To Astrid, With Love

5

2005, November

Astrid

Is he the Matt who's been writing me the letters??

But, he just asked for my name...

I don't think he knew before, and why would he write those letters?

"Astrid?"

"Hello, earth to Astrid??" I zoned back to Krisha who was waving her hand in front of me trying to catch my attention for the last few seconds.

"Sorry." I shifted in my position, "What was that now?"

"I was asking you if you'd like to hang out after school at our house. Mom wants to invite you over tomorrow." She repeated,

"Why??" I asked, dumbfounded.

"'Cuzz, I've been telling her about you and all, and she wants to meet you." She grinned at me proudly like she just won a medal. Awe.

"Of course, I'd love to." I nodded and smiled at her,

"Great!" she clasped her hands together in delight,

"Right, are you a vegetarian?" she asked,

I shook my head, "No, why? I don't eat vegetables, though."

"You unhealthy freak." She joked,

I chuckled, "Why?"

"Mom wanted to make sure. She's really all about cooking for people. She wants to make sure that you compliment her dishes." She said,

"I bet she's a really good cook, then. She should do catering for a living." I nodded her way,

"She actually does." Krisha affirmed,

"Ooh, nice."

"Yeah, anyway. Do me a favor and compliment her food. It makes her happy. Like really." She smiled at me,

I pursed my lips and thrust my head, "Of course."

-

"Mom, I won't be home for dinner. I'll be over at Krisha's, her mom invited me for dinner." I called out to mom as soon as I entered the house.

"Okay," she hummed, "Oh, there's another letter addressed to you. I put it inside your room."

I stopped in my tracks and felt my heart's beat pick its pace up.

"Are you making enough friends that they've been sending you these letters?" she chuckled,

I gave off an awkward laugh, "Uh-uh,"

"You should give them our house number so they could just call, it's 2005." Mom suggested,

"I will," If I know who's been sending me these letters. I thought to myself.

I stride up the stairs and entered my room, setting down my bag on my bed. I pull out my chair and sat on it, staring at the envelopes in front of me. I picked up the most recent one and gesture myself to opening it, but stopped midway.

I have been thinking about Matt, yes, the Matt that I met the other day. Could he be..?

I shook my head, no. This must be a Matt from another country, we never know. But why do I feel like the person is just near? I felt something inside me shiver so I shook it off through my hands and shifted my attention back to the letter. I ripped it open and read it.

"Astrid!!" Mom hollered from down the stairs,

I jolted up and took opened my door, "What??"

"Your friend's here! Krisha." She answered,