Chapter 5
Marinette stretched her arms and yawned as she stepped out of the plane. The long flight had left her feeling both exhilarated and exhausted. The friendly banter with her classmates during the journey had made the hours pass quickly, but now she craved a jolt of caffeine to shake off the jet lag. A steaming cup of coffee was her remedy—a warm hug for her weary soul.
As she walked through the airport terminal, her eyes widened at the sign that read, “Welcome to Manhattan.” The name alone held a magical allure—the city of towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and hidden secrets. For Marinette, it was more than just a destination; it was a place where heroes roamed, both in comic books and reality.
Following the familiar faces of her classmates and their teacher, she arrived at the baggage claim area. The carousel spun lazily, revealing suitcases of all shapes and sizes. Marinette’s own luggage appeared, and she heaved it off the conveyor belt with a sense of accomplishment. The anticipation of exploring Manhattan fueled her steps.
Lila, the perpetual drama queen, had caused quite a scene back at the security office. Marinette decided to ignore her for now. After all, this trip was about adventure, not petty squabbles. She linked arms with Chloe, her fellow adventurer, and they headed toward the exit.
And there it was—the unexpected sight that made her heart skip a beat. A row of sleek black limousines stood outside, like guardians of a glamorous secret. Each chauffeur held a sign bearing the names of Marinette and her friends. It felt surreal. Had they stumbled into a movie set? She pinched herself discreetly—no, this was real. Manhattan had rolled out the red carpet for them.
Max, Kim, Alix, Nino, Chloe, and Marinette approached the limo that bore their names. The leather seats beckoned, promising comfort and luxury. But just as they were about to step inside, a familiar voice cut through the excitement.
“Hey, wait a minute!” Lila’s tone dripped with venom. She emerged from the crowd, her eyes aflame with jealousy. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Marinette exchanged a knowing glance with her friends. Lila’s claims were as transparent as glass. They had witnessed her antics before—the fake ticket, the absurd stories about being Tony Stark’s distant cousin. Trusting her was like believing in unicorns.
Lila pushed forward, attempting to block their path. “That’s my limo!” she insisted. “I arranged this for you. You should be grateful!”
“Sorry, Lila, but this is are limo,” Max said calmly. Max’s calm demeanour contrasted sharply with Lila’s fuming rage. He held the limo door open, gesturing for Chloe get in and drag a sleep deprived marinette into the limo with her who practically dove into the plush seat. Kim, always the embodiment of nonchalance, sauntered in after Max. “Yeah,” he drawled, “this is for the cool kids only.” His grin widened as he settled into the leather upholstery. Alix, ever the agile one, hopped in next. She glanced at Marinette and winked. Nino, the voice of reason, closed the door behind him. “Seriously, Lila,” he said, his tone firm, “just give it up. You’re not fooling anyone.” His gaze met Lila’s, unwavering. The girl had spun her web of lies one too many times.