She couldn’t see her beloved common zinnias again, couldn’t stroke Big Round’s head, nor could she tell Arnold.
She liked him, liked him a hundred tis more than the stars.
And—God may not bless him, but she would.
...
The day after Hannah passed away, Jack Stewart published her final status update according to her will.
—A thousand stars, make a wish, hoping you all find new pursuits and ideals. Fare thee well, and do not reminisce.
The accompanying photo showed all the gifts and letters Hannah had received from fans over the years.
In the center was a jar filled with colorful paper stars.
That day, many people were in tears.
Looking at the photo in the update, the girl recognized at a glance that it was the gift she had previously given to Hannah.
The inexpensive gift she worried about had always been well preserved.
The thousand-star wish Hannah gave to her fans who loved her.
The news of Hannah’s death ca so suddenly that many still couldn’t believe it was true.
It wasn’t until Hannah’s personal studio and fan club re-shared that update that the excited fans had to accept the fact.
*
It rained on the day of the funeral.
Fine drizzle like silver needles moistened the adows and forests, silencing the world.
Amidst the swathes of fiery red roses, she appeared as if she were rely sleeping.
Still beautiful, dazzling.
Those who attended the funeral were Hannah’s close friends from her lifeti.
Arnold stood at the forefront, with a common zinnia pinned to his chest.
The man’s face showed neither sadness nor joy, calm as a rose quietly burning in a fire.
The crimson blossom wilted swiftly in the flas, eventually turning to ash.
It was then that Matthew Quach thought, perhaps the inferno had taken the man’s soul as well.
That was the last ti he saw Arnold.
That year, he was twelve years old.
The flower pinned on the man’s chest was deeply etched in his mory.
Three years later, by chance, he saw that type of flower again abroad.
Local farrs told him it was a common zinnia.
Its floral aning is—I have lost my love forever.
In that mont, he seed to understand why the man had not shed a single tear at the funeral.
Three years was enough to change many things.
He t his father.
That man nad Alexander Quach.
An aloof "old man" who professed no love, yet had remained chaste for fifteen years for his mother.
But his pursuit of his wife was never-ending—often, in the midst of it, they’d end up traveling abroad.
Then he would be left with his cousin Roy Yarn, who only loved his violin.
When gathered with everyone, he heard news about Arnold.
In three years, he had traveled many places alone with only a plump Husky for company.
He heard that Hannah’s last wish was for Arnold to see the world in her stead.
The man still hadn’t let go.
This was as Matthew expected.
Because many others present hadn’t let go either.
Three years after Hannah’s departure, the entertainnt industry saw new waves of stars, yet no one could shake Hannah’s status.
Nor could anyone break the "legend" she had created.
Her fans still rembered her at the end of each year.
She was like a star in the sky, which at the mont of its fall beca countless fragnts streaking across the night.
The shooting star was beautiful, though fleeting, it lit up the whole night sky.
Two more years passed.
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