Contradiction || Marichat AU

Chapter 19: "Hell is Other People"

01-03-22, 6:00 pm

The velvet curtains rose elegantly, like the flowy dress of a distinguished noble. Brilliant beams positioned themselves to the desire of those behind the stage. The music could almost tickle their ears, which only prodded the audience who were already on the edge of their seats. The littlest detail from angles to the elements was evidently orchestrated to be flawless. 

Cheers and murmurs did the sea of heads share as the claps echoed throughout Palais des Glaces.

The booming voices that could demand them, the emotions that shone in the spotlight, made them all feel as though they were in the setting of the play. Parisians and foreigners alike were engulfed in what the actors wished to portray. The cold yet fascinating ambiance diffused, intrigue growing with each passing second. 

'No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre', the play Lila had been concentrated on for months. Lila Rossi was a headstrong woman who wished to pursue her dream of being an actor. Years ago, when she was presented with the opportunity, Marinette decided to pay for her classes. Lila was naturally against the idea. Her friend, someone who certainly wasn't supposed to help pay for her mortgage, wanted to add an onus and pay for acting classes.

There were several downsides to this road Lila had chosen—it was merely her salary from her part-time job at a small restaurant, Sur un Arbre Perché—that helped both her and Agatha get by.

Contrastingly, Marinette had earned and saved thousands and offered to pay for her mortgage. Lila felt more guilt than gratitude at the time, but after countless convincing from both Marinette and Sabrina, she grew to accept and appreciate the help. 'I have nothing much to spend this on,' she would say. Each time the day would come that Marinette would have to pay, it still felt wrong to Lila, because it was. 

For the blunette although, seeing Lila perform and pursue her dreams on stage was more than enough to fill her heart. It was priceless. She'd been observing her meticulous practices, reciting lines over and over, until Marinette was there, in her seat as she observed her outstanding friend immersed in her character. Each gesture, each line, and each expression from each play, never failed to convince the pigtailed girl that her best friend deserved more than the money she had been giving. 

Seeing the stage, and Lila in the center of it all was what she'd looked forward to the entire day.

"It's been so long, when's she coming in?" whispered Marinette, eyeing the stage scrutinizingly. "It's been about nine minutes."

"Lila plays Inez, right? Can we clap once she comes in?" asked Alya with a giggle. Chloé hit her jokingly, both of them smiling at each other like smitten fools.

"No, that would be embarrassing," replied Adrien. "It could distract the actors. It's only proper etiquette to clap before or at the end of a play."

"It was a joke smartass." Chloé deadpanned.

The blonde boy pinched his own cheeks in slight frustration. "You know I can't tell sometimes."

Marinette leaned toward Sabrina, saying in a hushed voice, "I didn't know she was close with Alya. Since when have they been friends?"

"It's fine," she replied simply, focusing on the play.

"I knew I didn't like Alya." Marinette narrowed her eyes.

Ivan interrupted all their conversations. "Lila's in."

She stepped in, looking confident, as though one with her character. Marinette herself although, could tell from her little movements — Lila darting her eyes from time to time, fidgeting with her thumbs under folded arms, and her heavy breathing — that she was nervous despite not looking too much like it.