Dana Scully finished gathering her books and folders that she would need for her first day at this new high school. They had just moved, again, and she was starting all over in the middle of the year. She was always the introvert, who hid behind her studies, and vowed to open herself up a little more with these new surroundings. She had to admit, she loved being in San Diego, she just never liked the adjustment period. She would be at school with her sister, Melissa, not that that found her any comfort. They were close, but complete opposites. She knew Melissa would have no problem fitting right in to her new school, leaving Dana to fend for herself and find her own way. Perhaps that's why Dana always found herself joining science fairs and finding other similar projects to throw herself into, it was easier to have an excuse to hide behind being academically active.
When they made their way to the counselor's office to get acquainted with the administration and collect their school schedule, Melissa had already ran off to talk to a group of students. Dana rolled her eyes and sat in the hallway, waiting for her name to be called.
"Dana Scully." Mrs. Johnson called out, peering her head from her office.
"Yeah, that's me." Dana replied, quietly. Mrs. Johnson could already sense that she was a quiet one, and looking at her file, she knew just how to hopefully expand her horizons.
"Have a seat Dana, I'm Mrs. Johnson, I'll be your counselor for anything you need while you're here. I've set up a class schedule for you, based on courses you've taken previously. I see that you're rather advanced in sciences and math. That's excellent! We have a great physics program here!" Mrs. Johnson exclaimed with a warm smile.
"I am, I've always loved science, and I'm just good at it." Dana shrugged.
"Perfect, I'll give you the information for the upcoming end of the year science fair as well. I noticed that most of your electives have to do with extra science courses or languages. Have you ever thought about taking an art class or something a little more, creative?"
"That's not really my thing." Dana said, worried she was going to be placed into courses that she had no interest in taking.
"Well, it definitely looks great on college applications to have diversity in courses. I know you're only a freshman, but it's never too early to think about sprucing up your transcripts. I have a class I think you'll enjoy. It's technically still a science, just of a different nature. Normally, it's a course for upper class men, but I would make an exception for you. Sociology with Mr. Lopez, think you'd be interested?" Mrs. Johnson asked hopeful. She knew that this was exactly what Dana needed to find her place here.
"Yeah, fine, whatever." Dana answered passively. She knew that with her counselor's persistence, she wasn't going to waste her breath arguing. She agreed to take the course, and it just so happened to be the first class of the day. Mrs. Johnson dismissed her to head to Room 42, to meet the exuberant Mr. Lopez.
As she approached, she could hear excited shouting coming from the class that she was supposed to be heading in to. She let out a heavy sigh and opened the door. As she did, she saw some students standing on desks, and who she thought was the teacher, yelling random phrases at them. Some answered quickly, but those that didn't had to take their seat. She began to slowly walk into the room with caution, completely confused by the scene before her. She stopped abruptly as she noticed the teacher pointing at her.
"Media has an impact on what?" Mr. Lopez asked.
"What?" She asked, taken by surprise.
"Yes, what? That's what I'm asking. I'll give you a second chance to answer, since you're new." He said again.
As out of her element as she felt, Dana Scully never backed down from a challenge. She noticed that all eyes were on her, still standing in the doorway to the classroom, and didn't want to mess this up. She replayed the question in her head, and knew she read something about it recently in a science journal.
"Uh, Youth Socialization?" She answered carefully. She noticed the impressed look on Mr. Lopez's face, and a small smile begin on his face.
"Close. Adolescent Socialization. But that could still be counted correctly, judges?" He said, turning his attention back to the rest of the students. Those standing on the tables exchanged silent glances between each other, and one of them nodded towards Mr. Lopez.
"Jury has it, we will accept that answer. Please take your desk, standing. You're still in this, let's see how well you can do, Miss...?" Mr. Lopez said excitedly.
"Uh, Scully. Dana Scully."
"Well Miss Scully, assume the battle position on your desk. You can have the one in the back corner there." He said, pointing to an empty seat.
Dana had no idea what she walked into when entering this class, but she found it exhilarating. She got her things situated, and stood on the back corner desk. The questions were fired at them rapidly, and she was actually able to hold her own for a few more rounds. When it got down to the final 3 students, she was one of the ones left standing. She had a smile plastered on her face, this was something she never would have imagined herself to do. She also prided herself for knowing more about sociology than she thought she did. She read enough articles in the science journals that she subscribed to, and actually found it all fascinating. She finally got a question wrong, one that was slightly more abstract than her usual thinking.
"We had a fantastic match, everyone! You all seem ready enough to at least pass for tomorrow's quiz." Mr. Lopez joked. Just as he finished going over the review for tomorrow, the bell rang, dismissing the class. "Miss Scully, do you have a minute?"
"Sure."
"You did well today, I'm impressed. I normally would give you an extension on taking the quiz, since it's your first day, but you seem to know your stuff. Here's the study guide, look it over, if you feel you're not ready, just let me know when you come to class tomorrow." He said, smiling before dismissing her as well.
The rest of the classes seemed to pale in comparison to how she started her day. Even her science courses that she always loved taking, just didn't capture her ultimate attention. She loved the chance to step out of her norm, and become a new person when she was in her sociology class. That is, after all, what she was hoping to do starting a new school anyway. She found her sister, and they made their way home. She was walking behind the group that Melissa had already melded herself into, and rolled her eyes at their annoying conversations. She noticed another guy running towards them to catch up with the group, and immediately recognized him from Mr. Lopez's class. He instantly joined in with their conversation, and Dana fell further back, until he noticed her.
"Dana, hey I didn't see you there!" Marcus exclaimed.
"Oh, hi Marcus." She answered timidly. Outside of class, she didn't feel the same courage, and fell back into her introvert persona.
"How do you know my sister?" Melissa asked, slightly annoyed.
"She's in my sociology class. She was killin' it today!" He responded, as he winked at Dana.
"I'm surprised she even talked to anyone, she usually has her nose in a book." Melissa said passively, she was already bored with the conversation.
"Thanks." Dana said, as she pushed her way to walk faster to their house. She passed the group and briskly made her way home. She was slightly embarrassed, knowing that she would never quite meet the social standards of her sister. Maybe that's why she looked forward to Mr. Lopez's class now, she felt like it was a chance to be someone she wasn't, or someone she was just too afraid to let show. She pulled out her study guide, and got lost in the contents. She couldn't wait for school tomorrow.
The next day, she cheerfully got ready for school, and her mother noticed a change in her attitude. Normally she had to deal with Dana sulking around, complaining that she hated the new school, every time. She knew her youngest daughter always found it harder to fit in that her sister, but something was different about her now.
"Honey, how was your first day?" Maggie Scully asked warmly.
"It was good, I think I'm going to like this semester. My class schedule is pretty full, and I like most of my teachers." Dana answered, trying to mask the excitement running through her.
"That's great, have you made any new friends already?" Maggie asked. She wanted to know what exactly was putting her daughter in such a great mood.
"Um, I like the kids in my sociology class, and my lab partner for physics is really nice. I have to go, don't want to be late!" She said as she kissed her mother on the cheek and made her way out the door. She didn't want to disclose anything about her sociology class yet, she wanted to have this be her secret solace.
She swiftly made her way to Room 42 with a smile on her face, she had never been this excited to go to class before. As she entered, the desks were all scattered, facing different directions. She gave her teacher a puzzled look.
"I like to see how tempted people are to cheat if you have a possible better view of another student's paper. That's the true test here." He grinned at her as he gestured to her seat in the back.
The class took the quiz, which was rather short. Dana felt pretty confident after studying the material a little more, and agreed to take the quiz with the rest of the class. When they all turned in their papers and settled in their desks, they looked up to see the writing on the chalkboard.
"Pen Pals. This is our next project!" Mr. Lopez exclaimed in a funny Dracula accent, trying to make the class excited. "I have a friend who lives on the east coast, and teaches sociology in the small town of Martha's Vineyard. Since you are my only sociology class this semester, you are the lucky test subjects of my newest project."
"Don't you mean victims?" A student chimed in from the other side of the class, causing a communal chuckle from others.
"Victims, test subjects, brain washed animals who do whatever their brilliant sociology tells them...whatever you want to call it." Mr. Lopez responded, captivating the class. "It's not as horrible as you may think. I just want you to randomly choose a pen pal from this bowl here. I've already divided the names, so you'll pick one to be your new writing buddy. This is an end of the year project, so you'll have some time to work on the final essay. I want you to craftily write to your new friend, finding out as much information as you can about them. Your approach matters, because you will need to answer these questions that I've listed in the outline. In your final report, I don't just want what sports they play, what their hobbies are, blah blah, I want the reason behind their passions. I want you to know and understand your pen pal enough to tell me why they do what they do. Simply asking them these questions will give you the answers, but actually engaging with them will give you the reason. I also want to know if you think their opinions on subjects may differ from yours because of location, family status, etc."
"So we're basically writing a profile on these people?" Another student chimed in from the back.
"Yes, policeman's daughter, in a sense. Like I said, your approach matters. The more in depth you can tell me about your pen pal, the higher the grade. Who's first?" He asked lifting and shaking the bowl in his hand.
Mr. Lopez made his rounds, and students carefully chose their slips of paper. As Dana opened hers, it just said F.M. She gave him a quizzical look, and he grinned at her.
"I can see some of the puzzled expressions. You don't know your friend's name or gender, for safety reasons, because we care and whatever. So you will sign your letters with your initials, and address your pen pal the same way. I've passed out the outlines, and I suggest you start working on your letters, first one is due tomorrow. Oh, and one more thing. You'll only be exchanging 3 letters each, so make sure they're worth it." Lopez finished passing out the slips, and let the class talk amongst themselves, trying to figure out what to write to their peers.
Dana sat at her desk, and looked over the outline. The questions were basic enough, but that wasn't the real project. It became even more challenging, given that she didn't have a name to work with, or even know the gender of her unknown partner. She brainstormed ideas and ways to stealthily get the answers she needed, but had no idea where to even start. She figured the best way to open up her pen pal would be to describe small tidbits about herself. She also found the idea intriguing that she could be anyone she wanted to when writing to her mystery friend, someone she would never meet.
When the bell rang, she shuffled out with the rest of the class, and her day passed by uneventfully. In her other classes, she kept jotting down different notes and questions to include in her letter, and couldn't wait to draft it when she got home.
She ran inside the house, and bolted straight for her room. She threw her stuff on the floor, and pulled out a piece of paper from her stationary kit that her father had bought for her. It had a small ocean detail on the edges, gender neutral enough. She began to write, and felt that she was being too generous with the details of her life, so she began a new draft.
M.F.,
Hello! It's nice to somewhat meet you. I'm not really sure where to begin in telling you about myself, so I'll start with my hobbies. That's probably simple, I don't have many. I usually stick to the academics, and love science. Anything extracurricular I do is usually some kind of project related, or just extra credit for one of my classes. I guess I'm kind of a nerd, but not in the cliche sense of the word. I have a pretty big family, 3 siblings, and we move around a lot, so I don't let myself get too attached to anyone, or anything wherever I currently am. I'm not so much into sports, or anything like that. I usually like to do my own thing, which makes it easy when we do have to just pick up and leave to the next new place. I'm actually looking forward to having a pen pal, someone I can hopefully talk to, who doesn't really know me.
What things do you like to do? Do you like growing up on the east coast?
I am excited to get your letter back!
Sincerely, D.S.
Satisfied with this draft, she folded it up and stuck it in the envelope. She didn't want to reveal too much about herself on the first letter, she didn't know how responsive her pen pal would even be, so she kept it generically simple. Dana was excited to turn her letter in tomorrow, and find out just who F.M. was.
Fox Mulder made his way to school, hoping to just get by unnoticed. It was a small town, so everyone knew any small piece of information of everyone else's life. Since his sister, Samantha, disappeared when he was 12, most people just whispered as he walked past them in the halls. He never really fit in, and played along to the whole dark and mysterious thing, which is why so many girls were always trying to capture his attention. He didn't pay too much mind to those around him, he just wanted to get out. Going home for him wasn't any better, and he wanted to be as far away from Martha's Vineyard as possible. He was a senior this year, and acceptance letters should be rolling in any day now. He had his eye on Oxford, mostly because of the distance, but also because he was interested in their psychology program.
After lunch, he headed for his final class for that day, his Sociology class. This was actually his favorite class, considering it had some connection to the field he hoped to study. He was also looking forward to their final project, writing to a pen pal to analyze them and figure out who they are, in just 3 short letters.
"Alright class, everyone settle down. I just received your first letters from your new pen pal. Remember, your letters in response to theirs are due on Monday. You only have 3 to understand your new friend, so make them count!" Mrs. Cunningham exclaimed excitedly.
She left the class to work on their lesson for this week, and gave the students a chance to read their first letters. Mulder, as he so insisted that everyone call him, opened up the letter, and immediately assumed his pen pal was a girl, because of the neat handwriting. He read over the words, and smiled at the way his new friend described themselves. He already had questions, but thought it only fair to make an introduction for himself first as well. He also thought he should answer her inquiries, even though there wasn't much to tell.
He had already finished working on the assignment for class, so he began to draft his response letter. He had to make it count.
D.S.,
Hi yourself, don't know who you screwed over in a past life to get me as a pen pal, but welcome to my life. To answer your questions, I don't mind growing up on the east coast, it's all I've ever known. Small towns tend to suck when everyone is in everyone else's business though. There isn't much that I do either, extracurricular wise. I'm definitely not a science geek, like yourself, and I do enjoy playing baseball, but other than that, there isn't much to tell. It must be fun moving around so much, I would love to not have to stay in the same place for that long. A few years ago, I wish I had the option to move away, but hopefully I will again soon. Just waiting on some college letters to come my way so I can find out where I'm taking the first plane out to. You do have a big family! It's only me, really, mom and dad are divorced. My sister went missing when I was younger, so it's pretty much been just me since then. That's probably a lot to include in a first letter, but I'm trying to help you out here, we only get 3. I am actually looking forward to this project, since you don't even know my name, I feel like you could be the best friend I have to tell anything I want to. Plus, it'll be a great start to my career in psychology, or at least I hope. Consider yourself my first client.
I'm looking forward to your letter back.
Later, F.M.
He re-read his letter several times, knowing he was disclosing a lot to a complete stranger, but was that any different than going to a psychologist like his parents forced him to after Samantha's abduction? His teacher had watched him struggle throughout the year, and pulled him to the side to let him know that she thought this would be a great project for him. At the time, he rolled his eyes, but now he realized maybe she was right. They had to get to know each other for the grade, so he might as well take the opportunity to pour his heart out to someone he would never meet, while he had the chance.
Satisfied, he folded the letter in thirds, and stuffed it into the envelope provided for them. He addressed the outside to 'D.S.,' and hoped he didn't scare them off too much already with just one letter. He didn't get much from their first letter, so he was looking forward to their second.
Dana had been adjusting rather well during her first month at the new school. She had her apprehensions when she first started, but that first day in Mr. Lopez's sociology class changed everything. Since it was the only one he was teaching this semester, they became a small family. She started talking to Marcus more while walking home with the rest of the group as well. She could feel herself coming out of her comfort zone, but the thought didn't terrify her as much as she thought it would.
When she arrived to class, she noticed an envelope sitting on her desk. The other students had them as well, and they instantly began to question their teacher.
"Oh come on, don't tell me you already forgot about your project. Your first letters from your pen pal's arrived yesterday. This means your next one is due Wednesday!" Mr. Lopez exclaimed, returning to his lesson on the board.
All the students began to frantically open their letters, wondering just who was on the other side of their exchanges. Dana opened hers and instantly assumed she was talking to a guy, because of the messier handwriting than her own. As she began to read the letter, her heart begin to sink at the loneliness she could feel just from reading their words. She could tell that they tried to hide a lot of their pain with humor, and might even try to act as if nothing was wrong. She knew exactly what that felt like. She smiled when she read the part about being best friends, it's almost as she had felt as well. She wanted to be able to put everything in her letters that she never could say out loud to anyone. There was no risk in telling a complete stranger, because they couldn't judge her if they didn't truly know her.
Everyone began discussing their letters, and talking about what they already thought about their writing partner. Some people said that the letter told them nothing, others received novel length letters and were excited to learn so much about their new friend. Dana knew she was interested in talking more to F.M., and needed to uncover more about their life. The rest of the class was spent drafting their responses.
When she arrived home, she pulled out the beginning draft of her letter, and her feelings came pouring out.
F.M.,
It was great to get your letter! I wouldn't say I screwed over anyone to have you as my writing partner, I'm looking forward to getting your next letter. I'm sure you hear this a lot, but I'm so sorry to hear about your sister, that must have been tough. I couldn't even imagine losing one of my siblings, and she was all you had. I'm also sorry you feel like you're alone, but you don't have to be anymore, that's what I'm here for. That is, if you're okay talking to a science geek, as you so nicely put it. You can't even begin to imagine how much it actually sucks to move around so much. I guess given your circumstances, it wouldn't be the worst idea, but when you're just trying to be a normal kid, it's absolutely horrible. Dad's military, and as much as I love traveling, I wish we could just settle in one place. I've had to constantly adjust to new schools and new people, so it's hard for me to make friends. I guess that's why this is cool, I get to have a friend, regardless of the location. I never fit in as easily as my sister does at school, I'm always the youngest one in a group, and I get outcasted a lot. I think I became used to not attaching myself to anything so that it doesn't hurt so much when it's taken all away again. That might make for a bad outlook on life, but I guess that would be something for you to tell me oh wise psychologist in training. I've already figured you're older than me, if you're waiting on college acceptance letters to be coming in. I hope you get in to whatever college is your top choice, you deserve it.
I don't really know what else to tell you about myself, I'm sure you have the same assignment we do, but I don't think there's anything really interesting about me. I'm pretty straightforward in my thinking, and very logical. I don't like to keep my head in the clouds, hoping for things that are unattainable. I tend to play things safe, because that's what I'm comfortable doing. I've always been the 'perfect child,' and I'm getting kind of tired of that title, but I'm too scared to shake it. This all makes me sound really lame, so sorry if that doesn't help add anything exciting to your paper.
I'm excited for your response.
Sincerely, D.S.
Dana folded her letter neatly, and placed it in the envelope. She already was excited to read F.M.'s next letter, even if they hadn't received hers yet. She almost didn't want this to be just an assignment, and hoped to continue writing them after this was over. She scoffed at the idea, and scolded herself for thinking that a senior would want anything to do with a freshman. She had taken their words sincerely though, and knew that her final letter would have to be the most heartfelt. She would never talk to this person again, and wanted to make it worth her while.
Mulder excitedly made his way to his sociology class that afternoon, knowing they should be getting their letters from their pen pals today. He didn't realize how much he was actually looking forward to their response. He was also excited to tell them that he got accepted to Oxford, and couldn't wait to get out of this town. When the students shuffled into the small classroom, he noticed a large envelope sitting on Mrs. Cunningham's desk. He suspected those must be the letters, and was anxious to open them.
Class dragged on as they took a pop quiz and she began her lesson. He was almost sure that the letters had arrived, but didn't want to question it. When he realized there was only 5 minutes left of class and everyone began to gather their things, he became disappointed. He let out a heavy sigh and began to throw his books into his backpack.
"Oh! I almost forgot, before you go, I have your letters! Please come up to my desk and find yours on your way out." Mrs. Cunningham said, distracted.
Mulder's mood instantly changed as he swiftly made his way towards the front. He found the envelope with his initials on it, written in the already familiar writing. He smiled as he made his way home to open his letter.
After arriving home and locking himself up in his room, he grabbed the envelope from his bag and began to read it. He smiled as he read over their words, and could sense a wit to their tone. He was instantly intrigued to find out more about the seemingly closed off D.S. He found it amusing that he had been partnered with someone who was the complete opposite of him, in every sense. Though somehow, he felt like this person understood him better than anyone had before. He pulled out his pen, and began to write.
D.S.,
You're lucky I don't have too much of a reputation to ruin, being friends with a science geek now. Thank you, for your sentiments, they really aren't necessary, but I do appreciate them. It was a long time ago, but I've never given up hope that we'll find her. I have some outlandish theories on what happened to her, and I think that's how I've become so isolated myself growing up. I guess it does suck that you have to move around so much, I never thought of having to start all over all the time. I wish I could do it, just once, to get away from here. That actually might become a possibility if everything goes as planned. I got my acceptance letter today, to my top school. I couldn't wait to tell you about it. The school is overseas and I couldn't be more excited to be that far away. I'm still planning to study psychology, I don't know why, I just find it intriguing, much like I find you. You shouldn't let the fear of becoming too attached take over showing people who you are though. They'd be lucky to get to know you better.
I don't think you're uninteresting at all, I find you fascinating. Maybe it's because you think so different from me. I've always been the one known to have some crazy idea or theory about everything, but you are the complete opposite of that. I think that's cool. I think we would make a good balance, if we actually knew each other in person. Sometimes, I wish we did, you're easy to talk to, even if it is just on paper.
Thanks for having hope that I would get into my top choice, I think it made a difference.
Talk to you soon, F.M.
He couldn't figure out why this somewhat anonymous person was so easy to talk to, but whenever he found himself responding to their letter, the words just came pouring out. He instantly slipped into a somber mood, thinking he would only receive one more letter from them. He already knew that the final letter would be something he held onto forever.
As the final weeks of the year approached, Dana felt like a new person. She had taken F.M.'s advice and broke away slightly from her timid shield that she put up so well. She made more friends than just the ones she was partnered with, and actually was enjoying herself. She was looking forward to the rest of high school, whatever it may bring.
She made her way to sociology, bright and early, and found another letter on her desk. She quickly opened it and began reading it, since she was early, she had time before class actually started. She smiled at the sincerity of the words, and instantly felt excited for her new friend's great news. She finished the letter, smile still plastered on her face. She didn't want this to end, and was nervous about writing her final letter.
"I'm sure you've noticed your letters on your desk, your next one is due Thursday. It is your final letter, so if you don't know the deep depths of your pen pal's soul, you are already failing." Mr. Lopez said dramatically. "I also hope you've had enough to at least think about begin writing your final papers. Given the timeline works out accordingly, I'm going to set the due date for those three weeks from tomorrow."
The class groaned at the idea of having to write the final paper, but Dana had already began working on hers. She didn't think her new friend was easy to comprehend, by any means, but she had an understanding of him. She knew she could be way off, but it's what she absorbed from his letters. After class was dismissed, she had a free period, so she took the time to begin drafting her final letter. She spent the next hour writing and then crumpling draft after draft. She wanted her final letter to be perfect. She mentally chuckled to herself, that's exactly what she was trying to break away from.
When she finally made it home, she ran upstairs to her room, and began to write.
F.M.
I'm sure you'll make fun of me for being a perfectionist, but I've drafted this letter so many times. I wanted my final one to be something you could always hold onto, as cheesy at that sounds. You may be tossing these as you read them, but something tells me you cherish things stronger than others. It's a quality I like about you. I'm so excited for you that you got into your top school! You'll get a taste of traveling and settling into a new area. I took your advice and stopped letting fear take over. I've made quite a few more friends, and I'm not as scared to become attached here. I guess I owe that to you. Looks like your psychology skills are already working. Not that I ever doubted your abilities. I'm actually going to miss writing you, because I think you're easy to talk to as well.
It's sweet that you think I'm fascinating, it's not exactly a term I've ever been labeled before. I think you're right though, about us being a good balance. It's amazing to me that we are so opposite, yet somehow, we just connect. I've had a lot of fun writing to you.
I wanted to make this letter meaningful, but I think I'm failing at that. I just want you to know that I will always have hope in your ability to be great at whatever you decide to do. Just know that whatever journey you find yourself on, you'll always have a friend in me. Good luck in everything that you do in life, and have fun in college next year.
Sincerely, D.S.
She smiled to herself, and sealed the letter in the final envelope. She wished this wasn't the last contact she had with her pen pal, but knew it was only a project. She had never expected to open up to someone that easily before, and would truly miss the connection. Now all she could do was wait for their final letter.
As Mulder turned in his final test, Mrs. Cunningham handed him an envelope. He immediately recognized the writing and smiled to himself. He quietly took his seat while some of the other students finished, and read over the words. He was touched by how sincere their letter was, and realized writing his final one was going to be harder than he thought.
After class they were told they only had 2 days to write their final letter and finish their report for the sociology project. He rushed home to work on both, but the letter was the most important to him.
D.S.,
I'll be holding onto all of your letters, because they're from a friend. I'm really bummed this is our last letter to each other, I will miss talking to you. It's funny, I actually went into this assignment weary of the idea, but it turned out great in the end. I'm glad I was able to help, although I wouldn't always recommend taking my advice, it'll only eventually get you into trouble. I probably shouldn't say that, I'm going to ruin my psych rep already.
You didn't fail, your words always mean something to me. I think I'll always find you fascinating, because you're unknown to me, and that's where my fondness grows. I think what I learned from you the most was that people come back from hardships. You have to move around so much, but you always just find a way to adjust. I think I sulked in my feelings for so long that I turned down the idea of moving forward from the bad things that happened in my life. I hope to take that with me, and put that energy towards doing something more for myself.
It's nice to know I'll always have a friend on my journey, no matter how far away. I know you probably don't believe in it, but if fate has plans for us, I'm sure we'll speak again one day. You really have been a great friend, and I'm glad to have had the privilege to know you on some level. I wish you the same luck in life, and don't forget to put down the textbook and open your mind a little now and then.
Until next time, F.M.
Satisfied, he sealed his final envelope. He was sad that this was his final contact with D.S., but knew he had gained a lot from just 3 short letters. He would keep them all together, to read when he really needed them. They were almost like a security blanket for him now. He had never really had the acceptance and reassurance that he was doing good things in his life, from anyone. He supposed it's because his pen pal didn't really know him, but on some level, they knew him more than anyone. He reveled in this small happiness that he was able to find, not just from words on a paper, but from whoever it was that wrote them.
It was three days before their final paper was due, and Dana was nervous to receive her final letter. She had already pretty much finished her essay, but something was missing from it. She didn't know if she was nervous about reading what F.M. wrote, or what they responded to her letter. She tried to make it special, but she was never good at expressing how she felt. She hoped they understood how much their exchanges indirectly helped her.
When she was handed her final envelope, she opened it carefully. As she perused over their words, she smiled. They had helped each other. She was saddened as soon as she realized there was no need to respond, and that she wouldn't be receiving any more either. She let out a melancholy sigh, and put her letter in her folder for safe keeping. She would be holding onto these, to bring a smile to her face whenever she needed it. They gave her hope.
She had everything she needed to finish up her essay now. The one thing she struggled with was figuring out how to describe the passion behind F.M.'s decisions in life, but they had so clearly stated it for her. Her final report was filled with the colorful description of her complex pen pal. When she received the grade for it, she knew that her understanding of them was probably more than Mr. Lopez could have hoped for. She got a perfect score, but that wasn't even what mattered to her the most. The ultimate takeaway from this project was that she had made a life friend, in such a short period of time. Even if she never spoke to them again, she knew they were always out there, rooting for her. Just as she was for them. She hoped that one day she would be able to open up her mind and believe that fate would bring them together again.
