Chapter Text
Exhausted. That's what Marinette felt like. She was tired. Tired of Lila's lies. Tired of everyone ignoring her, bullying her. It's been two years since Lila came back and accomplished her threat of taking away all of Marinette's friends. Alya didn't believe her. Nino stuck with Alya and Adrien...he wasn't helping at all. He knew about Lila's lies but did nothing. He said he was there for her but he wasn't. Soon enough, even he believed Lila's lies. He turned on her.
But it didn't matter. Marinette was done. Done with all of them. She didn't need them. After everything Lila put her through, she decided that she needed to change. Change how, she didn't know. All Marinette knew was that she didn't want to be a doormat anymore. She didn't want to just smile and take everything that people throw at her. She was Ladybug for crying out loud. She needed to have more confidence in herself. She needed to be more assertive. But she didn't even know where to start.
Marinette stretched herself out before packing her tablet and books back into her bag. The bell was about to ring, signaling the last day of her second year in lycee. And she really didn't want to deal with the people in her class. Summer break was starting and she wanted to focus on her commissions.
As soon as the bell rang, Marinette was out of her seat in the back and was out the door. She just barely managed to avoid Alya's angry expression as soon as the so called reporter saw her. Marinette ignored Adrien, who for some reason, kept eyeing her. Not that she cared or anything. She was over the spineless coward.
Sighing contently as soon as she was in the bakery, she went to go greet her parents. Sabine was just finishing making something new, since they were adding a special type of cake for a while. It was limited and it won't be selling forever. Tom was working on the microwave. It must have broken or something. Or maybe he was cleaning it.
"Hey mama, hey papa. How are guys today?" Marinette greeted her parents happily while grabbing two cookies for herself and Tikki. Her parents didn't see her put the chocolate chip cooking in her purse for her kwami.
Sabine smiled at her daughter as Tom went to hug her. "We are doing just fine Mari. How was your last day of school?"
Marinette shrugged. "The same I guess. Nothing's really changed after Lila started spreading her lies. No one believes me but I'm done with them. I decided I needed to change myself, but I'm not sure where to start at the moment."
Marinette remembered when Lila had tried to away her parents to her side, only for it to backfire on her. Marinette's parents knew their daughter and she was no bully.
Sabine glanced over at Tom, who only nodded his head. Sabine sighed before looking back at Marinette. "Sweetie, we need to talk."
"About what?"
Tom answered before Sabine could. "Your plans for the summer. Your mother and I found out that there is a art camp in America and we wanted to send you there. That way you can polish your skills for becoming a designer. What do you think? It's called Joan of Art. Quite the name, am I right? Anyways, do you want to go for this summer or stay here?"
Marinette thought about it. There were a lot of benefits going to a camp that could help her but she was worried about her duties as Ladybug and Hawkmoth. The wretched man was getting desperate. Not only that but Chat Noir was no help either. Or rather, he was a no show. Mad at her for not wanting to date him and not believing all that soulmate bull crap he's been yapping about. Tikki pinched her leg before she heard her voice in her head.
I think you should go for it Marinette. You don't have to worry about not being able to be Ladybug. I'll be speaking with the Master tonight about a few things.
Marinette blinked. She forgot that her bond with Tikki has gotten stronger. Now Tikki could talk to her using telepathy. If Tikki said it was fine then she'll do it. Nodding her head, Marinette looked at her parents.
She smiled. "Sure, I'd love to go to Joan of Art."