I open my eyes to the ceiling of my room.
Silence greets me.
I'm in bed.
I stretch.
Then I get up and walk to the bathroom.
I stop in front of the mirror.
There I am.
A 17-year-old boy.
Ten years younger than the me from the other world.
So much has happened.
My first baptism in blood.
My first confrontation with a supernatural entity.
The elimination of a powerful skinless…
And a female skinless.
And now…
I'm going to eliminate an organization.
I smile.
In this new world…
I don't know if I'll ever be able to return to mine.
But that doesn't matter anymore.
Now I have to move forward here.
—Oh… right.
Ideas.
YouTube.
Streaming.
I can do that.
Also something like Uber…
Or Rappi.
There are so many opportunities.
Too many.
I should talk to Madison.
She has money.
Connections.
And… probably access to her parents.
I nod slightly.
I'll make a note.
For the future.
I get ready and head to school.
While walking, I look at the neighborhood.
Quiet.
Normal.
I smile.
This peace…
Is nice.
At the school entrance—
The groups are already gathered.
Laughter.
Conversations.
Routine.
I see Víctor.
He's with his group.
Our eyes meet.
In his…
There's hatred.
I pay him no mind.
Further ahead, the cheerleaders are gathered.
Vivian and Brittany aren't here.
Hmm…
I need to send Brittany a warning.
After all…
The fireworks are dedicated to her.
It wouldn't make sense…
If she doesn't see them.
I walk to my classroom.
My grades…
Are average.
Nothing special.
College…
That's another matter.
Maybe a sports scholarship.
Football…
Or basketball.
With my current physique…
And magic…
I'm unstoppable.
Of course.
I have to hold back.
But even so…
I should start.
I won't join any club.
Not yet.
I enter the classroom.
The teacher speaks.
I listen… half-heartedly.
"Mock SAT exams."
I lose interest immediately.
I don't care.
The only thing that matters to me now…
Is sports.
---
The bell rings.
Time for the cafeteria.
I go.
I order food.
I sit down.
And right then—
Two people sit in front of me.
Madison.
And Chloe.
—Hi —I say—. How was your weekend?
Both smile.
—Good… considering —Chloe replies—. With our parents' curfew.
—That sounds awful.
—It is.
We keep talking.
Casual.
Normal.
But then—
I feel a stare.
Víctor.
He stands up.
Walks toward us.
—Madison… can we talk?
She looks at him.
And ignores him.
Silence.
Víctor clenches his fist.
He's tried to date her many times.
Always rejected.
Bitterness.
—Madison —he insists.
—It's none of your business, Víctor —she replies coldly.
He looks at me.
I sigh.
I look straight at him.
—Do you want me to give you another punch… like last time?
—You…
—Enough —Madison says.
She looks at me.
Worry in her eyes.
I nod.
Then—
An idea comes to me.
I look at Víctor.
—Hey… one question.
He looks at me, confused.
—When do they recruit new players for the football team?
Silence.
Madison and Chloe look at me surprised.
Víctor smiles.
—You want to join the team?
He laughs.
—Is that a joke, Ryan?
I look at him.
Serious.
—No.
—I wouldn't be asking if it was.
The cafeteria falls silent.
Everyone is listening.
—No matter —I add—. I'll ask the coach directly.
—You could lie.
Some people murmur.
In the distance—
Vivian watches.
Brittany too.
They don't know me well.
To them I am:
A slacker.
An orphan.
Someone with no future.
Víctor clenches his teeth.
—Fine, Ryan.
—I'll show you how weak you are.
I smile.
—Do it.
Víctor walks back to his group.
—Are you seriously going to join the team? —Chloe asks.
—Yes.
—Why? —Madison asks.
—Sports scholarship.
I don't hide anything.
Madison watches me for a few seconds.
—I see.
—Don't worry —I say with a smile—. I'm really good.
Chloe looks at me curiously.
Madison nods slowly.
I meant it.
I'm good.
That night…
I'm in my room.
I prepare a balloon.
Red.
Inside…
A letter.
I release it.
Its destination:
Brittany.
---
At Brittany's house
She's lying in bed.
Then—
A soft tap at the window.
Toc.
She gets up.
Confused.
And she sees it.
A red balloon.
Her eyes widen in surprise.
She approaches.
Opens the window.
Takes it.
Pop.
The balloon bursts gently.
In her hand…
A letter remains.
Brittany stares at it.
Hesitates.
She doesn't open it.
First…
She'll tell Vivian.