The Fog is Lifting

Summary: A canon divergence based on the episode "Startrain", in which Lila slips up, someone notices, shade is thrown, and the sister solidarity that we've all been waiting for since Season 3 started finally happens.

If she hadn't seen it happen with her own eyes, Mylene probably wouldn't have believed it if someone else had told her. If she hadn't heard that displeased hum with her own two ears, she probably would have believed it to have come from someone else.

But the reality was that she did see it, and she did hear it.

She saw how Lila Rossi had turned her head slightly to peek on Adrien and Marinette cuddling closely in their sleep. A sight that while sweet to most of the girls, was apparently sour to Lila. Mylene watched as Lila glared and let out a displeased hum that matched the frown she wore, before getting up and walking quickly towards Marinette with the intention of disturbing the sweetest scene that none of their schemes to help Marinette garner Adrien's intention, to date, had ever resulted in.

Thank God for Alya, who stopped Lila in her tracks. Mylene's relief however, was short-lived as she watched Lila frown and glare at Alya and Sabrina's backs, just a few seconds after Sabrina had kindly offered Lila help with her motion sickness, when just before Lila had been thanking her and saying how sweet Sabrina was for helping.

Something, Mylene thought, was clearly not right here.

As Alya turned back to Lila, Mylene watched and shivered as Lila's frowning face morphed back into a kind and caring one, the displeased face gone so quickly it was like it hadn't even happened. She would be a fool to think it hadn't. This hadn't been a trick of the light, or her ears messing with her. These were deliberate actions. Deliberate actions against Marinette, who while admittedly gets a little worked up when it comes to love rivals for Adrien's heart, was currently asleep and hadn't said a word to Lila while on the train. In fact as far as they all knew, Lila had told Nino, who told Alya that she wasn't interested in Adrien. What could Marinette have possibly done to Lila to garner the reaction Lila had seeing Marinette and Adrien cuddle together?

When Lila began to make her way back to her seat behind Ivan, Mylene sat back down in her seat quickly, so that she wouldn't be caught staring. She smiled at Ivan when he gave her a concerned look to comfort him. Reassured, he smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek and settled down to have a small nap. Mylene smiled, then let her face settle back into a contemplative stare as she turned her eyes and ears in the direction of Lila's seat. While she couldn't see the popular girl, it comforted her somewhat to have her senses trained on Lila after what just happened. As someone who scared easily, Mylene was familiar with the feeling of danger and actively tried her best to avoid it.

And right now, she felt like there was a predator at her back.

Before she could think much more on it, the peace on the train devolved into chaos as they were unexpectedly taken into space, courtesy of Max's mom being akumatized. And as they followed Ladybug and Chat Noir's instructions to get to safety, Mylene made sure that she was in a place where she could keep an eye on Lila, and made a note to talk to the other girls sans Lila and Marinette. While Marinette certainly hadn't gotten off on the right foot with Lila, Marinette was her friend and based on everything that Marinette had done for her and the class as a whole, Mylene knew that she didn't deserve the look of sheer disdain Lila had given her with when she had been asleep. So while they waited for Ladybug and Chat Noir to save the day once again, Mylene began to do what she now admittedly failed to do when the popular Italian girl first came to their school and when she came back.

Think critically about everything Lila Rossi had said and done.

When everything was said and done, they'd ended up back in Paris, except this time Adrien was forced to return home instead of making the trip to London with the rest of the class. While unfortunate, they had a memento in the form of the picture Alya had taken of Adrien and Marinette sleeping. Definitely squeal worthy, but not as important as getting the squad together to have a serious talk about what she'd seen.

Mylene's chance came when Lila left to go to the restroom. Sitting up in her seat to get a better angle, she also noticed that Marinette had once again fallen asleep in her seat, Alya still at her side. Another look around showed that Nino was asleep in his seat with his headphones on, Rose and Juleka were awake and chatting, and Alix was playing a game on her phone. Perfect.

Sitting back down in her seat, she pulled out her phone and sent out a group text to Alya, Rose, Juleka, and Alix.

Text Message

Friday 12:42 P.M.

Mylene: Emergency meeting after we get back to Paris. It's about Marinette and Lila. DO NOT TELL THEM ANYTHING.

She heard their phones ping, and when she peeked her head out into the aisle, she saw them give a nod in confirmation. She nodded back and then put her phone away as she settled back into her seat, and not a moment too soon as she heard the bathroom door in the car open and Lila settle back into her seat. Thankfully for Mylene, Sabrina had been summoned by Chloe earlier and had yet to return to her seat. While Sabrina wasn't necessarily a bad person, there was no way she would have missed the exchange of looks between Mylene and the other girls. And that meant that Chloe would be alerted. They didn't need that kind of problem interrupting their meeting. For now, Mylene settled in and tried to enjoy the ride while it lasted.

Because she was sure that things were gonna get ugly when the meeting started and she tells the others of her suspicions.

When they returned to Paris, everyone was tired. Even Mme. Bustier had decided to forgo giving them the homework based on the trip, a kind and very appreciated gesture considering the day they had. Mylene had seen Ivan off, forgoing their routine of walking home together in order to meet with the girls. She watched as Alix sat on the steps of the school, the other students having already gone home about an hour or so before they returned to Paris. She saw Alya deliver an exhausted Marinette into her father's arms as he took the pig tailed girl and her bag into the bakery. Mme. Cheng came out soon after he went in, handing a large bag to Alya and exchanging what seemed to be pleasentries before she too headed back into the bakery. Nino had departed soon after they arrived, Alya more than likely notifying him of the meeting. Rose and Juleka were waving goodbye to Max and Kim, who opted to hang out together for the rest of the day to update and play Max's game.

And then there was Lila, who was chatting idly with Mme. Bustier about the trip. Mylene opted to look busy on her phone as she observed them. From what she could see, there was no evidence of the behavior she had seen on the train. Lila seemed completely content and at ease as she talked with their teacher. It was uncanny how she switched so seamlessly into another persona when she thought no one was looking while on the train. Her observation was interrupted as Alya came back, offering Lila and Mme. Bustier whatever treats were in the bag. Mylene paid close attention, and as Mme. Bustier took out a croissant, there-!

Mylene, and she was sure Alya noticed based on the change in her expression, watched as Lila's face quickly lost it's smile, morphing into an extremely brief look of disgust before her expression morphed back into it's smile. Mylene was sure that if she had blinked she would have missed it. Noticing Alya's expression change, Mylene saw Lila quickly try to reassure Alya, and then watched as she too retrieved a croissant from the bag. While Mylene couldn't tell what Lila had said due to the distance, she noticed that Alya looked relieved. After that, Lila bid everyone farewell and began walking home.

Mylene realized that this was her chance as she began walking after Lila, careful to keep her steps quiet. Her attempts were foiled as someone put a hand on Mylene's shoulder.

"Mylene? Where are you going? I thought you wanted us to meet up?" Alya said as Mme. Bustier walked away, more than likely going home.

Mylene nodded. "We are, I just need to check something really quick. This concerns the meeting, I'll be right back."

Mylene then bolted after Lila to catch up to her, and was relieved when she caught sight of her walking further down the street. She took out her phone and then began recording, making sure to stay out of sight and keep her footsteps light. As Lila made it to the end of the street, Mylene was suddenly glad that she had had the mind to record as she watched Lila take the croissant that she had kindly been offered, and chuck it unnecessarily hard into the trash bin that was at the corner. Her face was twisted into a sneer, any trace of the previous charming smile completely erased as she dusted off her hands and then resumed the walk home.

Having gotten what she wanted and not wanting to temp fate lest she get caught, Mylene waited a minute or two after Lila had completely left her sight before returning to the school courtyard, where the other girls were waiting for her. Alix had her arms crossed.

"Well," the pink haired girl said. "we're all here waiting. What was so important that you had to run off after Lila?"

Mylene sighed and held up her phone, the recording paused at the beginning and ready to be played. "This, is what's so important. I just got some very valuable information."

The others came in close as they got a better look at Mylene's phone.

"And trust me when I say that you are not gonna like what I found."