Chapter 14: The Park and the Pursuer

The final bell of the day echoed through Collège Françoise Dupont, signaling the end of Lila's first full day. Chairs scraped against the floor as students shot up from their desks, voices rising in a chorus of chatter and laughter. Bags were slung over shoulders, and the classroom quickly turned into a whirlwind of movement.

Marinette sat in the back row, staring blankly at her half-filled notes. She had barely taken in anything that happened in the last fifteen minutes of class — her mind had been drifting, spiraling, chasing thoughts she couldn't quite pin down. Her pen had long since stopped moving.

As students began to file out, Marinette slowly stood and made her way toward the front. Her gaze flicked forward — two rows ahead of her, Adrien was chatting with Lila, who remained seated with her crutch leaned carefully against the side of her desk. Just behind them sat Alya and Nino, still packing up and immersed in their own playful banter.

"Hey, Alya," Marinette said as she approached, trying to sound breezy. "Can I walk with you guys for a bit?"

Alya looked up from her bag. "Of course! You okay?"

"Yeah," Marinette lied quickly. "Just tired. My brain's mush after that math lesson."

Meanwhile, Adrien had finished putting away his things and turned to Lila with an easy smile.

"Hey, Lila," he said, his voice soft and inviting. "Would you like to stop by the park before heading to the Trocadéro? It's a nice walk, and we can go over any homework questions you've got."

Lila's eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect, Adrien. I'd love to."

Adrien held her crutch steady as she stood, his hand brushing hers for just a moment — a brief, gentle touch that Marinette noticed immediately. She pressed her lips together, forcing herself to stay quiet, though the knot forming in her stomach was growing by the second.

Adrien gave Lila a nod. "Let's head out. I know a shortcut through the gardens — it's quiet, and there are benches if you need to rest."

"Thank you," Lila said sweetly, leaning slightly on her crutch as they began to walk out together.

Alya and Nino, now on their feet, were still chatting.

"So," Alya said with a grin, "movie night tomorrow?"

"Definitely," Nino replied. "But I'm picking the movie this time."

Marinette watched as Adrien and Lila exited the classroom side by side, the door swinging shut behind them. She hesitated for only a moment before turning to Alya again.

"I actually forgot something in my locker," she said quickly. "Can you guys wait a sec?"

Alya raised an eyebrow. "We'll be heading out now. Want us to wait outside?"

Marinette shook her head. "No, it's fine. I'll catch up with you later, promise."

Without waiting for a reply, she slipped out of the room and into the hallway.

Her footsteps were light, nearly silent against the smooth floors. The din of students filtered in from the stairwell, but Marinette kept her distance, trailing Adrien and Lila from a floor above, watching carefully through the large windows that overlooked the gardens.

Outside, Adrien and Lila followed the winding stone path through the school's garden and onto a quiet street lined with trees. The sky was beginning to blush with the colors of sunset — peach, gold, and lavender streaking above the rooftops.

They entered the park before reaching the Trocadéro — a smaller, more private place full of carefully kept hedges, rose bushes, and benches framed by flowering trees. A soft breeze rustled through the leaves, and birds chirped from above as if the entire park was serenading their peaceful moment.

Adrien slowed as they neared one of the benches near a weeping cherry tree, petals falling like pale pink snow.

"Want to sit for a bit?" he asked. "It's nice here. Quiet."

Lila smiled, her face flushed with the walk. "I'd like that."

He helped her settle onto the bench before taking a seat beside her. From a distance, their silhouettes blended into the golden light, the arching branches above them creating a canopy that filtered the sunlight in gentle beams. Adrien leaned back, one leg crossed casually, while Lila adjusted her crutch to rest beside the bench.

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Marinette crouched low behind the flowering bush, barely breathing as she watched Adrien and Lila on the bench. The way Adrien leaned toward Lila, listening with such care, made her stomach twist. The sight of Lila smiling so easily, her hand resting just inches from Adrien's, sent a flicker of cold fire through Marinette's chest.

She clutched her bag tightly, her knuckles pale.

Tikki, I swear if she touches him again—

No. That wasn't fair. Was it?

"Tikki..." Marinette whispered aloud, keeping her voice sweet and small.

With a soft shimmer of red light, Tikki appeared beside her, eyes glowing gently. "Marinette? What's wrong?"

Marinette looked up, her bluebell eyes wide, almost glassy. She tilted her head, the faintest smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"I'm just feeling a little... confused," she said softly. "I think I might be overthinking everything." Her voice was light, breezy — like a child trying not to get caught sneaking candy.

But inside her mind, the thoughts swirled:

She's manipulating him. It's all fake. Her smile, her limp, that sugary voice... I know it. I know it.

If I could just prove it. If I could just catch her... One wrong move, one word out of place—

"I don't want to be jealous," Marinette added quickly, fiddling with the strap of her bag. "That's not who I am. I mean, Adrien can talk to anyone he wants." Her tone was soft, almost sing-song, but her eyes darted back to Lila like they could pierce holes through her skull.

Tikki floated closer, concerned. "It's okay to feel jealous. But you seem really upset, Marinette. Maybe we should go home."

Marinette blinked innocently, her expression pure as she turned to her kwami. "You think so? Maybe you're right... I'm probably just tired." She let out a small, airy giggle that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm acting a little silly, huh?"

But her thoughts remained razor-sharp underneath the surface:

She's stealing him. Lila's getting exactly what she wants — sympathy, attention, Adrien. And no one sees it but me.

If I could just follow them a little longer...

"Maybe I'll just stay for a minute," Marinette said sweetly. "Just to calm down. The flowers here smell so nice."

She inhaled deeply, as if savoring the scent of roses — but really, she was calculating. Watching every movement. Every smile. Every false gesture.

Tikki tilted her head. "You're sure?"

"Mhm," Marinette nodded, her voice as soft as a lullaby. "Just a little longer. I'll be fine."

Just a little longer, she repeated in her mind.

Long enough to find what I need.