Friends and Fiends

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The peonies Marinette had put in a vase were just beginning to wilt. It had only been a few days, but the past week seemed like a lifetime.

As Ladybug, Marinette had quickly bested Miracle Queen, who turned out to not be so powerful after all. Having held onto the Dragon miraculous, Ladybug fused their powers and defeated her with the natural deterrent for bees: water. It was almost too good to be true. Hawkmoth retreated, leaving Marinette to say her goodbyes to Master Fu, and secretly, she also wished farewell to another: Adrien Agreste.

It wasn't easy. Because every time Marinette would scroll past pictures of him and Kagami together, she felt herself crack a little. Because she relished in Adrien's smile, the laughter in his eyes, but couldn't help but remember such tenderness was not meant for her. Because Kagami reserved his sunshine now, the light that drew her close. It was bittersweet.

When Marinette walked into the classroom that morning, all eyes were immediately drawn to her. People gawked at the sight of her hair, which she had left undone, the ebony strands brushing just past her shoulder blades. Inspired by Adrien and Kagami's reaction just days before, Marinette had made the decision that morning with more than a little smirk dawning on her face.

Her classmates flocked around her, leaving only Lila to scowl and grumble in the back of the room. The Italian certainly wasn't happy about the attention Marinette was receiving.

But Marinette was currently ignoring such an observation. Because Adrien was grinning at her.

There was a traitorous flutter in her chest, one that immediately made her feel guilty, images of Kagami and Luka appearing in her mind. Marinette gave thanks to her friends' showering compliments, shooting Adrien a smile of her own between the cacophony. His grin only became wider and she wondered just what was going on in his head.

There was no time to think about it now, because Miss Bustier was calling for them to take their seats and Alya was pulling at her arm. As everyone begrudgingly filed into their rows, Adrien turned back, still smiling, and said quietly:

"I told you your hair was beautiful."

Unable to do anything but laugh and mutter more thanks, Marinette shot Alya a silencing look as her friend nudged her shoulder, wanting to hear the story. It seemed getting over Adrien Agreste was going to be a lot harder than she had thought.

Class went by excruciatingly slow, and Alya grew antsier by the minute, poking Marinette, sliding hastily written notes across their desks, making silent faces as her friend ignored her requests for an explanation. Marinette kept mouthing the word "later," teetering on the edge. She knew Alya meant well, but having to sit and practically stare at the back of Adrien's head for hours was already stressful as it was. 

Luka's melody for her played in the back of her mind. Marinette had yet to hear him perform it on the guitar, and every time her gaze landed back on Adrien she felt as if she were doing something wrong. Was she leading Luka on by being so friendly, while still attempting to quit pining over the blond? Marinette wished she could talk to Tikki, but the kwami was hidden in her purse and Miss Bustier would probably find it odd if she started whispering to the accessory. She sighed, rubbing her temple.

Despite her attempts to focus, Marinette started to get a headache from the stress. She quickly raised her hand, pausing Miss Bustier's lecture just long enough to ask to go to the restroom, and for once strode out of the classroom without stumbling. Her exhaustion was likely to blame.

"Sorry, Miss Bustier," Lila began after Marinette had left, "But may I go, too?"

Their teacher huffed. "Yes."

Adrien narrowed his eyes at the Italian's back, watching as she sashayed out the door. He was certain she was up to no good.

Marinette was leaning over the sink, splashing cold water under her eyes. She jumped when the bathroom door practically slammed open, and turned fast to find Lila advancing towards her. Too tired to feel even the slightest bit of fear, Marinette wiped her face and leaned back against the counter, saying, "What do you want?"

The Italian blinked, momentarily surprised, then her expression morphed into a sneer. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"

"Well, sure," Marinette drawled, "But about what exactly?"

Lila growled, "I know what you were doing with that little stunt this morning, parading your hair around." She stepped closer. "Just what do you think that will accomplish? A few compliments aren't going to help you keep your popularity, or your friends."

"Is that what you're mad about?"

"Of course!" the girl snapped, getting in Marinette's face, "You can seek all the attention you want, but at the end of the day, I'm still going to win. Enjoy your friends, Miss Goody-two-shoes, while they last." Lila's threat came out in a hiss, her eyes narrowed and her complexion ruddy. She began to stalk back out of the bathroom, but stopped short at the sound of laughter.

Marinette was in fits. "Wo-wow. That was great," she laughed, wiping her eye, "Really. I'm very scared."

Lila was staring at her, aghast, then the blood rushed to her face as she lost her temper. "You think this is funny?"  The Italian stormed up to Marinette, screaming, "I'm promising to ruin you, and you think it's funny? You should be scared."  Lila moved to strike her, but, quick as lightning, Marinette held her wrist, her eyes cool and far too bright.

"You're the least of my problems right now, Lila Rossi," Marinette said through curving lips, careful not to leave any marks on the girl. "Save yourself the trouble and leave." 

Lila stepped back, her eyes wide, then gathered enough composure to walk away. She turned back for a moment, a hand keeping the door ajar. "This isn't  over."

The moment the door closed, Marinette let out a breath and Tikki flew up to land in her palm.

"That was awesome, Marinette," the kwami squealed, "Just like Ladybug!"

"You think so?" she groaned, "I think my headache is worse. I'm so tired, it's impossible to feel anything at all."

Tikki zipped to nuzzle her cheek. "It was perfect. Total self-defense. I hope that nasty girl starts to leave you alone now."

Marinette sighed. "Me too."

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