48. Day 4 Part 5

Returning to the cauldron of hate that was her form room after bonding so successfully with Alix was difficult for the newly impressionable Chloe. She knew her classmates' contempt for the heiress (at least, in this particular instance) was based on nothing more than the machinations of her interfering father, and if the students knew the real story, things might be quite different.

The shadows of her less-than-salubrious past continued to plague her even as she sought to carve out a new beginning for herself though, and as she sat down once again next to her one-time crush turned sidekick Adrien, she realised how much convincing it would take to persuade everyone that her new outlook wasn't yet another one of her vile scams with a nasty payoff.

With all eyes trained on the blonde, at least she could console herself with the fact that the most hostile member of their group (apart from Marinette) by the name of Alix was now firmly on her side... even if the tomboy was duty-bound not to show her encouragement on the surface.

In other words, Alix had sworn to help the heiress any way she could behind the scenes, provided it didn't interfere with her 'reputation' . Chloe would complain about that less-than-satisfying settlement, but considering how stuck-up the heiress used to be around such luminaries as Prince Ali, it may have been more than a tad hypocritical for her to object too strongly.

Still, at least Alix was offering the blonde some aid in her hour of need, unlike that useless former best friend of her's, Sabrina. Without really thinking about it, Chloe found herself glancing over to where the redhead was now perched alongside Nino, and briefly caught Sabrina seemingly completely bored listening to the part-time DJ prattle on about the latest hot tracks online.

As soon as the redhead spotted Chloe gazing her way however, her entire inattentive demeanor changed in a flash. Sabrina's lips forcibly curled into a happy smile, and she began to focus with rapt attention to the conversion from Nino which had bored her senseless just a second ago.

Chloe wasn't fooled by her old friend's hammy performance for a moment, though. She'd faked enough bouts of interest at her father's tedious parties over the years to know when someone was putting on an act, and Sabrina was 100% putting it on, encore and aftershow party included.

It's pathetic, really... Chloe sighed to herself, as Sabrina tried in vain to get involved in Nino's 'fascinating' discussion about whether drums or bass were better. I understand she's desperate for friends now that I've dumped her for good, but hanging out with Nino? The two have nothing in common... apart from their notably poor eyesight. It won't be long before she comes begging back to me, but I won't accept her apologies. No way, no how. Zzubo might have been right about many things where I was previously misinformed, but I'm afraid this is example where she's buzzing up the wrong tree. Ha, that's pretty funny actually... I'll have to remember that one.

"You miss her, don't you?" Came Adrien's armour-piercing question from the heiress's immediate left.

"Who? What? Where? When?" Chloe's fumbled reply was due to the jolt of being ejected from her private thoughts, but she quickly grasped who she thought the model was referencing. "You mean my mother? Duh, Of course I do, with all my heart. Why bring that up again, all of a sudden? Geez Adrien, talk about random inquiries..."

"Not Juliette..." Adrien would have facepalmed there and then, but he knew how his father might react if one imperfect mark was located on his impeccable complexion, so he didn't take the risk. "I mean Sabrina, you haven't taken your eyes off her since arriving back five minutes ago. Why don't you go over there, and say something to her? As much as I love Nino, he can go a bit over-the-top with the whole music thing..."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about. Sab looks like she's having the time of her life..." Chloe lied through her pearly-white teeth, even as it seemed as if her ex-friend's head was about to slide down her elbow as her attempts to stay awake failed. "Anyway, that isn't your concern. Shouldn't we be working on a plan to persuade the rest of the class into believing my account of what my father did to sack Mrs Cesaire, thus restoring my good name?"

"You just called her 'Sab', which tells me there's still at least a bit of good feeling there..." Adrien smirked knowingly. He could be like a mangy cat with some old fish bones when he knew he was in the right. "Also, didn't you tell me Sabrina tried to stop you earlier from walking into Alix's little ambush, but you didn't listen? How'd it go with the school's best skater, anyway? You don't seem to be very roughed-up, so hopefully that's a good sign..."

"If you must know, it 'went' very well indeed..." Chloe replied, eager to move the subject away from the bespectacled redhead. " I think we aired out the grievances between us quite nicely, give or take a near fatal-crash or two. It might even be the case, fingers crossed, that I may have an unexpected friend in that girl, watching my back from now on..."

"See, I knew you could do it!" Adrien gave his childhood friend a supportive nod, while putting his hand in hers. " You just have to be yourself, show a little patience and... wait, did you just say near fatal-crash?!"

"E-Er... never mind about that, it's not important." Chloe decided not to reveal the finer details of her unanticipated truce with Alix. She just hoped that it wouldn't be so hazardous 'making nice' with the others.

One thing still bothered her though... Since when did Adrien's touch make me react so normally? Just last week, I might have gone absolutely gaga over hand-to-hand contact like this with my 'dreamboat', now it's more like spending time with your... brother.

Her disturbed thoughts were abruptly cut-off once more by Miss Bustier who, after a quick period of letting the heiress get settled in, had already drawn the next name on the list for Chloe's 'special time'... "Ivan"!

"Oops, looks like you have to go..." Adrien slowly removed his hand from Chloe's own, giving her the opportunity to leave without delay. "We'll continue this conversation at lunch, if you like. At least this session should be much easier than Alix's one. Ivan might look a bit intimidating at first, but inside he's a real sweetheart. As long as you don't start calling him a 'monster', of course..."

"Ha ha, Adrien. Very droll..." Chloe seethed, as the model referred back to the first akumatisation that Chloe caused. The first of many, she noted, and hopefully the last. "Fine, I'll meet you at the centre table. That is, if you can bear to tear yourself away from your precious friends for a single meal..."

"I'm positive Alya, Nino and Marinette will be alright by themselves for once..." Adrien rolled his eyes at Chloe's insinuation. "But what about you and Lila? The pair of you looked as if you were getting on famously yesterday while eating. If you want, she can come over and join us..."

"Actually, I think Lila's got other matters on her mind right now..." Chloe peeked over at the Italian, who'd been strangely subdued all day. Great, another mystery I'll have to solve, she realised, when did life become so complicated? "So it'll just be the two of us, then."

"Sounds good to me!" Adrien confirmed the arrangement, before pondering at the heiress's next move in front of his eyes. "... Wait a minute, what are you up to?"

"There's just one more thing I have to do, before I head off..." Chloe had retrieved her personal folder from her desk, and was now scribbling an extra word on the front cover. "If I'm a bit late joining you at lunch, don't worry. I tend to be pretty busy these days. Even more so in the future, if things work out for me. Well, stay out of mischief for the rest of the morning... in other words, don't do anything I would do. Ciao!"

On that final cryptic note, Chloe left the room,overtaking the purposefully lumbersome gait of Ivan en route. Adrien watched her leave, as opposed to most of the rest of the class, with a broad grin. I'm finally getting the old Chloe back, he thought joyfully to himself, while staring meaningfully at the sky. I don't know what magic you're working from up there Juliette, but whatever you're doing, keep it up...

Just after she departed, Adrien couldn't help but notice Chloe had accidentally left her folder out. He was just about to put it in the blonde's desk for safe-keeping, before spotting exactly what she'd written on the front. He read it once. He read it twice. Even on a third glance, it still didn't make any sense.

"Who exactly is 'Chloe Bourgeois-Marigold'?"

...

If Chloe had thought things were quiet with Juleka, being with Ivan was like a raucous frat party in comparison.

The similarities were startling. The two of them sat unattended together in another spare classroom, with yet more continual silence, and no set plan to move forward.

The big difference was though, rather than have his back turned to Chloe, Ivan sat facing the heiress while glaring ceaselessly at her, which made things even more uncomfortable.

There was also the small matter that while Juleka had at least let Chloe finish her sentences. The heiress couldn't even let a few words pass her lips, without the lanky teen shouting her efforts to communicate down like clay pigeons.

"Look, I just wanted to say..."

"I don't want to hear it!"

"I know you probably hate me..."

"Yes, I do! I don't want to talk to you, either!"

"I just wanted to say I'm sorr..."

"You really think that'll gonna work on me, after Alya? As if!"

It was like speaking to a brick wall, who yelled at you back in return. Chloe huffed and puffed as she went through the motions, unsure about how to go about winning over someone who, once they'd gone into their shell, it was almost impossible to get them to re-emerge.

She doubted that the same tactics of confrontation that had worked so effectively with Juleka would prove as productive here, as unlike the purple-haired girl, she was pretty sure that Ivan wasn't willing to give her a chance.

Internally sighing, Chloe realised the only way of prevailing upon this notoriously shy teen was by connecting over something he was interested in, too. The problem was though, aside from the fact that he looked better wearing a horror mask than his natural face and how difficult it was to fit him in a class photograph, the heiress knew next-to-nothing about him.

If only Mylene was here... Chloe lamented, wishing the girl with the colourful dreadlocks was there to give her advice. The two of them seem to get on well enough, I bet she knows a lot more about Ivan than I do. In fact, I see them around together so much, it's almost like they're..."

ZING!

Chloe was never much of an ideas girl, preferring instead to let her wallet, prestigious family name and natural charm to handle everyday problems for her (the jury was out on that last one). But even the most dull-witted among us have a flash of true inspiration every now and then, and today it was Chloe's turn. Better late than ever, as they say.

The 'brilliant' scheme that even now was unraveling in her head was regarding one of the few subjects she could honestly say she possessed unparalleled expertise in. She was sure, after weighing up all the available evidence, her experience in this field would aid her mission to befriend the teenage boy. But before putting her plan into effect, she started off things casually, and moved gingerly to stand closer to the target.

"So, Ivan..." Chloe put on all the airs and graces of a coquettish girl, as she leaned over his chair in a playful way.

"I told you already, shut up!" Ivan humphed in annoyance, about to cut himself off from the outside world via his earphones with a soothing dose of Zombie Skullcrusher goodness.

"I wanted to talk to you about something, you know, just have a little chat..." For some reason, Chloe was now trimming her nails with an invisible file.

"Yeah, right... as if I'd believe anything you tell me." Ivan was flicking through the playlist on his mobile, frustrated as usual at how long it took to get to Z on the alphabetised menu.

"We could talk about movies, computer games, wearing size 14 boots, or girls..." Chloe made a point of emphasising that final word, as if she thought the subject would be the most likely to pique his interest.

"How would you know about any of those things, apart from the last one..." Ivan growled in response, about to tap the screen that would at long last shut out the irritating creature in front of him. "And why would I want to know about your snotty friends, anyway?"

"Oh, this isn't about me, you silly boy..." Chloe tittered, waving her hand in a supposedly cute way. "I'm talking about you, and your lovelife. Don't worry... I'm not referring to me specifically, I'm sure your stomach is churning at the very thought. No, this is concerning another young lady in your class, who you seem quite taken with. Rainbow hair, amateur actress, quite short and dumpy... I think you know who I mean!"

"Mylene!" Ivan stood up abruptly, knocking his phone onto the floor and seeming very aggressive all of a sudden. If Chloe was a boy, he may well have put her in a headlock there and then out of sheer anger, but as it was he simply glared at her threateningly. "If you lay one finger on her... I'll... I'll..."

"Whoa, calm yourself down!" Chloe felt very nervous all of a sudden in the presence of this behemoth, despite being quite sure she was safe at the hands of this gentle giant. Although, she still took an instinctive step backwards. "I only mention her because I think I can help. You see, I happen to be quite the expert at the fairer sex myself, and I thought I could assist in getting the two of you get together, if your heart so desires..."

"My and Mylene are 'getting' along just fine without you..." Ivan sneered in reply, as he went to retrieve his dropped mobile. "We've been dating now for several months, and we certainly don't need the help of the class bully to improve our relationship."

Well, I had no idea. They certainly hid that well. This could complicate things... Chloe's spirits dropped momentarily, but she was determined not to give up. "Even so, there must be some part of your relationship that's less than perfect. Something only a girl like me could help you with. Well, here I am, at your disposal for the next hour and a half. Ask away, I'm not going anywhere..."

Upon hearing this sincere invitation Ivan seemed to freeze in motion for a moment, and even after recovering his composure, he was a little apprehensive. "E-even if there was, it's nothing you could help me with. Exactly how long have you been chasing after Adrien for? I hate to tell you this, but he's in love with someone else..."

"Yes, I know all about that..." Chloe sighed in exasperation, sort of hoping this topic wouldn't come up again. "That's his funeral, and besides I don't think I'm interested in him that way any longer. Seriously, just until noon, pretend I'm not the horrible person you've known for the last few years, as difficult as it may be. If you do me this one small favour, I won't bother you again, and you can go back to whatever nonsense you were about to listen to..."

"No way!"

"Try me, you might be surprised!"

"Yeah... surprised at your level of treachery!"

"Please, it'll only take a minute!"

"Not a chance! There's nothing you can do to make me spill the beans!"

"I hate beans, but I won't leave you alone until you do."

"I want to write and sing Mylene a song, but I can't write or sing, okay?"

Ivan quickly went from angry to anguished, petulant to pathetic and ired to irrational as he sat back down again after inadvertently revealing his 'big secret', headphones dangling forlornly from his hand, looking as if he wanted the ground to just open and swallow him up.

Chloe for her part, began to feel something unfamiliar in the deeper recesses of her mind, a new emotion that she'd been deprived of for so long. She'd gotten traces of it in the past, but thanks to her father's strict teachings she was always able to suppress it quite efficiently.

Fortunately, thanks in no small part to the invaluable intervention of a certain bee kwami, she was now ready to open that sealed box and let that feeling roam wild once more.

That emotion was called 'empathy'.

"What kind of a weakling am I..." Ivan was now feeling very sorry for himself, and his words were slurred and teary. "I can't even hide my most private thoughts from the most hated girl in the school, and now everyone's going to know what a pitiful loser I am when you tell them..."

"Hey, hey..." Chloe went over to the depressed teen and put a reassuring arm around his neck. Considering how thick it was, she had to stretch an awful long way. "It's not your fault, I practically begged the information out of you. If it makes you feel any better, you can just say I threatened to beat you up. And don't worry about me spreading gossip, your secret is safe with me. You might not think it at the moment, but I am trying very hard to turn over a new leaf..."

"You really think I can believe that, after what you just did to Alya?" Ivan attempted to move away from Chloe, but he was too disheartened to go very far, so he ended up more-or-less where he was seated.

"Listen, accounts of that incident might have been ever-so-slightly exaggerated..." Chloe sighed, realising how many people she'd have to recount the sorry tale to before she was done. "But enough about that, for now. I have a question for you: Do you want my help, or not?"

"Huh?" Ivan stared at the heiress through quizzical, damp eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"To write a song for Mylene. Go on, shift." Chloe positioned herself to sit next to a stunned Ivan, and took some blank sheets of paper out of her bag. "Now, the first thing we have to work at is how you feel about her, then form those emotions into rhyming couplets. Ideally, this would take longer than ninety minutes, but we've got to make the most of what we have, I suppose. Now, shall we get started?"

"B-But... I-I don't think... D-D you even know how?" Ivan was visibly gobsmacked by this unforeseen chain of events, and could only watch in amazement as Chloe got everything set up.

"Well, we won't know until we try..." Chloe shrugged her shoulders, while getting out her fanciest pen. Huh, I thought Zzubo took this one. She must have given it back to me, as a 'reward'. I'll have to thank her later. "So come on, let's get cracking. I'll even sing it to her, if you want. I've been told before I have a pretty nice voice, you know. Okay, so it was my singing teacher, so she may have been a little biased, but I've never heard anyone else complain..."

Indeed, Chloe was pretty confident in her vocals. Her mother had always loved her harmonies, and seeing as her much-missed female parent never lied about anything, the heiress was pretty sure she possessed at least some modicum of talent.

Her songwriting, on the other hand, was another matter entirely. Edith Piaf she wasn't, nor could she even hope to be. Chloe was ready to give it a go anyway, though... this would be yet another step into the unknown for her... a new activity to try out after so long hiding away from the real world.

Nothing could be as difficult as roller-blading, anyway.

"Now, the first thing I'd suggest..." She told a suddenly captivated Ivan. "Is not to rhyme 'girl' and 'world', or 'crazy' and 'baby'. These lyrics are so cliche, they died out towards the end of the last century."

"A-Actually, those were a few of the opening lines in the last song I did for Mylene..." Ivan admitted, blushing a little out of the blue.

"Well, it's a good job you have me around to give you a few pointers, then..." Chloe gave off another of her increasingly common genuine smiles, before the pair got to work.

...

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Seriously, if you ever get the chance, listen to some Edith Piaf. Also, watch the movie La Vie En Rosa. Great songs, great film, great person.

Sorry it took me so long to type this next chappy, but I needed to recharge my batteries, sort out some issues in my overly complicated personal, and digest copious amounts of Ben & Jerry ice cream. But I'm back now, like it or not.

Hope you don't mind if I stick around a little... ;)