December 24, 20__
Dear Diary:
Do you remember the time when I was faithfully wrote to you day in and day out? Every little thing that happened in my life, I told you, diary, my oldest and dearest confidante.
As of late, I know I have neglected you, and for that, I am sorry. But my reasoning is simple: in my self deluded mind, I thought that if my story was not recorded in history, then perhaps my story would cease to exist.
I now know that is not the case.
Fairytales do not exist, dear friend. Fairytales are for dreamers, for those who have something (or, someone) to believe in.
The dreamer that you knew is no more.
The girl that you knew is no more.
She once had someone to believe in, and had someone to believe in her.
Wait. Flashback.
I still believe in someone.
But he no longer believes in me.
And that is the blade that killed the girl. The dreamer.
Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald.
Daughter of Pilar.
Sister of Luis and Miguel.
Fiancée of Ethan.
Do you remember the day that Whitney and I went to the Harmony Carnival? When we went to the FortuneTeller, to see what our futures may behold?
Do you remember my joy, dear friend, as I told you of what would become of me? That I would become Mrs. Crane, Mistress of Raven Hill, all of my dreams just waiting to become a reality?
And do you remember what I was most joyous about?
Not that I would be living in the mansion on the hill.
Not that I would be living the life of luxury.
No, what I was most joyous about was that I would be Mrs. Ethan Crane.
I would be married to Ethan.
Oh, but diary, how I was wrong! In my fantasy world, I failed to remember that there was yet another Mr. Crane. Julian Crane, Ethan's father.
And so, today, you know the truth. The glimpse into my future was what was to truly happen.
I am Theresa Crane.
Wife of Julian.
Mother of Katherine Leigh.
But I suppose I should be a bit more up front with you. I know that you are not one to judge me.
My one true friend.
As you may recall, I was on track to becoming Mrs. Ethan Crane.
I was also on track to become the world's biggest liar.
God, when I think back to the stupid things I did, I inwardly cringe!
I loved Ethan.
Wait.
Flashback.
I still do.
My love for Ethan, though, was not pure. I won him through manipulations. I did not fight fair.
Then, once I had him, I did not trust enough in our love. I lied, schemed, did everything in my power to hold on to him.
And what do I have to show for all of my hard work?
Not a damn thing.
Honesty is the most wonderful gift you could ever give to someone. I know that now. Ethan's love for me was pure. And now it is gone.
I hold on to that love. It keeps me going when I think I no longer can. That, and darling Kate, of course.
God, I'm so pathetic! Why am I sitting here, reminiscing over time long past?
But you know why, dear friend. It is Christmas. If I were still the girl that you once knew, I might wish upon a star for a Christmas miracle.
Because miracles do happen. Both of us know this. We witnessed one.
Ethan Crane fell in love with a girl that we both once knew.
And she broke him.
And she is more sorry for that than anyone will ever know.
Theresa Crane sighed as she wrote the last line in her old diary. The Crane Mansion was one of silence, and it comforted her to have found her dear friend. To speak her thoughts without being judged.
Not a day went by when she did not think of Ethan.
And not a day went by when she was not reminded of her past actions.
No apology would ever be enough.
Outside, a light snow was falling. Wrapping her silk robe tightly around her body, Theresa walked to the French doors in her room that led to the terrace and opened them. She stepped outside, ignoring the frosty cold. She let her eyes move towards the sky, and she gasped.
The clouds had parted for a moment, and she was able to spot the North Star. Bright and mighty, as always. How long had it been since she had seen it?
Before the girl she had once been died.
The girl had not completely died, though. Theresa could feel her coming back to life as she gazed at that star, could feel her taking over her mind...
Starlight, Starbrite, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight...
I wish that I had not lied and schemed to win Ethan. I wish that my love had been as pure as his. I wish that Ethan still believed in me. I wish I was still that girl who had so much life in her. But most of all, I wish Ethan the happiness that he deserves.
Theresa dropped her eyes, and a biting wind suddenly blew over the terrace. The French doors slammed behind her, causing her to jump. Chilled to the bone, Theresa walked back inside and climbed into her bed. With the warmth of her flannel sheets covering her, Theresa was able to let her eyes slowly close, and let the memories take over...
Flashback...