Marinette sat alone at the back of the classroom, the entire section around her conspicuously empty. Everyone else had moved to the other side of the room. Well, everyone except Adrien and the new girl, Ava. Adrien was probably the only other person, besides Marinette, who had firsthand experience with Lila’s lies. And Ava just never believed her.

Her eyes drifted to the crowd on the far side of the classroom, where everyone surrounded Lila, hanging on her every word. Lila was spinning another unbelievable tale—something about being gifted an entire island for her charity work. Marinette gritted her teeth. How could they believe her so blindly?

Adrien placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his warm expression offering reassurance. She sighed. Over time, she had grown used to his presence. No longer a blushing, stuttering mess, she could meet his gaze without faltering. She was thankful to have someone she could lean on.

Adrien: “Don’t let her get to you, Mari,” Adrien said reassuringly. “She’ll back herself into a corner eventually.”

Marinette: “I doubt it...” Marinette muttered, leaning back in her seat.

Ava, sitting nearby, gave her a playful nudge.

Ava “Oh, come on, Marinette. You know Adrien’s right. People like Lila always slip up eventually. We just need to give her a little push.”