammatical errors.

Do you know something? The reason I started this story was that I was having a massive writer's block. It felt like whatever I wrote it wasn't good enough and I was doubting my abilities, even thinking about not writing at all. I asked my brother one night what I should do to change it and he told me to write a BS story. So the first chapter I wrote of "I'm Done." I was actually going to call it "My BS Story". If you can believe that. He told me to write a story I don't care about and I did. I wrote and posted the first chapter of "I'm Done" and in only a few days you guys blew it. The first chapter got 22 reviews! I was shocked! I couldn't believe it, but the more I withdrew myself from the story the less criticizing I was to my own writing so, in the end, it worked, even though I should have put in more effort when it came to the grammar and word structure. :D

Special thanks to KaliAnn who sent me some information regarding the justice system in France. :D You're awesome!

You guys are amazing! I hope you know that. :D Now about the sequel. I know a few of you have asked me both through PM and in the reviews if I'm going to write a sequel to this.

Sadly the answer is: I'm not.

I don't want to disappoint you guys. The reason why "I'm Done" did so well was that I was interested in seeing where it can go, even if it was originally titled "My BS Story" I still put the effort in coming up with ideas, which is something I don't think I can do with the sequel. That's why I left it kind of open-ended. If there is anyone who wants to continue with the idea of Marinette's friends fighting to win her back, then, by all means, write it. I would love to see what you come up with. :D Heck, if you guys hate the ending of "I'm Done" and want to write an alternate version with Lila receiving a different punishment, I say go for it. I wanted to keep it tamed because of the rating.

So long story short, if you guys want to rewrite the ending of "I'm Done" so Lila faces a harsher punishment (So for anyone who said they wish Lila was dead... ;)): Go for it!

Or if you want to write the sequel, I'll leave it in your hands if you're up for it. Just please give me the credit for the original version. :D Okay. And please send me the links if possible. There are so many talented writers on Fanfiction and I would love to read what you come up with! :D I love you guys, you're amazing! Thank you for reading!