#Chloè Bourgeois's Guide To Proving The Class Rep Isn't A Selfless Angel

[astrangetypeofchemistry]

Chloè Bourgeois’s Guide To Proving The Class Rep Isn’t A Selfless Angel

A very special thank you to @thedeathofablog for being amazing and absolutely saving me. I have a track record of giving up on stories after the second chapter because of how confused I get, and I’m glad I had someone helping me out this time. It doesn’t hurt that they’re... quiet eccentric. 

And @breeeliss who is a ray of sunshine for the Chlonette in the fandom. I hope you’re having a good day.

Here is, finally, the next chapter. 

Find it on AO3. 

Chapter 1 ~ Chapter 2 

Chapter 3: Chloè Bourgeois’s Guide To Explaining To Your Gay Crush That You’re Dating Even If You’re Not Dating

Shoving the door to the bakery open with a strained smile, Chloè Bourgeois felt herself fuming. With no regard to the multitude of customers, or the owners who were staring after the mayor’s daughter in shock as she threw her backpack across the shop , Chloè heaves up to the counter, standing right in front of the counter.

“Where is Marinette?” she demands, her voice as forceful as you’d expect it to be.

Sabine Cheng stands in a daze, pointing behind her, which definitely blows Chloè up even more.

(If we're being honest, Chloè has no clue why she's angry, she just knows she is.)

(And it is definitely not because she's hoping Marinette will get angry right back)

(Shut up)

When Chloè finds herself in the main part of the house, there’s no sign of Marinette, forcing her built up anger to go to waste as she made her way up the stairs she was sure lead to Marinette’s room. Pushing open the trapdoor, she found the target of her anger muttering at her desk, her head in her hands.

“Wow,” Chloè found herself saying, and when Marinette looked up, she found her visitor staring at the walls. There, in plain view, was the biggest evidence of Marinette’s crush. “Should I be jealous that you have pictures of someone else all over your walls?”

Adrien Agreste, Chloè’s best friend, was plastered all over the walls. In fact, Chloè was pretty sure this was every single campaign Adrien had ever done. She had to hide how impressed she really was as Marinette scowled.

“Leave me alone, Chloè. You forced me into dating you. And we’re not really dating.”

Dredging up all her stores of bitchiness, Chloè forced a harsh glare onto Marinette, ready to knock her off of her high horse.

“I haven’t forced anything, Missy.” Hands travelling to her hips as she stood in the middle of the room, Chloè began her lecture. It was time to knock some sense into Marinette Dupain-Cheng, once and for all. “If anything, it’s obvious you agreed to this, and for selfish reasons too. You want to keep me far away from Adrien because you’re desperate and manipulative.” Chloè’s hand flies up when Marinette opens her mouth in outrage, and her glare hardens even more, effectively shutting Marinette up.

“I asked you to pretend to date me, to satiate my own curiosity. To prove to myself that you really aren’t the kind and selfless person people think you to be. You’ve definitely proven me right.”

“Proven you right?” Marinette spluttered heavily, her cheeks flushed bright red. “I’ve done nothing-”

“Except try to turn yourself into the victim here, acting like I forced you into this when you damn well knew what you were getting into!”

“You kissed me without my consent!”

Marinette stood up, as if to give herself control over this argument, and Chloè smiled mockingly.

“Suck it up, honey. From what I remember, you agreed to serenading me. You’re going to have to get used to touching me.”

“I don’t have to get used to anything!” Marinette cried, and Chloè’s smile turned even more mocking, which was a shock in and of itself. Neither girl had thought it possible.

“In case you forgot, you’re trying to prove you’re not selfish. You’re definitely failing at that. But it all hinges on you managing to make me fall in love with you. You can’t make me fall in love with you if you’re repulsed by me.” And then, with a snort, Chloè added “And you can’t make Adrien like you by floundering around him.”

Marinette gaped at her, and Chloè moved closer, standing right in front of her.

“Get out of this victim mindset. You’re being ridiculous, and it’s not cute at all. You agreed to this- to trying to make me genuinely fall for you- and you won’t be able to do that by trying to guilt me.”

“I can only guilt people who have emotions, after all,” Marinette added, but it was weak and stilted, and definitely gave Chloè the courage to bring her arms up around Marinette’s shoulders. Her fingers loosely twined behind Marinette’s neck, pulling them both closer.

There’d been envy in Chloè since the day she’d met Marinette, wondering why every interaction they had always resonated with Chloè. Always a slight curiosity, that moment of contemplation when she didn’t understand why turning around and watching the enraptured look on Marinette’s face was so important.

“I need to stop bringing up how not real this is?” Marinette asked hesitantly, and Chloè gently released a breath, trying to make sure Marinette didn’t feel it. Judging by the way she shuddered, it had been a failure.

“Being told a relationship is fake doesn’t inspire warmth and fuzziness.”

Marinette somehow shuffles closer, and Chloe held her breath. How was it possible that even being this close, so impossible close, it still felt like there was a giant chasm separating them?

“You like me, don’t you?” Chloè’s eyes fell shut with another exhale, and their foreheads finally touched as Marinette continued. “That’s why you’re so determined. You’re trying to prove to yourself that I’m. Not likable. A terrible person.”

Sky blue eyes flashed open with a soft touch to her cheeks, Marinette’s hands gently cupping her face.

“I don’t have feelings for you, Chloè,” Marinette continued, her eyes pleading. Soft. Beautiful the way they always are. And Chloè somehow fell harder. How had they ended up here? All those years of cruelty, all those years of thriving off of each other’s failures, had lead up to this, this soft moment that would break everything.

Her hands reached up to encircle Marinette’s wrists, a soft “I know” falling from her as she gently pulled those hands away. Five minutes ago, it had felt like she was making Marinette feel ridiculous. Now, the tables had definitely turned.

It felt childish, the way that little boys pulling little girls’ pigtails to get their attention was. How could Chloè have expected Marinette Dupain-Cheng to like her just because they’d be forced to put on a show for everyone else?

Chloè stepped back, and this time, the distance seemed bigger somehow than it ever had in the past years of hatred they’d had. With a soft voice, she mumbled “The deal’s off.” With Marinette’s disbelieving gaze on her, Chloè straightened up, adopting the same haughty expression she always had. “It’s obvious you can’t win after all. I mean, you serenading me? You would’ve lost anyway.”

And then Chloè walks out, walks down the stairs and through the bakery, grabbing the abandoned backpack. There was no point in returning to school; she headed straight back to the hotel. There was no Marinette running after her, no cries and pleading, no voice calling to stay.

And in that moment, Chloè was reminded of her mother in a way her yellow jacket never achieved. 

Chapter 4

[queerinette]

Chloè Bourgeois's Guide To Proving The Class Rep Isn't A Selfless Angel

before this chapter begins, i have a long rambling note. if you’d rather ignore it, please just read the chapter on ao3. i think it’ll be easier to scroll past it there. 

feel free to send me asks, and if you’re a new reader, welcome!!!

okay. okay okay okay okay.

I want to thank all of you. every single one of you. whether you read the story when the first few chapters were published, or if you recently left comments. i know i haven't updated in an unnecessarily long time. still, none of you gave me grief over it. you simply enjoyed what else i published and left it at that.

i love you guys. thank you so, so much. i know not every author has such a positive experience, so thank you.

there's really no reason i haven't updated. last year at this time, it was because i kept signing up for things. and then, i couldn't write.

after that, i just didn't want to write this story.

but slowly, i did. i handwrote chapters when i was bored, and then, recently, i realized i could break it into chunks and post it as separate chapters. so here i am.

so i want to give a shoutout to you guys. all of you. to the anon who asked about "the fic with the long title," to the reader who commented that even if i never update, it's still a good story, to @tumblingxelian for saying they would love to read it still if i want to write it.

and, to @megatraven. who casually brought up this fic and praised it as one of the best.

thank you. thank you all so, so much. i know this chapter isn't really worth the wait, but i hope you'll all enjoy it.

happy pride month. here's to me not letting this fic be forgotten again.

and now, on to reading. 

Chapter 5: Chloé Bourgeois’s Guide To Putting Up A Facade

Every child had dreams, and Chloé was no less.

She’d grown up hoping for a luxurious life. A childhood filled with crowns and jewels; adulthood an easy ride with a rich husband who would lavish her with affection and material objects. Somewhere down the line, the anonymous husband had become Adrien, but it had never been about being in love with him. It had always been about compatibility, about knowing his way of life and finding it easy to adapt to.

But then she’d gone to school with Marinette. Marinette, with tales of how her parents couldn’t even speak the same language when they met. Marinette, who’d put a wrench into the plans she’d set out for herself.

It didn’t help that, right before that, her own mother had walked out, wanting more to life than luxury.

She didn’t know how to handle it. Wasn’t love the way she and Adrien sat alone in her bedroom, books spread out as he tried to understand what a school education was like? After all, love couldn’t be the way Marinette’s eyes flashed in anger, how her mouth twisted as she hurled angry words at Chloé. Love was comfort, not challenge.

But that was before Marinette tried to shake up Chloé’s life, tried to complicate her ideas simply by existing. And yeah, Chloé admits that her behavior has been nasty to people, knows that the way she behaves isn’t okay. But she’s tired of being nice to people she’s not close to, tired of smiling and laughing at the right times to entertain those who are after her money. She can’t handle having more people to doll and glam herself up with, giving and giving without every receiving.

Besides, shouldn’t the people who love her accept her for who she is?

These thoughts ran through her head as she made every effort to purge the memories of the previous day. She’d already spent too long being in a vulnerable position with Marinette. There was no way she’d let the girl she hates have any leverage over her.

It’s not a shock to find Marinette waiting for Chloé in front of the school; she’d never known when to let an issue slide. Chloé had hoped she’d take the hint just this once, but clearly it was in vain.

Dreadfully, Chloé walked closer, hearing Marinette’s plea of “Can we talk?” before she’d even vocalized it.  A sharp nod from Chloé prompted Marinette to spin in place, quick steps leading Chloé into a secluded part of the courtyard. Chloé glared at the students who gaped at them, a blush staining her cheeks as she followed. She managed to school her expression as Marinette faced her.

“What do you want?” she asked, cheering silently when her tone came out harsh. “I’m kind of busy.”

Marinette opened her mouth as if ready to retort before closing it, regrouping before she spoke. “I wanted to check up on you, see how you were doing.”

Chloé began laughing, startling Marinette. “I don’t need your pity.”

“It’s not pity.”

“Please,” she cut, watching as Marinette’s eyes widened. “You’re not the first person to approach me out of pity. I think I would know what it looks like by now.”

Marinette huffed at that, as if she already knew all of the thoughts in Chloé’s head. “Friends check up on each other.”

“We’re not friends,” Chloé interrupted, ignoring the way Marinette looked taken aback. “You have no reason, other than pity, to care.”

Marinette watched her quietly, stripping Chloé of the confidence she’d used to make it through their interaction. An eternity passed before Marinette stepped closer, minimizing the distance even further.

“It is pity,” she announced at last. Chloéfelt her heart speed up, felt the ice make its way to her vocal chords. “Forgive me for feeling a little sympathetic, you just look like a kicked dog.” Her fangs bared in front of Chloé, the same competitiveness and malice that always rose in response to Chloé’s snark blocking Marinette’s compassion. “I just think it’s sad that you’re in love with me knowing damn well I’m too good for you.”

“Too good for me?” Chloé cackled at Marinette’s insane confidence. She ignored the relief crawling its way through her, the joy she felt at thins being the way they’d always been. “You sure have a high opinion of yourself. Besides, it’s not ‘being in love with you,’ it’s an error in judgment on my part.”

That seemed to get Marinette. She stared at Chloé sadly, as if recognizing that she was terrified of change and grasping at straws to return to normal. And then she stepped down, walking away and letting Chloé have her victory.

It should feel good, the way it used to when Marinette would clam up and back down out of fear. She should be overjoyed that she had, once again, bested Marinette in an endless war.

She doesn’t, but only because it feels like Marinette had finally, painfully, given up on her.

[astrangetypeofchemistry]

Chloè Bourgeois's Guide To Proving The Class Rep Isn't A Selfless Angel

I blame @breeeliss for this trash.

AO3 Chapter 2

Chloè doesn’t know what they’re arguing about this time, and frankly she doesn’t care.

Something she did this morning must’ve offended Marinette Dupain-Cheng, because the half-Asian girl was currently ranting off to Chloè in the middle of the empty classroom about some “inappropriate behavior”.

“Let’s make a bet,” Chloè cuts her off, because the idea in her head is so brilliant, and she’s a little miffed that it didn’t come to her before. In front of her, Marinette pauses for a second, appalled that Chloè wasn’t listening (which shouldn’t even be shocking; Chloè has never listened to Marinette Dupain-Cheng when her pretty pink lips fly off until they miraculously move faster than Chloè’s heart, and some part of the blonde envies her for being so beautiful and endearing and charismatic).

“What do you want this time?”

Chloè doesn’t hear the dry tone, choosing to take out her phone as she absentmindedly unlocked her phone to see nothing, trying to figure out the details before she even says what she wants to. “A bet to see who the better person is.”

And. Okay. Her classmate definitely scoffs (and it’s not fair how beautiful the sound is and how much Chloè wants to shake her until all the prettiness comes oozing out so she can soak some of it up. No one has the right to be this adorable, goddamnit).

“And how,” Marinette drawls sarcastically, shifting on her foot as she continues to stare at Chloè. “What do we do to figure out who the better person is? Have the class vote?”

In the next second, Marinette flinches as Chloè sets her with one of the coldest glares. “We both know they’d all vote for you. But that’s because they don’t know you. They have no clue how alike you and I really are. Or how you’re not a nice and sweet person who’s always so considerate and prioritizes others’ feelings.

“You’re ugly on the inside, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and I want to have the proof for myself.”

Her mouth opens and closes repeatedly, the words literally stolen from Marinette as she tried to figure out how to properly voice her offense at the statement, before seeming to give up on the idea and just shaking her head. “What do you suggest?”

Chloè shrugs, “We date” coming out in a calm voice as she idly opened up her texts to Sabrina. Her quiet focus is broken with Marinette’s loud protest, and when Chloè looks at her, Marinette’s expression is comical (and pretty. Always so pretty. Maybe she should be in jail because being this breathtaking is definitely illegal).

“I won’t- date- me and you- how would that even prove anything?” And then after a pause, “What would Adrien think?”

Chloè blinks, not sure why Adrien is so important, shrugging as she drops her phone into her bag. “What about Adrien?”

“What would he think about you- and- and me… d-dating?” Her cheeks were bright pink, eyes darting around as Chloè blinks again.

“Is this about your crush on him?”

Her phone camera should’ve been on, ready to record Marinette Dupain-Cheng spluttering around as she stared at Chloè in shock, “My crush?” coming out as if the idea that Chloè would actually know is appalling.

Which “You’re not exactly subtle,” is crazy because everyone has seen her stumble and flail and blush, and they’ve all seen this behavior before at least once or twice.

A moment of quiet, where Marinette gapes before visibly taking a deep breath and attempting to sort out her thoughts.

“Why would we date?” Marinette asks in a feigned calm (and Chloè’s heart dies because oh no, she’s actually really cute when she’s trying to gain control of the situation and Chloè swears she will combust any second now).

“A really giving person holds no grudges,” Chloè recited, staring Marinette right in the eye. This is a challenge now, and she makes that perfectly clear as she stares at this soft and subtle beauty in front of her. Marinette is very competitive, and Chloè knows that she will definitely give in, if only to prove her wrong. “If you can manage to convince everyone you genuinely like me, and sweep me off my feet…-”

“Will you leave everyone alone?” Marinette interrupts. “No more bullying, or snide comments. And stop treating Sabrina like a slave.”

Chloè tsks softly, stepping forward and leaning closer to Marinette until she’s only a few centimeters from kissing her, it seems, and tries not to laugh. “Ask me the real thing you want to ask. You know you want to.”

“You-” And Marinette stares for a minute, watching Chloè with a fire before whispering “You stay away from Adrien,” and Chloè nods, a satisfied smirk on her lips.

Marinette attempts to pull away, and Chloè holds her there by holding onto her shoulder, watching her blue eyes widen. “And if you fail to make me swoon,” Chloè whispers, leaning closer without rhyme or reason. Marinette is watching her closely, her mouth falling open, a soft breath pushing out of her mouth. “You give up on Adrien.”

It’s selfish of them both. Marinette is trying to push Adrien’s childhood friend away from him, and Chloè is stealing away Adrien’s probable happiness, but Marinette whispers “Fine” anyway, and the deal is sealed.

And then, with a devious smirk, Chloè leans in and presses their lips together just as the door opens.

Chapter 2

[astrangetypeofchemistry]

Chloè Bourgeois’s Guide To Proving The Class Rep Isn’t A Selfless Angel

I have just realized this title is long. 

Find this chapter on AO3

Chapter 1

Chapter 2: Chloè Bourgeois’s Guide To Announcing Your Brand New Relationship

Chloè is totally over this already.

In front of her, Alya Cèsaire has been freaking out for about too long in Chloè's honest opinion, and the girl seriously needs to calm down.

"I thought you liked Adrien!" she mutters as she paced in front of the seated Chloè and Marinette. "Just this morning, you were drooling over the shape of ass. I mean, I know Chloè  and Adrien are both blondes, but hair color does not equate same person!"

Releasing a heavy sigh, Chloè bangs her head against the wood in front of her. Marinette is being no help, too busy staring at Chloè in shock, her hand gently resting against her lip. And, yes, Chloè knows how devastatingly beautiful she is but, honestly.

"You're supposed to be the one sweeping me off of my feet, Dupain-Cheng," she mutters, and Marinette is still frozen, but Alya begins to echo her once she realizes that someone other than her actually spoke. And, yeah. Chloè is definitely over this, and it's time to end. This.

"Don't be homophobic, Alya," she scoffs almost immediately, deciding to use her favorite tactic of being unreasonable. "Just because we're both girls doesn't mean we can't have feelings for each other."

"That's not even what I'm saying," Alya shoots back in response, making a face at Chloè as the blonde gently tsked at her.

"Get over your heterosexuality, because Marinette and I are rock-solid. She's had feelings for me for too long, and I'm only too nice to pity date her."

The look of horror on Alya's face was too great, and Chloè almost gives up her facade to laugh when Marinette finally decides to act like a normal functioning human (in retrospect, Marinette deciding to be quiet and frozen might actually be better for Chloè's heart because she doesn't think she can really handle seeing this breathtaking creature within touching distance and adorable at the same time. No matter how great Chloè is, resisting Marinette Dupain-Cheng in all her explosive glory is impossible).

"If anything, you're the pity date." She speaks indignantly, her nose high in the air and her arms crossing over her chest. "I could never date anyone who wears such an atrocious yellow."

Chloè's hand flies up to her chest in offense, but any real depth to that offense is taken away by the (adorable as fuck) pout playing around on Marinette's lips (the same ones, Chloè remembers, that were so soft against her own). "Me? The pity date? There's nothing wrong with this beautiful jacket."

"It's such a bright color!" Marinette cries, and it's... almost in a horrified voice (which doesn't make Chloè wish to find a horror movie to make Marinette cling to her, shut up).

And, okay, no matter how cute Marinette Dupain-Cheng is, there are some things Chloè will not let her get away with. This jacket is special to her and the color means something and just.

"Just because you don't appreciate the neglected colors doesn't mean everyone is like you," she huffs, and Marinette just raises an eyebrow at her, complete and utter amusement plain on her face (no, seriously, someone send her to jail already because no one has the right to be this attractive and Chloè is pretty sure that even Hawkmoth's akumas couldn't make anyone this gorgeous so what is Marinette's secret?)

"Awe, Chloè," Marinette is smirking (Chloè.exe has stopped working because NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE THIS ATTRACTIVE), and her kissed lips are opening, ready to mock her. Chloè will not stand for this and is already narrowing her eyes and leaning forward ready to pull Marinette closer and closer, but then she hears a throat clear, her head turning to see Madame Bustier looking absolutely livid. Chloè's eyes rest on the completely silent Alya whose eyes are staring at Chloè in shock.

Marinette squeals, immediately jumping up. Her hand clasps around her bag, feet sprinting to get her out of there, and Chloè just rolls hers eyes, standing up with much more grace. When she's done gathering her stuff and starts heading out of the classroom, Madame Bustier is staring between her and Alya, her expressions morphed into a disbelieving shock, and it makes Chloè straighten up and shoot her a smile.

"If you'll excuse, I have my panicking girlfriend to calm down."

And, oh dear god, does Chloè wish she'd stuck around to watch Alya lose it.

Chapter 3 

[astrangetypeofchemistry]

WHO’S READY

FOR A BRAND NEW CHAPTER

OF THE FIC I WROTE FOR @breeeliss

CAUSE WATCH OUT ITS COMING

Right after I actually manage to type it out, lmao