It's been a month since you've replied, and I've been sending you letters every week. It's kind of starting to feel a little stalkerish (completely on my side.)
Were you offended that I said we couldn't be pen pals because you didn't like astrology?
Or was it because I called you rude when you didn't ask what my favorite holiday was? (I stand by the fact that was rude, BTW).
Whatever the reason, I hope you're ok. In a weird way, I feel like we've become friends despite the hundreds of miles separating us and, you know, the fact that sometimes I still lie awake in bed and wonder if you're actually my mom and not some boy named Dallas.
(I know, I know, you're not.)
Regardless of the fact that you AREN'T MARGARITA, I've been enjoying writing you letters. I told my best friend Kacey that I was writing to a boy I've never met before who lives in Los Angeles.
I mostly told her that to win cool points since she thinks Hollywood is the most glamourous place to possibly live. I’m not convinced.
Do you ever get to go to cool events with your parents? Like movie premieres and stuff?
All of those lights and cameras flashing in the stars' faces stress me out. I can't imagine how it would feel to have so many eyes dissecting every single thing I do, critiquing my every move.
It's bad enough living in a small town where the rumor mill runs rampant if you're seen even talking to a boy at school.
Anyways, hope you're doing well? This is the fourth letter I've written to you without a reply and I'm starting to wonder if you've ghosted me.
Write back.
XoXo - Dove
Chapter 9 – Dallas
11 years ago…Paloma is 16 years old; Dallas is 20 years old.
Dove,
I know it's been a while since I've responded to your letters. I'm guessing you're in your junior year now and no longer need a pen pal, but I felt a responsibility to acknowledge all of the letters you've sent consistently over the last nine months.
A few months ago, I sold the app I built. Things got really hectic for me as I finished fixing bugs, creating presentations, and making sales pitches to some very wealthy and powerful people in Los Angeles.
For someone who is confident to borderline cocky (I know, you told me you’d describe it as conceited), it was a lot of work and pressure but I'm glad it's done, and the app has been sold.
It was exhilarating to take something I've worked so hard at and watch it turn into this living, breathing product that's helping people save money and find financial freedom. And it was a nice distraction from the past year.
But the come down has me crashing and burning as I’m back to my old routines.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do next.
Most days, I feel directionless, and the boredom with it all is mind numbing.
I wake up, head down south and surf with my buddy and then spend the rest of the day at my parents' house ruminating on ideas around what new ventures I can start next.
Sometimes, having lots of money at your fingertips kills creativity and that seems to be what’s happened to me. I can’t come up with any new ideas and all of my plan’s circle back to nothing.
Yes, I know what you’re going to say, and I fully understand that I could always build another app and start over, but I don't want to. Once I've finished something, I like to move on to new things.
That’s mostly why I stopped writing to you. I don’t have anything interesting to say.
Your letters, though, have all been read and kept me entertained. And for that reason, I've decided to finally respond. Because despite your age, most days you seem to have things figured out better than I do.
So, you won first place in your soccer tournament. That's great. What position do you play? Is that the only sport you participate in?
How was your summer volunteering in San Angelo? Did you feel it solidified your desire to pursue music after graduating? Have you started voice lessons? Are you pursuing your dream?
