_12/23/1990_

_Dear her, _

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_Hey, me. What are you doing these days? Sittting at home, drinking from your pink Owalla and watching reels on your phone while you wait for the friends you don’t have to text you? Well at least I hope your not still doing that. _

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_I hope you’re off to college and having the time of your life with all of your new friends. I hope your getting straight A’s and being the academic weapon you’ve always been. I hope you achieve the dreams you have, getting onto the cheer and tennis team and even being a part of the marching band. _

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_I hope you’re going to so many parties for the fun of hanging with friends and not just so you can get drunk and forget about all your problems. I hope your happy, I hope you’re loved. Because you’re not right now, and I’m sorry. I’ve tried, I really have. _

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_You’re her, you’ve always been her. You’ve got this. _

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_4/6/2025_

_Dear you, _

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_I don’t know who you are, but I got your letter. I’m not sitting at home and scrolling on my phone, waiting endlessly for friends I don’t have. I’m studying for exams and getting the highest grade in each class, while also continuing my athletic stance in college. _

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_I am having the time of my life, Working towards the real world and gaining friends. I am happy, I am loved. Don’t worry, I’m all right. _

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I sit across from a young college student, watching as she writes something down on a lined piece of paper. SHe’s smiling, her hands moving quickly as she fills the entire paper with words. I continue watching her as she looks up at me, her eyes not finding mine because there isn’t anything in front of her she can see.

I am her past self, watching over her as she grows into a beautiful flower. It isn’t until her life is fulfilled that I’ll go away. It isn’t until all of what her past wanted is done that I can leave her to the wolves that is this world.

But until then my dear, I’ll be here. You don’t know it, but I’m here.