By the time I finish reading her letter, I have a genuine smile on my face. It hurts my split bottom lip, but I don’t care. There’s something about this girl that feels like a breath of fresh air. She seems kind, passionate, and funny enough, like a kindred soul.
I open my pencil case and pull out a matching blue ink pen.
Flexing my hand once to test my healing knuckles, I begin to write to her. Part of me wants to answer in a formal, cordial manner. Another part of me wants to hold nothing back.
I’ve given the right pieces of me to the wrong people and gotten hurt more times than I can count.
But as moments pass, I pen a letter just as enthusiastic to Mabel—a person who’s done me no harm and simply wants to get to know me for the sake of this epistolary journey.
Dear Mabel,
I hopethis finds you well.
It’s really nice to ‘meet’ you too. My name is Liam.
A little bit aboutme: I’m eighteen (it was actually my birthday thisweekend), I’m the tallest guy in my year (6’5”. Yes, I can practically imagine your eyes widening as youread this), I speak three languages as well (English, French—it’s not the best, but I make do—andIrish, since I lived in Ireland until I turned eightyears old), and just like you, I have a bigsweet tooth. White chocolate happens to be my favourite aswell and I’m quite fond of apple cake. I’ll have to giveTurona try. What exactly isit and where can I find it?
Will you believeme if I tell you that I’m also lookingforward to finishing this year when it’s only justbegun? I fall in the latter category too, Mabel. Ithink high school should be a period of self-discoveryto slowly equip you to deal with the real worldonce you graduate. We all have a place in theworld. It’ll just take some time to find it.
Can I ask what some of your dreams and goalsare?
I read a quote once by Wayne Gretsky: “Youmiss one hundred percent of the shots you don’ttake.” I firmly believe that you should apply to themarketing program. Study hard and have faith in yourself. I’m sure a few months from now you’ll beholding your acceptance letter. Fingers crossed for you.
I wantto take a gap year to travel back to Ireland. My grandparents live there and I miss them very much. Once I return, I’d like to enroll in engineering. I’ve always liked to build things and I’mgood with my hands.
Speaking of Ireland, do you liketo travel? If you’ve been anywhere cool, do tell.
I have never seenThe Vampire Diaries, but for thesake of upholding our ongoing pen-pal-ship, I’lltry to binge-watch it this month. Similar to you, I like the horror/supernatural and action genres. My favouritemovies areX-men,Insidious, andThe Silence of the Lambs. I’m also an avid fantasy reader. Do youlike books?
It was really nice hearing from you, Mabel. Until next time!
Sincerely,
Liam
I finish penning my letter. After reading it twice, I seal it in a new envelope that Mrs. Fletcher provides.
The smile stays on my face for the remainder of the day…and I realize that perhaps the rest of my school year won’t suck.
Mabel and I continue exchanging correspondences for the next few months.
In each one, I unravel a new layer of this fascinating girl. I learn that she has a sad past—one that makes me want to punish the people who did her wrong—but I don’t have the guts to tell her about mine. I share everything else, though.
All the pieces of me I’m proud of.
In every letter, we share our musings. No matter how inconsequential or paramount. Slowly, we relay all our dreams and life goals to each other. It’s humbling to know that we have someone out there who’ll always have our backs.
In the blink of an eye, Mabel and I become best friends.
We listen, motivate, and care for one another.
Mabel is my pillar and I’m hers.
Weeks later, I acknowledge the feeling moving in my chest every time I write to her or read one of her letters is the beginning spark oflove.
She’s the first person to have taken an actual interest in me and I lose myself in her.
Afraid of the outcome, I’m never able to echo those three little words.
