Do NOT own this story. Incredible Mary Hoffman does!

The Painted City: Classe

The fire in our souls will forever burn with curiosity and suspense.

-Anonymous

Violet drove her car down the Islington streets. She yawned as she stopped at a red light. She pressed the gas as the light turned green. She pulled her blonde brown hair back behind her ear as she parked the car in front of her apartment. It was summer. Her sea green eyes burned with delight. She picked up her bags and put the copper key into the door. She heard the click and the crimson door swung open. She set the bags off to the side and ran to the couch to go to sleep. She loved summer time. It was sunny and delightful before the cold winter's snow.

Violet Redwing was a top student at her school and a great artist. She loved to paint, sketch, and draw. It was what soothed her the most. When she was angry she would paint it out creating paintings of great emotion in anger. She was going to be in a University in two years. She was 18, and had medium colored skin with sea green eyes and natural brown hair with highlights of blond through it.

She looked happy on the outside but desperately sad on the inside. She moved to Islington for the beauty and beautiful scenery this year. But, it hadn't been helping. She was furious when she couldn't get things right and usually cried them out. Her life was boring and too perfect. She wanted to become an artist in Ravenna, Italy. There was a city with beauty and empowerment. But, she knew most artists were poor and were usually dead or old when they make a fortune.

She looked around her organized apartment. Pencils in one place, files alphabetically ordered, and her canned goods in an ordered fashion from expiration dates. But, she had to change. Organization is good but, she had to loosen up. Have some fun. Don't care about a small stain on your dress pants. She slowly said in her mind over and over…

"LOOSEN UP!"

Luciano stared at Arianna in frustration. Her purple eyes and brown hair were gorgeous, but he couldn't believe what she was telling him. They were madly in love, but, Arianna had refused getting married at the last minute. Why?

"No, I'm sorry I can't explain." Arianna whispered with tears dripping down her eyes. She walked away in her moon glowing gown. She looked back her eyes red and frustrated. "I just can't" and went running out the door.

"Oh, what have I done?" Luciano said quietly as he went to his balcony to think. He watched the stars and sighed, and sobbed. He saw a shooting star go by. His heart was lifted by hope.

"Send her back." He whispered under his breath. He cried.

Violet suddenly felt a surge of energy go through her. She sat up on the couch. Her telephone rang she got up feeling tired and went to get it pacing toward the phone. "Hello? Oh, hi Sky how are you? Yeah, I'm in Islington. I just picked up some bags from my old place. I miss you too. Yes, I'm coming. Good bye o dear cousin." She said and put the phone silently down. She was invited to dinner. She checked the time. It was 4 o' clock. She had an hour. She put her bags away and took out some watercolor paper. She had time to paint part of a painting. She sat down, took her fine tipped paintbrush and closed her eyes to envision her masterpiece.

Violet fluttered open her eyes she would paint her dream city. She started to paint a sunset and then golden pillars of a wondrous garden. It had little flowers growing up the side of the pillar and she painted light green bushes, that became rose bushes. She saw water, the sea and started to paint the deep blue colors. Painting made her feel so, much more happier. If you messed up with drawing or painting you could easily go over it or erase it.

She had forgotten about the time, she checked her watch. 4:45, she would be late. She got up and washed her paint brushes. She then, ran to her closet getting into some decent clothes. A nice summer dress would be fine. It was baby blue with a navy flower border on the bottom edge. She pinned up her hair and grabbed her purse. Violet locked the door to her apartment. She ran down the stairs. Not ever, have I been this late!

She drove her car at the speed limit, so she could be legally driving. She swerved around a corner and took a right. She pulled in front of a nice lighted house. It looked so, cozy.

She hadn't seen him in such along time.

Luciano walked back inside. It was too painful outside where everything was so beautiful and he was cold and grieving in his heart. He knew something was wrong and yet he couldn't figure out what. Next week, they would be going to Classe for a Ship competition where someone constructs a boat built for speed and beauty. The one who is most beautifully crafted, painted and fastest would win. Giuditta would be making sculptures and paintings on a boat with a man she knew.

Maybe, then he would feel and be able to know what Arianna was hiding from him only if one of the Stravaganti were here to tell him what to do from Islington. He didn't know what to do.

He sat on the edge of his bed thinking. He was twenty-two now and an adult he should know this already. Only if Rodolfo were here to talk to him. But, he was off away with Silvia enjoying a romantic dinner.

Oh, only if only…