Carswell's parents had come home unexpectedly for the weekend, much to his absolute joy. Having them in the house, as always, meant chores, awkward family meals (three times a day, plus snack and dessert), and "social gatherings". The latter of which basically meaning him getting dressed up to go to Aunt Gertha's birthday party and having his cheeks pinched by old ladies who were either fat or Flat Stanley thin. There was no middle.
Between all of these, it was Sunday night before he managed to get a chance to look at the letters. Right after, of all things, a horror movie marathon, so his mind wasn't exactly in the best state for a late-night work session.
The first few letters were the hardest to decode. The strangest, at first, too. They were all in third person, which he hadn't expected, with a sort of unfinished feeling to each note. When connected, however, the whole thing told a story.
Cress's story.
It was so often nearly impossible to believe that everyone's lives were as complex and eventful as one's own, but at the moment he was facing down written proof.
More than that, he was seeing what seemed to be an obvious truth to any outsider.
He was a dick.
Cress had had a crush on him for forever. Almost everyone did, he knew (how could they not? He was capital H-O-T hot), but at least he made a point to send a cheeky wink in his admirer's direction every so often. But Cress might as well have been invisible to him before her mother's death.
He still remembered the day when the school rushed with whisper's of Cress's absence and her mother's facing, smiling kindly from the obituaries. Carswell never learned how she had died-Cancer, maybe, but now he knew why.
Everything has a purpose, no matter how awful the thing or outcome. And her death brought Carswell to Cress. A prince to his princess.
Reading the tenth letter, Carswell could almost feel his fate clicking into place. He would find Cress, scoop her in his arms, and pepper her face with kisses. He would tell her how strongly he felt about her, and then they would walk to school. Together. Hand in hand, so everyone knew they were together.
It would be perfect.
And so, as the sun was rising and the city stirring on that early Monday morning, he did exactly as the last letter said and met her where it all began.
if you guys would like to read the letters, just send me a quick message yes or no, or even just comment. this story is ended here, so if you'd like that kind of extra let me know!