x i i

Merry Christmas, xoxo Mama Mimi

Busy buzzing bees.

Everyone was buzzing around Adrien Agreste and his preexisting friendship with the new student, Lila Rossi.

"So, like, who is she?" Alya asked, whispering to Marinette.

"I don't know..." She replied quietly. Too quietly. As far as Marinette knew, there wasn't someone Adrien knew that she didn't. Vice versa.

Seems like she was wrong.

"We came from Italy to do a special collaboration with the Agreste Line." Lila flipped her hair.

Professor Bustier sat her between Adrien and Nino, since she seemed to know each other.

"Adrien and I go back... way back." She looked over at him, blinking innocently. "Don't we?"

All eyes were on him. He could feel them burning into the back of his head as they waited for his answer. "Yeah." He replied.

They had barely been dismissed from class, when Marinette grabbed Adrien by the wrist and dragged him out of the classroom before Lila could even mention his name.

"Who the is that?" Marinette whisper-shouted.

"Um, that's a little complicated to explain, Mari."

"Excuse me? 'We go way back'?" She put her hands to her hips. "Doesn't sound too hard to explain, Adrien. Is she a family friend like Chloé? Or what? Why does she come off so fake friendly?"

Adrien was kind of taken aback. Maybe that was an understatement. Really taken aback. He sat in silence for a minute, mulling over just he could say to her.

"It's okay Marinette, she's just a friend."

Marinette scoffed. "'Just a friend'. 'We go way back'." She mocked the two of them. "I won't like her. Something about her rubs me the wrong way." She crossed her arms against her chest.

"Marinette, please, don't worry about it." Adrien tried to soothe her.

"Also, what's this about a collaboration? Papa never mentioned anything about it and now some random girl shows up and states what's up?" Her hands hit her sides. "What the hell Adrien?"

Adrien couldn't answer before Chloé came out of the classroom, followed by Alya and Nino.

"She's not too bad. She's got a great personality and even said she could get me an interview, because get this – she knows Chat Noir!"

Adrien gave a small groan and Marinette's jaw nearly touched the floor.

"She Chat Noir?" Marinette groaned annoyingly.

"Personally, I don't like how she can waltz in here and pretend like she owns everything." Chloé spoke up.

Marinette put her hands up in the air. "Thank you! At least someone sees my point of view."

Chloé went to Marinette and hooked her arm around Marinette's and they both went off, complaining about Lila.

Alya laughed lightly. "Seems like someone has a case of the jellies." She stood beside Adrien.

"It's so strange, we've never seen Marinette act this way before."

"That's probably because nothing's threatened her perfect little life before now." The group turned to Lila, who was joining them outside the classroom. "She's just mad because I'm stealing her... brother from right under her nose."

Nino snorted lightly. "Imagine when Adrien gets a girlfriend. She's gonna lose it, bro."

Alya snickered. "Won't that be quite the day?"

Adrien didn't say anything, only remained silent.

"Well, sorry to ruin your -rade, but Adrien and I need some catching up to do." Lila wrapped her arms around one of Adrien's. "I'll catch up with you guys later, yeah?"

"Don't forget that interview!" Alya called, waving her goodbye.

"Of course! Bye, bye!" Lila called. She and Adrien walked out from the school, heading towards the front.

"So," Adrien sighed, running a hand down his face, a little tired from today's activities. "What's the plan?"

"Well, I come home with you."

Adrien remained silent for a bit. "Don't you think it's too soon for me to bring you home before the first date?"

Lila laughed. "Oh Adrien, you really are a tomcat." She shook her head. "But really, my father is expecting me at your place. Business meeting, of course."

Marinette came outside with Chloé, seeing Lila wrapped around Adrien's arm. She was fuming.

"So I hope you don't mind that I catch a ride with you two." Lila drawled, as they joined Marinette and Chloé.

"I most certainly do mind."

"Mari–"

"Excellent! I'll be glad to join you today." Lila smiled.

Adrien could sigh. There was no way he was going to keep the both of them content today.

One the all arrived at the Agreste household, Adrien had to escort Lila to Gabriel's office. Not something that Marinette was too ecstatic about, but they had to join the meeting too.

"Ah, if it's not the infamous Marinette Agreste." He was tall, a little more than average height, if not a little shorter than Gabriel. His brown hair was slicked back, his smile warm, but his eyes were just as cunning as Lila's. "Amaro Rossi, it's quite an honor to meet you, young lady."

"The honor is all mine." Even though Marinette already lowkey hated him because he was associated with Lila, she was still awed because Rossi brand knew her. "Your 2014 Fall Collection was my favorite one by far. Those golden aspects are that inspired my signature." A lie, but anything to inflate a designer's ego.

"My, my, you've got quite the eye." He offered to take Marinette's hand, holding hers in both of his. "Are you sure you wouldn't mind if I adopt her, Gabriel?"

Gabriel and Amaro share an adult chuckle that makes Lila roll her eyes and Marinette fake a laugh.

"Besides that, I am more than ecstatic to work with you, Amaro, and I hope you will be joining us for the October Ball."

"If the invitation has been so kindly invited to us, of course we shall attend." Amaro let go of Marinette's hands and went to hold Gabriel's.

"It's a pleasure to work with you."

It was a whole lot more business talk and Lila and he father left, much to Marinette's relief. She was still pretty pissed about the whole Adrien and Lila ordeal, so she didn't spare Adrien a word afterwards.

Adrien sighed and headed to his bedroom.

Plagg came out of his pocket, flying to the pillows. "I wanna skin that fox."

"I understand, the feeling is quite mutual," Adrien plopped down onto the bed, face down. However, it seems like they are on our side at his moment, so I think it would be best if we leave it them to their skin."