Letters to a Stranger [discontinued]

Letter 12: Alive

November 24, 2013

Dear Stranger,

Have you ever met someone who makes you feel so alive? Because, I just did.

Her name is Eleanor.

We met when I attended the unofficial school winter themed ball.

I remember how she appeared from the crowd of dancers. Her ball down was a pale blue colour that swept down to the ground. Her natural red hair fell to the side of her neck into a cascade of waterfalls and her eyes held a sparkle of mischief and happiness that my friends told me I once had.

She approached me when I was leaning against the wall with a bored expression. I was thinking of leaving the event since none of my friends arrived and I was stuck alone.

She asked me, "What's your name?" so I told her.

"Cool, my name is Eleanor."

I nodded at her and thought why the hell is she speaking to me? Oh my God. Why is she here?

Though I was having my doubts of the stranger that stood beside me I was actually enjoying her silent company.

"The party is pretty, isn't it?"

"How so?" I asked, looking at the people dancing and to a classical piano piece by Beethoven.

"Well, I think you should look at it a bit more closely. Do you see anyone shaking their asses around? Do you see anyone grinding with a stranger? Is anyone heavily influenced by alcohol or drugs?" I looked around and realised that everyone was just talking and sipping their wine with small amounts. They all seemed decent while dancing the waltz and no one was seen sneaking out. Everyone actually looked like they were having a good time.

"I don't."

She nodded. "Exactly. For once, someone is playing classical music and I love it and everyone is dancing the waltz in a way I don't cringe at all. It's like they all youtubed how to to do a proper waltz.

"Do you want to go out to the garden? I need to take a smoke,"

We continued our conversation in the garden and I didn't mind that the edges of my dress was starting to soil with dirt.

She talked about music and how it expresses emotion no matter how difficult it was to say. She said, "It doesn't lie with the lyrics sometimes. Sometimes, it's the melody that shows the emotion."

And I believe her.

After the party had ended, we walked around the city looking like complete weirdos in fancy dresses and bare feet. Well, that was only Eleanor. I was happy that I wore my white sneakers with my dress.

She showed me her favourite places in the city and I felt so enthralled by the person who walked with me the entire night, who showed me the wonders of talking without the fear of being judged. We just enjoyed ourselves and learned more about each other.

After we exchanged numbers, we said our goodbyes and I know I made a friend I don't want to lose.

Because she makes me breathe a bit more.

yours truly,
stranger

written by: Alice Amsor

a/n: I know it should be Lucie's turn but she declined and told me to do it instead. She'll be back next chapter... hopefully.