Brittany hesitated for a few seconds.
Then she went to the living room, picked up the phone, and dialed Vivian's number.
"Daughter, what's wrong? You sound upset."
Brittany heard her mother's voice.
She turned around.
"Mom, it's nothing… I just—"
Megan—the name of Brittany's mother—looked at her daughter.
She noticed the letter in her hands.
She smiled.
"Oh, so that's why you're upset."
"Daughter, if someone used a letter to confess their feelings, it's romantic."
"But if you can't respond, just be honest with him," she said with a tender, loving gaze.
She knew her daughter was beautiful—she had inherited it from her.
Megan herself was a mature version of Brittany: stunning.
Brittany blushed and looked at her mother.
She didn't know how to respond.
"Yes, Mom," Brittany said, cheeks red.
"Daughter, don't fall for bad boys."
"They're never responsible," her mother warned sternly.
Brittany nodded.
She had already seen those kinds of boys.
She remembered Tairon.
The bad boy from school.
Brittany looked at her mother.
"Don't worry, Mom."
"That type of guy isn't my type."
"Don't say that. I was young once too, honey. Bad boys are good at sparking interest in pretty girls."
Brittany didn't know what to say.
"I understand, Mom."
Megan only sighed.
She went to the living room to watch TV.
Brittany watched her leave.
She picked up the phone again and dialed Vivian's home number.
It rang.
Caroline answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Mrs. Caroline. It's Brittany."
"Oh, Brittany. How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"I'm calling to talk to Vivian."
"I'll get her right away."
"Thanks so much."
"Hello, Brittany. What's up?"
Brittany gripped the letter a little tighter.
"Vivian… I received something strange."
"What is it?"
"A letter… delivered by a balloon."
Silence.
"I see," Vivian said seriously. "Have you opened it?"
"No… not yet."
"Good. Don't open it alone."
A pause.
"We'll meet tomorrow after school to look at it."
"Okay," Brittany replied.
"Take care."
The call ended.
---
The next day
After school—
Brittany brought Vivian to her house.
"Mom, I'm home."
Megan appeared from the living room.
When she saw Vivian, she was slightly surprised.
"Hello."
"Mom, this is my friend Vivian."
Vivian smiled politely.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Megan."
Megan studied her for a moment.
Bright red hair.
Green eyes.
A striking presence.
"Nice to meet you too."
She smiled gently.
"I'll prepare something for you to eat."
The two girls nodded.
As they went upstairs—
Vivian glanced sideways at Megan.
Mother and daughter…
They looked like two versions of the same person at different ages.
---
Brittany's bedroom
"Your room is really nice," Vivian commented.
"Thanks."
Brittany went to a drawer.
She took out the letter.
Vivian looked at it.
For some reason…
She felt uneasy.
They both sat on the bed.
"Ready?" Brittany asked.
"Yes."
They opened the letter.
Inside was a message:
Hello, Brittany.
I'm writing to let you know that soon you'll see fireworks… dedicated especially to you.
Stay alert.
Don't miss them.
A greeting…
The Clown.
A small pause.
I still don't know what to call myself properly… but don't worry.
When I figure it out, you'll be the first to know.
Well… you and the other two girls.
Vivian… and Ana.
Send them my regards.
Silence.
"That's it?" Vivian said.
She had expected more.
"Me too…"
Brittany frowned.
Then—
Toc.
A sound at the window.
Both turned their heads.
There it was.
A balloon.
But not a normal one.
It had the shape of a dog.
The balloon… was moving.
Its little paws pressed against the glass.
"…Did you see that?" Brittany whispered.
"Yes…"
The balloon-dog tapped the window again, gently.
Vivian slowly stood up.
Brittany followed.
Vivian opened the window.
The moment she did—
The balloon jumped.
It landed straight in Brittany's arms.
"What—?!"
The "dog" rubbed against her.
As if it were real.
Brittany froze.
Not knowing what to do.
Then—
The balloon jumped toward Vivian.
Repeated the gesture.
And then—
It leaped onto Brittany's bed.
It started rolling on the sheets.
Like it was playing.
Both watched…
Speechless.
Then—
The balloon-dog stopped.
It looked at the letter.
It placed one of its paws on it.
The letter began to fold.
Slowly.
Shape after shape.
Until it became…
A small paper figure.
A person.
The origami raised its hand.
And waved.
Brittany and Vivian froze.
"…What's happening…?" Brittany whispered.
The balloon-dog jumped again.
It headed toward a drawer.
It seemed to be looking for something.
Vivian reacted first.
"I think… it wants paper and a pencil."
Brittany nodded.
She quickly grabbed a notebook and a pencil from her drawer.
She handed them to the figure.
The little paper man walked to the desk.
He took the pencil with both hands.
And began to write.
Hello, little princesses.
What do you think of this trick?
A pause.
Well… back to the point.
I'm writing so you can prepare.
The fireworks show… has already begun.
Loren's fall is just the beginning.
Invite Vivian… and Ana.
And you, Vivian… invite that girl: Madeleine.
This show will be special.
A pause.
Oh… and be careful.
With a very handsome boy.
For now… that's all you need to know.
Goodbye.
Silence.
"Wow."
The balloon-dog barked.
And exploded.
Pop.
Softly.
The paper man began to unfold.
Before disappearing—
He raised his hand.
A goodbye.
And nothing more.
The room fell silent.