Marinette's P.O.V.

"It was so amazing!" Alya gushes. Yesterday after school, Ladybug had defeated Edison, an unappreciated electrician who was using his electric powers to make the appliances of Paris go haywire. Luckily, Chat Noir and I stopped him before any serious damage could be done.

"Where were you during that?" Alya continues.

I answer quickly with, "At the doctor's office. It was pretty crazy over there."

Alya opens her mouth to reply but is interrupted by Chloé, who stands on a chair. Everyone looks at her in mild surprise- but just mild. This sort of thing isn't too unusual for her.

Chloé clears her throat unnecessarily. "Today after school is my Sweet 16 party. I have invitations for everyone I want to come." She steps down off the chair and holds up invitations. Everyone walks forward, and everyone walks away with an invitation.

Alya and I look at each other. I shrug, and Alya walks up to Chloé. She immediately hands an invitation to Alya, who walks back with a mildly surprised expression.

"That's weird," I say, looking at the invitation. It seems like it's for real.

Alya's face clears, and she shakes her head. "Not really. She probably invited the whole class. The more presents for Her Highness, the better." We giggle.

"But are you really going?" I ask.

"Yeah... but I'm not going for her. I mean, Nino got an invitation, and as long as Adrien's going, he is. Plus, I can keep an eye on Adrien for you," she adds singsongingly.

"Speaking of Adrien, is he even going?"

Alya flashes me an evil grin. "Let's find out. Hey, Adrien!" she yells across the classroom. I squeak and try to hide behind my notebook. Why would she do that?!

Adrien walks over from where he was talking with Chloé. "What's up, Alya? Hey, Marinette." He smiles and I try to hide a little more.

Alya says confidently, "We were wondering if you're going to Chloé's party."

Adrien blushes slightly and buries a hand in his perfect golden hair. "Actually, yeah. Not really my decision, though."

I somehow manage to squeak out, "What do you mean?"

"Well… she said that if I don't come to her party, then she'll get her dad to fire my dad."

"That's harsh," Alya remarks. "You shouldn't have to threaten people to get them to go to your birthday party. That just goes to show how little people actually like her."

Adrien nods in agreement. Nino calls Adrien over from across the room. "Bye, guys. I'll see you at the party, Alya," Adrien says. He waves as he leaves.

Alya looks at me. "You have to talk to him sometimes, you know."

"I do!" I say defensively. "I just… froze this time."

"Mm-hmm. Go ask Chloé for an invitation."

"Why? She'd just torment me anyway at the party."

"You could spend time with Adrien if you had one," Alya points out.

I'm torn. If I ask for one, I could get to spend time with Adrien at the party, but that's assuming I don't turn into a stuttering mess. Plus, Chloé might decide it's the perfect chance to become his arm accessory.

I make up my mind- I'm going to do it.

Chloé sneers as I approach her. "What do you want?"

Suddenly intimidated, I ask, "Would you happen to have an invitation for me?"

Chloé hits herself in the forehead. "Of course! I can't believe I forgot!" She opens her backpack and pulls out an envelope, addressed to me in pink sparkly ink.

I open it up, but there's nothing inside. Confused, I shake the envelope. "There's nothing inside," I say.

Chloé laughs derisively. "Of course not! Why would I ever invite a loser like you to my party? Puh-lease. You honestly thought that I would ruin my 16th birthday like that? How pathetic!" Her voice carries across the room so everyone can hear her- even Adrien.

My cheeks burn as I run out of the room, fighting back tears. Who knew Chloé could be that mean?