Running back

Nostalgia

Today was the day, Saturday. I was going to the Louvre for the first time in four years. I pulled up to the building.

My mind screamed that I should start my rental car up and drive away, anxiety manifesting in my stomach.

I pounded my head against the staring wheel and looked up at the building with determination.

"You can do this Kubdel", I muttered. My eyes glanced around taking notice in little details.

Like that new crack in the sidewalk that hadn't been there when I left. I tried to distract myself for as long as possible but I can only remember so many things about a sidewalk.

I pushed my door open after putting on my skates. I stood up, slamming the car door behind me.

I skated to the front gate, and that's when the nostalgia started. From the very moment I stepped into the building, a million memories flew past.

"I bet I can beat you to your dads office!", a fourteen year old Kim yelled. "I doubt it!", I yelled back, pulling ahead of him.

I smiled and walked to the room with a lot of paintings.

"Do you think her hair is more blue or black?", Nathaniel questioned. I thought back, remembering the first place Nathaniel had drawn the Parisian superheroes was here.

Then I came upon the Egyptian exhibit, lots of memories here.

"I think that there has been an order of the miraculous for years! Someone who has kept them a secret for thousands of years!",  Alya exclaimed.

I remember Marinette's nervous face well, but of course I didn't take it into account at the time.

"Dad look!"

Oh no. Not this.

I watched as I could see the memory playing out before me, almost like I was in my burrow.

"Dad! Will you help me with this?", I had asked, handing him the homework. "Sure honey, what's this?" , he asked holding it in front of him.

Dad.

"It's my history homework", I admitted. "You always make it so much more fun!", I added.

I miss you.

"Alright so once during event in America, called the Revolutionary war, they fought against us", he started.

Don't leave me.

"Did we win?", I asked.

Don't go.

"No we lost to George Washington, but he was a great man, I don't want you to think badly of him", he said.

I need you.

"Ok dad", I grumbled. "I can't believe we lost", I whined.

Please.

"Sometimes winning isn't always the answer Alix, it takes failure to realize ones mistakes", he said.

"D-dad!", I sobbed.

I was alone in the exhibit. I sat on a bench and tried to stop the tears from coming, but every time I looked up, I either saw my dad, or my brother.

"Make it stop!", I yelled. My heart was racing and it was so quiet. The cold metal bench made my bare legs cold.

"Miss?", a voice spoke. I looked up, fearing another flashback.

Instead in front is me stood a young woman. She looked about my age, her face laced with concern.

Her chocolate brown eyes ridden with worry, I admired her deep black hair framing her face with beautiful waves.

I forgot how much people cared in Paris. "Are you alright?", she asked.

I nodded drying my eyes. She sat on the bench next to me and handed me a tissue. "Thanks", I smiled.

She nodded and spoke again, "My name is Cara, my mom owns most of the Louvre so I get to see all this amazing art and artifacts!", she said.

"I'm Alix, my dad used to own this place", I said. "Your dad is Alim Kubdel?", she asked.

I nodded and looked forward at the sarcophagus. The same sarcophagus Ladybug hid Adrien in during Riposte.

"He passed not long ago though, I lived here till I was fifteen, a lot of memories in this place", I admitted.

The girl nodded setting a hand on my shoulder . "Oh! I am so sorry for your loss! I know what you mean, this place has become a second home to me, I can't imagine having to leave it", she muttered.

I nodded. "Thank you, When I left, I couldn't imagine having either, but I guess it's a part of life", I paused.

"I should go", I said. I stood up and skated away. "See you around Cara", I yelled behind me.

I skated out of the Louvre seeing something I didn't want to see.

"Bye Alix", Dad said. "See ya later dad!", I yelled back as I skated off to school.

"Yeah, see ya later", I whispered, biting my lip. I hopped in my car, pulling off my skates and drove away, leaving my memories behind.

Tears welled in my eyes and I stopped the car.

I parallel parked next to someone's driveway where I recognized two cars.

I was at Kim's.

But why was Marinette here?

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Hello again! Any crazies that are reading this at 2 am as I post, go to sleep! You can't be as crazy as me! Also....I just finished watching Falcon and the winter soldier and I'd anyone wants too talk marvel with me you can message me on my account! Also for all you MLB fans out there (you baseball fans know I'm not talking about you) I just watched Sole Crusher so if you want to chat about that with me or any miraculous theories you know where to find me!

-Tiger out 🐾