Hello again,

 

I hope you know that I remember you, your eyes, your smell, everything. Do you remember me? I hope that the memories are good. Mine are. I have tried my hardest to hold on to what is left of you. What went wrong? Was it something I did? I don’t know. You overtake my thoughts even when I am asleep. Memories flood my mind, taking over everything. I remember, remember how it all happened.

 

We met on that dreary April day on the playground. You were six, I was five. I remember how you looked, even back then. Blonde, shaggy hair, blue eyes that one could get lost in. I was sitting on a bench by myself, eating an apple and mulling over life. You were climbing a tree, a beautiful maple tree. I hadn’t even noticed you until you fell, landing on the hard ground. I ran over to you, neglecting my apple.

 

Your eyes were closed.

 

I thought you were dead.

 

But your eyes flew open, and you looked at me. Then you smiled. It was beautiful, your smile. It could brighten even the darkest of days.

“Hello,” you said, that one word breaking the silence. “I’m Nick,” That was the moment I fell in love. You may not believe it, but I fell in love.

“I’m Leah,” I had said, as I reached down to help you up. The touch of your hand against mine sent shivers through me that day, and I wanted more. Even at five years old, I felt my heart yearn for the first time.

 

We were inseparable. Doing everything together. All through elementary school. Then, that first day of 6th grade, middle school, I remember walking into my first period. In a sea of unfamiliar faces, I saw yours, and all my worries flew away. That first day, my love blossomed, and my heart yearned even more. After school, I was walking down the sidewalk, and someone jumped on me. I remember being scared as I looked into the eyes of Dante, the class bully.

“Gimme your bus pass!” he had said, his breath smelling of rotten eggs. But I couldn’t move. It was like I was frozen. Then the weight disappeared, and I turned to see you.

“Get away from her!” you had yelled, your face pale. Then you punched him. I remember smiling, in the midst of it all, as Dante fled. Then you came to me, and you walked me to my house. Then you did something amazing. On that porch step, you leaned down and kissed me. Oh, it was amazing, the feel of your lips against mine.Then you pulled away, smiling mischievously as you walked away. Yes, that was our first kiss. I hope you remember it even now, hope you’re smiling as you read this.

 

8th grade, you asked me to the Winter Dance. I remember saying yes, and you throwing your arms around me and kissing me. Thank you for that, for our second kiss. The dance came fast, soon I arrived at school. I had to go through five whole periods before the dance, but it was worth it. We danced for what seemed like forever. You gave me a rose after school, and I still have it. It’s old, and wilted, but I keep it. It reminds me of you, you see. Then High School came. We were together then, and we spent so much time together. I remember meeting at the movie theater, holding hands and fighting over popcorn.

 

I hope you know how much it pains me to write you this letter, to remember what we used to be.

 

I hope you appreciate it.

 

Prom. I remember when you asked me. You came to school with flowers, and proposed to me at lunch. When I said yes, your smile lit up the room. We kissed then, and you hugged me. You were so happy that we were going together. Up until prom, we did everything together. You took me to restaurants, movies, and football games. I remember the big day. I was so nervous. You came and knocked on my door that day, all dressed up. My dad answered. I’m sorry if he was rude. You see, I've always been his little girl. My mom came then. She smiled, and treated you like her own. Finally, I came down. I remember the look on your face when you saw me. I was wearing a sleeveless pale blue dress that came down to my ankles. The bodice was sequined, each sequin a different shade of blue. My hair was curled and pinned on top of my head, and I had put more makeup on than I usually did. I remember the heels, strappy and blue. They were uncomfortable, but I wore them for you.

 

I hope you know that.

 

I remember dancing. You were so good, and I was terrible. I fell so many times, I don’t even remember. But you caught me, every time. Thank you for that, by the way. You swept me around the dance floor like I was as weightless as a feather. The whole time, you smiled, your eyes twinkling. I hope you look back on this and smile. I hope that you remember that day. It was over way too fast. The last song echoed in the room, and you kissed me. It was long and gentle, filled with many promises. You remember that, don’t you? You whispered in my ear three words then.

“I love you,” you whispered, your breath tickling my ear. I hope you meant those words back then. I couldn’t even say those words back, I was speechless. I loved you way too much to explain with just simple words. Instead, I kissed you fiercely.

 

I hope you enjoyed that.

 

I did.

 

Graduation came soon after. We were both teary, for we were separating for the first time. You were going to Florida, and I was staying in Michigan. That summer, we spent almost every day together. We swam, watched movies in your basement, and visited Florida. I hope you know I was sad. I didn’t want you to leave, I hope you didn’t want to go.

 

Do you remember when you left? It was raining. You kissed me, and wiped away my tears.

“I’ll write you, I promise,” you whispered.

 

I hope you remember saying that.

 

You promised.

 

I waved at the airplane for hours, even as it disappeared in the sky. Then I turned around, tears mixing with rainwater and streaming down my face. I walked home alone for the first time, without you.

 

You did write me, at first. Then they gradually stopped. Why? Did I do something? I hope you know that I hated you for days. Also, the same year you stopped writing, my mom died. I lost two people I loved that year. You were like the son she never had. I blamed you for it. My dad didn’t know what to do, he couldn’t make me happy anymore. It was lonely, the two of us in a house meant for three. I didn’t talk to anyone. Five boys asked me out that year. I turned them all down. I don’t know why. Perhaps I still loved you. College flew by. I didn’t even notice what was happening around me. I got good grades, did well on my school work, but I was empty. It was like you had sucked my soul out and kept it. For some reason, I still loved you. I loved you and hated you. You took away a part of me. Maybe I’ll never be able to get it back.

 

I love you, I hope you know that. I hope you feel at least some feelings for me as you’re reading this.

 

Leah

It had been a week since I sent the letter to Nick. It was as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I sat and stared at the window for hours. College had ended two years ago. I wasn’t surprised he hadn’t come back, but I was disappointed. My dad had called a while ago, checking in on me. I didn’t blame him. I was suffering, and in an apartment of my own. I had lived with him for a week after college got out, but the house reminded me too much of Nick, so I had left. Now I wander the apartment halls at night, for I can’t fall asleep. There are too many thoughts in my head. I stand up and head over to the kitchen table, making myself toast with peanut butter and bananas. It was bland, and tasted like paper. I expected it to fill me up, but it did not. If anything, it made the pain worse. It was dark out, and I sighed as I finished my toast. I should probably go to bed, if I could fall asleep at all. I stood up and walked over to my room. It was colorless, white walls and a plush gray carpet. My bed was in the far right corner, I had a desk, and a small dresser. I headed over to a mirror that was hanging on the wall. Slowly working my numb fingers through my long, dirty blonde hair, I watched as a tear slowly rolled down my cheek. Mumbling to myself, I got into my light blue pajamas and got into bed. Then, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

I must have fallen asleep at some point, because I woke up to the sound of a doorbell. I lay still for a moment, blinking my eyes rapidly. Somebody was here at one in the morning? I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, still half asleep. The doorbell rang again, and I pushed myself out of bed, slowly walking to the front door. I couldn’t see who it was, so I opened the door.

“One o’clock is a little early to del-” I paused, staring at the man who stood before me. “Nick? What are you doing here?” He smiled, and held up… my letter? Then he said two words that made my heart leap for joy.

“Hello, again,”

 

Five Years Later

 

“You look beautiful!” my dad gushed, standing before me. “Your mother would have been very proud,” I smiled, holding in the tears that threatened to fall. I rubbed my hands down my dress, marveling at how beautiful it was. The bodice was fitted, and the skirt was long and flowing. My hair was piled on top of my head, and a laced veil hung down my back. My stomach did flip flops as I heard my cue.

“Here goes nothing,” I whispered, as I began to walk down the aisle. There were so many unfamiliar faces, and I focused my gaze on the front of the room. Nick stood there, smiling. That’s when I knew everything was going to be fine. I finally came to where you were, and you took my hands in yours. I didn’t even pay attention to when the priest started the ceremony. I could only look at Nick. When it was my turn to make my vow, I looked up at him and grinned.

“Nick, I love you. I have since the day you fell off that tree and into my life. Thank you for that. You gave me friendship when I needed it the most. You never stopped believing in me, and you guided me through life. I vow to support you forever, to be there for you, and most importantly, I vow to love you. My heart is yours, Nick Davis.” I said, holding in tears. Nick smiled again, and looked me fully in the eyes.

“Leah Clark,” he began, squeezing my hands. “You are the reason I wake up smiling every day, that I am happy every day. It is because of you I know how to truly love somebody. I promise to love you forever, to keep you happy and smiling, and much more, forever and always,” That’s when I realized how much he loved me, and how much I loved him. Before I could utter a word, he pulled me close and pressed his lips against mine. It was beautiful, the kiss. Filled with a promise of forever. I smiled as I kissed him, knowing that this wasn’t just an ending,

 

This was the start of a happily ever after.

 

The start of a new forever.