I asked Oz about your classes and the possibility of you doing them online.He said it can be traced.So, for now, you are going to have to drop out.I know it affects your scholarship, and you need that, but I’m hoping the DEA can talk to them or something.I’d think they could help you keep the scholarship.It’s the least they could do.Considering.
I miss you.Thinking about you daily and can’t wait to hear back.It helps to know you’re okay.
Love ya,
Calvin
I folded the letter back up and left it with the last one in the top drawer of the dresser.I had read it several times now, but not known how to respond.There was nothing to tell him that I wanted to write in a note that others would read.But last night had given me something more than my loneliness to report.I’d had an evening where I wasn’t weighed down with heaviness and sorrow.
Taking a piece of the stationery that Winslet had given me, I sat down to write a letter for Oz to scan and send to Calvin, or however they were doing it.I wasn’t really sure.
I knew Calvin well enough to recognize his interest in Koralee.When he liked a girl, he talked about her a lot.He also spent time with her and assured me I was going to like her if I hadn’t met her yet.Typically, I did like the girls he dated.His taste had improved since high school.Or I had stopped being jealous of the females he was with.
Calvin,
Stranger Things again?I don’t think I could survive it another time.The first was enough.But I’m happy to know you have found someone who will sit through it with you and enjoy herself.Just don’t go replacing me.Your best-friend slot is filled.
In all seriousness, I can’t wait to meet her.She sounds great.I’m glad you found someone to spend time with that you also work with.
Things are going well here.I mean, I don’t get to leave the house, and honestly, that is starting to make me feel caged in.The house is massive and very nice, as you know, but I’m not used to being indoors all the time.Although the alternative is terrifying.I worry if I will ever be able to go anywhere again and not feel on edge.
Change of subject before I get too dark.I don’t want to think about that.Not right now anyway.
Last night, I helped Forge with the bookie thing he and Oz do.Oz was gone for the night, and Forge needed an extra set of eyes on things.It was a lot of fun.Other than having to learn the lingo, I think I was good at it.I understood what was happening in the game and on the spread.You forcing basketball on me all those years came in handy.If I can use my knowledge with numbers and balancing to help them, it will make me feel much better about all they are doing for me.I know it is because of you, but I still don’t want to be a burden to them.
Oh, one more thing: I have seen your cousin naked.Forge.Not Oz or Kash.It was … impressive.
With love,
Elsie
I was smiling when I finished it.I wished I could see his face when he read that last line.Folding the note, I tucked it into the envelope and left it on the desk until I went back downstairs.
Breakfast had been lively with Hawkins back.He showed me his new toys he’d gotten on his trip and a picture of him sitting on the horse that had won.Winslet and Noa gave Halo a full recap of the party to celebrate Winslet’s pregnancy.But Forge didn’t show up, and I found myself disappointed by that.Oz came in to get something to eat and complimented my work last night.He’d said he hoped I’d do it again.Which meant he’d talked to Forge this morning, so he wasn’t still in bed.The niggling feeling that he was avoiding me was bothering me.
I hadn’t flirted or done anything to make him feel as if he needed to avoid me, had I?He’d laughed at my comment about his monster penis.Maybe he’d changed his mind and was offended now?I was overthinking this.Just because he hadn’t come to breakfast didn’t mean it had anything to do with me.He probably hadn’t thought anything more about me or last night.
The sound of a rapping on the door had me spinning around to look at it before going over to see who it was this time.
My heart rate sped up as I reached it.Thinking it might be Forge.He had mentioned the basketball games today and asked if I wanted to help.Maybe it was him?
When I opened it, the instant smile that lit my face at the sight of Forge vanished just as fast.He wasn’t smiling.In fact, he looked like he would rather be anywhere else.Had I made a mistake last night on his spread?My stomach sank, and I waited for him to say something.
“Hey, you busy?”he asked, his eyes flicking past me to inside my room, then back again.
I shook my head.
“I, uh … you want to go for a walk?Get out of the house?”
Why did this sound like a breakup?We were barely friends.
“Is something wrong?”I asked.
He shrugged.“No.I just thought you might like some fresh air.It’s warm today.Spring is trying to show up.Sun’s out.”
Although I still felt as if something was off with him, I nodded.“Sure.”Going outside sounded wonderful.I needed a change of scenery.
“We kicked the heat on in the pool.Should be good to swim in by tomorrow,” he told me.
