The Fox and the Ladybug

Part Twenty-Three: Fashion Show

✨Thank you so much for over 2k views! It makes me really happy when someone likes and comments my stories. And of course, a special thanks to @WhineyDrake7 and @Jester752 for constantly supporting this story!✨

Marinette's POV

1:15

"Is this good?"

"Yeah, it's great!"

I snipped at the pretty pink fabric in my hands carefully, trying not to make any mistakes. Lila was looking over my shoulder encouragingly.

"Are you sure Audrey Bourgeois will like this?" I asked. Lila loyally nodded. "Positive," she reassured me, but even she couldn't stop the growing pit of dread in my brain, devouring even the smallest and most hopeless positive thought. Lila only enhanced it despite her massive efforts from waking up at four to come and see me work to bringing my donuts from the twenty-four hour convenience store.

I nibbled on a glazed donut anxiously before picking up my scissors to make some finishing touches.

***

A band of young guitar players wearing tuxedos and pink dresses that were most likely in college played music happily. A couple of local food trucks parked near the stadium blasting upbeat music, hoping to attract customers like a siren luring sailors.

And of course, a bright golden limo with a crown embedded on the front parked outside in the VIP space. News reporters crowded around the car, trying to get a photo of the obviously important people inside. The Audrey Bourgeois stepped out of her car elegantly, wearing diamond encrusted heels and sunglasses protecting her model-like almond shaped eyes from seeing the unfashionable people around her. A teenage girl with blue pigtails stepped out of the car, clutching a box of designs like nobody could see. Another teenager with long brown hair and striking emerald eyes followed.

Marinette looked around at the cameras snapping photos of her greedily. Somewhere in the crowd, she saw a girl with amber hair, tan skin, and glasses give her a thumbs up while holding her phone.

"Alya," I thought, smiling. For once since I stepped out of that limo, I felt a little bit safe.

"Marco, hurry up," Audrey ordered. I obliged, and walked quickly to catch up with Audrey. Lila snickered and I turned around hurtfully.

"What?" I said defensively.

"Marco," Lila said between cackles. I rolled my eyes playfully.

"She's gonna call you something even worse, I just know it," I remarked, and Lila laughed louder.

We followed Audrey to a fancy pod of seats overlooking the catwalk. The cage contained five fancy red booths sitting in a U shape. Among the seats was a table with a gold velvet tablecloth and silver plates and utensils. My seat was on the very left of the middle one.

I leaned over to see the window and I saw Chloe sitting in a middle row seat gazing mournfully at our glass pod. For once, I felt a twinge of sympathy for Chloe, whose mom never loved her. Right now, I didn't see her as a bully, but just a human. Maybe if I didn't have parents who loved me unconditionally, I would've ended up like her.

Lila, as if noticing my glum expression, kissed my cheek softly and I returned all my attention back to her.

"What do you want to eat?" she asked and handed me a menu. The menus had borders made of golden plastic (which Audrey was looking at disdainfully, like they just weren't good enough) and the paper itself presented a tan shade.

"I'll have the salmon steak," I said awkwardly. The choices were a bit too fancy for my taste, but I was invited, so I couldn't complain.

"Make that tw-," Lila said to the waitress, but was interrupted with blaring trumpets signaling the start of the show.