– I'm waiting.

– Father, I want to sleep.

– No, I want an explanation! Who was that girl standing under the window?

– I… I don't know her. She must have been passing by.

– Liar! A girl doesn't go out alone late at night! Well, so what? " dad insisted.

– I have my first day tomorrow. I have to sleep.

– Suppose I believe you, Nielson. But next time I won't let you get away with anything. Remember, you'll stay in this house forever. Your mother and I decided it a long time ago. We birthed you and raised you, so pay us back. You'll have to serve and kill things that shouldn't be.

– What are you talking about?

– Go to sleep!" he slammed the door and left. It was clear that Henry thought his son was nothing. There was no love, only duty.

Louise started to comb her hair in front of the mirror as usual, but suddenly she froze in horror – her whole face was covered with some spots. The girl knew that she was not allergic to anything, and yesterday she had eaten almost nothing. And if she had, it was unlikely that her mother could know about it and tell Galina. Then what is it? What if she's sick with something?

– Galya, Galya, what is it? " Louise ran into the kitchen where Galya was already reading the newspaper. The same one Louise went to get yesterday.

– What's wrong? Don't scare me, baby.

– Do I have spots on my face? Where did they come from? They weren't there yesterday, I remember! …

– Let me see," the old woman called the child closer and began to scrutinize her face, in some places even a little probing.

– Everything is clear. Don't worry," after a minute she announced the "diagnosis". – You're growing up, Louise.

– What do you mean? " the girl was embarrassed.

– It's just pimples. Hormones.

– What's going to happen to me?

– You're becoming a teenager, that's all. It's perfectly normal. It's as natural as birth and death.

– I don't want to die," Louise said sternly.

– You don't have to," Galya laughed. – Shall we have breakfast?

– Come on. I'm terribly hungry," agreed the girl.

It seemed that Louise was ready to eat an elephant: a plate of porridge was followed by toast, cocoa and marmalade on agar, and then spoonfuls of flower jam straight from the jar. The poor girl couldn't stop.

– Louise, what's wrong with you? Aren't you full?

– I want more!" she exclaimed. One jar of jam had already been emptied.

– Wait, stop! You're not sick? You've never been like this before – you've always eaten little and selectively. You used to pick out all the bones.

"Adolescence. Ah, how long ago it was…" Galya added to herself.

The uniform fit perfectly, but the helmet was a little tight. All in all, Niels looked fresh, neat and warlike. But it was scary. Did his parents dislike him and want him to die in battle? "No, of course not. I'm a man after all," the young man reassured himself. It was time to leave the house – the squad should come for him and take him to the place of the meeting.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying home. My face is disfigured!" the poor girl was completely confused. She knew where Niels lived, just as she knew that there was a spark between them. An invisible thread had stretched out. First love, like in a fairy tale. One part of her soul had to find and see Niels at all costs, and the other part didn't want the shame of meeting someone else. What to do?

Niels… but they hadn't even met. Is there such a thing? Just fall in love. She's only twelve, she's a child – but her heart says otherwise. She's a magical girl, and Niels is just an ordinary man. A boy. Not Butterfly at all. She will fly, and what about him – standing on the ground and watching? It's not fair! "Maybe I don't need these wings so much? " Louise pondered. "That's what mom and dad don't need me. I'll take it and not accept this silly magic! I'll go to the City and look at people – to spite them! Mommy loved Daddy, just Daddy, so why can't I?"