Lunchtime.
Marinette was wondering what had happened, and as soon as Adrien walked up to her, she sensed that something was wrong.
"Hey," she said.
Adrien sighed. "Hey."
Marinette's heart sank at the depressing greeting. "Adrien, is something wrong?"
Adrien sat down next to her and clutched her hands with a strong, saddening force. His face soon became red and puffy, shimmering with salty tears. His silent cries ricocheted in Marinette's head.
She wiped a tear from her eye. She asked, "Adrien, what is going on?"
Adrien began to explain. "I o-overheard Lila talking with my cousin in class, a-and it turns out that they're w-working for my father to k-keep me away from you and everyone h-here."
Adrien sobbed intensely, yet, it was the quietest, most pitiful cry Marinette had ever heard. Marinette wept for him and squeezed his hands.
"It's going to be okay, Adrien. I promise."
That night. . .
"Girls, listen up!" shouted Marinette to her friends, huddled in her room. "I have ACTUAL PROOF that Lila is an awful, awful person!"
Alix moaned, "Isn't the word these days 'sus'?"
"NO!" roared Marinette. "Listen, Adrien told me that Lila and that Felix guy are planning to get Adrien away from me, Nino, and everyone at school. We have to stop them!!"
Alya looked intriguingly at her hands folded on her lap. "What's your proof?"
Marinette scoffed. "Do you want me to call Adrien?"
"Eh- not really," said Mylene. "I, for one, believe you are correct on this matter, Marinette. I'll try and help you!"
Alya replied, "But we don't have solid proof! Lila's pretty nice to me, and she babysits my little sisters when you can't Marinette. Felix-"
"Made that awful video that one time!!" spat Marinette. "Alya, you've helped me millions of times before. How is this any different?"
Alya stared at her with fire gleaming in her eyes. Then it clicked.
"OH, COME ON, ALYA!" shrieked Marinette. "IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL!!"
Alya frowned. "Well, I don't want to waste my time. I'm leaving." Alya stomped out of the room.
Rose was first to speak after she left. "I'll help you, Marinette! I don't really like Lila either!"
Juleka said, "I want to deal with Lila. I know she's lying, and I'm not standing for it."
Alix shrugged. "I guess you'll need five peeps for this, Marinette. We should ask the boys, too, ya know."
"THIS CAN'T GET BACK TO ADRIEN!!!" Marinette screeched. "I want it to be a surprise."
"Then don't ask Nino to help you," snickered Alix.
