Poster Paper and Pawprints

Blue Crayon Lion touched down on the smooth lobby floor of Blue Crayon Tower. Neon city traffic slid past the tall windows like slow, shiny ribbons.

He pulled out his phone. The school’s channel was blowing up with posts about “Track Meet Week.” His amber eyes narrowed.

From behind a curved white desk, Principal Maribel Kline whispered at her tablet camera.

“Okay. Smile. ‘Our meet decides the budget vote… and art class depends on the views.’”

Blue Crayon Lion’s ears twitched.

A door whooshed open.

Coach Rafi Vega hurried in, hugging a rolled banner like it might escape.

“Perfect!” he said, spotting the blue mask. “B.C.L. finally showed up.”

He slapped the banner into Blue Crayon Lion’s paws. Big blue letters peeked out: B.C.L.

“Uh—” Blue Crayon Lion started.

Maribel lifted her tablet. A red LIVE dot appeared.

“And here he is,” she said brightly, “our new track mascot: Blue Crayon Lion—”

Foam Fingers and Fast Feet

The red LIVE dot stayed on as Principal Kline marched Blue Crayon Lion out to the sidewalk plaza.

“Wave like you mean it,” she hissed through her smile.

Coach Vega jogged backward, filming with his phone. “Mascot energy! Also, we need extra views or the vote gets ugly.”

A kid in a gray hoodie skidded up, breathing hard. She held a cardboard box with a shipping label.

“B.C.L. delivery!” she said. “I’m Bree Carry-Lynn. I run mail for my aunt’s bakery. Fast legs, no bike.”

Coach Vega blinked. “Wait. Who are you—”

Principal Kline ripped the tape open on camera.

Out popped a giant blue lion head, foam paws, and a sash that read: BLUE CRAYON LION!

“Oh!” she said, eyes shining. “A sponsor package. Perfect.”

Bree frowned. “It’s for the mascot. Not… him.”

Coach Vega shoved the foam head toward Blue Crayon Lion’s mask. “Put it on. New plan: mascot runs anchor leg for bonus views!”

The foam slid over Blue Crayon Lion’s face.

Everything went blue and fuzzy.

He took one step, then another, and drifted straight toward the curb as the livestream chat exploded and Coach Vega called, “Three, two—”