so this is love
We laid on the picnic table outside my house, looking at the sky, watching the meteor shower; you had your arm around my shoulders and let me use your chest as a pillow. You tightened your grip, just a little, before loosening again and sighing quietly.
The stars were bright, and the night was quiet.
I was leaving to head back to university in two weeks, and your classes at the local community college started at the same time. You do so much, as the son of immigrants; you work, you translate for them, you take care of your younger brothers, and you still do your best to follow your dreams and hope to transfer to Columbia. These responsibilities weigh you down, I know, but you keep going. I admire you for that.
Last year was hard. I live ten hours away during the school year. We had our fights and petty jealousies, but we got through it. I know we will again, and the second time will be easier than the first.
I also know I will miss you terribly.
You kiss the top of my head, pulling me out of my thoughts, and tell me to stop worrying. I've offered to transfer somewhere closer before, but you always tell me to stay at my university, my dream school. I love you all the more for it. I reach up and twine my fingers with those on the hand around my shoulders.
Make a wish.
Hello (X),
It's been a long time. We were inseparable as children, do you remember? From five to eleven, we were together as often as our parents would let us. We'd stay up late at each others' houses, like little girls do, swimming in your pool, watching scary movies. Until middle school. Until popularity became so important. Until you forced me to grow up.
Do you remember the day? I do. It was November 1st, at our friend's sleepover birthday party. We had cake and ice cream, opened presents, watched a movie. And then I fell asleep. You and another girl gave me a hostile makeover, but much more hostile than any prank should be. You Sharpied my face; I couldn't get it off for days. But the worst was the glue. You glued my eyes shut. The chemicals damaged my eyes, and I've had to wear glasses ever since.
That Monday, you got to school first, and so everyone believed you. Everyone thought it was somehow my fault. I became a social pariah, and your popularity grew every year until we graduated. That first year, I missed you, the way we were before. After that first year, I resented you. You took friendship from me, ruined my reputation, and ruined my self esteem. It took me years to move on from that betrayal.
I looked up to you as children. I wanted to be like you, pretty and smart and popular. You taught me that you can never put anyone on a pedestal. Nobody is as good as you think they are. Sometimes, people are cruel.
I hope in some strange way, that you never forget me, or what you did to me.
I won't.
-(Y)