The moment Marinette stepped through the door of the bakery she was enveloped by the enormous arms of her father. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his antics, which were often ridiculous, over the top, and slightly embarrassing, but she knew without a single doubt that her father adored her. He was her steadfast rock of support in the midst of all the uncertainties of life.
"Hello, Papa." She greeted him affectionately, returning the embrace and placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Hey, pumpkin. How did your interview go?" Tom asked as they made their way to the kitchen and he gathered a large bowl and several ingredients.
"It went well." Marinette replied in a hopeful voice as she watched her father measure the flour. "At least, as far as I can tell. Nathalie Sancoeur did the interview. You remember, she was the assistant to Adrien's dad? Adrien talked about her sometimes." She stole a few chocolate chips and popped them into her mouth while Tom thought for a moment.
"Oh yeah, the blond boy you had pictures of all over your room?" He asked a little too innocently.
"Papa!" She groaned, feeling her face flush as her father chuckled at her expense.
"Nice kid. I always liked him." He said with an approving nod.
"Anyway," Marinette redirected emphatically. "Mr. Agreste's assistant seemed to like my new design. She said I did well with the project, anyway, so I guess that's good."
"Seems like it would be." Her father agreed, playfully swatting her hand away from the chocolates. "Keep eating those and there won't be any left for the cookies." He warned. "So, what's the next step?"
"Nathalie, I mean Miss Sancoeur," She corrected, remembering her blunder earlier. "Will make a recommendation, then Mr. Agreste himself will choose who gets the internship."
"And, of course, he will pick my daughter, the greatest fashion designer of all time." Tom beamed confidently, causing his daughter to roll her eyes. "Either that or he's certifiably insane."
"We'll see, Papa." She said as she stole a few more chocolate chips on her way to the stairs. "Let me know when those are done?" She called over her shoulder.
"Sure thing, pumpkin."
Marinette kissed her mother on the cheek before making her way to her room and kicking her shoes off in the general direction of the closet. She dropped her handful of stolen chocolate on the desk and Tikki zipped out with a squeal.
While her kwami enjoyed her treat, Marinette changed and tucked her shoes away in the bottom of the closet. As she stood, her eyes wandered to the corner, landing on a box that was all but hidden from view. She carefully pulled it out and carried it to her chaise. It had been months since she had let herself look at the contents. Each item had been carefully placed inside and sealed away in an attempt to seal away her heartache.
With a bracing breath, she removed the lid and let her eyes fall to the photo of herself, blushing and smashed between Alya and a beaming Adrien. A heavy smile settled on her lips. She no longer broke down into sobs as the memories flooded her mind, but the weight of what she had lost still pulled at her heart.
Adrien.
She ran her fingers along the lucky bracelet he had given her for her fifteenth birthday, and wondered for the thousandth time if he had kept the one she had given him. Flipping through the photos one by one, she let the memories come. Every smile, every blush, every failed attempt at flirting. Every rejected phone call, every evasive text, every made up excuse to avoid seeing him. Finally, every tear filled night spent clutching her stomach in agony as she tried to let her first love go. She couldn't have him. She would never be able to have him. So she let him go.
Slowly and gently, she replaced the contents of the box and once again tucked it away in a corner of her closet, as she tucked her regret away in a corner of her heart. Tikki said nothing, but softly nuzzled her chosen's cheek in a gesture of sympathy.
Marinette drew in a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "Are you up for a run?"
Tikki merely smiled and nodded.