the protector
As they entered the lobby, Adrien spotted Marinette and quickly made his way to her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side, away from the rest of the class.
"Marinette, we need to talk." He said in a low voice.
"Adrien, what are you doing? Let go of me." Marinette said, trying to free herself.
"No, Marinette, you need to listen to me. You need to stop being so rude to Lila. She's my friend, and you're hurting her feelings. You need to apologize to her and make up with her. You need to be nice to her, Marinette. She's a good person, and you're just jealous of her."
Marinette felt a surge of anger and disbelief. She couldn't believe that Adrien was still defending Lila, after everything she had done. Lila was a liar and a manipulator, who had tried to ruin Marinette's life and reputation. She had lied about being Iron Mans neice, and had even faked another injury to get attention. She had turned the whole class against Marinette, and had made her look like a bully and a troublemaker.
"Adrien, you don't know what you're talking about. Lila is the one who's rude. She's the one who's hurting my feelings. She's the one who needs to apologize to me and make up with me. She's not a good person, Adrien. She's a liar and a manipulator."
Adrien shook his head and glared at Marinette. He tightened his grip on her arm, making her wince.
"No, Marinette, you're the one who's lying and manipulating. You're the one who's trying to ruin Lila's life and reputation. You're the one who's jealous of her friendship with me . You're the one who's not a good person, Marinette. You are a bully and a troublemaker."
Marinette’s heart raced as Adrien’s accusations hung in the air. The Stark Tower’s grandeur faded into insignificance compared to the storm brewing between them. She had never expected Adrien, her friend, to turn on her like this.
“Adrien,” she said, her voice trembling, “you don’t understand. Lila—”
He cut her off, his eyes hard. “Lila is my friend, Marinette. She’s been through a lot. You’re just making it worse.”
Marinette’s anger flared. “Worse? Adrien, she’s a liar! She faked an injury, manipulated everyone, and—”
“—and you’re always causing trouble,” he snapped. “You’re jealous of her, Marinette. Jealous of her connection to me.”
Her arm throbbed from his grip. “I’m not—”
“You are!” Adrien’s voice rose. “You’re a bully, Marinette. You’re the one who’s not a good person.”
Marinette felt tears sting her eyes as she looked at Adrien. She couldn't believe that he was saying these things to her. He was supposed to be her friend. He was supposed to be on her side, not Lila's.
"Adrien, how can you say that to me? How can you be so blind and stupid?"
Marinette’s eyes stung with tears as she faced Adrien. His words cut deep—how could he side with Lila? He was supposed to be her friend, her ally.
“Adrien,” she choked out, “how can you be so blind? How can you believe her lies? You’re hurting me, hurting us.”
Before Adrien could respond, Kim stepped forward, his expression fierce. “Enough, Adrien. Stop hurting Marinette. Stop lying to yourself. Stop being a jerk.”
Adrien’s jaw tightened. “Kim, this is none of your business. Stay out of it.”
Kim’s voice was unwavering. “It is my business. Marinette is my friend, and I won’t let you hurt her. You’re a liar and a manipulator.”
As Kim and Marinette walked away, she felt a mix of gratitude and determination. True friends stood by her side, even when others faltered.