[Narrator's POV]

Nathaniel cracks the door open to peek out. "Are you sure we shouldn't have gone after Adrien and Marinette?"

Chloe clenches her fist and gives a strong nod. "I'm sure. This is the best possible outcome, trust me."

"Okay, but...did we really have to resort to kidnapping?" Nathaniel asks weakly.

Nathaniel, Chloe, Sabrina, Alya and Nino are currently hiding out in a room at the Bourgeois hotel. Chloe had taken down the fancy curtains and unthreaded their tassels to use the ropes to tie Lila to a chair. Lila is sitting in the centre of the room silently, most likely reflecting how and why her life lead to this. She had given up on struggling a while ago when the other five teenagers had snatched her from the party. Even when she screamed for help whilst getting carried away, everyone inside the hotel merely cheered because they thought she was getting thrown out.

"Why does it feel like this isn't the first time you've done this?" Lila mutters darkly.

"Don't worry, she kidnapped me too once." Nathaniel says.

"You got in the car willingly!" Chloe rebuttals instantly.

Everyone looks at Chloe and Nathaniel with strange expressions as if debating to ask for the story.

Chloe clears her throat and continues calmly. "Nathan, I know you like making friends, but please don't converse with the prisoner."

"I'm your prisoner now? How long are we going to be here?!" Lila asks impatiently.

"Until Adrien and Marinette get back together!" Chloe answers firmly.

Alya holds up a hand in protest. "They're not going to get back together right now, they just need to sort out their shit."

"Yeah by getting back together." Chloe persists.

"Nah, their relationship isn't that shallow." Nino says. "My man Adrien just wants to love his girl. He doesn't need anything more than that."

"Uh, did you see the way he reacted to Marinette supposedly having a date?" Sabrina replies.

"Thanks Lila." Chloe adds in.

Lila rolls her eyes.

"Adrien is definitely forcing something onto Marinette right now," Nathaniel agrees. "That's why I wanted to stop him."

"Marinette can stop him herself." Alya says, crossing her arms.

"If she wants to, which she doesn't." Chloe replies.

"But she's too practical to let her emotions get the better of her. It's a conflicting situation," Nino debates. "I don't think tonight will result in adrienette getting back together but they'll probably have a dramatic lovers' spat."

"I'm on Alya and Nino's side." Lila says. "Marinette is totally overdramatic but at the end of the day she's really not looking to get back together with Adrien until she removes the threat that is Audrey from her life."

"No one asked for your opinion!" Chloe snaps.

"Don't tie me to a chair and force me to listen to your squabbling then!" Lila retaliates.

"You're not a part of this group, don't stick your nose in our business!" Chloe barks.

"Chloe," Nathaniel rests a gentle hand on Chloe's shoulder. "Isn't that the kind of thing Alya used to say to you? Don't you remember how hurtful that was?"

Chloe falters. After a brief reconsideration, she quickly shakes the thought from her head. "But you can't possibly compare me to Lila."

"There is a major difference between us," Lila says. "Chloe put on a cold act because she's secretly super weak and insecure so she wants to trample on everyone else to feel better about herself. I used to do the opposite and pretend to be all warm and bright—Eugh! Now I don't care what people think. This isn't an act; what you see is what you get. On the other hand, Chloe's become a total people pleaser. See? From start to finish, we're really not alike at all."

Alya cringes and grabs her boyfriend. "Help! I totally zoned out for a second there and accidentally thought that Lila is cool."

"I dunno babe, I think this'll have to be the end of our relationship." Nino jokes.

"Shall we have a dramatic lovers' spat too?" Alya replies cheekily.

Nino chuckles and shakes his head. "We may be simpler than Adrien and Marinette but I definitely prefer it that way."

"Um, hello, can we back track one second." Chloe interrupts. "What about Lila is cool?"

"I dunno, the raging confidence maybe? It's similar to your own, actually." Alya says.

"Why are you having a debate over me? When did I ask for any of your opinions?!" Lila asks irritably.

"I admire that you admitted I'm cool but you also compared me to Lila." Chloe replies to Alya, completely ignoring Lila. "Honestly, I'm conflicted on how I should feel."

"Come on guys, I don't think Lila is that bad." Sabrina reasons.

"Yeah, well, we all know how abnormally tolerant you are." Lila says. "You've been best friends with Chloe for years."

"Why are you arguing against your only ally?" Nino questions.

"It's in my nature!" Lila answers defensively. "I have no allies!"

"Sabrina you better not become her ally." Chloe says.

"If any of you were my ally I wouldn't be tied up in a chair!" Lila replies.

"Quit complaining! Would you rather sit on the floor like a dog?" Chloe says threateningly.

Lila grinds her teeth and turns her head away as if to dismiss Chloe, instead speaking to Alya and Nino. "Getting back to the reason I'm here in the first place, do you really think Marinette and Adrien are fighting right now?"

"Girl you have no idea how complicated their world is." Alya says.

"Especially the love part." Nino adds.

Lila frowns worriedly. "It took a lot of courage for Marinette to come to this party, I hope she doesn't backtrack in her progress."

The five friends peer at Lila curiously, each of them wondering if maybe she can be kind.

"If Adrien crushes Marinette's spirit I'm gonna rip out his heart and lodge it in his throat!" Lila declares furiously, her eyes blazing.

The others immediately back away from Lila cautiously.

"Why does she have to be so mean?" Nathaniel whimpers.

"I dunno, she's kind of like me but more angry." Alya says.

"Don't say that!" Nino exclaims, gripping Alya's shoulders. "I don't wonna date Lila!"

"It's hard to imagine timid Marinette hanging around someone so intense." Sabrina says.

"I bet that cruel predator kidnapped our innocent little Mari!" Chloe says hysterically.

"Isn't that a bit hypocritical?" Alya replies. "Cuz, you know, we've tied her to a chair..."

"How can you accept her straight away but not me? So unfair!" Chloe complains.

"I learnt my lesson not to judge so quickly." Alya says with a shrug.

"Now, Chloe, we may not like Lila but being nasty would just be stooping to her level." Nathaniel says delicately.

Chloe gasps and grips her head. "No! Oh, no, Nathaniel, you've really caught me between a rock and a hard place. I don't wonna to play nice with Lila but I don't want to sink as low as her either."

Lila twitches in annoyance, looking about ready to snap. "Why are you all talking about me as if I'm not here?"

"Ah!" Chloe clicks her fingers. "How about we put something over her mouth so we don't have to deal with her at all?"

Lila growls angrily and starts thrashing around in her restraints. "Do it! I dare you! You'll have hell to pay when I get out!"

"You mean if you get out." Chloe ridicules.

"ARGH! This situation is seriously pissing me off now!" Lila rages.

Nino cowers fearfully. "Nathaniel, hurry, use that nice magic that you always use on Chloe!"

"Nice magic?" Nathaniel repeats in confusion.

"Don't do it Nathan!" Chloe pleads, latching onto Nathaniel's arm. "She'll fall for you!"

"Are you jealous?" Alya giggles.

"No!" Chloe whirls round to face Alya and the others, standing in front of Nathaniel protectively. "Lila just doesn't deserve any special treatment from Nathaniel!"

"As if I'd fall in love with that wimpy little tomato-head!" Lila retorts.

"Don't speak about Nathaniel that way!" Chloe shouts heatedly.

"But you've called me that too." Nathaniel says.

"It's different!" Chloe replies.

Lila smirks mockingly. "Because I'm not the one in love."

Chloe lunges forward but Sabrina and Nathaniel hold her back.

"Why is everyone so loud and aggressive?" Nino cries. "Can we please just calm down?!"

Sabrina lets go of Chloe. "Nathaniel, take her."

"Huh? W-Wait!" Nathaniel panics.

Nathaniel has to wrap both of his arms around Chloe to keep her secure. Her cheeks redden as he hugs her tightly, her knees go weak and she practically melts in his arms.

"There we go," Sabrina says. "We're calm."

Nino nods in approval. "Nice magic."

Nathaniel blushes and looks down at Chloe. His first instinct would be to pull away in alarm but for some reason he finds himself instead relaxing in their embrace. Chloe's rapid heartbeat slows down. She shoots Lila a glare before turning away to hide herself in Nathaniel's chest. Nathaniel smiles and rubs her back comfortingly.

Lila scoffs condescendingly but before she can poke fun at Chloe and Nathaniel, a hand clamps down on her shoulder. She looks up to see Alya staring down at her seriously, the grip on her shoulder tightening painfully.

"Learn to let things go." Alya whispers menacingly. "If you ruin this for them, I'll kill you."

Lila grumbles grudgingly but she keeps her mouth shut. The room eventually settles as everyone occupies themselves. Sabrina takes out her phone to play Sudoku. Alya and Nino share earphones and listen to music together. Chloe and Nathaniel finally pull away from their hug but they remain in close proximity with their hands on each other's waists as they chat away quietly.

"Sooo," Lila says slowly. "How'd you two become friends anyway? Seems like a bit of an odd pairing."

Chloe and Nathaniel get flustered and step away from each other.

"N-None of your business." Chloe answers, crossing her arms.

"Whatever then. I was just tryna pass the time with some small talk." Lila says.

"Well don't." Chloe says shortly. "We don't want to talk to you."

"So you kidnapped me and tied me to a chair, and you're expecting me to just sit here silently for the whole night?" Lila says dully.

"Yes that would be great, thank you." Chloe replies.

Lila heaves a sigh and gives up on conversing with her kidnappers, though there is only so much time that she can distract herself with just tapping her foot and looking around the room. A prolonged silence passes before Lila finally lets out a loud groan of boredom.

"How long is Marinette gonna taaake?"

"It's only been like twenty minutes." Nino says.

"Can you at least untie my hands so I can go on my phone or something?" Lila replies.

"No way, you're probably gonna use it to call Marinette and dob on us." Chloe says.

"Fine. Just shut up and don't disturb me then." Lila shuffles around in her chair and rolls her head to the side. "I'm going to sleep."

"Thanks for notifying me on that significant event." Chloe says sarcastically.

"This is the worst party ever..." Lila mumbles as she closes her eyes.

Another thirty minutes passes. Nino had left and returned with food and drinks for everyone. Lila is fast asleep with her head tilted back and her mouth wide open so he, Alya and Sabrina are currently taking turns to throw grapes at her from across the room, trying to land one in her mouth. Meanwhile, Chloe is rummaging through her purse to find something to entertain her.

Chloe's eyes light up as she pulls out her makeup bag. "Nathan, let me—"

"No." Nathaniel answers flatly.

"Why?" Chloe whines. "You're an artist, aren't you? I just want to use the beautiful canvas that is your face."

"P-Please don't flatter me out of self-interest." Nathaniel says, his cheeks turning pink.

Chloe grins. "You'll look so pretty! You have pale skin and blue eyes like me so the colours will suit you, and I bet your hair is long enough to tie up too!"

Nathaniel hesitates, briefly considering the idea of Chloe up close admiring him, touching his face and his hair—

Nathaniel's breath hitches, his face turning red as he waves his hands vigorously. "No, no, no! Not an option."

Chloe purses her lips grouchily.

It is currently Alya's turn in the competition. When she throws her grape, it swats Lila right in the eye causing her to stir in her sleep.

Nino squeaks and hides behind his girlfriend. "You awakened the beast!"

Lila only slurs a moan and shifts slightly before continuing to sleep, her mouth gaping open once more.

Nino exhales a breath of relief. "False alarm."

"If you're so scared of her why are you playing?" Sabrina asks as she takes her own throw.

"If you came across a sleeping dragon would you not find it fun to poke their belly a bit?" Nino responds.

"I wonna draw," Nathaniel speaks up. "Does anyone have a pen and paper?"

The others shake their heads and continue their game.

"Well I have eyeliner." Chloe offers. "That's like a brush pen."

"And paper?" Nathaniel says.

"We have Lila." Nino replies.

Nathaniel and Chloe exchange a mischievous look, and so it begins. Chloe cackles evilly as she does Lila's makeup, horribly and ridiculously one might add. Nathaniel doodles all over Lila's arms and legs, even playing games of hangman and naughts and crosses with Chloe. All the while, Nino, Alya and Sabrina are still going on with their competition; although they ran out of grapes and had to pick up all the ones they had already thrown off the ground before proceeding to throw them at Lila's face once more.

"Chlo' do you mind moving for a sec so I have a clear shot?" Sabrina requests.

Chloe puts a hold on Lila's makeup to step aside. Sabrina squints one eye and pokes her tongue out as she aims. She fires her grape across the room and it zips right down Lila's throat, causing her to choke and jerk awake. Lila's eyes shoot open as she hacks up the grape and starts coughing violently.

"What—What the hell?!" She grunts in between rasps. "Y-You're torturing me too now?"

"Sabrina threw it!" Nino yelps.

Alya sighs and hands Sabrina five bucks. "You win then."

"Win—? You—What are you doing?!" Lila sputters.

"Winning." Sabrina says complacently, stuffing her money in her pocket.

Lila notices the black markings all over her arms and legs in her peripheral vision. She looks down to see Nathaniel kneeling beside her with eyeliner in hand, smiling nervously.

"And what are you doing?!" Lila demands.

Nathaniel averts his eyes and hides the eyeliner behind his back. "Nothing..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise I was your play toy!" Lila yaps aggressively.

"Your fault for letting your guard down." Chloe teases as she retrieves some lipstick from her bag.

Lila's eyes dart to the makeup bag in Chloe's hands and then to the lipstick. "W-What is she doing?"

Chloe smiles cheekily. "Pucker up."

"No. No!" Lila wriggles around in a panic, trying to lean away from the lipstick lingering towards her. "Get that thing away from me—IT'S BEEN ON YOUR MOUTH!"

"Don't be difficult. The look isn't complete without the lipstick." Chloe says.

"Look? What look?" Lila replies shrilly. "What did you do to me?!"

"She was so nice and quiet when she was asleep," Nino says wistfully. "I actually wasn't minding her company."

Chloe shoves the lipstick in Lila's face. Lila closes her mouth tightly and whips her head around.

"Quit moving!" Chloe grabs Lila's face with one hand, squishing her cheeks into a fish-face. "You're only making it worse for yourself."

The others snicker and giggle away as they watch Chloe work.

"This is assault!" Lila says, her voice slurred from her squashed lips.

Chloe loosens her grip on Lila's face to gain more access to her lips. Lila takes the opportunity to yank her head away. She chomps down on Chloe's lipstick and then spits the severed nub in her face.

Chloe recoils as the stick hits her in the eye. "Ack! Did you just—What the hell?" Chloe looks at her demolished lipstick in horror. "Do you know how expensive this is?"

Lila huffs like a ticked off bull. The others had cracked into hysteric laughter by this point.

"You—You ate lipstick! Just to spite Chloe!" Alya howls.

"Well don't stick things in my face." Lila says haughtily.

"Y-You're seriously like a rabid dog." Nino says with a chuckle.

"What'd you say pipsqueak?" Lila snarls.

Chloe holds up a small mirror for Lila. "Tada!"

Lila grimaces. She has black eye shadow all over her eyes like a raccoon, bright pink circles of blush on her cheeks and red lipstick smeared all over the bottom half of her face. Nathaniel snorts and quickly clamps a hand over his mouth to muffle his laugh. Everyone else who had been biting their tongues lose it once more. Lila's eyes glaze over with pure murder as the room fills with laughter.

"And you think that I'm cruel? You're all a bunch of psychopaths."

Chloe pats Lila's shoulder lightly. "Oh come on, it's just some friendly banter. You know that the first one to fall asleep gets drawn on."

"We're not a bunch of nine year olds at a slumber party!" Lila shouts.

"It's kind of hard to be scared of that face now," Nino jeers. "Especially with the lipstick all over your teeth."

"I'm gonna scream." Lila says. "I am actually going to scream until I suffocate."

"No one will hear you," Chloe replies. "The party ended early because we ran out of food and beverages. That's what happens when the hostess gets too busy to do her job."

"Well having a pet is a big responsibility." Alya says, ruffling Lila's head.

"Don't touch me!" Lila snaps. "I'll bite your hand off!"

"Yikes! Lil' Liley needs a muzzle." Alya taunts.

"Stop! Stop! No more, please—" Nino wheezes, clutching his stomach. "I'm gonna pee!"

Lila takes a deep breath. "I'm going to kill somebody."

Everyone takes a short break to wipe the tears from their eyes, paying no regard to Lila.

"Hey, Nino, is there anything left of the food you brought up earlier?" Nathaniel asks.

"Nah, sorry dude." Nino answers.

Lila listens intently, biting her lip subconsciously.

"Are you hungry, Lila?" Sabrina holds out her leftover ammo, that is, a handful of grubby grapes.

Lila's face scrunches up in disgust. "Ew! I'm not accepting anything from you people anyway." She says stubbornly, turning her nose up.

"That's a shame," Nathaniel replies with a smile. "I was going to suggest we go out for dinner."

"I guess we could just leave her here," Chloe gives Lila's chair a light kick. "Not like she's going anywhere."

"What? Leave me here and you're really gonna die!" Lila says.

"How are we supposed to take you anywhere if you're not going to behave?" Nino replies. "You'll probably bite someone if we're not careful."

Lila opens to her mouth to argue but Chloe cuts in.

"Oh, I have an idea!"

Everyone stops to listen but Chloe just turns and leaves the room without saying anything else. Lila narrows her eyes warily thinking just what they could possibly do to her this time. Chloe returns a few moments later with something in hand and Lila immediately jumps on self-defence.

"A belt? A whip? Are you gonna try and beat me into submission? I'm not going to break!" Lila says wildly.

"Relax, it's just a lead." Chloe replies, revealing the dog leash she had retrieved.

Lila recoils in terror. "That's even worse! I'd rather be caught dead than being dragged round on a leash by you! In fact, the mere thought of it has completely ruined my appetite. I'm not even a little bit peckish."

Lila's face drops weakly as a loud, low growl rumbles from within her stomach.

"Was that...you?" Nino says, trying not to smile.

Lila shifts her eyes sheepishly, her face turning red. "No..."

Chloe puts a hand on her hip. "When was the last time you ate?"

"Earlier today with Marinette..." Lila mumbles.

Chloe narrows her eyes sharply. "How much earlier?"

Lila's voice lowers even more as she answers, "Before noon..."

"Oh for heaven's sake!" Chloe rolls her eyes before forcibly clipping the leash onto the rope around Lila. "This is no time to be stubborn, we have to feed you."

"I'm not your pet." Lila spits.

Chloe ignores Lila as she unties the end of the rope from the chair. It is still wrapping Lila tightly from her shoulders to her waist, pinning her arms to her side. Chloe then stands and gives the leash a tug. "Let's go."

Everyone turns to walk away, giving Lila no other option but to stumble from her seat and follow after them.

Lila stares at the leash as she walks, the life draining from her. "I've hit rock bottom..."

"For someone who's supposed to be heartless, you're pretty dramatic." Nino says.

"Not only am I forced to attend a party with the people I hate most, they kidnap me and tie me up so that they can ridicule me and treat me like a doll to play with. They ruin my beautiful face and torture me by choking me with gross, germ-riddled grapes and then they put me on a leash so that they can drag me around like a filthy canine." Lila mutters.

"Well it sounds bad when you say it like that." Alya replies.

"Maybe this is the karma for your life time of bullying stuffed into one night." Nathaniel says.

"Like a Band-Aid!" Nino adds. "Just gotta rip it off, dude."

Lila squints, her brows knotted with a mixture of confusion and aggravation. "What is with you people? I just..." She trails off, shaking her head. "I really hate you."

"It's a fine line between love and hate." Nino says blissfully.

"No, I think my stance is very distinct." Lila replies.

When Chloe pushes open the front doors of the hotel Lila digs her heels into the floor and pulls back on the leash.

"Woah, woah, wait—I have to go outside? In public?!" Lila says dreadfully.

"Well duh." Chloe replies.

"No! No way! I look horrendous!" Lila protests. "It's embarrassing enough just being seen with you let alone in this condition!"

"Stop acting so hostile!" Chloe grunts as she yanks on the leash. "If it makes you feel better, I'll pay for the meal."

"You're damn right you're paying for it! Were you actually expecting me to buy my own food after you forced me to starve? Like hell!" Lila shouts.

"There's a diner just around the corner," Chloe says. "Help me out here guys."

"Are you paying for our meal too?" Nino asks.

"Of course!" Chloe answers.

Nino grabs hold of the leash without a second thought. "Sorry Lila but it's free food."

Alya shrugs and wraps an arm around Lila's shoulders to guide her securely whilst Sabrina pushes her from behind. They make great progress with this, driving Lila out the door and into the street. Of course, everyone that they pass stops to stare at the raging demon-girl wearing smeared black and pink makeup, which has gone runny because her struggles have worked up a sweat, tied up in the thick tassel of a curtain and getting dragged by a leash.

"Why didn't you just order take away?!" Lila roars.

"It's not as good!" Chloe says. "Besides we're out here now, you've already been seen and you're halfway to free food so why don't you just cooperate?"

"Lila, you do realise that causing a ruckus is just drawing more attention to yourself." Nathaniel points out.

Lila falters. She falls silent as she looks around at all the passing strangers staring at her.

"Wow, I didn't know it was possible for you to shut up while you're awake." Alya says.

"Drop dead." Lila hisses.

"We should have a swear-jar but, like, Lila pays us every time she threatens our lives." Nino says.

"Then someone just kill me already." Lila replies.

"Don't give me ideas," Chloe smirks. "With the mayor's connections a cover-up would be easy."

"Why are you all taking me so lightly now? It's seriously diminishing my confidence." Lila says.

"Well I used to find you intimidating but now it's just funny." Nino replies. "Like watching an angry cat attack a ball of yearn."

"So I've become mere entertainment..." Lila says bleakly. "This whole experience really is just never-ending humiliation. The kind that will mentally traumatise a person. That's it, I'm gonna be scarred for life. I'll never step foot outside again."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you're just grumpy because you haven't eaten." Chloe says. "We're here now everyone."

Chloe turns into a small diner, pulling Lila along with her. The six teenagers sit down a table with Chloe, Lila and Sabrina on one side, and Nathaniel, Alya and Nino on the other. Chloe orders everyone a combo meal of steaks and fries with a milkshake. No matter how many times the waitress revisited the table to deliver a plate, she could not manage to look Lila in the eye.

"Are you going to untie me so that I can eat?" Lila asks with a frown.

"I got it!" Alya mumbles through a mouthful of fries. She leans across the table to cut up Lila's streak before proceeding to try to feed it to her.

Lila stares at the chunk of meat that Alya is holding up for her with a fork. "Are you serious?"

"Sorry," Alya pulls back the fork before slowly swerving it towards Lila once more whilst she beams, "Here comes the steak-train!"

"Choo! Choo!" Nino says enthusiastically.

Lila scowls as everyone at the table giggles.

"Come on," Alya grins and prods Lila's mouth with the chunk of steak. "All aboard!"

"Alright stop it!" Lila snaps. Her face twitches as she slowly opens her mouth.

Alya lifts the fork into Lila's mouth and she bites off the streak, chewing it rather aggressively. Alya then slices off a piece of her own steak for herself to eat before repeating Lila's turn.

"I have to admit that I kinda don't want this fun to end." Chloe says. "Maybe I should kidnap Lila for real."

Lila opens her mouth, probably to say something mean, but Alya shoves a handful of fries in first. "She's being a pretty good sport about it." She says despite Lila glaring at her.

"A good sport? She's been screaming nonstop over everything." Nino replies.

"Yeah, but, to a moderate degree." Alya says understandingly.

Nino crosses his arms. "If you call making my ears bleed moderate."

"You're right, she's a bit too...much." Chloe says. "Having her around 24/7 would definitely break my ear-drums as well as my tolerance."

"I suppose her relationship with Marinette makes a little more sense now," Sabrina ponders. "Marinette is very patient."

After a great deal of difficulty, Lila finally swallows down the load of fries Alya had shovelled into her mouth. She leans down and slurps on the straw of her milkshake to help the food down.

"Marinette loves to make friends and she always sees the best in people," Alya says as she observes Lila. "Maybe we should just try to be more like her. If Marinette likes Lila then she can't be all bad."

"Marinette also likes Chloe so I wouldn't trust her judgement." Lila retorts before going back to sipping her milkshake.

Chloe gives Lila a sharp jab in the ribs with her elbow, causing Lila to jerk and spurt milk out her nose. Nino points a finger as he cackles at her.

"I was literally trying to defend you!" Alya says, throwing her hands up.

"I'm just being honest!" Lila replies.

"Alright Lila," Sabrina turns to face Lila with a mischievous look. "Excluding Marinette, which one of us do you like best?"

Of course Lila thought her answer would be quick and easy but for some reason when she opens her mouth, nothing comes out. She closes it again and double-blinks as she reconsiders. Her eyebrows furrow in concentration. Names circle around in her mind over and over. Originally she would have simply chosen the least annoying person but every time she picks someone, redeeming qualities of someone else pop into her head. Lila's eyes are wide, swirling in confusion and panic. Why is it that she feels begrudging respect for all of them?

"I...can't chose?" Lila says gravely.

Sabrina smirks. "You can't decide who you like the most? You don't want to have to chose between us? How strange...You must really like all of us."

"No!" Lila denies, looking deeply disgraced and disgusted by this. "It's because I hate you all equally!"

Despite Lila's claim, everyone at the table begins debating whom she likes best.

"It should be me," Chloe starts. "I am paying for her meal and all."

"But I'm feeding it to her." Alya challenges. "I'm basically her mother bird."

"I think you two have been annoying her the most out of all of us, actually." Sabrina says logically.

"Yeah but she likes the attention, even if she won't admit it." Nino replies. "No matter who we meet, everyone always says I'm heaps of fun to be around. Lila likes partying, right? Well I'm the life of the party. Therefore, I am Lila's life-force."

"Lila doesn't rely on anyone. The implication that she does will just piss her off." Sabrina says. "I'm not saying that I'm her favorite, but I definitely understand her the most."

"None of you even wanted to talk to her until I did first." Nathaniel speaks up. "I was the closest thing she had to a comforting friend in this weird, and probably frightening, situation."

"No matter what any of you say, I'm the one who took her in." Chloe says complacently. "So I repeat, it should be me."

"But it's not. You kidnapped her against her will!" Nathaniel debates. "She's made it very clear that she hates you, Chlo'."

Chloe waves her hand dismissively. "She's just a tsundere. No one hates me!"

"I bet Lila and I would get along the best." Alya says. "We both share a fiery passion and a mutual love for Marinette."

"We all love Marinette." Chloe replies.

"I don't love anybody!" Lila yaps.

Nino slams a fist down on the table. "I'm certain that she at least finds me funny, she's just incapable of smiling!"

Alya cocks an eyebrow. "Then, how about a challenge? First one to make Lila smile is her favourite."

"You're on!" The table chants in unison.

"Why do you even care? You hate me!" Lila says.

Chloe scoffs. "It doesn't matter what the competition is. Winning is everything, Lila."

Lila could barely enjoy the rest of her meal with Sabrina and Nathaniel being overly nice to her, Chloe occasionally whispering bribes in her ear, Alya telling funny stories about Marinette and Nino pulling silly faces every time she looked in his direction. No matter what any of them did, she didn't crack a smile, not even a sarcastic or condescending sneer.

Nino crosses his arms bitterly as they all file out of the diner. "It's impossible, seriously."

"You'd think," Lila says. "But somehow Marinette got me to genuinely smile and laugh today."

"Of course Marinette can do it. Marinette can do anything!" Chloe complains. "Well, whatever, she's not a part of the competition. Even if she's your real favourite, the way more fun position of winner is still up for grabs."

"Hey, this is about earning Lila's friendship." Sabrina says. "In fact, I really think you should untie her Chloe. And take her off that leash, she's a human being."

"You're full of shit." Lila replies bluntly. "You choked me with a grape just to win a competition so don't pretend like you have morals, it's not earning you any brownie points."

"Fine then, I want to hold the leash." Sabrina says. "Chloe's been holding it the entire time so she's gotten way closer to Lila."

"So your true motives show." Lila comments.

Alya sticks her hand up in the air energetically. "I wonna hold the leash! Pick me!"

"Wait, if everyone else wants it then I want it too." Nino says.

"Nathaniel gets to hold the leash." Chloe decides.

"Oh, uh, okay then...Thanks?" Nathaniel says hesitantly.

"If!" Chloe adds. "You stop complimenting Lila. In fact, I want you to withdraw from the competition altogether, you don't need her to like you."

"Why? I mean, I like making friends." Nathaniel says.

"Because...we need a mutual third party to hold the leash or else it's not fair to the contesters." Chloe excuses. "I'm sure you and Lila are already friendly enough."

"Okay..." Nathaniel says unsurely as he takes the leash.

Everyone else moans in complaint. Nathaniel walks on ahead to lead the way.

"Do you not want me smiling at your bundle of joy?" Lila taunts as she passes Chloe. "Shame, now that he's out of the competition I can smile all I want with him without fear of losing."

Chloe gasps. Lila faces forward once more and continues following Nathaniel across the road. Chloe extends her hand instinctively, calling out.

"W-Wait, Nathaniel, I changed my mind!"

"Hm?" Nathaniel stops to look back at Chloe.

"MOVE!" Lila shouts all of a sudden.

A motorbike had coming speeding down the road. Lila lunges forward, hurling herself through the air to knock Nathaniel out of the way. The both of them take a heavy, and very painful, fall to the side of the road, but tackling Nathaniel was the best Lila could do while she's all tied up.

"Nathaniel!" Chloe screams as she dashes forward.

Chloe practically skids onto her knees beside Nathaniel whilst the rest of the group runs after her.

"Careful, careful," Chloe whispers as she helps Nathaniel sit up. "Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?"

"Everywhere." Nathaniel grunts. "But, I'm fine."

Lila groans as she rolls over onto her back. "Yep. Don't worry about me...just mildly concussed."

Alya dives down to help Lila up. Lila squeezes her eyes open and shut to level her spinning vision.

"L-Lila..." Chloe whimpers, hugging Nathaniel tightly. "I w-wasn't even there. I don't know what I would do if he—if he...Y-You saved him...thankyou. I-I'm so sorry!"

"Easy, Chloe. I know that was scary but it's not your fault..." Nathaniel says softly. "And Lila, really, thankyou. You just saved my life without even thinking..."

Nathaniel's words only make Chloe feel guiltier because she is the superhero here but she couldn't even reach someone right in front of her in time to save them...

"Not every hero wears a mask!" Nino smiles and slaps Lila on the back. "You did good."

"Phew," Alya clutches her chest. "That was so sudden. It was frightening how quick that motorbike sped past, I didn't even register what happened. You're seriously amazing, Lila."

"Are you okay?" Sabrina asks Lila gently. "You must be really shaken up..."

Having recomposing herself, Lila turns on Nathaniel angrily. "ARE YOU THICK? DO YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO GRADE SCHOOL? STOP, LOOK AND LSITEN WHEN YOU'RE AT A ROAD!"

Everyone immediately stops babying Lila and steps back. Clearly, she is just fine.

"What the hell do you think you're doing just stopping in the middle of the road like that without even looking?!" Lila scolds. "You were seriously that distracted by some chick? Pay attention to your surroundings! And why are you so nonchalant about being so daft that you almost died? I can't believe I just risked my life for you! Were you seeing that shit?!! You owe me big time! I just performed a miracle on your unworthy ass—I am your god! You better devote your life to me!"

"H-He will not!" Chloe cries, her cheeks flushed.

"Honestly, Nathaniel is the one who should be on a leash!" Lila rants. "He's like a lost little puppy that goes running whenever you call him—even if it means being stupid and risking his life!"

"Amazing..." Nino says, shaking his head. "Lila even manages to make saving someone's life seem mean."

Sabrina nods in agreement. "She would be one hellish superhero."

"They're right. You're totally not cool or heroic after all." Alya grabs Lila's leash and pulls her back. "Now heal!"

Lila growls and grinds her teeth.

"Isn't this supposed to be where we all bond because Lila actually proved herself to be a good person and for once we've all put aside our differences to mutually care for our friend's safety?" Sabrina asks, adjusting her glasses. "This should be a heartfelt moment but you're treating it like nothing."

For Alya, Nino and Chloe, saving people is a lifestyle so they are used to it, and Lila doesn't really have any regard for people at all.

"Yeah, why aren't you crying on your knees for me?" Lila says with a roll of her eyes.

"To be fair, Chloe was doing that until you started yelling." Nino replies.

"I am overwhelmingly grateful for you saving Nathaniel but that doesn't give you the right to yell at him!" Chloe says sensitively, her eyes still shining with tears.

"I think Lila is just concerned and shocked," Nathaniel says nicely. "You can't really blame her for yelling this time...It was my fault."

"Don't try to twist my actions. We're not in a drama show," Lila replies. "I don't care about you or what you do I just happened to, accidentally, on instinct...Let's not make a big deal about it!"

"Why are you trying to convince us that you're not a good person?" Sabrina questions. "No matter what we say you have to argue, even if it's in your favour."

"I have a superiority complex, okay? I don't like being told what to think or do." Lila answers snippily.

"Don't you feel just a little fulfilled after saving someone's life? I dunno, maybe, enough to make you smile?" Nino tries.

"No." Lila answers. "This event means nothing to me and I'm ready to move past it now."

Chloe helps Nathaniel to his feet, clutching his hands tightly. He stumbles forward when he gets pulled up but makes no attempt to step back from Chloe.

"Are you really okay?" Chloe asks quietly.

"Yeah, that was just...scary." Nathaniel smiles weakly despite his voice shaking. "Especially when Lila yelled at me afterwards. She's definitely not as comforting as the real superheros."

Chloe gives Nathaniel's hands a squeeze. "It's alright now...I-I'll walk right beside you from now on. Eh, that sounds kinda suffocating, I'm sorry, I just wonna protect you..."

"I don't mind. In fact, with you here...I feel a lot better now," Nathaniel says with a blush. "That's why you're my hero, Chlo'."

Lila bites her lip.

"Are you trying not to smile?" Alya says smugly.

"M-More like trying not to vomit." Lila lies, her face awfully strained. "This display is sickening."

"Welp! Nathaniel and Chloe are too busy holding hands so I'll be taking this." Sabrina says as she snatches Lila's leash.

"Hey I had it first!" Alya argues.

"Holding the leash has no correlation with making me like you!" Lila yells. "Regardless of your stupid competition, I'd never smile at any of you!"

As Sabrina drags Lila along, Marinette and Adrien appear out of nowhere. They had both walked out of an alleyway when upon turning the corner, Adrien bumps into Lila. Moonlight shines across her horrid, murderous face, shadowing every little creased wrinkle of her scowl. The black smudges around her eyes make her appear all the more deathly whilst the running red lipstick and blush seems to resemble blood smeared around the mouth of a monster. As soon as Adrien looks up at her, he lets out a high-pitched shriek and pushes her away from him.

"KYYAAAA!" Adrien squeals, using one hand to guard Marinette and the other to point a finger at Lila. "It's a killer clown!"

Lila stares at Adrien for a moment. His face has gone pale, his expression frozen in terror with an agape mouth and wide eyes, and for some reason he has blood trickling from his nose.

"K-Kya...?" Lila's voice trembles with contained giggles. Her mouth slowly stretches into a crooked smile until she can't contain it anymore. She bursts out in a fit of laughter to the point of crying. "What the hell was that? That was so lame!" She hollers hysterically.

Sabrina and Alya gasp, clutching each other for support.

"No, no, it doesn't count!" Nino insists, flailing his arms. "Adrien wasn't a part of the competition!"

Alya shakes Sabrina's shoulders violently. "Nino's right, it can't end like this! Adrien can't be Lila's favourite, he didn't even try!!"

"Lila?" Marinette winces and brings a hand to her mouth in appal. "What...What the hell happened to you?"

"Lila?" Adrien repeats, his chest heaving.

"We only excluded Marinette from the competition, remember?" Sabrina says sadly.

"noooOOOOO!" Alya shouts dramatically as she falls to her knees and slams her fists on the ground.

"What's going on?" Chloe asks as she and Nathaniel walk over, hand in hand.

"A-Adrien...Adrien won the competition." Nino grieves. "But I was supposedly to be the funny guy. If I'm not the token happy-go-lucky friend then who am I?"

"Oh well, congratulations Adrien." Nathaniel says. "I'm just glad Lila is finally having a good time."

"I suppose it doesn't matter as long as I'm Nathan's favourite." Chloe smiles bashfully.

Lila calms herself down and clears her throat. "Ehem, don't I get to decide who I do and don't like for myself?"

"I won't accept such a half-assed victory!" Alya declares. "I want a rematch!"

Lila frowns dully. "You don't even care about me, you just want to win."

"U-Um," Marinette waves her hand timidly to draw attention. "Could someone please explain to me what's going on? Are you all friends now?"

"No, only Lila and Adrien." Alya sulks bitterly.

Adrien recoils. "I'm not friends with Lila. Why do you have her tied up on a leash anyway? And why does she look more hideously terrifying than usual—"

"What'd you say pretty boy?!" Lila rages. "This is all your doing ya know!"

"Adrien, did you hire them to kidnap my plus one?" Marinette asks sternly.

"No! I didn't, I swear!" Adrien answers, waving his hands.

"Marinette, your friends are psychopaths!" Lila says frantically. "They smuggled me and tied me up and tortured me! There were grapes, and—and lipstick and steak-trains!"

"T-Trains, what..." Marinette's head is spinning. "What is happening?!"