Yeah, yeah. I know I should totally be working on Guardian Angel right now. But I really, REALLY wanted to do this idea, so here it is!
May 18
Dear You,
I guess you got this letter, if you're reading this. That makes me really happy. I'm worried that I folded the paper wrong. Maybe it won't fly right, or maybe the guards will catch me before I get a chance to send it to you. I hope they don't.
Well, I'll just write this under the assuption that you get this, okay? Hi. My name's Len. I'm that little boy on the other side of the fence that stares at you sometimes when you're on your walk. Sorry if I make you uncomfortable. You're just really pretty, you know? I can't help it.
I bet you're wondering why I'm writing this to you, right? Well... I'm lonely. And you seem really nice! Whenever I see you smiling, it just makes me happy. I really would like to get to know you better. No one here really talks. We're all too afraid of the guards. Maybe you could talk to me sometime?
I hope that you take the time to read this. I know that you're really pretty and you probably have a bunch of friends. You probably don't want to waste your time on a dirty kid like me. That's okay, really it is. But, knowing that you know my name... it makes me pretty happy.
From,
Len
May 19
Dear Len,
I did get your letter. It fell on the ground before I caught it, but I can still read it. I hope that this letter doesn't get you in trouble with the guards you talk about. They sound really scary and mean. Maybe I can tell my daddy about them? He's a soldier, and I don't think he'd let kids get beat up like that.
I've seen you before. Your staring didn't make me uncomfortable, though. I was a bit worried you would notice me staring, but I guess my hat covered my eyes. Although I have to disagree with you on the pretty thing. I'm too bony, in my opinion.
I would like to get to know you better, too. But I'm afraid to talk to you. I don't want to get you in trouble. But how about every day, I pass by your fence, and we can exchange letters? We can take turns. Tomorrow will be yours, okay?
I don't think you're a waste of time, Len. In fact, you seem really sweet. I don't really have many friends. The place that I live... there aren't very many kids there. The adults are nice, but they don't really understand me. I think you'll understand me, though, Len. Really.
From,
Me. If your guards find this, I don't want them knowing who I am and coming after my daddy, since I said I'd talk to him.
May 20
Dear Hana,
Well, if you can't tell me your name, I'll just make one for you. I'm going to call you Hana, okay? Like a flower? Because you're pretty like one.
I'm very, very happy that you got my letter, and that you responded! I don't think your dad can help, but if you think he can then tell him. But the people here call themselves soldiers. Don't get mad, but I think your Daddy might be one of them.
Don't say you aren't pretty! You have such pretty hair, and your eyes are just so... bright and happy. They make me feel happy too, even though I don't see them too often. You do tend to hide your face under your hat. Why? You have such a pretty face, you should show it off.
I would love to exchange letters with you. Really. I promise to reply to all of your letters. This will be great! I'm so happy that you want to be friends with me. You really do? It just seems too good to be true.
I hope I can understand you, Hana. I do kind of remember what it's like to be a normal kid. I was one once, you know. I had a mom and a dad... but they're both gone now. This camp was too much for them. I try not to think about it, since it makes me so sad. These letters, though... they make me more happy then you could ever know.
From,
Len
May 21
Dear Len,
I like that name. It's much prettier then my real name.
I don't think my daddy is one of the soldiers that beats you. He would never beat a helpless kid. I know he works near here, but I'm not sure where. I don't think it's in your camp, though. I'll ask him when he visits, okay? He's coming to see me tomorrow night.
You really think I'm pretty? I don't know about what you say. I think my eyes look happy when you see them because, well... you make me happy, too.
Exchanging letters with you sounds lovely, Len. It sounds perfect. Being friends with you just sounds... well, it sounds perfect. Want to know something weird? I think we match each other, somehow. Am I crazy?
You don't have to worry about being a normal kid. Trust me when I say I've never been normal, not ever. I'm sorry about your parents, though. I'm glad I can make you happy, though.
From,
Hana
May 22
Dear Hana,
Well, you deserve a name that matches how pretty you are! I think it fits you. You're just like a pretty flower.
Maybe not. If he's your daddy, then I don't think he can be mean. Maybe he can help me, but I doubt it. These people who are beating me... they are doing it upon the orders of someone higher up. I don't think you daddy can do anything about it.
Of course I think you're pretty! I'm surprised you aren't told this more often. But... how can I make you happy? I'm just some worthless prisoner... I'm really not all that worthy of your time.
Do you really think we match? That's funny... I was thinking the same thing. So I guess we must match, right? We're like partners.
I'm sure your life is far more normal than mine, Hana. Don't worry about my parents, you bring me all the happiness I need.
From,
Len
May 23
Dear Len,
I'm afraid that I can't answer your letter word for word. That's because Daddy took your letter and ripped it up.
I don't know what happened! I showed him the first letter you sent me, and told him that some people were beating you. He got mad, Len. Really mad. He told me I wasn't allowed to go outside anymore. I had to sneak out to give this to you.
He told me that you deserved to be there, Len. I got mad at him. I told him that there was no way, that you were too nice to be in a place like that. I don't think he's going to visit me for awhile. That's okay, I'm too mad at him, anyways.
I'm scared, Len! Is my daddy really one of the people beating you? I can't believe that. If that's true... then I don't know what to think. Help me understand, Len. I don't understand anything.
From,
Hana
May 24
Dear Hana,
Don't worry about answering the letter word for word! I'm more concerned about you than anything.
I'm so sorry that happened, Hana. Really, I am. You had to sneak out? That was very brave of you. I wish I could sneak out. If I could, I'd visit you everyday, wherever you are. No matter how far away it is. You can't live really close. The only place that is kind of close is the hospital.
I'm sorry that I'm the cause of so much strife on your family, Hana. You should try to forgive your father.
I can't explain it to you, not really? They just told me that my way of thought was wrong and that I deserved to die. I understand just as much as you. I'm not keeping any secrets, really.
I guess there's one thing I have to ask: Do you still want to see me? I understand if you don't.
From,
Len
May 25
Dear Len,
Yes. I still want to see you.
From,
Hana
Sooo... that's all there is for Part 1: Buds. Here's a sneak peek to Part II: Blossoms.
"Hana... I don't know exactly how to put this, but... even though I've only known you for a month, even though I don't know your name... I love you, Hana. I love you and I want you to feel the same way about me."
Reviews make me very happy!