The Glass Dome

Chapter 3: Adrien

Chapter 3: Adrien

Marinette held too many emotions to keep inside her. This past week had reminded her of back when the Gang of Secrets was akumatized. Her friends were believing her less. Alya, Zoe, Rose, Julika, Mylene, and Alix had hung out without her the day before. They had gone to Julika's houseboat so Kitty Section could practice. Marinette hadn't been asked to make costumes for them since Cat Blanc was akumatized. She overheard Rose asking Lila if she knew anyone who could design some new masks for them and Zoe said she could.

Marinette was starting to despise Zoe. It was like the saying, "three's a crowd." With Zoe, her friend group was now uneven, since Lila never hung out with them as a group. It made sense to Marinette: Alya liked making videos and reporting and Zoe was an actress. It made sense that they were good friends. But was Zoe Marinette's friend or her replacement?

Lila hadn't bothered Marinette much that school year. Chloe was a brat but hated Ladybug more than Marinette. Marinette still had a friend, though: Kagami. Though she was busy with fencing after school, Kagami still hung out with Marinette on the weekends. They'd always go to the Louvre and then get orange juice. Marinette wished Kagami was in Miss Bustier's class but she was in Mrs. Mendeleev's class.

Even with Kagami and Cat Blanc, Marinette missed Adrien. She knew he probably was still alive. She knew he was probably somewhere in Europe. She knew she wanted to find him. Marinette already had one goal: release Cat Blanc. But what if she had two? What if she found Adrien? Would anyone help her find him?

Alya was done with listening to Marinette talk about Adrien. Kagami wasn't friends with him anymore since they broke up. Cat Blanc was confined to the Glass Dome. Alya had told her that Nino also really missed Adrien. Would he help Marinette find Adrien?

Chloe had been leaving class early a lot. Sabrina said she was crying about Adrien going missing and Chloe yelled at her for telling. Chloe and Adrien had known each other way longer than Marinette and Adrien did. She could know more about Adrien than Marinette could, like if he ever talked about running away, or if he wanted to leave Paris. Would she help Marinette find Adrien?

But Marinette's team was missing something: a person clever enough to track him down. There was only one person Marinette knew who was smart enough, but she didn't want to ask her. But no one else cared enough about Adrien to be willing to. Lila was clever and had a crush on Adrien as well. Would she help Marinette find Adrien?

_______

At the end of history class, Marinette texted Nino.

I was wondering if you were available after school today. We could play video games at my place, Marinette texted.

Sure, Dudette, Nino responded.

Marinette knew Nino probably was wondering why she wanted to hang out with him since he and Alya broke up. But Marinette couldn't focus on that thought for very long. She still had to talk to Chloe and Lila.

_______

After class, Marinette approached Chloe alone.

"What do you want, Dupain-Cheng?" asked Chloe.

"I know you miss Adrien, but I do as well," said Marinette.

"And?"

"I was hoping you could help me track him down. He most likely ran away or he would have already been found."

"Why me? Why not ask Alya or Nino?"

"I already asked Nino. He's coming over to my house after school today. I'll tell him about my plan then."

"Is anyone else helping you?"

"If all goes as planned, Lila will be. If I can get her to agree to, she could be helpful."

"Fine," said Chloe. "I'll also come over after school."

_______

Finally, Marinette had to ask Lila. She really didn't want to, but she might be the only way Marinette could find Adrien. She was one of the cleverest people Marinette knew. Marinette walked up to Lila in the place where she knew she could find her after school: the park. Lila was typically seen sitting in the park after school got out. Lila looked surprised as she stared at Marinette.

"I've been leaving you alone if that's what you're going to complain about," said Lila.

"I want to find Adrien," Marinette told Lila.

"What?"

"I'm enlisting the help of three people close to him in order to find him. You're the most important to recruit. I know we've disagreed before, but your cleverness is required for this plan to succeed. Can't we get along for a little while?"

"Okay," sighed Lila. "I'll join your team."

_______

"So here's the plan," said Marinette. "Nino tells us about his most recent encounters with Adrien, Chloe tells us about Adrien's past, and Lila helps us find where he is based on these clues."

Nino looked at Chloe and Lila.

"Um..." Nino started. "He seemed really lonely."

"Was his dad limiting his friendships again?" asked Chloe.

"No," said Nino. "But Adrien said he felt rejected. Not just by his long-time crush he's gone on and on about for years, but also by one of his closest friends. Did any of you do or say anything that would make him feel rejected?!"

"No," said Chloe.

"Why would I?" asked Lila.

"I'd never reject Adrien!" exclaimed Marinette. "Did he say anything else about this rejection?"

"Wait-" said Nino. "I forgot that the crush was the good friend."

"G-good friend?" asked Marinette.

"She replaced him with another one of her friends. He felt like she didn't need his help at all."

"Help?"

"I don't know what he meant, but he's been talking about that since right after school started again."

"He probably ran away because of that," said Lila.

"How do you know he ran away?" asked Nino.

"The fan theories are so crazy," said Lila. "As Marinette told me, we'd know by now if something bad happened."

"Where would he go?" asked Chloe.

"He wouldn't go anywhere where people knew him well or that his father would look," said Lila. "He'd go someplace where he does know people, though. I don't think he moved in with his cousin."

"Where did he move?" asked Marinette.

"I think he moved in with one of the heroes in New York," said Lila.