Talk About Fate

Prologue

Dear Alex,

I got accepted into Colorado University. Your mother told me you are staying on the east coast and attending Virginia Tech. I know how much you have wanted to go there, and I want to congratulate you on that outstanding accomplishment.

But, the reason for this letter is not to tell you how great you are, which should be common knowledge to us both. The reason for this note is to end our relationship on something better than harsh words said at three in the morning. I was tired, you were tired, and things weren't going the way we had planned them the year before. But, now I can tell you how much you mean to me without pride and arrogance getting the best of us.

I have never met anyone quite like you, and I think that's why I fell so hard for you. You know, I had never liked brown eyes, but the moment I met you they became my favorite color. You were so sweet and we were the classic in love, nothing could separate us high school couple that annoyed others to no end. I guess that was something you didn't want.

You were smarter than me, no doubt. Your valedictorian speech out-shined my B average, but I could never tell you that to your face. I spent so many sleepless nights contemplating the how and why you ever chose me when you could have had any girl you wanted.

I remember how nervous you were before the first baseball game your sophomore year. You were finally starting second basemen for varsity and on the other team was your best friend from middle school who had ended your friendship with words that were sharper than knives. We spent that night in your basement binge watching Netflix and eating so much popcorn our stomachs hurt. That was our first deep conversation, and you were the one coming to me for comfort.

Just the year before I was tying up the laces to my cleats and being more than happy for my first high school softball game as a freshman. You were over on the other field playing baseball, but I didn't care. Little did I know that the love of my life needed me and I barely even knew his name.

Alex, I never imagined a love like ours. The movies have it all wrong. It's not always between the popular, athletic guy who has everything and the nerdy, less popular girl who had the grades. Sometimes unlikely pairs start in the hallway of the two lovers' sophomore years and the girl had her clique, which seemed to be so important back then, and the boy had his books. You'd think the one who would fall would be the boy, but strange enough the girl fell harder than she ever had before.

I saw you and for the first time in years, I didn't need appreciation from the whole world. I only needed appreciation from you.

So, you see, while those nights you said I could never love you like you love me, keep in mind that while you were busy worrying about your AP test the following week, you were the only thing consuming my thoughts.

Please accept this letter as closure on who we were and if we ever meet again, please know that nothing lasts forever, but only for our benefit. So, when the nights get too dark, look at the sky and remember that fourth of July I spent with your family on your deck and even though the stars are barely visible in Wilmington, they were shining extra brightly that night for a love that was meant to be. The fireworks went off and you held my hand, and for the first time in my whole life, I wanted time to stand still so I could be with you forever.

I hope Virginia treats you well. And I also hope you can move on because being stuck in a past love is way worse than pretending to love someone new.

Best wishes,

Bethany