Winter Warmers - Dec 2020 Writing Competition

Story Eight

'The Christmas Letters'

By Dani

'Amara,

It's been a year. An entire year. Can you believe it? There's something about this time of year that makes me happy. No, that's not it. It's more than that. Hopeful, maybe. For some reason, the moment November turns into December, I feel this incredible warmth of hope in my chest. Like anything is possible. Like all we ever need is some Christmas spirit for the magic in life to happen. Stupid, I know, but I believe it. I mean, it was Christmas that brought us together, wasn't it? How could I think that this year was anything but magical if not for that? Anyway, this year I felt that hopefulness but times ten. And it's all because of you, Amara. I know, I know, you're rolling your eyes right now. Or, at least, I imagine you rolling your eyes. Scowling beneath the smirk, outwardly hating the compliment, inwardly loving it. And yes, I've pictured it in my head a thousand times. The way you'd look in real life. I've thought about it a million times since our first letter. But that is neither here nor there, really. I am going to continue the torture of compliments and warm and fuzzies because it's time that you let someone show you a little bit of love. And since I know you well enough by now to know that you'd throw a wall of defenses up if I asked for permission, I'm no longer asking. I'm doing. So buckle up, buttercup, this letter is all about you.

It's been an entire year since we started this insane journey. The one where we took a chance on a random pen pal. The one that started out so simple, a desperate plea for friendship, and turned into something more. For me at least, though I hope for you too. This is the journey that led me to you. It's been the most incredible year of my life, Amara. It's crazy, really, because in reality, we've never met. How could one person, who I've only ever interacted with by way of handwritten letters drenched in sass and sarcasm, change my life? I have no idea, but you did. These letters happened, you happened.

There's something about the way I can talk to you, like no one else. Maybe it's the fact that I'm writing everything down, never facing you to study your reactions. But I know in my heart that it doesn't matter if it's through hand writing or talking face to face, I can trust you. I can say anything to you and it won't change a thing. There's something incredible about the way I can open up to you without fear. And I've thrown myself into the abyss of trust, knowing for damn sure that you'll be there to catch me. And because of that, I feel like I can write this next part without fear, without worry, only confidence in my words. I find myself falling, my dearest Amara. I find myself falling into you.

You may hate Christmas, and you have every reason to with the things you've shared, but I wanted to give you a reason to love it the way I do. Because you deserve to feel hope bloom in your chest. You deserve the warm and fuzzies, even if you think they're lame. You deserve the world, Amara. So I made a Christmas present just for you. And now it's time for you to fall into me.

Follow the clues I've left for you. They'll lead you to me.

Yours,

Torryn'

I held the letter in my hands, gripping it as the ocean breeze flowed around me. I smiled, as I traced my lips with my fingers, re-reading each word. A smirk, no, a full blown smile, found its way to my face. And the warmth that spread through my chest was something I found familiar whenever I read her letters. This time was different. It spread within me like wildfire as I waited for her. I was engulfed by the flames of hope and adoration.

Her letters asked me to fall into her, and so I did. I let myself fall into the sweetness of Torryn. I fell into the sweetness that led her to do this. To create this elaborate Christmas present. Because she knew me. I told her everything. The good, the ugly, and the truth. And though I tried to lighten the heaviness that came with spending the holidays alone, she could see the loneliness it caused, the importance it held. She could see everything, even me. She cared enough to search for the little things, the big things, and everything in between. And fall into her I did.

She wasn't the only one who was changed by our interactions. Because in a life of dark and twisty, she was the one spot of light. And I loved it. Hell, in a crazy twist of fate, I loved her and I hadn't even met her. Not really anyway, though tonight that would no longer hold true.

I re-read the list of clues that lead me here, to my last destination, the one that would bring me straight to her, with a smile on my face, and hope firmly planted in my chest, the way she wanted.

'First clue: head to your favorite place in the world. The one you go when the world is a bit too loud. There, you'll find your next clue. Hint: A thousand lives have been lived among the billions of words placed here. Your clue will be hidden between the lines of your favorite story, your favorite life to live.'

'Second clue: Congratulations, you found it. I knew it wouldn't take you long. If there's anything I know you love, it's the comfort of being surrounded by books. Now that you have a happy booknerd heart, you'll find your clue at your favorite place to eat. I've already placed your order. Go to the counter, give them your name, and wait. Your clue will come to you along with your food.'

'Third clue: I hope you enjoyed your dinner, but now it's time for you to relax. No better way than to talk a walk beneath the starry night sky. Go to the place you hate during the day, but love at night. Then, make your way to the fire pit. Don't worry about finding the next clue. It'll find you.'

Placing the paper back in my pocket, I dug my toes deeper into the sand, as I listened to the waves crashing along the shore. The fire, the one that had been ready for me, warmed me as I waited. There was this strange mixture of peace and urgency inside of me. The peace of knowing that I was finally going to meet her. The woman I had fallen for between the lines of our letters shared. Peace of knowing I was safe and loved. But there was this urgency inside of me, too. Urgency to have her in my arms. To gaze upon her, finally, after all of this time, and know that she was mine.

The sound of footsteps approached and I stilled. For once in my life, I wasn't filled with an overwhelming sense of anxiety. I wasn't placing walls around me, protecting me for what was to come. I was simply ready. I was ready to fall.

She sat down next to me, and I drank her in as she did. The fire illuminated Torryn. The beauty I found in her words matching the beauty I saw before me. She smiled, a warm, inviting smile, and I couldn't help but mirror her, as she reached out and took my hand.

"You found me." I said, the words I spoke held more truth than I could have ever explained. Before Torryn, I was lost. Lost and drifting, life speeding past me with no significance, no purpose. But then I got her first letter. Her words written across the page, exuding sunshine and rainbows and purpose, all of the missing things. And I remember as the letters came and went, the word found echoing inside my mind. I was no longer drifting. But there, with her sitting inches away from me, I heard the word again. Found.

"I found you." She repeated, her gaze softening, as though she understood the meaning behind the simplicity of the words. And before I could stop myself, I leaned forward, caressing her cheek as I stared at her. The urgency I felt earlier resurfaced, as I moved closer, closing the gap between us. And the moment our lips collided I knew one thing to be true, I loved her and I'd never spend another holiday filled with spite. No, I'd spend every holiday thankful that it led me to her.