Chapter Text
Here is the link to Speechless, sang by Cristina Vee (Ladybugs/Marinette's voice actress). That way, you can really picture her singing it
Speechless - Cover by Cristina Vee
When Marinette entered the classroom, she saw everyone crowded around Lila. Trying to not roll her eyes, she went to her seat, which was in the back again.
The class made her switch again with Lila after she claimed to have twisted her ankle while doing some charity work, even if it didn’t look twisted and she could walk normally. And because Marinette liked to help others, she wouldn’t mind to switch, right?
That had been a few weeks ago, and they never bothered to switch again, so she remained in the back. She refrained from saying anything, knowing Lila would twist her words and make her the villain again. And the others would believe her. Believe the new girl they have known for a few weeks over a friend known much longer.
That had hurt Marinette the most. The fact that they didn’t even want to give her the benefit of the doubt. That they didn’t want to listen to her side of the story, and just write her of as ‘jealous’ and ‘unreasonable’. That she wasn't allowed to feel hurt of angry.
It got worse after that. She spended less time with everyone, because all they could talk about was Lila this, Lila that, and Marinette didn’t want to hear it. During lunch, she went home, but probably no one noticed. The others sought her out less, opting on spending time with Lila instead. They only came to her when they needed a favor, or when they had something for the classrep to take care of.
When she ascended the stairs, she was stopped by Alya, who stepped in front of her.
Without a warning, she slapped Marinette.
“Alya, what …” she said, holding her cheek with one hand, confusion clear in her eyes.
“I can’t believe you! Why would you do that?”
“I … what? I don’t understand?” Marinette said, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes because of the pain she felt. She tried to force them back, but no such luck.
“Don’t play dumb with us! You stole Lila’s designs for Jagged Stone to pass them off as your own!” Alix said, stabbing her finger in Marinette’s chest.
“What? I never did that!”
“Don’t deny it Marinette, Lila told us everything. Of your mean textmessages, your hatefull comments, everything. I knew you didn’t like her, but I never thought you would stoop so low.” Alya sad.
“Not cool, Marinette!”
“I never thought you would be so mean!”
Marinette glanced around the room, looking for help. Her eyes landed on Adrien, sitting in the front row. She looked at him, pleading to step in, defend her. But he just looked away. Leaving her alone in this.
“I didn’t do that! I never send any message to Lila, and I never stole her designs, if they even excisted to begin with! She lied to you!”
“This again? Where is your proof that she is lying then? ‘Cause up till now, you never showed your proof.”
"Where is your proof?"
Alya's eyes went wide. She clearly didn't expect that answer from Marinette.
"I, well, I ... eh" she said, trying to answer the question, but drawing blanc.
Marinette shook her head, dissapointment clear in her voice when she started to speak. "So I have to present proof to you, your best friend, but Lila just has to walk in, claim she knows Ladybug and a whole bunch of other famous people, and you believe her on her word, but not me?"
Without giving the chance to say anything, she carried on.
"Of course I have to present proof, because it is me, silly Marinette, who is always clumsy and stumbles over her words, and when I don't like someone, the only possible reason is jealousy! Of course you can't believe me on my word, when there is no proof. Of course you are ALWAYS right, and I am ALWAYS wrong!"
She turned her back to the class, not caring for the hurt present on their faces, and takes out her phone.
“Fine Alya, you want proof? I’ll call Jagged and …”
Before she could finish her sentence, she was dragged out of the room by Adrien, saying a quick ‘can I talk to you for a second?’. Standing outside the classroom, he let go of her arm, standing in front of her.
“Marinette, what are you doing? I thought we agreed to not expose her!”
She couldn’t believe him! After all that, he still didn’t want to expose her? That she was slapped for something she never did? That she was ostracized and left alone because he wanted to keep the peace?
“Didn’t you hear what she said about me? That I was a thief and a bully! Alya slapped me! For nothing! And you want to stay silent? To still let her ly?”
“Marinette, what does it matter that she is lying as long as we know the truth? Her lies will be found out eventually. Just have patience.”
“Patience? So she can keep making me the villain, the bully? So she can steal all my friends away? No Adrien, I am done with the high road. She will never change unless she is exposed and faced the consequences of her lies.”
“But making the bad guy suffer …” Adrien said, being interrupted by an angry Marinette.
“No Adrien, you won’t keep me quiet. I will tell them the truth!”
She turned to walk away, but was stopped by Adrien’s hand on her arm, holding her back. She slapped away his hand but stood still anyway.
“I thought you were my friend. But I guess you’re not.” she said, looking over her shoulder. She looked back to the front, whispering 'I can't believe I fell in love with you'. A song popped in her head, and without thinking she started singing.
Here comes a wave meant to wash me away
A tide that is taking me under
Swallowing sand, left with nothing to say
My voice drowned out in the thunder
She sang, gesturing to the classroom. She turned around, facing him. Adrien saw fire burning in her eyes, determination radiating of her. But he couldn't say anything, too stunned by it all. What was happening? He simply didn't understand why Marinette was acting like this.
But I won't cry
And I won't start to crumble
Whenever they try
To shut me or cut me down
I won't be silenced
You can't keep me quiet
She pointed an accusing finger to him.
Won't tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless
'Cause I'll breathe
When they try to suffocate me
Don't you underestimate me
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless
After that, Marinette left him, gaping with his mouth open, trying to comprehend the words. What was she doing?
Meanwhile, Marinette left the school, running out the doors, while she kept on singing. She couldn’t stop, the words she had hid so long had to get out!
Written in stone
Every rule, every word
Centuries old and unbending
"Stay in your place"
"Better seen and not heard"
But now that story is ending
Marinette arrived at the Eiffel tower, looking up to the top of it. It was standing tall, still, even if it was ment to be taken down after the World Fair of 1889. She felt strong, looking at it. sturdy.
'Cause I
I cannot start to crumble
So come on and try
Try to shut me and cut me down
She ran, to a nearby alley. She freed Tikke from her purse, and called “Spots on!”. A few seconds later, Ladybug was swinging over the Parisian rooftops, to the Eiffel tower, while she kept singing.
I won't be silenced
You can't keep me quiet
Won't tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless, speechless
Let the storm in
I cannot be broken
No, I won't live unspoken
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless
She reached the top, and stood there, not even out of breath (thanks to her Ladybug powers!). She kept on singing, unable to stop. she held herself tight with one hand, the other moving while she sang. She turned like a pole dancer, while she kept on singing, not caring if anyone could hear her.
Try to lock me in this cage
I won't just lay me down and die
I will take these broken wings
And watch me burn across the sky
Hear the echo saying:
I won't be silenced
Though you wanna see me tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless, speechless
'Cause I'll breathe
When they try to suffocate me
Don't you underestimate me
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless
All I know is I won't go speechless, speechless
After she ended her song, Ladybug stood there. She felt strong, determined. She knew what to do!
Song: Speechless - Naomi Scott