(The Girl Named Carrie)

*March 24th, 1941*

*12:41pm*

*Highlands High School*

Two days had passed since the academy tour as Anya and her friends were hanging out in the library as they had discussed the events of the past weekend.

"I'm glad that everything went well since it would have been pretty bad if Judith won in her petty lies but hopefully we won't see her again.." Russell had spoken to his friends in a tone of relief as his words were met with nods of agreement from his friends.

"You're right, I'm glad that Miss Joyce was able to stop her plans but regarding that, how was everyone's weekend been? I know it's been pretty crazy so I wanted to make sure if everyone is okay" Anya had asked everyone as she was finishing writing notes for her next class while awaiting an answer from the group.

"My weekend has been rather good, I manly just relaxed yesterday after the long day we had on Saturday but all seems to be good for me" Charlotte answered back as she smiled back at her friend as she looked over to her right to see a beautiful young girl approaching them slowly in which caused her to raise an eyebrow.

"U-Um, C-Could y-you g-give t-this letter to R-Russell please, Thank you very much!" The young girl had spoken to the gang as she was blushing madly before placing the letter on their table as she quickly ran back to her own table which left the gang confused on what they just had seen.

"Who was she? I wonder why she wanted us to give this letter to Russell, How strange…" Nancy had spoken to the gang as she observed the letter which was sealed in a pink envelope as she saw it being picked up by Russell.

"I guess she wants me to read it so I'll do the honors and read what's written for me, I guess…" Russell had spoken in response as he unsealed the envelope as it contained a letter which made the young boy raise an eyebrow as he began reading the letter.

"Dear Russell, I always had a crush on you since you are kinda cute and nice but I hope that you will accept my feelings but if you don't then that's okay as well. I hope you are having a good day as well. From Carrie" The letter had said as those words made Russell think about what he just read while Anya began to speak.

"So it seems that Carrie has a crush on you, eh? If you are not ready to date then it's perfectly okay to reject her feelings as well but if you are, then simply go for it" Anya had advised towards her friend as she smiled and gave a thumbs up.

"Thanks for the advice and I'm sure I know what my answer is gonna be.." Russell had spoken back as he smiled back at his friend as he got up from his seat and walked towards where Carrie was sitting as he began to take a deep breath before allowing himself to speak once more.

"Thank you so much for this letter but I'm afraid I will have to reject your feelings since I'm not looking for a relationship at the moment but we can be friends and see where things go if that's okay with you" Russell had spoken to Carrie in a uplifting and kind tone of voice as he gently placed the letter on the table while awaiting for a response from her.

"Oh, I-It's okay, W-We could simply be friends as well since it's okay with you…" Carrie had answered back as she looked up at Russell with a tearful yet confident smile on her face as she extended her arm out for a handshake.

"Thank you for being understanding, I'm sure we'll make good friends…" Russell had spoken back to Carrie as he had taken a seat in front of her so he could get to know her better as this was watched by Charlotte.

"I'm glad that things went well for both of them. I can tell that Russell and Carrie are gonna make good friends" Charlotte had spoken to Anya and Nancy with a warm smile on her face as her words were met with agreement from the pair.

"This reminds me of a story that my mother told me on how she and Yelena helped this girl confess her feelings towards my aunt and I heard it was a beautiful moment and she rejected her feelings kindly but my mother told me that they still keep in touch via letters for the past year" Anya had spoken to her friends as this prompted Nancy to speak.

"That's truly wonderful, It seems that your mother had quite the adventure all those years ago" Nancy had spoken to Anya as she saw her friend nod her head in agreement.

"Of course, If it wasn't for Kaede then I would have never been born and met you, Charlotte, Russell, Miss Joyce, Emma and so many wonderful people. If I was ever to meet Kaede then I would thank her…" Anya had spoken back to Nancy in a warm tone of voice as her words made Charlotte and Nancy smile warmly back as they suddenly heard the footsteps of Russell and Carrie coming towards them.

"Friends, This is Carrie. She is a bit shy but she truly opens up once you get to know her…" Russell had spoken to his friends in a kind tone of voice as he introduced his new friend to the others.

"My name is Anya, It's wonderful to meet you…" Anya had spoken to Carrie as she extended her hand out for a handshake which prompted Carrie to do the same.

"G-Greetings! M-My name is Carrie! It's wonderful to meet you. Let's be good friends from today.." Carrie had spoken back to Anya as the pair shaked hands warmly before releasing their hands from the handshake.

"She reminds me of Emma, Both are rather shy and quiet but I'm sure they'll open up once you know them more…" Anya thought to herself as she smiled at Carrie as she saw her new friend introducing herself to Charlotte and Nancy.

"I'm almost becoming a ladies man with all these beautiful women around me…" Russell had spoken to himself in a rather playful tone of voice as he chuckled at his comment which made Anya do the same.

"Well, You better protect us like Batman protects the people of Gotham or else you gonna get it!" Anya had responded back to her friend in a playful tone of voice as she gently gave Russell love tap on his arm as the pair shared a small chuckle to themselves.

"Batman? That doesn't sound too shabby but I would prefer to be called Superman though…" Russell had thought to himself as he smiled warmly to himself as he and Anya continued to watch Carrie chatting with Charlotte and Nancy for the remainder of the lunch hour.