A few months went by Oakley sat at his desk, staring blankly at the stack of papers in front of him. He had been trying to focus on his work, but his mind kept wandering back to Mia.
It had been months since she died, but Oakley still couldn't shake the feeling of loss. He had spent many sleepless nights trying to come to terms with her death, but he couldn't seem to find any closure.
Then, one day, a letter arrived in the mail. It was from Mia.
Oakley's hands shook as he tore open the envelope and began to read.
"Dear Oakley,
I know that you're probably wondering why I did what I did. I want you to know that it wasn't your fault. It was never your fault.
I had been struggling with my own demons for a long time. I didn't know how to deal with the feelings I had, and I didn't want to burden anyone else with my problems.
But then, I met you. You were kind and caring, and you made me feel like I was worth something. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a friend who understood me.
I knew that I was gay, and I was scared of what that meant. I didn't want to be different, and I didn't want to be judged. But most of all, I didn't want to lose you.
I thought that if I could just keep my feelings hidden, everything would be okay. But it wasn't. It was eating me up inside, and I didn't know how to deal with it.
I'm sorry that I couldn't be honest with you, Oakley. I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you how much you meant to me. But most of all, I'm sorry that I couldn't find a way to live with who I was.
Please know that I loved you, Oakley. I loved you more than I could ever put into words. And even though I'm gone now, that love will never go away.
Take care of yourself, Oakley. Keep drawing and creating beautiful things. And most of all, remember that you are loved.
Love always,
Mia"
Oakley sat in stunned silence, tears streaming down his face. He finally had the closure he had been searching for. He knew that he could never bring Mia back, but he could honor her memory by living his life to the fullest and by being true to himself.
He picked up his sketchbook and began to draw. It was a portrait of Mia, with a smile on her face and a light in her eyes. It was a tribute to her life and the impact she had on his own.
As Oakley worked, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. He knew that he would never forget Mia, but he could find a way to move forward, with her memory always in his heart.
