Pen~Pals

The start of It all!

^^ Young Declan ^^

"Ok class I'm excited to announce that starting today till the end of the year we will be participating in a very fun activity." Mrs. Morales announced effectively gaining the complete of each and every student in her 3rd grade class

"Who wants to know what the activity is?"

Every kid raised their hand excitedly some even stood up and started jumping in place while raising their arm as high as they could.

Mrs. Morales relished in the excitement she had created amongst her students and remained silent for a few moments taking it all in. Then when she felt the students had more the enough anticipation she continued with her announcement.

" Alright everyone settle down. I am happy to announce that we will be joining 3 other elementary schools and we will doing PEN PALS!"

Almost all of the students became quiet quite not quite understanding what a pen pal was. Declan the smallest kid in the class was the exception. He knew exactly what a pen pal was and he was was having the hardest time hiding his elation.

"So we will have you all pick a fun nickname for yourselves and this will be the name you will use for the duration of the year while you are doing the pen pal activity. I will have you all write your name and nickname on the card that I am passing out to you."

Declan was Immediately trying to decide on a clever nickname. He remembers sitting with his older brother Drake while he came up with a screen name for his computer game. They had so much fun thinking of funny nicknames and super gross ones that they knew their mother would quickly say a big N-O to. Declan was determined to pick the perfect name.

"Once you have chosen your name please place it back on my desk. After school I will be meeting with the other teachers to match you all with another student. Then tomorrow I will be assigning you your pen pal and we will spend the remainder of class writing letters to your new pen pal. This will be a weekly thing, every Friday I will give you your letter from your pal and then you will spend the rest of the class replying to it. Does everyone understand? Does anyone have any questions?"

A few hands raised up including Declans.

"Amy"

"Are we going to meet our pen pals?"

"No. Let me make one thing clear. This is supposed to be a fun activity, however it is to remain anonymous that is the purpose of the nicknames. You are not to give out your real name or any personal details about yourself. Anyone who breaks these rules will be removed from the activity and spend the class time writing each spelling word 100 times is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am," everyone answered as one.

"Okay next question. Declan!" Mrs. Morales was surprised to see Declan raising his hand since he was such a shy and quiet child it usually took some coaxing to get him to speak up.

"Can we make the letter as long as we want?"

"Yes absolutely, we want you to have fun doing this activity!"

Mrs. Morales continued answering the students questions as everyone was coming up with nicknames for themselves. Declan had pulled out a scratch paper and started writing down all his ideas.

*DECLAN'S *POV*

Deccy (mom's nickname for me)... No way

Deck... Nah

Vegas (dad's nickname for me since that is where I was born during a trip)... Nope

Duces (since i'm the 2nd born)...oh gosh no

Mario Master (Cuz I am lol)... No

Peewee (Drake's nickname for me)...Not happening

Dee (Delilah's nickname for me)...unh-uh

OMG I know

DASH (Declan Andrew Spencer Hayes) my initials that's perfect

I quickly wrote down my nickname and stood up to take the card up to the teachers desk. I couldn't wait to write my letter and to start receiving them in return. I love writing letters I used to write them to my grandpa before he got sick. He couldn't write anymore and soon after he went to heaven with my grandma. I was very sad and I still miss him but my mom takes me to see his grave and I always leave him a letter. It will be good to finally have someone write me back.

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NEXT DAY (STILL DECLAN'S POV)

My mom dropped me of at the car rider entrance and I raced through the school to get to class. I had to stop running when Coach Richards blew his whistle at me and threatened me with laps. I continued to speed walk till I was around the corner then proceeded to run. I was too anxious to walk I needed to get to class. I couldn't wait to start my letter to my pen pal. I walked into class and received a big smile from Mrs. Morales.

"Why hello Mr. Hayes are you excited for today?"

"Umm... Yeah I am. I can't wait to get my pen pal!"

I grabbed tight onto the straps of my back pack and rocked back and forth on my heels. I wished the bell would hurry up and ring so we could get started.

"Go ahead and grab your seat"

"Ok!"

I skipped happily to my seat and started pulling out my notebook and the collection of pens I brought with me I wanted to make sure it was the best letter I ever wrote.

After a few minutes the bell finally rang and all the other kids started coming in and getting into their seats. Once everyone was settled Mrs. Morales started walking from her desk to the center of the room with a stack of folders.

"Ok class here is the moment you have all been waiting for. Your pen pals have all been selected for you by all of the 3rd grade teachers so you can all feel confident in the fact you got a good match. Once you get your pal you may begin your letters. When I call your name please come get your folder"

I started bouncing my knees in anticipation

"Kelly"

"Marcos"

"Jayden"

"Megan"

As the other kids started opening their folders I started getting more and more excited I wanted my folder

"Amy"

"Yulisa"

"Kendall"

I wish she would just call my name already

"Matthew"

"Jose"

"Laquisha"

"Lulu"

I look around and see the girls giggling about their pals and I see my friend Jayden already writing his letter

"Michelle"

"William"

"Cory"

Three people left

"Ebony"

"Moorgan"

Of course I'm last

"Declan"

I shoot out of my chair and as fast as Flash I grab my folder and run back to my seat. I open my folder to see the name of my pen pal I read "Jay Jay the Jet Plane".