Chapter 2

"Ugh, I can't believe that Mendeliev gave us a project. And on the weekend, too!" Marinette complained as she shut her locker. Alya stood beside her, waiting to walk her home.

"I am sure you'll be fine, as long as you don't put it off until the last minute and pull an all-nighter, again. Seriously girl, what could you have been doing that made you wait so long to do that last project?"

Marinette chuckled awkwardly, "Ummm… It was nothing. I just uh… forgot?"

"Whatever, just remember to do it this time. And hey, maybe you could ask a certain blonde to help you with this one," Alya smirked.

"Help with the project?" A snarky voice exclaimed behind Marinette, "Who would want to help you?"

Marinette scowled as she turned around to see Chloe, head lifted high. Sabrina stood faithfully beside her, a smirk on her face.

"We weren't talking to you, Chloe," Marinette growled.

"I'm just saying, Adrien isn't ever going to go out with you," Chloe replied.

Marinette's face flushed bright red as she stammered, " I'm not- er, he's not, um, I mean-"

"She's trying to deny it!" Sabrina almost sang.

"Oh, don't think I haven't noticed your little attempts to impress my Adrikins. Pathetic at best. If I thought at all you had any chance, I would have stopped you. You are best just accepting that if you ever find love, it will be with trash, because that's what you are, Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Chloe said with a sneer.

Marinette looked at the floor as her face flushed red with embarrassment and rage, but before she could say anything, Alya stepped around her.

"Hey! You need to back off!" She exclaimed, while advancing towards Chloe. "Marinette is twice the person you are, Chloe. I know it. The whole class knows it. And I can guarantee you Adrien knows it, too."

Alya and Chloe were now nose to nose, each glaring at the other intensely. However, Chloe's glare slowly morphed into a sinister sneer.

"Guarantee, huh? Shall we test that?"

With that comment, Chloe stepped around Alya, and proceeded to make her way out of the locker room with Sabrina in tow.

"What is she planning…" Alya muttered.

Marinette shrugs and looks towards the door, "Should we follow?"

"Definitely. If she is going to do something, I want to be there to stop it."

Alya grabbed Marinette's hand and together the two walked into the courtyard, just in time to hear Chloe call out, "Adrikins!!!"

From across the room, Adrien looked over to where he had heard Chloe's shout. He had just been about to walk out of the school with Nino, but both had stopped in their tracks. Chloe was waving him over, so Adrien quickly turned to Nino.

"You go on without me, it looks like she really needs to talk to me."

Nino nodded, and Adrien made his way over to where Chloe, Sabrina, and now Marinette and Alya were standing.

"Hey, Chloe," he greeted, "Did you need something?"

Chloe smiled as she latched onto Adrien's arm. "Oh, yes Adrien. You see, Marinette here has something she wants to tell you!"

Marinette squeaked and squeezed Alya's hand tightly as the other finally understood Chloe's scheme.

"Oh, ok. What is it Marinette?" Adrien inquired as he turned to look at her. Alya, sensing Marinette's panic, quickly said, "Can you please give us a moment?" Before the two quickly walked a few feet away. Alya took Marinette's hands and quickly whispered, "It's alright, you don't have to do this. I can cover for you, or distract them, or-"

"No."

Alya looked at her friend's face and saw a fiery determination in her eyes. "I am going to do it. I really am this time."

Alya smiled at Marinette. She always loved it when her friend got this way. It was like she was unstoppable. As powerful as Ladybug, herself.

"Alright, then," Alya said, then she and Marinette walked back to where the other three were waiting.

"Here you go. She's all yours, Adrien."

Alya walked over to where Chloe and Sabrina were standing. She grabbed an arm from each and dragged them away as she said, "We'll just give you two some privacy."

Adrien shook his head as he watched the three girls move away, amused by Alya's antics. Then he turned to Marinette, who was looking down as her feet shifted on the floor.

"So," he said, "What is it you wanted to talk about?"

So… Ummm…… Sorry for the cliffhanger?