billet-doux
Americannoun
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Jake trudged through the hallway. His stomach and side hurt from the fists that had been buried in them before school started. It was almost comical, really. In the modern day and age, where digital bullying was more common, he got stuck with the old school kind. The kind that loved to do their bullying with fists and aggression than with nasty comments and rumors.
And what made it worse was that nobody cared. Everyone knew what was going on. They were not smart enough to hide their deeds. But nobody cared for one reason or another. The staff gave a token effort to deal with the problem, but nothing actually happened.
He reached his locker and winced slightly as he opened it. Jake was about to get the books inside when he paused. There was an envelope there. It was resting on top of his things. Likely slipped through the grates in the locker door. It was likely either a prank or meant for someone else. He took it to see if there was a name on it. There was. It was his. And by running his hands along it he found that it probably had nothing but paper inside.
Probably just some jerk writing out a bunch of insults for him. Well, he would find out when he got the chance. He did not have time right now, but maybe during lunch. He slipped it into a pocket, got his things and went to class.
When it was finally lunch time, Jake slipped out and went to a bathroom. There was no point in actually eating in the cafeteria. He would just get his food taken by one of his bullies. Either that, or it would end up on his clothes for the same reason. He entered a stall, sat and pulled out the note.
Inside was not a string of insults. It was a note. Practically a letter. Handwritten, too. He did not recognize the handwriting, but then again, he did not go around studying his classmate’s penmanship. He sighed and started to read.
Dear Jake,
I know it’s hard for you. I see what happens to you. I hear about it all the time. I wish I could do more to help. I’ve tried to do something to help you, but nobody pays attention. Not even to me. But just because some people are jerks towards you, doesn’t mean nobody likes you. I like you. I really like you. I think I may even love you. It’s hard to tell right now. I’m sure it seems weird to you, and you’re probably thinking this is some prank by a bunch of jerks. I can’t offer you any proof, not in a letter like this. But I promise it’s not a prank. I love you, Jake. At least, I’m pretty sure I do. And I’ll find a way to help you. I don’t know how yet, but I will. Somehow. But for now, just know you’re not as alone as you think you are.
Love,
L
Jake read and reread the letter. His hands shook as he read. He was not sure if he believed the words written there. After all, who could love him? And he had no idea who it could be. It was not like a single letter signature told him much.
He knew it had to be a joke. A prank of some kind. He had no idea what the angle was yet, but there was one. He just knew it. And yet…
Deep down, Jake wondered. Wondered if this could be real. If there was someone out there who loved him. He knew it was probably not real. But he wanted it to be. He gripped the single sheet of paper like it would solve all his problems. It may have been a false hope, but it was more than he had.
Jake kept reading the letter, right up until his tears started staining the paper.
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