Stay by my Side

Stay by my Side - Chapter Three

Night kitty

Marinette debated sending anything else in return but decided against it, turning the phone off, and placing it down on the table, next to her computer. Instead of heading to bed, she instead approached her desk, and sat down.

Tikki looked at her, concerned. "Why aren't you going to sleep, Marinette?"

"Because of the patrol, I had no time to finish the homework due for tomorrow that was set today. I tried to finish it during lunch today, but I just didn't have enough time..." She trailed off and sighed, before steeling herself and beginning her work.

"But Marinette! It's already 1:30am!"

"I - I know! Hopefully I'll be done soon..."

And so, Marinette worked throughout the night on her homework.

---TimeSkip---

"Tikki, I finished!" Marinette said, holding aloft her work.

"Wha-? What time is it, Marinette?" Tikki asked, waking up and rubbing her eyes.

Marinette turned to glance at her alarm clock. 6am. School would start in a couple hours.

"Noooo... Tikki... I don't have time to go to sleep!" Marinette sighed, sleepy, frustrated tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

"Marinette focus on getting ready for school, and just head there early! You could take a small nap before school starts, okay?"

"You're a genius, Tikki!" Marinette said with a smile, launching from her seat, pocketing both her phones, and shoving random school books in her bag (alongside her completed homework).

She took off down the stairs, kissing her mum and dad on their cheeks, before sprinting out of the house and towards the school. The sooner she got there, the sooner she could go to sleep.

Bursting into the school building, she checked the clock. 6:48am. Good - that can give her an hour nap or so before school begins. She slowed down to a walk now, tiredness starting to get the better of her, as she entered her classroom and sat down. She was about to lay her head down, closing her eyes, when she heard someone else enter the room as well.

Marinette shot back up, eyes still closed due to her being so tired. "Ahh, Mrs Bustier! I'm sorry for the intrusion, I didn't realise you'd be in so early and-"

"Oh, Marinette, it's so nice to see you haven't changed."

Marinette froze at the voice she heard. She could recognise it from a mile away.

"L... Lila?" She whispered, eyes shooting open. She was correct - Lila stood right in front of her, a small fake smile on her lips.

"Marinette! I'm so happy you could recognise me from voice alone! We must be so close."

"Uhh... sure...?" Marinette replied, slowly inching away, further into her seat. "So... what brings you here?"

"... I go to school here?" She replied, giving Marinette a confused and concerned expression. "Did you hit your head too hard or something? Are you alright?"

"I - I'm fine!" Marinette responded, Lila's concern confusing her. "You just haven't been in for a while, so..."

"Oh that!" Lila giggled. "My trip around the world has finally ended, so I'm back in Paris! And moreover, I'm back in school!"

"Oh... Great..." Marinette said with a forced smile. "I'm so... happy to hear that."

"Thank you!"

As Lila leaned in closer, a wide smile on her lips, Marinette only had one thought on her mind.

This cannot be good...

Smaller update but an update, nonetheless. I've now got a plan written down which should make writing this a lot easier. I'm hoping it's not gonna be super long - hopefully no longer than 30 chapters - but I guess we'll see.

And LILA IS HERE! All you Lila haters can get your pitchforks ready XD

But for now...

Peachy out! 😊