The letter

      Midnight. Every contestant, and not only them, was asleep. Everyone except Ukulele. She couldn't sleep. Thoughts of Bubble Wrap couldn't leave her head again. Why was she the one eliminated? Why was Bubble Wrap the one eliminated and not someone else? Why was Ukulele's friend, the one she cared about so much, eliminated?..       Right now, Ukulele wished that Bubble Wrap was here with her. She just wanted to have a nice conversation with her friend, laugh with her about something, hug her. But that wasn't going to happen. And all because Bubble Wrap was eliminated.       Memories of their last conversation came flooding back. The letter that was handed to Ukulele with the words "read it when you're ready" immediately came to mind. But she has never read it. The letter is still lying on her desk, waiting for the moment when it will finally be read. And that moment will come now.       Getting out of her bed, Ukulele went to her desk. She picked up the envelope with the letter in it and carefully, afraid to tear it, opened it. She didn't tear it because she wanted to keep not only the letter itself, but also the envelope it was in. It was unknown when she and Bubble Wrap would be able to see each other again, so Ukulele wanted to keep all the things that reminded her of her friend.       She pulled the letter out of the envelope and immediately began to read it…

***

        «Dear Ukulele,       If you're reading this, then I was probably eliminated. I knew from the start this day would come, so I wrote down everything I wanted to say to you in advance.       You are a wonderful friend, Ukulele! I'm even ready to say that you are the bestest friend I have ever had. When I am next to you, I feel like the happiest object on the planet. All those moments that we spent together will forever remain in my memories as the best in my life. I want to thank you for simply being next to me.       But there is something I must confess to you. I love you, Ukulele. And I really want us to something become more than just friends. I would never have the courage to say it to your face; confessing my love through a letter is much easier. I hope that you love me too. At least as a friend.        I think that's all I wanted to tell you. Goodbye now.       With love,       Bubble Wrap.»         Ukulele stared at the letter in shock. Yes, she was happy to know that Bubble Wrap loved her as much as she loved her… But she didn't expect her friend to love her in a romantic way. Her breathing became shallow. Her pulse quickened.       "I love you" repeated again and again in Ukulele's head. She reread the letter at least three more times to make sure that her imagination wasn't playing with her. Had she fallen asleep and was everything written in the letter actually just a dream? Ukulele pinched herself gently and made sure this wasn't a dream.       "She loves me," she said quietly, almost in a whisper, still not believing what was written in the letter. But after reading that one paragraph again, she was convinced of the truth of those words.       A slight blush appeared on her face. A silly smile spread across her face. Holding the letter closer to her, Ukulele laughed softly and happily. Bubble Wrap loves her! Bubble Wrap loves her too, and she was the one who confessed her love. She confessed her love to Ukulele, albeit through a letter.       Taking a small piece of paper from her drawer and taking a pen lying on the table in her right hand, Ukulele began to write something quickly. She will also confess her love to her friend. She has to let Bubble Wrap know that these feelings are mutual. She has to let her know that she loves her with all her heart.       "And I love her," Ukulele added quietly, but with more confidence.       She didn't know how she will deliver her letter to Bubble Wrap. But she knew for sure that she'll find a way to do it. Ukulele will do anything for her beloved friend. And now she was convinced of that for the hundredth time.