Fate or Chance

Chapter III

Marinette was in a hurry, as was the custom for the young Parisian.  It had been a stressful day.

In the morning she had risen early to go to school, for once she managed to arrive early.  Both she and Chloe had gone to speak with Ms Mendeleiv to report their absence and how they could keep up with the classes.  Both had lost faith in Ms Bustier after the incident of Marinette's expulsion.  Professor Mendeleiv was strict but fair and was not fooled by Lila Rossi's tricks, that gave her a lot of points with Marinette and Chloe.

Ms Mendeleiv had give them homework for all subjects that would be sufficient to cover any evaluation they could have for a month and a half.  If Ms. Bustier did not accept those jobs she would take the opportunity to transfer Marinette and Chloe to her own class.

Ms Mendeleiv had recommended to them to have the essays ready to deliver them to Ms Bustier on Friday in the last period of classes, so Caline would not have the opportunity to try to persuade them.
Both had informed Director Damocles about the trip, of course with a slight threat from Chloe.

So they had homework.

Then the hell had begun.

Both entered the classroom and went directly to their seats in the back.  They tried to ignore the looks full of poison they received from their peers.

However, not everything was so bad.

Nathaniel had had gone to rest in the girls' seat while they waited for the start of classes.

The others were so engrossed listening to Lila's stories that they didn't even notice the redhead's absence.

— So how did it go?

— We have to do 5 different essays.  — Chloe complained — My poor fingers are going to get numb from so much writing.

— What do you prefer?  Numb fingers or being trapped here?  — Marinette replied to the whining of Chloe — Ms Mendeleiv is at least giving us an alternative.  Think about it Chloe, a month and a half without having to listen to Lila's lies.  I think it is worth the 5 essays.

— You have a point there Maribug

— Good for you — Nathaniel said whining — I will be trapped here during that time, my neurons will begin to die slowly and painfully, Don't you feel sorry for me?

— Don't start whining Nathaniel — Chloe complained while filing her nails — you sound pathetic utterly pathetic.

— Mari, Chloe is bothering me.

Marinette smiled at the interaction of those two.  Since Nathaniel had obtained his Miraculous his confidence had risen as well.  If we add to that his friendship with Marc Anciel and the fact that his comic was succeeding on the internet, the result was that Nathaniel was increasingly confident in himself and his abilities.

— Chloe don't bother Nathaniel, Nathaniel, don't tease her.

— She started.

— He started

Marinette smiled to see the interaction of the two of them after all it was a little curious to see how two people who recently hated each other were now close enough to have friendly discussions.

So she did something she shouldn't have, she laughed.

And then in hell it broke loose.

Lila, hearing Marinette's laugh, knew she was having fun, which she couldn't afford.

— Marinette, what a surprise you're early in class!  — she said in an extremely mellow voice. —  I think I didn't hear you say hello when you entered, forgive me.