BRACELET

Little Vivian

Vivian was already seated at her desk, her feet swinging beneath her chair as she waited for the class to start. 

Her heart fluttered a little when she saw him- her best friend and secret crush, Jack, walking into the classroom.

He spotted her right away, and his face lightened up with a big smile.

“Hey, Viv!” he called out, making his way over to her desk.

“Hey!” she replied, her own smile growing as he approached.

He slid into the seat next to her, pulling something out of his pocket. “Guess what? My mom bought two of these, and I thought you should have one.”

Vivian’s eyes widened as he held up a small bracelet, identical to the one he was wearing. “Wow, really? It’s so pretty!”

Jack nodded, as his cheeks flushed a little. “Yeah, I wanted us to have matching ones.”

She took the bracelet from him, her fingers brushing his as she did. “Thank you, it’s perfect! This is so cool! I’ll wear it every day, I promise. Now we have something special that’s just ours.”

“Yeah, just ours,” Jack replied, running a hand through his brown hair, as he couldn't stop smiling.

Vivian opened her lunchbox and pulled out the food her mom had packed. “Want to share? I’ve got some of Mom’s famous chicken wraps.”

His eyes lit up, as the aroma hit him. “Yes, please! Your mom’s food is the best. I hardly touch what our chef packs because I know nothing beats your mom's delicious cooking.”

“You’re really lucky to have your mum cook for you. My parents hardly come home, let alone cook for me and my sister.”

Vivian giggled, handing him a wrap. “I think my mom would adopt you if you asked. She loves feeding people.”

“Maybe I should move in with you guys,” he teased, taking a bite of the wrap. “Then I’d get to eat this every day.”

As they finished their lunch, Jack turned to face Vivian. “You know, Viv, I think you’re the coolest girl in the whole school. And now that we have matching bracelets, you know you're my… best friends forever, right?”

Vivian grinned, holding up her wrist to show off the bracelet. “ Yes. Best friends forever,” she echoed, her heart fluttering. “And maybe even… forever and ever.”

Jack laughed, his cheeks turning a little pink. “Yeah, forever and ever.”

“Hem hem…Vivian, Jack. It’s time to settle down,” Mrs Williams, their class teacher, called out to them. "Class is about to begin, and we need everyone’s attention.”

Jack quickly slipped back into his seat, his cheeks still pink from their conversation. Vivian gave him a quick, playful nudge before turning to face the front, biting her lips to suppress a giggle.

*********

As the final bell rang. Vivian gathered her things, waved goodbye to Jack, who gave her a shy smile and a quick wave in return and then made her way outside.

Mrs. Thompson stood beside the car, waving as she saw her daughter approach. “Vivian, sweetie! How was school today?”

Vivian rushed over, her face lighting up as she saw her mom. “It was so fun, Mommy! We learned about dinosaurs, and guess what? My crush gave me a bracelet….. now we’re best friends forever!”

Mrs. Thompson’s smile grew wider as she knelt to admire the bracelet. “Oh, that’s wonderful, Vivian. It sounds like you had an amazing day.”

Vivian couldn’t stop smiling as she climbed into the car. “And I got a star for answering all the questions about the T-Rex!”

As she buckled her seatbelt, her father, who was sitting in the driver's seat, turned to look at her with a proud smile. “A star and a bracelet? Sounds like someone’s had a pretty special day.”

Vivian nodded enthusiastically. “It was the best day ever, Daddy!”

“Well, in that case,” he said, turning on the engine, “I think it calls for a celebration. 

“How about we stop by the ice cream shop on our way home? You’ve definitely earned it with those good grades and all.”

Vivian’s eyes lit up even more if that was possible. “Yes, please! I want strawberries with extra sprinkles!”

Mrs. Thompson chuckled as she settled into her seat. “Strawberry with extra sprinkles it is, then. You really are our little superstar, and we're so lucky to have you as our daughter ”

As they drove off, Mrs. Thompson glanced back at Vivian through the rearview mirror. “So, tell me more about this bracelet, Viv. Who’s this crush of yours that gave it to you?”

Vivian blushed, twirling the bracelet around her wrist. “His name is Jack, and he’s the funniest boy in class. He said his mom bought two of these bracelets, so he gave me one because we’re best friends forever now.”

Mr. Thompson raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smile. “Best friends forever, huh? Sounds serious. So tell me, have I met this Jack boy before? Do I know his parents?”

Vivian shook her head. “No, I don’t think so, Daddy. I haven’t seen them but his parents are really popular. They’re super rich billionaires and own a bunch of companies.”

“Jack told me they have one called StellarTech, where they make cool gadgets, and another one called Horizon Foods that makes all kinds of yummy snacks!”

The atmosphere grew tense as Mr Thompson and Mrs Thompson exchanged glances. “Vivian, is Jack’s last name Anderson by any chance?” Mr. Thompson asked calmly.

Vivian nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, that’s it! How did you know?”

Mr. Thompson sighed softly, glancing at his wife again before turning back to his daughter. “Vivian, I think it’s best if you return that bracelet to Jack, and maybe… take a step back from being too close to him.”

Vivian’s smile faded, as she removed the bracelet and held it close to her chest. “But why, Daddy? Jack is my best friend. I don't want to return it.”

Mr. Thompson tried to maintain his calm, his gaze shifting back and forth between the road and his daughter's tearful gaze. “Vivian, sometimes we have to make tough decisions to keep ourselves safe. You may not understand now, but it’s for the best.”

Vivian’s eyes welled up with tears as she clutched the bracelet tightly. “But Daddy, it’s not fair. Jack is my friend, and I don’t understand why we can’t just be friends. I don’t want to lose him. Please don’t make me return it.”

“Babeee, Focus! There's a trailer ahead.” Mrs Thompson screamed, her voice filled with panic. 

But it was too late.

Before he could react, the trailer was already onto them.

It struck their car so hard, sending it spinning uncontrollably through the air

The world blurred around them before the car slammed into the ground with a deafening crash.