To Be a Hero | MLB

9: The Note

Ladybug and Chat Noir are everywhere.

On my way to school the next morning, I can't take two steps without seeing a poster or an ad or cutouts of the heroes, and it's starting to give me a headache.

"So, second day! Are you excited?" Jakob asks. Even though Jaxon is walking right on the other side of me, we all know Jakob's question is for me.

After my mom's outburst last night, I knew she would be upset with me for the next few days, but I didn't think she'd assign Jakob to personally escort me to and from school. Every. Single. Day.

"Are you going to ask me this every day?" I grouch.

"Probably."

Even though we're only five minutes into our walk, Jaxon's already plugging in his earbuds in an attempt to ignore us. Unfortunately for him, Jakob notices, then reaches around me and yanks them out.

"Jaxon, stop. Talk to your sister."

He rolls his eyes and opens his mouth to respond, but I cut him off. "If he doesn't want to talk to me, then I don't want to talk to him."

"Good. We're in agreement, then," Jaxon responds, sticking his earbuds back in his ear.

Jakob sighs, but I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of looking at him or reacting in any way. No, I have not forgotten that he was the one who told my mom I left my brothers yesterday.

And yes, I understand how petty I'm being.

But, even through all the pettiness, I can't deny the sinking feeling that it's my fault my mom's vase is shattered beyond repair. And even though Jakob has assured me it's not, I still know it is.

Finally, we arrive at school, and Jakob waves Jaxon and me goodbye. But we're both still upset; we barely even glance back at him before splitting up and heading into school separately. He finds his class, and I find mine hanging out in the school's courtyard. I head over to Lila, and she greets me with a grin and a hug.

"Tori, hey!" she says, and I feel a smile forming on my face. "You got here just in time."

I step back. "Just in time for what?"

Her grin turns into a sly smirk, and I immediately get a bad feeling about this. "Well, after everything Marinette has done to me, don't you think she deserves a bit of... retaliation?"

I open my mouth to say no, that revenge only leads to more bitter feelings, but she presses a finger to her lips, silencing me.

"Let's just keep this between us, okay?" When I hesitate, she adds. "Friends keep secrets for each other, no? And we're friends right?" By now, her face has begun to fall, and I feel myself nodding.

I don't want to upset everyone in my life.

"Great! Now, my plan is already in motion. I sent Marinette a... not so kind letter, so she should come over here in just a few minutes."

My eyes widen, and I glance over my shoulder to see Marinette staring furiously at a piece of notebook paper. I'm surprised to see that Lila has created a whole plan just to get back at Marinette, since she just... doesn't seem like that kind of person. She really does seem nice, maybe just a little... misguided.

But is that really the kind of person I want to call my friend?

I step back a little as Marinette storms over to us, waving the note in front of her. "I know you sent this, Lila," she says.

"I don't... what is it?" Lila leans forward to read the note, the gasps and springs back. "Marinette, that's awful! Whovever sent that should be ashamed."

Marinette crosses her arms. "Stop lying, Lila. You're not fooling anyone."

A crowd starts to gather, and Marinette lets others read the note, telling them that Lila is its writer. Lila responds with her high, sweet voice, claiming it's not even written in her handwriting. I'm caught somewhere in the middle, with Lila and Marinette on either side of me, shouting their arguments into my ears.

"Why would you accuse me of saying something like that?"

"Because you're the only one who would do this!"

Suddenly, both girls turn to me. "Tori, you're Lila's friend, right?" Marinette asks. All eyes in the courtyard are on me. It feels... strange. "Did she tell you anything about the note?"

"No, I didn't, because I didn't write it. And even if I did, she wouldn't tell you—" She meets my eye and raises an eyebrow. "—because friends keep secrets for each other."

"Oh, that doesn't sound suspicious at all."

Everyone falls silent, waiting for my response.