AN: So, I decided that I wanted to write a Christmas themed story too…since it's the holiday season. I've got a few major plot points decided for this story but I'm making a lot of it up as I go along. We'll see how it turns out! I hope you like it!

P.S. This "chapter" is more like a prologue. It will be revisited again later!

Chapter 1: Christmas Eve Party

Why did I ever agree to attend this Christmas party? Marinette wondered to herself yet again. Probably the only reason was because Alya and Nino were hosting. They were Marinette's friends and she would have felt bad turning down their invitation. As the night wore on, though, Marinette began to think that would probably have been the better option, though. There were just way too many people here, many that either Alya or Nino had met after they had all graduated from high school. Marinette had never been a fan of large crowds, especially when she felt so alone.

Swirling the punch in her plastic cup, Marinette tried to find ways to occupy herself. Maybe she was just trying to work up the courage to go find Alya and bid her goodbye, wish her a Merry Christmas, and be on her way.

As Marinette played the conversation over and over again in her head, trying to decide what she could say to Alya, the crowd parted just right and Marinette looked up to see a familiar blond young man. Oh no! She should have guessed that HE would have been here too. Without realizing what she was doing, Marinette clenched her fists tight. Curse Nino for inviting his best friend! As if this night could get any worse!

As fate would have it, that seemed to be a challenge. The young man, as if sensing Marinette's thoughts, turned back toward her and their eyes locked. Marinette wanted to turn away but the stunning green eyes of Adrien Agreste, her ex-boyfriend, held her captive.

...

When Adrien had received the invite to Alya's and Nino's Christmas Eve party, he had not hesitated to accept. Having been sheltered from fun events like this for his entire childhood, Adrien welcomed the freedom and choice of adulthood. Not to mention that he had thrown himself into his work lately, trying to forget the past.

Nino had been telling Adrien for a while now that he needed to not stress himself out so much. Adrien had only sighed and said that he would try. Unfortunately, Nino would never understand. In fact, Nino had planned to propose to Alya tonight, underneath the mistletoe, with their friends around. Adrien had helped Nino to plan the surprise, hoping it would take his mind off of his own heartbreak.

Breaking up had been Marinette's choice and Adrien had to just accept it. Even after all these years, Adrien still felt conflicted by the break up. At first he had been sad. He had hoped that he could still patch things up with Marinette, redeem their friendship if nothing else! However, he never had the chance. She had cut all ties with him and left Paris. Over time, sadness turned to anger and the failed relationship had left Adrien feeling bitter when he thought back on it. It had not been fair that Marinette had not given him a chance to explain. Instead, she had ended everything, shattered his heart, and walked out of his life forever. Adrien clenched his fists at the memories, but with a few deep breaths, he calmed down again. Tonight was not the time to think about her!

Maybe a drink would help? Alya made the best punch. Adrien turned toward the location of the refreshment table, but he did not move to walk there. Instead, his eyes locked onto those of the last person that he had ever expected to see here tonight. Marinette, she's here. Adrien's breath caught in his throat as he stared at Marinette and she looked back at him.

There was no angry scowl. She did not huff and disappear into the crowd. No, instead, they both just stared at each other as if they had both forgotten that the other existed.

Adrien knew that he should have been angry. He was, wasn't he? All these years, he only looked back on their relationship with resentment and anger. So, why was it so hard to turn away and ignore Marinette like she had done to him? She had moved on and so had he! At least, that was what he thought. That was what he had been telling himself for years. Why did that all change now that she was here again in his presence?

"Just go over there! Talk to her!" Adrien could practically hear Plagg tell him from inside his coat pocket.

Was it that simple? She probably still wouldn't listen to him anyway. Of course, there was no way to know unless he tried. What was the worst that could happen? Could she possibly break his heart even more than she already had years ago?

Against his better judgement, Adrien pushed aside his pride and started walking slowly over to where Marinette was sitting.

...

Oh no! Oh no! What do I do? Marinette silently panicked as she saw Adrien start to walk her way. Even after all these years, Marinette was still not ready to stand face-to-face with Adrien and come to terms over their failed relationship. Her anger had subsided a little over the years, but that did not mean that she actually wanted to talk with him! Alya should have warned her that she was inviting Adrien to the party!

Each step that Adrien took brought him closer to Marinette and the distance between them was closing rapidly. He could probably see her panicking right now. Well, that's just great!

"Just talk to him, Marinette. You never did give him time to explain," Tikki advised from inside Marinette's little side pouch.

"I don't know, Tikki. I don't think I'm ready. What do I even say?"

"Maybe, you should just say—"

"Hello," Adrien greeted Marinette. He seemed to stutter out the word a little. Marinette also noticed him fidgeting a little with that silver ring that he had worn constantly for as long as she could remember.

"Uh, I..." Marinette tried to respond, discreetly clipping shut her side pouch before Adrien could notice Tikki. "Hi?"

Despite it all, Marinette found that she felt a little sad. She used to feel so comfortable around Adrien. They used to laugh and banter and just talk normally. Now, it was like high school all over again! She could not say more than a few words without stuttering! How embarrassing! She was supposed to be mad at Adrien, so why couldn't she muster that emotion now when he was right in front of her?

"I, uh, didn't expect to see you here tonight," Adrien continued, still fidgeting with that ring of his.

Marinette looked down at the ground. Truthfully, she had not expected to see him either. If she had known that he was going to be here, would she have even decided to come? "It was a last minute decision," she told him, her voice still hardened from years of bitter anger. "I'm very busy with work and stuff." That was not exactly the truth. "And stuff" had always kind of been her code words for what she did to save Paris as Ladybug. She had not transformed into Ladybug since before she left Paris.

"Y-Yeah, me too," Adrien said, looking down at the ground. He could not seem to stop fidgeting with that ring! It was so distracting!

"Hey, there are my best friends!" Nino walked over to them. When he approached Adrien, Nino looked up and elbowed his best friend. "You picked a good spot to stand!" he told Adrien with a wink.

Marinette looked up at the same time as Adrien and she groaned internally. How was it her luck that she and Adrien had come to stand underneath the mistletoe?

Nino grinned. "You know what they say about mistletoe, or, more specifically, what you do underneath it! I'll leave you two. Have fun!"

Marinette dropped her head into her hands. This was a disaster! Adrien Agreste was the last person she wanted to meet underneath the mistletoe! Why did life always do these kinds of things to her?

"Uh, you know, we don't have to, if you don't want to," Adrien stuttered. Adrien had always been that way. He never forced anything. Instead, he preferred to leave the option open.

Marinette could feel the blush on her cheeks. There was a time when she would have jumped at this opportunity, but that was long in the past. She shook her head, not really trusting herself to speak. Instead, she turned and ran, leaving the Christmas Eve party and not looking back to see Adrien's expression turn sad once again.

Next chapter will be a flashback, to start to see the events that have led Marinette and Adrien to where they are now! Hope you liked this first "prologue" chapter!