The Starry Night | Based on a true story

Paris, the City of Surprises

Fleur had just turned ten, and her paintings were getting better day by day. She had to learn how to grow up herself which took a toll on her mental health and well - being. Her supply of funds was getting low, after all she couldn't live off of selling paintings. Thankfully Fleur learned how to garden from her mom. Papa taught her self defense. She was hanging on by a thread, but the tiny people skipping in the clouds kept her going. Her sixteenth birthday was coming around, and Fleur still had hope in her dream of being a painter. So with the extremely little money she had left, a one way train ticket to Paris was bought. During the train ride she was scared but excited for what was yet to come. Leaving her old city was like ripping a prized canvas in half but Fleur had just the plan to put it back together.

When she arrived in the grand city of Paris she was greeted by the Eiffel Tower which looked like it was practically in the clouds. The busy noises in the town, and the fresh bread smell from around the corner felt so cozy. The opportunity was endless. A few days had passed and Fleur had settled in. She decided to get a job at the local bakery, Boulangerie de la Nuit Étoilée, to support herself while she thought of ways to become a full - time painter.

"Here you are" or "Vous voilà" she said to her customers everyday.

After months of hard work and repetition she felt as if her dreams were falling apart. The city which once Fleur thought of as bright and lovely turned dark so quickly. In the night only two stars could be seen, Papa and Mama, which kept her going. She knew they would want her to keep pushing through and so she did. Everyday became more dull and everyday lost a little bit more color. Fleur Nacht was living in a world that was only gray, black, and white. She couldn't anymore. Her 20 year old self was walking home from another bland day at work when accidentally bumping into another person.

"Pardon" she whispered softly, looking down at her leather shoes.

Fleur heard a laugh that put a smile on her face. She looked up and saw the face of Rin Yoru who was smiling and giggling. Her parents were from Japan, but she was put into an orphanage located in France at the age of three years old. Rin was a full time potter and dabbled in the art of ceramics. Fleur's world started becoming bright again. The bushes turned a cheery, emerald green, the roses a peachy red, and the baguettes a sandy beige. The world was coming back to life. Rin took Fleur by the hand and skipped through the busy streets until they arrived at her pottery studio. Fleur was amazed at the pottery that looked so delicately crafted yet perfectly symmetrical.

"Qu'est-ce que tu penses?" Rin asked, meaning "what do you think?".

Fleur didn't say a word; she was speechless. She examined each piece carefully and admired each one dearly. But while looking at the hand - painted bowls she saw a painting in the corner of her eye. She went up and had a closer look. Fleur froze and looked at the signature. She started crying in both happiness and misery.

"Que s'est-il passé?" or "What happened" Rin said comforting Fleur.

That painting was the only painting that Fleur had ever sold, The Red Vineyard, and was a painting of Fleur and her parents' favorite place in Holland. Every Sunday they would go and visit the river and have a picnic, laughing and making jokes. Fleur was overwhelmed with emotions. She turned around and gave Rin the biggest hug.

Over the course of the next few years Rin and Fleur grew closer and began dating. They would go to Boulangerie de la Nuit Étoilée during Fleur's break and share a crepe. Strawberry was Rin's favorite. Rin and Fleur later moved in together. Rin supported Fleur's dream of being a painter and always encouraged her. Fleur did the same when things got hard at Rin's studio. But the hardest thing of all would happen in a few years. Their lives would come crumbling down like a baguette snapped into two.