Marinette Dupain-Cheng was a happy young woman. She had a wonderful childhood: Loving parents who cherished her and always encouraged her, a warm home full of love and laughs and unlimited access to sweets since her family was living above her parent's bakery.
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After she successfully graduated from college, she spent the next two years baking and selling pastries with her parents. With that full time job and the fact that she didn't have any rent or bills to pay since she was still living with her family, she managed to save enough money to go to a prestigious university, where she was accepted in one of the best designer programs in Paris. She was so excited to start her first semester in less than three weeks! It was a dream come true.
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When she got her acceptation letter in the mail, her parents celebrated the good news with lots of food, family members, friends, and of course, a huge cake.
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Her best friend Alya Césaire, an audacious redhead with an insatiable curiosity, was about to start her third year in a journalism program. She was the best of her cohort, and one of her teachers gave her a unique opportunity to finish her studies abroad.
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Marinette was excited for her friend, but was also sad when she realized that they wouldn't be able to see each other for a full year, since Alya would be living on the other side of the Atlantic ocean. They promised to keep in touch through Skype, at least three times a week.
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The young woman was busy working on a new design that she planned to wear on her first day of university, when her mom's head appeared through the trap door in her room.
"Marinette, sweetie, do you have a minute?" she asked. "Me and your dad would like to tell you something important."
"I'm coming, maman! I just need to finish this stitch and I'll come down."
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A few minutes later, she was greeted downstairs by her parents who were sitting on the couch. The look on their faces was serious and the young woman suddenly felt nervous. She knew just by looking at them that whatever they had to tell her, it wasn't good news.
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Her mom patted on the couch, inviting her to sit down between them. She cleared her throat and smiled softly at her daughter.
"Sweetie, we have some bad news... Me and your dad will have to leave Paris for some time. Well, at least for a year..."
"W-what!" she shouted.
"I have some important family stuff to take care of in China. Your dad is coming with me because I will need his help. We will have to close the bakery during that time. And to be able to pay the bills, we have to rent the house." Sabine continued.
"What do you mean rent the house? I can pay for rent if you need money!"
"Mari..." called her dad. "It's more complicated than that. The price we have to rent the house is way more than what you could afford. We don't want you to start your studies and have to work full time so you could stay here..."
"But..."
"No buts, sweetie." said Sabine softly. "I know it's short notice, but I got the call only a few days ago. I contacted the University and it seems that there is a bedroom that just became available at the dorms. I explained the situation to the dean and he managed to put your name on priority list. So if you're okay with that, it's yours. But we have to give him the confirmation before tomorrow at noon."
"I guess... I have no choice, right?..." Marinette sighed.
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Tom patted his daughter's back with his large hand, a contrite look on his face.
"We are sorry honey... We tried to find a solution to be able to stay here while taking care of the family stuff, but it's impossible. We didn't want to put more pressure on you."
"It's... okay dad... I guess..." said the young woman softly. "I understand. When are you leaving?" "Next week." her mother responded. "But you can stay here until the end of the month if you want. Or you can move in the dorms next Monday if you prefer. That way, we could help you moving your stuff."
"Okay, I'll think about it... I will miss you so much!" said Marinette, a tear rolling down her cheek. "With Alya gone too, I will feel lonely..."
"Oh sweetie..." said her mother, before her parents pulled her in a tight family hug.
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Later that evening, Marinette called her best friend on Skype. As soon as the redhead's face appeared on her cellphone screen, she felt a little bit better.
"Hey girl! You won't believe what happened to me today! I was at the library and... Whoa! What's with the long face?"
"Hey Al... I... I just learned that my parents are leaving for China next week for at least a year, and they have to rent the house so they can afford all the bills and to be able to rent something over there..."
"What?! No way! So, does that means you will be homeless? Or are you going with them? And what about your studies?"
"No, no... I will be staying in one of the University dorms."
"Ugh, that sucks..."
"Yeah... I think I'll have to get a job, because I saved enough money to pay for the inscription, books and other university fees but I won't be able to pay for rent, food and other things for the whole year, only with my savings..."
"You can't continue to work at the bakery?"
"No... My parents will close it down until they come back, so..."
"Right... Poor girl! I wish I could give you a giant hug right now!"
"Awww thanks... I would need that. I just hope that I will meet nice people at the uni because I don't like the idea of spending my first year totally alone, you know?"
"Yeah I feel you... But don't worry. You're such a nice girl, in less than a week, all your class will like you! And maybe you'll finally find loooove... Who knows?"
"That would definitely be a huge improvement in my forever empty love life."
"Girl, you're just so picky!"
"I'm not picky. I just wait for the perfect guy, the love of my life, to magically appear in front of me."
"That's what I'm saying. You're damn picky. But speaking of love life..."
"Oooohhh did you see that Nino guy again?"
"Yes, miss! And I found out last night he's a really good kisser, among other things, if you know what I mean."
"Alya! Already?"
"What? Better test out the merch before buying it. Anyway, my lunch break is almost over. Better go back to class!"
"Right, I'm still not used to the fact that it's seven hours earlier where you are."
"Yeah, so don't you dare call me between 9 am and 2 pm, parisian time! Unless it's an emergency. I need my 5 hours of sleep!"
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After saying goodbye to her friend, Marinette put her phone down on her desk and dropped onto her bed, thinking about the incoming days. She had so much to do before moving out. She didn't sleep well that night, tossing and turning in bed until way past midnight. She sigh and covered her face with a pillow when she realized that she had to wake up very early for one of her last shifts at the bakery.