• Sean sniffed as he walked out to his mailbox on that cold morning. He had had the cold for a week, and he felt like crap. He couldn’t do anything. The best thing about it is that he didn’t have to go to school. He reached into the mailbox and pulled out all the mail. He hadn’t bothered to get the mail for awhile.
    Sean’s mum left to go to work early every morning, leaving him home alone to get ready for school. If he had it his way he wouldn’t go to school at all, but his mum would know. She knew everything.
    Sean walked back into the house and threw the mail onto the kitchen bench. Opening the fridge, he then reached into it and grabbed a bottle of milk. Sean was one of those people who drank milk out of the carton. Sure, his mother hated it, but she wasn’t there. When he closed the fridge door, he noticed a certain letter surrounded but the others. But this one stood out. It had a little purple love heart on the bottom of the envelope. Curious, he sat down at the kitchen table and opened the letter slowly. A little picture flew out of it and into his lap. As he picked it up, and recognized the people in it immediately. It was him, swimming in the pool he used to have before he moved to where he lived now. And the other girl in the photo was Kelly. Sean and Kelly were pretty tight for awhile. They never dated, but he had a major crush on her. She was pretty and smart and funny. But then he moved and everything came crashing down. Sure, they kept in touch for a little while, but the texts and letters became less frequent as time went by. Now, two years later, he hadn’t heard from her in several months. But he had never forgotten her.
    Placing the photo carefully on the table, he opened the letter, keen to see Kelly’s handwriting.

    Sean,

    If your reading this, I’m gone. Yes, I mean dead.

    Sean frowned, confused.

    Now, I know what you’re thinking. How can a dead girl be writing you a letter? Well, I’ll tell you how. Because that girl new she was going to die. I didn’t kill myself, I had cancer. I’d rather not write too much about that. But, I wrote a letter to you so you could know something.

    Sean was now wide-eyed. Was this a joke? He looked at the photo of the beautiful girl in front of him. He stared for a moment then looked around the room, as if looking for camera’s or even Kelly. Then, he looked back at the paper for some explanation.

    I want you know that I never, ever forgot about you. You were always there in the back of my mind whenever I went bowling with Derek. You were always in the back of my mind when I signed onto msn and saw you in my favourites. You were always there in my heart Sean. Always. I know you had a crush on me. Derek never let either of us forget that fact. It’s too bad that you moved away. Who knows what could have happened between us. It’s a mystery. But also, Derek needs someone like you right about now.

    It was at this point where Sean realized that this wasn’t a joke. Kelly was... gone? How could that be possible He felt like crying but he tried to stop himself. If he cried he wouldn’t have been able to read the rest of the letter.

    He is probably going crazy. It was always you, me and him. And then it was just him and me. And now... it’s just him. He needs you Sean. You and Derek were always great mates. And so were we.
    Please remember that I never forgot you. I loved you too much to forget you, Sean.

    Sean saw his own tears fall onto the paper. Now he was crying.

    So, enough of that. I hope you’re good. We hadn’t spoken in awhile so I hope you’re good. Oh yeah. The photo was the one I kept in my wallet. I figured I didn’t need it anymore so I thought you could keep it. That was a fun day. That was actually the day I got told you liked me. God, we were like twelve. It wasn’t long after that that you moved away. Derek and I didn’t know what to do with ourselves for awhile. We were so used to just walking to your place after school, climbing up your tree house and just chilling until the sun went down. Ah, the tree house. We had some good times in that tree house. If you remember as well as I do. The crap shack. We even tried moving my TV up there but once we got it up there we didn’t know how to plug it in. Did your mum get it down in the move? Or did you just leave it up there?

    Sean smiled at the questions. It was just like a normal letter that Kelly used to send him. Like old times.

    Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Heaven is supposed to be a better place. I’m sure I’m enjoying it. I just want to ask you one thing. Just one last thing before it’s too late.

    Anything, he thought.

    Make sure Derek is okay. I should tell you that after you left we were okay for awhile, but then his mum and dad started fighting and Derek got really bad. He even cut himself a few times. I just don’t want anything to happen to him. So just look after him. If he is suffering, you’re the only person he will listen to at the moment. And you know it. It’s okay to be scared. That’s what he used to say to me when I was in hospital. But this time, being scared isn’t okay. Just... look after him. For me. Please. And look after yourself. I know you will. You and Derek need each other right now. Trust me.

    Sean had to look away from the paper and wipe his face with his sleeve. He took a deep breath and turned his face back to the paper in front of him.

    I love you, Sean. And I’m crying now, so I guess I mean it. I know I mean it. Now, one last thing. I told my mum that I don’t want a funeral until at least a month after my death, so all these letters get to the people I want them to. She doesn’t know about the letters and I’m sending one to her and Dad, and Derek and you. Many others as well. But I want you to write a reply to this letter. It doesn’t have to be sad or serious because I won’t get to read it. However the thought will always be there. At my funeral, you can throw them into my grave. Please. It’s all I want.
    Take care Sean. And of Derek. Don’t forget him. He doesn’t deserve that.

    Love always and forever,
    Kelly.


    Sean stared at Kelly’s signature for a brief moment then shoved the letter back into the envelope and put the envelope in his pocket. Then, he grabbed his wallet, his phone, and his pack and slammed his front door on the way out.


    Part One

    More Of My Stuff