Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bustier Class Group Chat

            Alya: Everyone, wake up
            Alya: We have an emergency on our hands

            Ivan: Alya, what…

            Max: I’m assuming it’s important enough to ignore our previous statements regarding you contacting us?

            Alix: Alya, do you have any idea what time it is

            Alya: That’s not important right now
            Alya: This is an even bigger issue than we thought
            Alya: If we don’t take care of this now, we’re going to have even bigger problems down the road

            Alix: Are any of them named after you?

            Alya: …

            Kim: LMAO BURN

            Rose: She’s not wrong

            Nino: Are you seriously going off on another of your wild conspiracy theories?

            Mylène: When has she ever done anything else?

            Alya: Very funny, now shut up

            Alix: Wow, right out the gate with the steamrollers
            Alix: This will be fun

            Kim: 😂😂😂🤣

            Mylène: Can you please stop while you’re ahead?
            Mylène: Some of us are trying to get our lives back

            Alix: 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆            

            Ivan: What she said

            Max: Given her track record of ignoring common sense and basic reason, I presume she will not listen

            Alix: I think you’re preaching to the choir, Max

            Max: Noted, not surprised

            Alya: WILL YOU ALL PLEASE JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN

            Mylène: ?!?!?!?

            Juleka: Wha—?

            Rose: Alya, that’s rude

            Alix: I don’t think she’ll care

            Alya: Guys, this is serious
            Alya: It was bad enough Liar Rossi made idiots out of us with her lies
            Alya: But we’ve got an even bigger monster on our hands
            Alya: And she’s making herself look like a saint just to make us look bad
            
            Alix: Yeah, she’s not listening

            Max: Did we really expect anything else

            Alya: Will you just shut up and listen to what I’m trying to say?

            Ivan: Us listening to you is what got us in this mess to begin with

            Alya: …

            Kim: ROFLLMAO

            Alix: LMAO HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

            Juleka: Hehe, burn

            Nathaniel: I fell asleep at my desk and this is what I woke up to
            Nathaniel: What did I miss?

            Alix: Not much

            Juleka: Alya’s trying to turn us into a mob again

            Nathaniel: Seriously?
            Nathaniel: You woke me up for this?

            Juleka: She says it’s important

            Nathaniel: Again?

            Alix: Yep

            Alya: Well, it is

            Nino: Yeah, right
            Nino: If this is anything like last time, you’re trying to start a witch hunt again
            Nino: Look where we are now thanks to that

            Alix: 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆 👆            
            Alix: Listen to someone who’s not you for once, Alya
            Alix: Our sanity will thank you

            Rose: I would like to go back to bed, please

            Mylène: Go right ahead, Rose 🙂

            Ivan: Nothing’s stopping you except the witch hunter

            Rose: Thank you
            Rose: Good night, everyone

            Mylène: Good night 👋            

            Ivan: G’night 👋            

            Rose: ^^

            Alya: Oh no you don’t
            Alya: None of you are leaving until you all realize how serious this is
            Alya: As class president, I still have all the admin rights
            Alya: Meaning I can kick you all out if you don’t cooperate

            Alix: Then do that
            Alix: Right now

            Alya: What?

            Alix: Because we all have better things to do than to listen to a self-righteous HARPY who thinks she has the right to everyone’s secrets even when we tell her no

            Alya: …

            Juleka: …

            Nathaniel: …

            Rose: …

            Kim: Wow, I think you got Alix mad

            Max: Given how direct she normally is, her being this verbose indicates unusual levels of anger
            Max: Of which, I am in complete agreement

            Alya: Guys, you can’t be serious

            Alix: Oh, we are

            Ivan: You’re as responsible as Lila for this mess

            Alya: WHAT?!

            Mylène: He’s not wrong
            Mylène: Lila may have started those lies, but you also posted them on your blog
            Mylène: What’s more, as much as we all hate her for lying, she at least owned up to it
            Mylène: Why haven’t you?

            Alya: That—
            Alya: That’s not—

            Nino: Not what?
            Nino: We’re waiting, Alya

            Alya: Grrrr… 💢💢💢

            Nathaniel: Is it bad of me to say this is like one of those comedy shows where the obvious liar is outed to everyone?
            Nathaniel: Kinda wish I had some popcorn on me right now

            Juleka: I’ll get the salt 😈

            Mylène: I have the butter

            Alya: Wait, what—

            Rose: … I have popcorn buckets

            Kim: Score

            Alya: GUYS, THIS IS SERIOUS

            Alix: Oh boy

Chapter Text

It had been a very stressful day at Dupont. All day, every minute of every hour, Amaia’s classmates have been whispering behind her back. Something about being a delinquent from a girl gang or something. Was it something that had to do with her strength? She had no idea.

Amaia: (sigh…)

For some reason, that girl named Lila seems to have it out for her. How does Amaia know? Every time she passes by, the girl would make a show of saving a classmate from the rampaging she-beast. Now despite Amaia only quirking an eyebrow at the proclamation, the classmate Lila “saved” was moved to tears at her heroics. Which would then lead to everyone else shooting dirty looks at her. The first two or three times was cute. The rest of the time? Not funny anymore.

Amaia: How does Marinette put up with this…?

Seriously. She has a monster headache after all the—

Tap… tap… tap…

Amaia: Hm?

Amaia carefully swivels her head around, looking for the source of the footsteps. It doesn’t take long to find it. Amaia sees, to her immense irritation, it’s the very girl who likes to talk. AKA, none other than Lila Rossi. She has a very smug look on her face as she approaches Amaia.

Lila: Good evening

Amaia: … evening

What’s with this show of fake goodwill? Didn’t she have a flock of sheep to run or something? Some celebrity to namedrop?

Lila: I see you’re still here (she circles Amaia like a vulture) That’s a shame. I would’ve thought the school already threw you out

Amaia: (raising an eyebrow) … that’s your opinion why?

Lila: (feigning concern) Why, the safety of the school, of course!

Amaia: (stares at Lila) …

Lila: I mean, I know you’re part of a girl gang, but that’s no reason to take your aggression out on the class! You barely even know me as it is!

Amaia: … you’re full of hot air, aren’t you (turns back to her locker)

Lila: (sputtering) I-it’s not what it looks like! I’m just worried that you’re dangerous!

Amaia: (without looking back) So why talk to me, then? If you’re so worried?

Amaia doesn’t see the expression on Lila’s face. But her demeanor drastically changes. Amaia can feel Lila closing on on her

Lila: I can see you’re smarter than the rest, so I’ll give you an offer

Amaia closes her locker

Amaia: Not interested

She finds, much to her irritation, that Lila is following her

Lila: Oh you’ll find it’s much easier this way (catches up to Amaia) After all, we wouldn’t want any repeats of what happened to Marinette, would we?

Amaia stops in her tracks

Amaia: (bristling) … what are you talking about

Lila: (smirking) All it takes is a few tears and what they want to hear to turn on you (gets in Amaia’s face) I’ll take everything you hold dear and make sure you never have any friends left after I’m done

Amaia: …

To her surprise, Amaia just laughs

Amaia: You? Take away everything I have? (folds her arms, leans on the door post, and looks Lila in the eye) I can do all that myself, thank you very much

Lila: (blinks but regains her confidence) Whatever. You seem smarter than the rest, so I’ll give you a warning

Amaia is barely restraining a laugh

Lila: Would you quit it with that?

Amaia: Why? This is too funny

Lila: You won’t be laughing once you’re alone just like Marinette

Amaia: Why? Got a girl crush or something?

Lila sputters for real this time

Amaia: That has to be the most real reaction I’ve seen out of you

Lila: (growls)

Amaia: (mocking) Oooh, I’m so afraid. The little ant thinks she’s so big (fakes crying) Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look when you do that?

Lila bristles

Lila: I can see reason won’t work with you

Amaia: What reason? Everyone in our class has one brain cell

Lila: … you wouldn’t want anything to happen to your dog, would you?

The world around them goes dead silent

Lila: The little mutt seems unfortunately attached to you. I wonder what would happen if I told the pound there was a rabid dog on the loose? (relishes in the way Amaia clenches her fist, leveling her with a death glare) They’ll come, get him while you’re watching. (Gets in Amaia’s face again) And there’s nothing you can do about it

Amaia: (seething) …

Lila: Oh, would you look at that. (holds her hand to her ear) They’re already

Amaia: What?

Sure enough, some of the class is rounding the corner. Lila smirks and immediately starts crying, accusing Amaia of hitting her. At once, they all rush over to comfort her, despite there being no visible wounds or bruises. As if directed by a singular hive mind, they all start shouting at Amaia.

Nino: Dude! Not cool!

Kim: What the heck?

Mylène: I hope you’re proud of yourself!

Rose: You big meanie!

Alya: How dare you!

Amaia: …

Amaia stares at all of them, her face blank. Lila smirks at her through the fake tears while the class bombards her. Though the smirk doesn’t last long when she realizes Amaia… isn’t breaking. At all. What on… that goody two-shoes Marinette ran out the building the last time this happened.

Amaia: …

What the heck… she… actually looks intimidating. Lila doesn’t know why, but when Amaia levels the entire class with an ice-cold glare, they start simmering down. They glare back but it does not match the intensity of the glare Amaia is giving them. There is so much tension in the air Lila could taste it.

Lila: …

This was bad. She wasn’t breaking like Marinette was.

Lila: Amaia! Why would you do that?!

Alix: Yeah!

Amaia: … (starts walking, which causes the class to panic)

Lila: Now now! There’s no need to—

Amaia hands her a handkerchief

Amaia: (grinning like a demon) Be careful where you fall, Lila (looks down at the trembling girl) Never know when there’s gonna be a rose bush

Lila: (pales) …

Amaia slings her bag over her shoulder and starts walking

Lila: You—you have to be punished!

Amaia: (looking back) ?

Lila: Yeah! You still have to answer for hitting me, you know. It’s not polite and people will think you are—

CRACK!!!

The entire class watches, stunned silent, as Lila falls to the ground in an unconscious heap. Her nose is bleeding like a faucet. Alya and everyone else stars at her then at Amaia. Some of Lila’s blood splattered on Amaia’s fist and on her face. Which, if anyone was being honest, made her look scary as heck. Amaia’s eyes survey the class, who are now huddling together in total fear. From who knows where, Amaia pulls out a handkerchief and wipes her hand.

Amaia: … now I hit her

Chapter Text

Francoise Dupont was not as bad as everyone made it out to be, Amaia noted. Sure, the corrupt faculty and rampant bullying put a dent in the experience but it was nothing she hadn’t experienced before. Then again, as Ben noted she’d never seen anything quite like this school before. Was the principal high on his own ego or something? She wasn’t sure she wanted to find out. It was lunch time and she really wanted to enjoy the meal Mireya packed for her.

The cafeteria was average, she mused. Nothing to write home about although she could smell the pre-packaged stench from the meals the students ordered. Which, in turn, made her feel grateful for the packed lunches Mireya insisted on. The next time she had the chance, she really had to do something for her. Maybe stop by that crafts store Marinette mentioned? Mireya had been running out of colored thread for her embroidery. If the map was correct it was near a pet supply shop. Diego needed a new collar after he chewed up his last one.

???: Excuse me?

Amaia looks up, seeing the blond model from her class standing nearby with his tray.

Adrien: Is it okay if I sit here?

Amaia quirks an eyebrow, looking him up and down. Although his face was plastered all over Paris, she rarely ever looked at — let alone noticed — him in the class. It was like he was made of air the way he barely took part in activities that weren’t pre-ordained by his father. If anything, in her opinion, he was more of a doll than a person. Still, he was asking politely.

Amaia: Sure (gestures to the seat across from her) Park it here

Adrien: (smiling) Thanks

He sits down and starts eating lunch. And Amaia’s ears picked up on obnoxious giggling from the next table over. Glancing through the corner of her eye, she sees Alya and the other girls from her class sans Chloé and Sabrina pointedly looking away. The short one in pink, Rose, steals a look and whispers something to Alya. Alya muttered a “yes” and said something else. What it was Amaia couldn’t catch amid the clamor of the cafeteria. Adrien tried saying something to her but she wasn’t interested. Reaching for her phone, she messaged Marinette asking her to keep an eye out for Mireya today in the lunch rush. Marinette replied thanks and they left it at that.

Lunch passed and soon it was time for study hour in the library. Or as much of one as it could be with this lot. Amaia felt like she was in a room full of undisciplined toddlers with the way they talked about everything but schoolwork. So to help get herself some peace and quiet, and keep herself from clawing anyone who came too close, Amaia took her earbuds out of her bag and plugged them in. It worked, for a little bit. If not for that nagging feeling of being watched. 

Amaia: …

Two tables to her left, there were the girls from her class whispering and giggling to each other. Marinette joined Amaia at her table and got to work on some designs. For a moment, the whispering and giggling stopped. Then it started back up again the minute Adrien walked by. She feels her suspicions rise when the girls sent knowing looks their way.

Adrien: Uh, hey

Amaia: (suspicious) … hey

Adrien: (not looking at Marinette) I couldn’t help but notice you like music

Marinette doesn’t look up from her designing.

Amaia: … your point?

Adrien: Well, uh, I can play piano

Amaia: (with pure disinterest) Cool. Me too

Adrien: Wanna play together sometime?

Amaia: No

Marinette snickers.

Adrien: Uh, you sure?

Amaia: (not even looking away from her book) Positive

Adrien: Erm, I’m really good at it

Amaia: I can play circles around your skills

Adrien: (taken aback) Wait, really?

Amaia: I have the awards to prove it

Adrien: …

Amaia: Look, you seem like a nice guy and all but we’re trying to study (waves her hand dismissively) Shoo

Adrien stares at her like someone torched his favorite game. Then, without a single word, walks away. For once, in what feels like a long while, it’s dead silent in the library. The girls stare at her with wide eyes and slackened jaws while Marinette is audibly holding in a laugh.

Marinette: You have to show me how you do that

Amaia: Heh

The school day goes by. Marinette returns to the bakery (Mireya did indeed come by for bread earlier) while Amaia goes off to get dog food. For a while, she notices, it’s suspiciously peaceful. Her guard goes back up when she sees various members of the self-proclaimed “girl squad” popping up at random points across Paris. Amaia rolls her eyes and heads to the pet supply store to pick up what she needs. After she’s done and gets everything, she’s greeted by Adrien outside the store and hiding something behind his back. In the corner of her eye, she sees the girl squad very conspicuously ducking behind a corner of a building.

Adrien: Hi

Amaia: … hi

He looks away and fidgets with the collar of his shirt. It’d be cute but Amaia has a twenty-pound bag of dog food in her arms and she wanted to go home already. She’s about to leave when Adrien calls out to her.

Adrien: I found these and I thought of your hair (pulls out a bouquet of red roses… mixed with daisies) I saw these and thought of how pretty—

Amaia: ACHOO!!!

Adrien jumps when Amaia is seized by a sudden and rather violent sneezing fit. The sneezing goes on for a while before she’s able to compose herself.

Amaia: (holding back another sneeze) Put that away! Put that away!

Adrien hurriedly tosses the bouquet away somewhere. No one saw where the bouquet went but Amaia’s sneezing fit continues a little while longer. The girls hiding behind the building are noticeably quiet while they observe this peculiar scene. Amaia shoots a rather heated glare at Adrien.

Amaia: Did you have other flowers in there besides daisies?

Adrien: Er, no?

Amaia: Perfect! Achoo!

Adrien: Are you… alright?

Amaia: What’s it look like, genius? Achoo!

He tries to reach out a hand but she swats it away. A fresh sneezing fit starts up and Adrien looks away with a hint of guilt. It doesn’t last long as he holds out a tissue box for her, thinking she’ll take it. Instead, she pulls out her own stash of tissues to blow her nose. Adrien awkwardly looks away wondering what to do.

Adrien: Well, at least I know what not to get

Amaia: …

She mutters something under her breath before she gets up and furiously walks away. By some coincidence (not), she passes by the girl squad and gives them a heated glare. Alya glares back but Amaia isn’t bending. Kicking up dust with her heels, Amaia walks away. By then, it should have been the last time. But it seems the girl squad was too stupid to realize whatever they had planned wouldn’t work. Some days later, after she and Marinette are done fitting themselves for a dance, they exit the bakery to find Adrien dressed in a white tuxedo waiting for Amaia. The girls, all with their significant others, grin at Amaia while sneering at Marinette. Adrien is about to say something when an unfamiliar voice makes itself known.

???: (cheerfully) ¡Hola!

Amaia looks and her face instantly lights up. Same with Marinette’s. Adrien and everyone else looks to find an unfamiliar redhead accompanying a dressed-up Luka. No one notices the knowing look on Juleka’s face while they all stand and stare with wide eyes and open mouths. Adrien in particular is dumbstruck when Marinette hugs Luka and Amaia straight-up kisses the unfamiliar redhead.

Amaia: (speaking in Spanish) I hope the trip wasn’t too much

Ben: (also speaking in Spanish) Aw, no. I needed to get out for a bit

Everyone in Bustier’s class — the girl squad sans Juleka, especially — watch in awe while Marinette totally ignores Adrien in favor of Luka and Amaia walks hand-in-hand with Ben to the dance. It is then, the girl squad realizes with pale faces, that the unknown redhead is, in fact, Amaia’s boyfriend. The real reason she never paid attention to Adrien collectively crashes down on them and they find themselves unable to look their own significant others in the eye.

Needless to say, it was an awkward dance for everyone except the two couples on a double date.

Chapter Text

The school day has ended and Bustier feels like she’s at her wits’ end with the newest additions to her class. A pair of foreign exchange students named Amaia and Andres Collins. Both of whom transferred roughly two weeks ago. Now don’t get her wrong, she loved all her students equally and wished to reduce the number of akumatizations her poor class was subjected to. But she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what the problems with the newest additions were. And she’d done everything she could think of to solve it.

She’d attempted mediation between the arguing parties when Alya accused Amaia of stealing something of hers. Alya was bent on proving Amaia was guilty but that argument soon fell apart after Nino discovered the missing item… in Alya’s bag. Which then set the reporter off on another tangent about how Amaia must’ve put it back in the bag (somehow) and how she should be punished for stealing. Bustier then turned to Amaia and asked her to make amends since Alya was hurt by the theft.

To her utter surprise, Amaia flatly refused. In front of everyone no less. In her words, Amaia told the teacher straight to her face that she wasn’t going to apologize for something she didn’t even do. Which did nothing to curb Alya’s already hot temper but Bustier was determined. If Amaia apologized for stealing, then she and Alya could put this behind them and maybe even forge a friendship later.

Amaia’s response? She only asked why she would even want to be friends with someone like Alya who accused people without proof left and right. Stunned and shocked by this behavior, Bustier was silent while Amaia returned to her seat next to her brother, who was snickering. Bustier later attempted to talk to Amaia about her behavior after class but she was brushed off yet again.

Caline: (sighs) …

And that wasn’t even getting into the trouble Andres had caused for her and her class, of which everyone knew without a shadow of a doubt it was him. But there was no proof of his misdeeds, which he didn’t even deny as he sauntered off without a care in the world. Kim tried being playful with him, but one attempt ended with his face slammed against a wall while Andres walked away. Complete with dusting off his hands and whistling. Alix later tried challenging him to a dare. Which ended with her meeting the same fate as Kim, with an extra serving of bruises on her arms and legs.

(Bustier thought Andres knew better than to hit a girl, but alas she was proven wrong)

When she tried to talk to Andres about the incident, all he would say was “Alix threw the first punch. I only threw the last one.” Which caused quite a bit of stumbling over words on her end, admittedly. But he really should have known better than to even entertain the thought of hitting a lady. When she tried to bring this up to the young boy, all she got as a response were dismissive waves of the hands and completely ignoring her words.

It would’ve stung less if he hadn’t said “Maybe that’s how Marinette felt talking to you.” Which was totally and completely uncalled for. Hence she had resorted to a method she didn’t like to use when maintaining harmony in her class.

Calling the parents of her students.

For the most part, they were so well-behaved she didn’t see the need to call them. But the blatant disrespect of authority the two newest students had displayed forced her hand. Granted, there was still no proof of whatever Andres had done, but she had plenty of examples with Amaia. That girl just wouldn’t play nice with her classmates no matter how much Bustier had tried.

Caline: Let’s see…

According to their student files, Amaia and Andres had no living relatives listed in their contacts. Instead, there was a pair of friends who, Bustier had guessed, were not married but were still raising the two as their own. A woman named Mireya (how could someone so beautiful still be so unnerving?) and a man named Salomon Oropeza Ibáñez. Mireya was listed as a homemaker while Salomon was listed as a teacher. Oh, thank goodness, Bustier thought. A fellow teacher. Perhaps this would make the conference go a little more smoothly.

Though she had to admit, she felt sorry for the man if he was raising hellions like those two. A word she didn’t like to use when describing her students but the duo had left her no choice. She preferred not to think about what Mireya thought of the situation. The very idea sent shivers down her spine for some reason.

Caline: Brr…

To take her mind off the woman who, despite only seeing her photo and talking to her over the phone, frankly terrified her, she decided to check the time. Mireya wasn’t available today as she had some important errands to run but Mr. Oropeza could take the day off. Thus, with not much else to do but wait, Bustier sat at her desk until the man showed up at the appointed time.

Knock knock knock

Caline: (cheerfully) Come in!

The door to her classroom opens and in steps the surrogate father of the two problem students.

Salomon: Erm, buenos tardes. Is this Mademoiselle Bustier’s classroom?

Oh! Wonderful! He can speak French. Bustier resisted the urge to sigh in relief upon hearing the smooth transition from Spanish to French. The two troublemakers in her class would often switch to Spanish when they thought she wasn’t listening. She had no idea if they knew the class couldn’t understand what they were saying but she was certain they had nothing good to say about their fellow classmates. Now that the family patriarch was here, she could finally settle this once and for all.

Caline: (still smiling) Yes, this is it. Are you here for the parent-teacher conference?

Salomon: (nodding) Yes, I am here because of some concerns you had?

Caline: Unfortunately, there are several I think are plaguing the class. (gestures to the seat in front of her) Please take a seat.

She has no idea why but Mr. Oropeza is regarding her with a strange look on his face. Nonetheless, he takes his seat and they begin the conference.

Caline: Mr. Oropeza, was it?

Salomon: Yes.

Caline: I’m not sure if you are aware, but I called you here today because of some problems with your son and daughter.

Salomon: (is looking at her with a quirked eyebrow) Oh, oh. (a look of realization crosses his face) You must be mistaken.

Caline: (genuinely confused) Sorry?

Salomon: They’re not mine.

Caline: …

She gapes a bit before she remembers what was written down in their files.

Caline: Oh, my mistake. I apologize.

Salomon: It’s alright. It’s an easy mistake to make.

Finding some humor in this little misunderstanding, Bustier laughs before resuming.

Caline: But for clarity, may I ask what your relation to them is?

Salomon: Well, simply put, I’m their uncle.

Caline: … oh.

So he isn’t their father but their uncle? Even though he’s raising them while unmarried and with an unrelated woman? In hindsight, it explained a lot of their issues. They were probably acting out due to an unstable home environment that didn’t help in the slightest. Bustier felt a bit guilty for thinking such unpleasant thoughts about them but it certainly cleared up a lot of things.

Caline: Oh, well that explains a lot.

Salomon: Sorry?

Caline: Well, erm, how do I put it… (takes a moment to compose herself) Your so— excuse me, niece and nephew — have been causing quite a lot of trouble in my class.

Salomon: … (raises an eyebrow) Go on?

She does, though the longer she goes on the clearer it becomes he doesn’t like what he’s hearing.

Caline: Before today, I wasn’t sure what was causing them to lash out the way they are at their classmates. But I see now they have a rather difficult home life that’s causing them to misbehave so much.

Salomon: …

Caline: So if it’s possible, I’d like to see if we could—

She nearly jumps in fright seeing the cross look on his face.

Salomon: Mademoiselle Bustier.

She flinches at the cold tone in his voice.

Salomon: You are making a lot of assumptions about my family that are, quite frankly, absolutely baseless.

Caline: Ah, um, well—

Salomon: Furthermore (he looks her straight in the eye) You haven’t told me what supposed problems my niece and nephew are causing in class.

Caline: …

She gulps. Despite the outward show of politeness and manners, this man was… quite intimidating. She found herself shrinking under the unrelenting glare of her fellow educator. Which brought to mind a lot of questions on how he conducted his class if his students were too afraid to approach him. Steeling her resolve, Bustier got to work setting the conference back on track.

Caline: Alright, since you have asked.

Salomon: …

Caline: Your niece is extremely unfriendly toward everyone even though they’re just trying to be friends with her.

Salomon: (raises an eyebrow)

Caline: First it was refusing to make amends with Alya after stealing her phone. And now she is being quite rude to Rose when she’d only asked about helping with a project. (pauses) It was something about taking her dog out for a walk but she certainly could have been nicer about it.

Salomon: … and what about my nephew?

Caline: Well, this one is a bit more difficult.

Salomon: (gestures for her to continue)

Caline: There isn’t any proof of what he’s done, but two of my students suffered injuries at his hands.

Salomon: (raises an eyebrow)

Caline: Kim tried to play with him after learning he was also an athlete. But it certainly didn’t warrant slamming his face into the wall.

Salomon: (whistles)

Caline: As for Alix, she did something similar but she had multiple bruises on her arms and legs.

Salomon: That’s quite concerning. Did you talk with them about it?

Caline: (sighing) I’ve tried talking to your nephew about his behavior toward them, but he—

Salomon holds a hand up to stop her.

Salomon: I must not have been clear, as I wasn’t asking about my nephew.

Caline: (surprised) What?

Salomon: Did you talk to Kim and Alix about their behavior?

Caline sputters before answering.

Caline: Well, no, but since they’re so well-behaved most of the time, I didn’t see the need to.

Salomon: (visibly scowling) I see. And since they’re so well-behaved, they surely must have told you about what happened before the incident, correct?

Caline: (stunned) …

Salomon: I think I’ve heard enough… (stands up to leave)

Caline: Uh, sir? We aren’t finished talking.

Salomon: … (sits back down) Oh, please. Do continue. I’d like to hear what nonsense my niece and nephew have to deal with on a daily basis.

Caline stares at him in shock.

Caline: What— what are you saying?

Salomon: (leans on his elbows) Are you aware, Mademoiselle, that your students talk about you outside of class?

Caline: …

Salomon: My niece and nephew come home and tell me about their day at the dinner table. They tell me about how everyone in the class can’t see past their nose and how their teacher does nothing to uphold order.

Caline’s eyes widen at the look of utter contempt Salomon is giving her.

Salomon: They also tell me how you’ve tried to force them to forgive what are clearly their tormentors even though they weren’t the instigators.

Caline: …

Salomon: Yes, Mademoiselle Bustier, I already know about what’s going on.

Caline: So… then… why? (tries to regain her composure) Why agree to this meeting when you already know what’s happening?

Salomon: Because I (glares at Bustier) have some questions for you.

Caline: M-me?

Salomon: Yes.

Salomon sits straight, folding his hands in front of him.

Salomon: First of all, I would like to ask you why you haven’t done anything to maintain discipline in your own class. (he doesn’t let Bustier talk) Furthermore, I want to ask why you think it’s alright to force students who are clearly victims into becoming doormats for the actual problem students in your class.

He isn’t raising his voice at all but every word feels like a slap to Bustier’s face.

Salomon: You say you want to teach love and kindness in your class. That’s noble and all but these are teenagers, not young children. They will not take those lessons to heart now that they’re getting ready for the real world. And they will certainly not remember you in a good light when they are adults with their own lives. So forgive me if I come across as harsh and unreasonable. But it appears to me the real problem isn’t the students. (looks at Bustier) It is the teacher. (His glasses glint) Do you have anything to say for yourself?

Caline: (stunned) …

Salomon: …

The silence drags on for a while. How long? Bustier had lost track. When she called for a parent-teacher conference, she had expected to find a solution to the problem. Maybe even a way to restore the peace and harmony that her class was known for. But now that she had met the guardian of those two troublemakers, it’s become clear they are lost causes. Sighing, she bows her head.

Caline: It appears that we have reached an impasse.

Salomon: …

Bustier stands tall, determined not to let this overgrown bully tear her down.

Caline: I cannot in good faith allow your niece and nephew to continue terrorizing my class. (stares down Salomon) So I will ask that you either find a way to discipline them. Or I will take this to the principal. It is your choice.

Salomon: …

The look on his face could only be described as stormy. Eerily calm yet there was a raging hurricane boiling underneath. Bustier felt her knees wobble. Her determined expression faltered even though she held on with chalk-white knuckles. Alas, her strength failed her and she collapsed back onto her seat when Salomon stood up, regarding her with cold anger.

Salomon: I find it funny how you talk about discipline despite not practicing it yourself.

Caline: …

Salomon: There is plenty more I would like to say to you. Several unsavory words I would like to call you. But as it stands, I cannot do that. As much as I want to. (turns around to leave) Being one of the only two adults in the world that my niece and nephew trust (he lets Bustier hear that one) it is my duty to show them how to handle conflicts like this. And since you will not hear anything your students say to you unless it’s blind praise, this is how I will handle it.

Bustier is unsure what he’s going to do. So many questions swim around her mind. Will he hit her? Will he shout something? Whatever it was, she was expecting something to hurt. Squeezing her eyes shut, she braces herself for the impact…

… but nothing came.

Caline: Huh?

Instead, much to her surprise, he is walking away. Toward the door. Before she could call out to him, he was already outside.

Chapter Text

Alya: Alright, is everyone here?

The Class: Here!

Alya: Good. Max?

Max: (raising his hand) Present

Alya: Rose?

Rose: Here!

Alya: Good. Mylène and Ivan?

Mylène and Ivan: Here.

As Alya continues counting who is present, the class goes over their plan again. These past four days, the newest class bully had amped up her torment of them. As if Chloé Bourgeois wasn’t bad enough, it looked like Amaia Collins had her beat. First, she stole Alya’s phone, and then she beat up Ivan when he tried to talk to her. That wasn’t even going into detail on what her demon of a brother was doing to them. They all knew it was his fault!

Alya: Kim, you’re excused. Your arm is still healing.

Kim: (indignant) What? No way!

He stands up straight and tall despite his cast getting in the way.

Kim: I want a piece of them, too!

Alya: (proudly) Good. Keep that spirit up. We’re gonna need it today.

The plan was to locate one of the two Collins siblings and, for lack of a better wording, teach them a lesson. For the past four days, the class had tried in vain to try and talk to Marinette, but they kept getting blocked by either Luka, that creepy lady, or that older man who had moved in next door. Which honestly made no sense. They didn’t know Marinette like they did. Why were they wasting their time defending someone as nasty as her?

Well, whatever. Once they taught the Collins about messing with Bustier’s class, they were as good as gone. It was too bad Adrien had to do a shoot for his father, or else they would’ve included him, too. Lila was still nowhere to be found, and they found reason to believe Amaia had something to do with it. Just like every other misery they suddenly found themselves facing.

It was time to do something about it.

Alya: Remember, this isn’t gonna be the same as Bratgeois or that coward Marinette.

Alya looks everyone in the eye, determination rising through each and every one of them.

Alya: They stomped on us, they stole from us. They’ve beaten us down at every turn no matter what we do. What’s more, they’re even mocking us behind our backs! It’s like we’re nothing but ants to them!

The class mutters in agreement, the fire burning in each of them.

Alya: Well, do you know what I say?

They look at their leader.

Alya: I say it’s time to put a stop to this!

The Class: Yeah!

Alya: We’re done being their punching bags! We’re done being their doormats!

The Class: Yeah!!

Alya: And finally, we’re done being weak!!

The Class: Yeah!!!

Alya: Let’s do this!

And with that, the class marches out of the school and into the city, intent on hunting their targets down. It would seem that Ladybug was smiling down on them, as it didn’t take long for them to find one of the Collins duo. As if they had been blessed with luck from Ladybug herself, it was the redhead of the two, the hated Amaia Collins. They didn’t know why they had been fortunate enough to find her, but they weren’t going to waste such a good opportunity. Not once noticing Nino looking apprehensive, they approach her from the side.

For some reason they couldn’t fathom, Amaia had chosen the park as the perfect place for reading a book. Something about a call in the wild. Well, it didn’t matter. Today, they were gonna teach her a lesson about messing with them. Today, they were gonna show her what Bustier’s class was really capable of. They didn’t need her looking down on them every single second of the day. Placing her hands on her hips and planting herself in front of the girl, Alya cleared her throat to get her attention.

Amaia: …

… strange… why did they get the distinct feeling she was ignoring them…

Alya: Excuse you.

Amaia: (still not looking up)

Alya: You may find this hard to understand, but we have a bone to pick with you.

Amaia: (still reading her book)

Alya: You may think you’re so much better than the rest of us, but we’re here to show you you’re not.

Amaia: … (finally looks up) …

Alya: (swelling with pride) Do you think you’re better than us? Well, guess what. We’re still stronger than you’ll ever be. (gets in Amaia’s space) We’re not pests for you to stomp down on. We’re not rats that carry diseases. We’re especially not—!

Without warning, Amaia shoves her book in Alya’s face, forcing her back.

Amaia: (flatly) Personal space. Did you know it’s a thing?

Alya: …

The Class: …

… huh?!

Amaia: This might be a difficult concept for you to grasp, but the world doesn’t revolve around you.

Alya: (is dumbstruck)

Amaia: Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go pick up dog food

Amaia closes her book and stands up from the bench. Alya blinks. Once. Twice. Because what?!

Alya: Hey! We’re not done with you yet!

Amaia: (ignores her)

Alya: Oh for… (marches over and roughly grabs Amaia’s arm) You wanna mess with us?! You’re making a big mis—

THWACK!!!

Without warning, Amaia whirls around and strikes Alya across the head with her book. The class gasps and steps back. Alya falls to the ground, her glasses flying off her face and nearly shattering against the ground. Amaia rolls her arm and wrists, not once looking back at the fallen Alya. Then, as if she didn’t just attack her for no reason, Amaia starts walking off.

Kim: Hey! Where do you think you’re going?! (charges after her) How ‘bout I give you a taste of your own medicine!

Kim goes for the legs, aiming to trip her up and send her hurtling to the ground.

CRACK!!!

The class is dead silent as they watch Kim fall back, Amaia’s foot extended behind her making contact with his jaw. A trail of blood flies out. Kim’s landing isn’t cushioned by anything but his hoodie. For a while, no one says or does anything. None of them even breathe. But when they see Amaia adjusting her shirt before walking off, they seem to snap back to their senses. Alix charges first, launching herself at the redhead.

THWAP!!!

Alix finds herself being thrown in a clean arc toward a tree. Without warning, the air is knocked out of her when her back hits the tree. She blacks out immediately.

Rose: (shrieking) Alix!!

Ivan is the next one to attack. He lunges, trying to use his size to his advantage.

CRACK!!!

Amaia grabs his arm and knees him in the ribcage. For good measure, she headbutts him square in the forehead and he goes down. The ones left standing all huddle together in total fear. Pale faces, wide eyes, and tears threatening to leak out, no one feels like they can breathe with what they just witnessed. One thing they all knew for sure, she was much worse than they had realized. For Amaia Collins wasn’t a simple bully.

She was a monster wearing a human face.

Amaia: (crossly) Is that everything? (dusts herself off) I honestly don’t know what you were trying to accomplish. That was the most pathetic thing I’ve ever witnessed.

Rose: (whimpers)

Amaia: If that’s all, then I’m leaving.

Amaia turns to leave. But just as she’s about to take a step forward, she feels something grab her ankle. Amaia stops and looks down. Her annoyance shoots through the roof when she sees Alya weakly grasping her foot, a determined scowl etched deeply into her face. It doesn’t look like she’s giving up just yet.

Alya: (gasping) Why… (cough) why are you doing this to us… (struggles to get up) What did we ever do to you?…

Amaia: …

Alya: It’s not fair, we didn’t even do anything to you… So why?…

Amaia: …

Alya: (hiccuping) We just wanted to find out what happened to our friend, Lila! (glares hatefully at Amaia) Why do you hate us so much?!

Amaia: … you’re really delusional, you know that?

Alya: (freezes) What?

Amaia: (kneels and looks Alya in the eye) I don’t hate you. I don’t hate any of you. Hate is too much of a poison to hold on to.

Alya: …

Amaia: You may find this hard to believe, but the world doesn’t revolve around you. Lila’s life doesn’t exist to make you look good. And Marinette certainly wasn’t born just to be your punching bag.

Several of the others wince upon hearing that.

Amaia: I’ve only spent about two weeks with you and I already want to stay as far away from you all as possible. Do you know why? Because you’re an insufferable bunch of overgrown children who can’t handle being told “no”. And because of that, you’ve become a cesspool of hate that no one wants to touch even with a ten mile pole. (stands) Why would anyone want to be friends with the likes of you.

With that, Amaia walks away, leaving Alya stewing and the others shaking.

Chapter Text

Nino: Alya, are you sure about this? (looks at the bakery) I mean, this is technically breaking and entering

Alya: (scowling) I know what I’m doing, Nino

Nino: Yeah, but—

Alya: Look, I get that she used to be your friend, but this is different. We haven’t seen Lila all week and there are three (holds up her fingers) new bullies on the loose. We’re either gonna let them trample all over us. Or we’re going to do something about it.

Nino: (sighs) Right…

Alya: Now come on. They can’t be too far away now

Nino dejectedly follows her, though it’s clear to anyone with a functioning pair of eyes that he’s begun second-guessing himself. He saw Marinette huddled against Luka that day. That very same day he was certain he had torched his bridges for good. That wasn’t the look of a bully. That was the look of someone being accused of something they didn’t do. While he did his best to try and play it cool, that ugly feeling in the pit of his stomach never went away.

It isn’t long before they reach the Dupain-Cheng bakery, much to his chagrin. Alya checks around to make sure no one is around. To her delight, the Dupain-Cheng couple seems to be busy, as they aren’t in the bakery. She breathes a sigh of relief seeing that neither Luka nore the older couple from next door are here. Nino hangs in the back, unwilling to cooperate but helpless to stop her. Alya glares at him and he sheepishly waves back. Then she turns her attention to the door.

It was go time now.

Alya: Alright (takes a deep breath) Here we go (starts jiggling the door handle)

Nino: Als, what are you doing?

Alya: (irritated) What’s it look like?

Nino: (leans to look over her shoulder) It kinda looks like you’re picking the lock

Alya: Yeah, and? Even Majestia has to do stuff she doesn’t like to take care of the bad guys

Nino: But Alya, these are her parents

Alya: Well, obviously, they’ve been duped too

Nino: Alya—

Alya: Hush, Nino, I’m trying to concentrate

Nino: …

He sighs, dejected. Of course, what chance did he have to stop her when she put her mind to something. Standing off to the side, with nothing better to do, Nino keeps watch for anyone. It isn’t long before they hear a clicking sound.

Alya: Perfect (turns the doorknob) Now we have toAAAAAHH!!!

Nino jumps at the sudden scream. And when he turns around, he screams with Alya. Standing in the doorway of the Dupain-Cheng home is a beautiful woman with walnut brown hair and bangs covering her eyes. She has a too-red painted-on smile that looks like it belongs more on a porcelain doll than a person.

This was a person, right? Because while Nino would admit she was drop dead gorgeous, she was also drop dead creepy. She looks at the two spooked teens as though she didn’t see they were there.

Mireya: Oh (leans forward) Hello. Who might you be?

As friendly as she looks, Nino isn’t sure they should trust her. Like something straight out of a horror movie, she popped up from behind a door without warning. In broad daylight. Which was even more odd because Nino was quite certain that door had a wide enough window they would’ve seen if anyone had come down. Already, he feels himself set on edge.

Wait—

Alya: Uhm… excuse me, miss? I think you’re in the wrong house.

Mireya: (blinks) Am I? (holds a hand to her face) Oh, what a silly mistake! (steps outside) I am so sorry you had to see that. How foolish of me

Alya steps back, thrown off her game by the appearance of this strange woman.

Alya: Uh, have we met? I feel like I’ve seen you around here before

The strange woman turns her back to them, facing the door.

Mireya: Oh? Have you? (she’s doing something to the door) That’s odd. I don’t believe we’ve met (turns her head and smiles at them) But I would love to meet the classmates my daughter talks about so much. It would be an honor

Nino: (shivering) Brr…

For some odd reason, Nino felt a dreadful chill go down his spine.

Alya: You have a daughter, ma’am?

Mireya: Indeed (straightens her posture and dusts her hands off) She’s your age. Lovely red hair. I’ve been trying to get her to wear anything other than black, but it’s like pulling teeth with that one

Red hair?…

Mireya: But I promise she is an absolute sweetheart once she lets you get near

Alya: Heh, she sounds like a character

Mireya: Indeed she is, Miss Césaire. I’m sure you’d like her if you gave her a chance

Alya: I’m sure I’d— Wait (looks at the woman) How’d you know my name?

Mireya: (tilts her head quizzically) Whatever do you mean?

Alya: (confused) You just said my name after you asked who we are

Nino: … !!!

Why… does that smile look like the smile he’d see on a crocodile?…

Mireya: Did I say that? (taps her chin) Huh. I must have missed that

Alya: ????

Mireya: Anyhow, that’s all I have to say (turns around) Adios!

Alya: …

Seeing how the woman didn’t really do anything noteworthy to them, Alya and Nino shrug and turn their attention back to the door.

Except…

Alya: Hey!

Nino: Ack!

Alya storms over to the strange woman, blocking her path.

Alya: What’d you do that for?!

Mireya: (still smiling) Do what?

Alya: (gesturing to the door) That! (gestures wildly) What’d you do that for?

Mireya: (still smiling) Do what? You need to be more specific

Alya: Grr… (she points) That! The door wasn’t locked when you came out. And now it is!

Mireya: Hehe…

Nino: !!!!!!

Nino really doesn’t like the smile on her face…

Mireya: Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do with doors? (tilts her head) It does keep out robbers, you know?

Nino: …

Why did that feel like it was aimed at them…

Alya: (huffing) I’ll have you know, we already chased out three big time bullies from our school

Mireya: Oh?

Alya: Yeah

Nino: …

The woman suddenly looks ten times scarier with one eye glinting out from behind her bangs. Nino feels his instincts scream at him to run but he ignores them. For now.

Mireya: And what, pray tell, do you plan to do about me?

Alya: (puffing up) We’re going to make you sorry you ever crossed us. (pokes her finger at the woman, unaware of Nino slowly backing up) You may think we’re just dumb animals, but we’re not! We’re done being the victims of everyone who looks down on us. Even self-centered brats like Chloé Bourgeois and Amaia Collins!

Mireya: …

Nino: Eek!

Nino swore the temperature around them dropped to below the negatives. The woman was still smiling but now it was rigid. Sharp. Like an icy stalactite that was close to melting off the ceiling and onto anyone unfortunate enough to be under it. He tries to call for Alya to listen, but she isn’t budging. She is glaring at the woman with enough power to melt ten suns at once.

But the woman herself wasn’t even phased.

Mireya: How interesting (steps forward, still smiling) That you would immediately threaten me despite not even knowing who I am. Is that a new thing among teenagers these days?

Alya: It’s called standing up to bullies (crosses her arms) You’d do well to know that

Mireya: (chuckling) Ah, so it’s just you then

Alya: Hey!

Mireya: Hmhm, and here I was worried for nothing. (sighs theatrically) For shame

Alya is getting really angry now.

Alya: (getting ready to lunge) Now just who do you think you—?!

They both stop dead in their tracks by something silvery and sharp suddenly appearing in the woman’s hand. If it wasn’t clear to them then, it is now that this woman is an escaped mental patient from some hospital somewhere. Alya backs up, eyes wide and trained on the knife in the mental woman’s hand. Nino feels the blood drain from his face, not helped at all by the smile still on the woman’s face.

Mireya: My oh my (takes a step forward) I didn’t realize my daughter’s classmates were so (gestures with the knife) Volatile

Alya: …

Mireya: And, oh! They even threatened me, too! Hahaha (flashes a sadistic grin) As if you could even do anything to me

Nino chokes out a squeal that sounds like a mix between a puppy dying and a cat screeching. Alya has frozen, still as a statue in the middle of winter. It takes a while for her to find the courage to speak up again. But even so, there’s a noticeable hesitance.

Alya: (shaking) Y-you don’t scare us!…

Mireya: Oh?

Alya: Y-yeah! (puts on a brave face) You think you’re all that, but you’re not! We’re still going to teach you about messing with us!

Mireya: Mhmm (leans to look over Alya’s shoulder) Your friend seems to think otherwise

Alya: ?! (swerves to look behind her)

Nino is, for lack of a better word, fleeing.

Nino: Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope (vaults over a bench) Thank you! (hightails it) Nope nope nope

Alya: …

She turns back around to face Mireya, face white and full of pure terror.

Mireya: … boo!

Alya: AAAAAAHHH!!!

Alya runs out of the park like she’s on fire while Mireya cackles at her misfortune.

Mireya: Aww, they didn’t even stay for dinner (pockets her knife) Oh well!

With nary another worry, Mireya returns home.

Chapter Text

Rose places the last of the books onto the library shelf and checks out for the day, completing the day’s community service. It had been like this ever since her sentencing at the trial: wake up, have breakfast, go to community service, go home. Rinse and repeat. And with winter fast approaching, her normally sunny and cheery mood had taken a nosedive straight into glum and depressed.

It was hard for Rose to say it was anyone’s fault but hers.

Rose: (sniff…)

It had become… difficult to go home without having cried her eyes out for the day. More so when her parents had expressed such heavy disappointment in her for falling that low. And looking back on everything that happened these past two months, Rose was inclined to agree with them. It suddenly became difficult to look at herself in the mirror. It suddenly became difficult to think of new ideas for the fracturing Kitty Section. Heck, she was certain Juleka and Luka didn’t even want to talk to her anymore.

For what it was worth, she couldn’t blame them.

Making her way to her usual bench, Rose plops down and hugs her knees to her chest, letting the tears that were threatening to spill flow. All the while, the nasty things she had said to Marinette played on repeat in her head.

Liar.

Thief.

Bully.

All those horrible words that once described Chloé were now being directed at the class representative they had all driven out. And thinking back on it now, Marinette didn’t deserve any of what they said or did to her. Actually, now that Rose actually thought about it, Chloé left because the class had become so hateful that their longtime bully fled for her own safety. The realization dawning on her, Rose felt a fresh set of tears fall from her eyes.

How did it get so bad, she wanted to ask herself. How did they let themselves get so bad that even Chloé wanted nothing to do with them? How did they let themselves get so blinded by Lila that they tore Marinette to shreds until she left? The more she thought about it, the further her heart sank at the knowledge of what she and the others were capable of.

They had truly become monsters, hadn’t they.

Rose: (sniff… hic…)

She wanted to blame everyone for this, but the knowledge that it was her fault soon pushed that back. She knew, no matter how much she apologized, even Prince Ali wouldn’t—

???: (arf!)

Rose jumps feeling something tap at her foot. Her head snaps up and she finds herself looking at the most adorable cotton ball of a puppy she had ever seen.

Puppy: (arf arf!)

The puppy looked up at her with the warmest and friendliest smile she had ever seen. A sign that the puppy was well-loved by its owner. It yipped, tugging on a leash that trailed back out of her line of sight. Which, Rose belatedly realized, meant the owner was just steps away. And when she looked up, she couldn’t stop the surprise on her face from showing.

Amaia: (awkwardly) Hey…

Rose: … hello…

The puppy yipped again, this time nosing Rose’s ankle. It was clear to both the puppy wanted Rose’s attention. But Rose wasn’t sure it was right to do.

Rose: … um…

Amaia: …

Puppy: (arf!)

Amaia: (gently tugging the leash) Pipe down, lobito

Puppy: (happy bark!)

The puppy runs in circles around Amaia.

Amaia: (swears in Spanish)

Rose: …

The puppy had wrapped its leash around Amaia’s legs enough she can’t comfortably walk. But it didn’t seem to bother her. She simply guided the little cotton ball until the leash had been untangled. Surprised out of her mind, Rose could barely stifle a snort at the sight. Amaia looks up.

Amaia: Sorry about that (kneels) He’s usually better-behaved

Rose: He?

Amaia: (gesturing to the puppy) This little one

Puppy: (happy bark!)

Rose: Oh

The puppy jumps, placing his front paws on Rose’s thigh with his tongue lolling out and tail wagging on overdrive. Another bark and Rose felt her hand itching, wanting to pet him on the head and shower him with love. But she couldn’t. Was it really okay?

Amaia: He seems to like you

Rose: … really?

Amaia: Really

Rose: …

Rose had a hard time seeing how that could be, given she was a monster.

Puppy: (whine…)

Rose: Hm?

The puppy jumped the rest of the way onto the bench, resting his head on Rose’s lap and looking up at her with his baby blue eyes. His paws rested under his chin, his tail was still. Rose stared, not quite sure if she should or not. The puppy looks up at her expectantly, pleadingly. Until Amaia breaks the silence.

Amaia: He wants you to pet him

Rose: (surprised) Really?

Amaia: (nodding) He’s trying to cheer you up

Rose: …

The puppy wanted to cheer her up? That was… awfully nice of him. 

Amaia: … he likes it when you scratch him behind the ears

Rose hesitantly tries it out.

Rose: Like… this?

She starts scratching the puppy where Amaia said. It isn’t long before he simply melts and accepts Rose’s scratches. Rose herself feels a smile tugging at her lips before she starts cooing.

Rose: Aww, do you like that?

The puppy yips yes.

Rose: (gradually cheering up) Good boy, good boy

Amaia stands off to the side while Rose plays with her puppy. Rose is enjoying the attention and the puppy is happily making a new friend. It isn’t long until the cloud of depression that was following Rose melts away and she hugs the puppy, who is happily licking her face. Rose squeals.

Amaia: Does that help?

Rose: Hm?

Amaia: (averting eye contact) … playing with the dog (sits down at the bench) Does it help?

Rose: … a little

Amaia: Good

Rose: …

An awkward silence falls between them, as while Rose is definitely feeling much better after playing with the puppy, it doesn’t look like his owner is interested in a conversation.

That or… did she have anything she wanted to talk about?

Rose: Um…

Amaia: …

The puppy licks Rose again and she pets his head.

Rose: What’s his name?

Amaia: Diego

Rose: Diego… (turns to the puppy) Hi, Diego. I’m Rose

Diego barks happily and Rose giggles. He snuggles under her chin while she strokes his coat. And wow, his fur was so soft. It was easy to see his owner took very good care of him and loved him very much. Which soon made her pause, much to Diego’s confusion.

Before it all went down, she followed Alya into thinking the new girl next to her was a remorseless bully who hurt others for no reason. And she’d seen for herself how scary she was. But seeing her dog, a happy and friendly little cotton ball who was very eager to make new friends, it threw a lot of what Alya said about Amaia into the garbage bin. Because if Amaia was every bit as cruel and evil as Alya claimed she was, then why is her dog so… happy?

Amaia: Something the matter?

Rose: …

There it was again. That nagging feeling that she was wrong about something. Everything Alya said about Amaia comes crashing down at once. Remorseless bully, crueler than Chloé, no better than Marinette. But if she was everything Alya said, then why was she asking her how she was doing? Why was she letting her play with her dog?

Why… was she being kind to her?

Rose: Why are you being so nice to me?

Amaia: What?

Rose: (flinching) Why… are you being so nice to me?

Diego: (sad whine)

Rose: We weren’t exactly nice to you, I mean…

Amaia: … (shrugs) You looked like you needed it

Rose: …

An awful realization crashes down on Rose. The full weight feels like it is sucking every last bit of breath out of her lungs. So the new class bully that Alya was so hellbent on stopping was letting her play with her dog…

… because she looked like she needed it.

Rose: (sniffling) We… (hiccup) We were really awful… weren’t we…

Amaia: Hmph, yeah, you were

Rose flinches.

Amaia: I don’t even know why you all thought that was okay. Frankly, I’m surprised you all survived as long as you did acting like spoiled three-year-olds

Rose: …

Amaia: (hissing) Crap…

Rose shrinks in on herself, all the dark thoughts coming back like a tidal wave. It isn’t long until all she hears are the mean words she spat so venomously at Marinette. But now they’re all directed at herself. Even the presence of the puppy in her lap does nothing to dispel them. It isn’t until something is placed in her hand does she snap out of her downward spiral. She looks up.

Amaia: I’m sorry

Rose: …

Amaia: I shouldn’t have said that…

Rose: … (accepts the gift) It’s fine—

Amaia: No, it isn’t

Rose: … (looks down)

Wait, are those…

Rose: How did you know I liked these?

She holds up the pack of sugar cookies Amaia placed in her hand. Amaia doesn’t even waste time.

Amaia: You’re always eating those at lunch. It just so happens I like them, too

Rose: …

Rose lets out a hollow laugh, the irony not lost on her. Here was the meanest bully — as declared by Alya — they had ever faced. And not only did she have a happy puppy but she too liked sugar cookies.

They really were wrong about a lot of things.

Diego: (arf!)

Diego crawls back to his owner’s lap, where he receives chin and ear scratches along with a belly rub. Rose watches, the cold and uncaring bully they had all seen at school was nowhere to be found. In her place was someone with a warm smile that lit up her eyes. Who was also receiving the pure and unconditional love only a puppy could give. Diego licks his owner’s chin while he paws his mommy for more attention.

Rose: He seems very happy

To her alarm, the smile on Amaia’s face fades a little.

Amaia: I hope so…

Rose: …

Now that Rose was looking — really looking — there were several tells she hadn’t noticed before. The smile on Amaia’s face was strained, the corners tugged down by a heavy sense of sadness. The light left her eyes, and Rose could see pools of unimaginable pain hidden behind her blank expression. Contrary to what Alya liked to claim, this wasn’t the look of a bully.

This was the look of someone who had been trampled on for no good reason and had her heart shattered as a result.

Just like Marinette.

Rose: …

Without thinking, Rose reaches out a hand to pat Amaia on the head. Amaia jumps, surprised at the gesture. Rose retracts her hand. Diego yips in surprise as his owner moves quickly to shield him. At any other time, this would be a rather funny reaction. But the pure distrust on Amaia’s face tells Rose everything she needs to know. And it made her wonder many things if Amaia’s first reaction to a pat on the head was immediate defense mode.

Just what has she been through?…

Rose: …

Amaia: …

Amaia soon relaxes from the scare and lets Diego pad back over to Rose, where he continues playing with his new friend. It isn’t long until Amaia asks Rose a question.

Amaia: Is the therapy helping?

Rose: … no…

Diego: (whine…)

She doesn’t need to ask how the redhead could tell.

Amaia: … you know

Rose: ?

Amaia: You could try getting a pet

Rose: ???

Amaia: Just a suggestion. Animals do have a pretty good sense when it comes to feelings

As Diego was currently proving.

Rose: … no offense, but I wouldn’t like a dog

Amaia: None taken

Diego: (yip!)

At Rose’s request, Amaia digs through her bag (which was pretty big, Rose noted) and finds some pamphlets she kept of different animal shelters throughout Paris. With a kind of patience she hadn’t seen in Alya, Amaia guided Rose through the different options she had for adopting a pet. She’d have to check with her therapist first for the paperwork portion, but Rose had to say the idea wasn’t bad. It had some appeal. Now the only tricky part was talking to her parents about it and making the necessary arrangements. But with someone knowledgeable on the subject making the plans with her, Rose felt a sense of confidence and peace she hadn’t felt in a while.

Neither of them noticed the black bird watching over them from her perch.