DELETED

ally

Marinette
My cheeks turn a bright red when I realize what I've done and what just happened.

Chloe laughs as she taps on her phone and Alya just stares at me.

My head comes back from the moment and I leap over to Chloe, grabbing her phone away.

"Chloe, don't you dare," I warn her.

"It's too late, by tomorrow it will be everywhere and I will get the publicity I deserve," she evil laughs.

"Chloe, please don't," Alya whispers, begging Chloe.

"Even if I wanted to stop it, it's too late. Maybe you'll think about making me part of the team next time you want to do something life altering!" Chloe storms off into the elevator, letting the doors close.

My eyes immediately drift to Alya where she stands awkwardly.

"Alya, I'm so sorry I don't know what came over me and I didn't know that Chloe was go-"

"It's okay," she whispers, gently smiling at me.

Her eyes captivate me, making me want to go right back to kissing her.

"I'll fix this, I promise. I won't let anyone bother you about it," I say, walking away from her and hopping onto the ledge.

She nods slightly and I nod back, launching myself away from that dreadful hotel.

•••

I was petrified to go to school. I know Alya wasn't going to say anything but Chloe was.

I was scared to see how she would react. She never really has a chance to respond to the kiss leaving me wondering.

Nothing happened the following days after I kissed her. I kept checking everything Chloe had access to but nothing. We continued patrol as normal but I could tell that my action resulted in a tiny bit of awkwardness between us. I hated it.

I walk into the locker room, immediately spotting Alya putting her books away.

I gulp every anxious nerve in my body and walk over to her.

"Hey," I say, trying to act as normal as possible.

She slightly jumps but gently puts her hand on her heart in sincerity. "Hey Marinette," she says.

"How was your weekend?" I ask, leaving against her neighbouring locker.

"Interesting," she immediately responds, slightly chuckling.

My head darts to her after looking away for a moment. "How so?" I ask, now right beside her.

"Oh just some weird stuff happened. I'll tell you about it later," she shrugs it off.

"Nooooo tell me now," I complain, hoping she gives me a piece of information about our kiss.

"I can't," she whispers.

My eyebrows turn in confusion. Is she actually going to tell me? She better not.

"Oh okay, that's okay then," I reply, awkwardly laughing slightly.

She waves to me as she walks to her first class and I wave my goodbye back.

All day I monitored every social media platform. I was so scared that Chloe was going to release it.

Honestly, it was weird that she hadn't at this point. I hope she's not evil enough to try and get something out of Ladybug.

Alya invited me over after school and of course I didn't refuse. I was nervous about her telling me but I know her better than that. She wouldn't do that to Ladybug, or me, I guess.

"Mom, I'm home with Marinette. Can she stay for dinner?" Alya calls out as we enter the house.

Marlene turns the corner with a basket of white chefs coats fresh out of the dryer. "Hello Marinette! You're welcome to stay anytime sweetheart. Otis is making burgers tonight!" she says sweetly.

We thank her and head to Alya's room. She flops down on her bed, into a laying position and I spin her desk chair around so I can face her.

"Marinette, can I ask you something?" she says randomly.

"S-sure, what's up?" I reply, my palms becoming sweaty.

"What do you think of the LBGTQ+ community?" she asks.

I become confused and stay silent for a moment. "I think that it's an amazing community and everyone should be accepted and loved!" I reply, trying to sound like a straight ally.

"That's good, I'm glad," she replies with a hidden smile.

"Why?" I ask, already knowing the reason.

She takes a deep breath in and sits up to look at me. "Because I like girls."

My heart stops for a second. I knew this but I also knew she had been working up the courage to tell me. I'm so proud of her.

"Wow Alya, that's so great! I'm so glad you found yourself," I hug her and she hugs me back tightly.

"That was a lot easier to say than I thought it would be," she chuckles, visibly letting go of the weight on her chest.

"I fully accept you Alya, don't you ever think that I won't," I tell her with a huge smile.

"Thank you Marinette. I love you," she says with big eyes.

"I love you too," I say back, only meaning it differently than her.