The Fox and the Ladybug

Part Twenty One: She knows.

Lila's POV

1:12 pm

Sabrina's less-than-attractive sobs accompanied by Chloe's pleads to wait for her could be heard from the art class.  Everyone looked at each other awkwardly, except for Marinette and me.

She nodded to me and we both ran out as well to comfort Sabrina. I don't think I would have ever done something so selfless a few days ago, but I suppose Marinette has rubbed off on me. I suppose love has rubbed off on me.

I followed Marinette down the stairs to the bathroom. She opened an not-so-noticable door hiding behind a stall. We walked down the dark, cool steps while holding each others hands. She looked to her right and I followed her gaze. There was an orange-haired girl crying in the fetus position next to the staircase. She held a bracelet with a bee charm and a couple of pearls.

"Sabrina, are you okay?" I asked warily, slowly walking towards her like she was an unhinged animal. Her sobs only became louder. She sniffed and took a shaky breath.

"I gave her everything," Sabrina sniffed. "I was the only one who really cared. Not Adrien, not her father, not Zoe, not anyone!" She went back to sobbing uncontrollably.

"I know, but-" I started.

"But what?!" Sabrina shouted. She stood up and looked me in the eye with hatred. "I deserve more than this, Lila. No one can deny that." She ran out of the school basement, leaving Marinette and I standing in the dark. I put my head down and looked at the floor in defeat.

I expected Marinette to put her hand on my shoulder and tell me everything was okay, but she stayed quiet and as still as a statue. She stared at the exit of the basement with wide eyes. She dashed up the stairs and I followed her in confusion.

When I finally caught up to her, I shouted, " Where are we going?" She turned to me.

"Sabrina could be akumatized!" she replied desperately. "We have to stop her!" We saw Sabrina run into an empty classroom and lock the door. I rushed to the class and banged my body on the door in an attempt to break it down, but there was no use. Marinette and I then looked through the peephole to see Sabrina standing with her arm stretched out to the ceiling and facing the wall. A pretty purple butterfly floated into the room and akumatized the bee bracelet.

After a few moments of silence, Sabrina's body was doused in purple shadows. When she was revealed once again, she had outrageous-looking bright pink heart shaped glasses and her orange hair developed a reddish tint. She had lipstick to match her glasses and her supervillain outfit was the same as her regular one but all pink and red. She held a long red pole with a pink heart on the top.

Sabrina turned around to the door and pointed her staff. The wall exploded with force, almost crushing me and Marinette.

"Marinette!" I screamed, seeing her limp body lying under a pile of concrete bricks.

Despite having a limp, I dragged her out from under the bricks and she opened her eyes weakly. I carried/dragged her back to the bathroom and sat her on the sink.

"Are you okay?" I asked anxiously. She managed a small but determined small and the sarcastic glint in her refreshing sky blue eyes returned.

"I'm fine, are you okay?" she asked. I nodded, grinning wildly.

"Of course, m'lady," I said casually, trying to hide how relieved I was. It seemed like she bought it. She rolled her eyes playfully.

"Don't call me that again," she said, although it was clear she didn't mind it at all.

"We should hide from the akuma in different stalls," I said. Yes, I knew she wasn't going to be spending much time sitting in the bathroom because of her identity, but I didn't want to freak her out by revealing I knew who she was.

"Actually," she said as I started to open the door to the first stall. "I think there's something you should know."

"I'm...Ladybug," she said. I smiled at her. I'm glad she was comfortable enough to tell me.

"I know, silly," I replied. "Now get in your stall so you can transform." 

"What? I thought you didn't..." Marinette looked at me for explanation.

"Let's just say I walked in on you one time, okay? Don't worry, I still love you for who you are, ladybug suit or not," I reassured her. Her eyes started to become teary with relief.

"Let's do this, Volpina," she told me.