SEPTEMBER, 2029
Dear Asher,
I’ve started this letter multiple times in the past two months. I’m so sorry I didn’t reply sooner, but the struggle has been real.
I can’t fathom a parent telling their child what yours did. You are so worthy of love. You don’t have to get good grades or be the best at something in order to be loved.
It makes me so mad. So, so mad.
I have nothing positive to add to this conversation, and I have nothing positive to say about my life either, so I’m going to leave this here.
I did want to say you are deserving of love just because of who you are. You don’t need to be the best at something or first in line or whatever it is they made you feel. Just by existing, everyone’s worthy of love, you included. Actually, would it be weird for me to tell you I love you? I don’t know how to explain it, but I do. I care about you so much, and all I think about is you and how easy it is to talk to you and share things with you, and I really, really, really wish we could be in the same place. I could show you how deserving of being loved you are.
Okay, before this gets weirder . . . Talk to you soon.
Xo,
Hales
OCTOBER, 2029
Dear Asher:
I’m not going to apologize for telling you I love you, but maybe I’ll apologize if it scared you. I didn’t mean I wanted you to drop your whole life and move here. I didn’t say it expecting something back, and after reading what you said about your parents, I fear that’s how you took it.
I will apologize if it made you feel like that. It wasn’t my intention. I just wanted you to know you are a very lovable person. I should have just waited, but my heart was in shambles after reading that, and I just needed to make you feel better.
That’s all I do lately too—make sure everyone feels better. So if I made you feel bad, that’s not what I wanted.
Would you write me back so I can stop spiraling and overthinking?
That would be great.
Thanks.
Xo,
Hales
NOVEMBER, 2029
Dear Asher:
Not that you asked, but now, I’m mad. You haven’t replied to any of my letters or read any of my texts. Are you alive? Are you okay? Short of flying to Alaska, I’ve tried everything. I just need you to tell me if you’re okay.
Please just tell me you are.
Xo,
Hales
NOVEMBER, 2029
Dear Hailey:
I’m alive, but I’m not doing okay. I’ll tell you more next month. Yeah?
Love,
