Love Letters || Nessie

4 - Caught

Nicki~

My heart was beating unnaturally fast that night when I came home. I had seen her, the woman of my dreams! She actually talked to me and called me by my name! One of those grins that made me look like a stalker or murderer spread across my face. I just couldn't believe that happened.

I lived alone, because I had no close friends. And having no close friends meant I had free time. And that free time was devoted to writing Jessica letters. And that's exactly what I did.

As soon as I locked my front door, I went to my desk and flicked on the lamp that sat on top of it. The light shined on the piece of paper waiting for me to write on. I sat down at the desk and picked up my pen before opening the ink. The pen I used was actually called a quill, but was more modern with a brass tip for easier writing. It's what I used to write so beautifully.

I dipped the quill in ink and wrote on the envelope her name. Then I moved it away from me so it could dry. My quill hovered over the paper as I gathered my thoughts and what I wanted to say to her. I didn't want this one to end up like the other rejects in the corner in the trash can. Should I include today's meeting or no? Would that give it away? Do I want to give myself away?

She must like it, because I never saw a letter stuck in the door for me, telling me to stop. And the way she was looking at me. As if she was trying to figure me out. Did she know I was the one writing letters?

In the end, I decided to tell her about the meeting, making sure it was bland and didn't give away too many details. For the first time in forever, I only had to do one draft. I grinned stupidly as I got up from my desk, separating the two pieces of paper so the ink could dry.

I went up to bed, laying out my jacket and brightly colored pants for tomorrow, before showering and going to sleep.

~

There was a slight spring in my step as I walked up to the building I've grown accustomed to seeing. I was about to stick the letter in the door when somebody shouted, "Hey!"

I froze on the spot, my heart quickening its pace. Somebody's caught me. Was it the police?

Footsteps were running towards me, but I kept my head down. Maybe I could play it cool and they would let me go. I'm not really doing anything wrong, just delivering a letter. Perhaps I could try to run away and try this letter thing again later. But I'm sure the person would catch up with me, because I'm short and I can't really run fast.

"Hey, you," a feminine voice said from behind me. I felt a hand on my shoulder and willed my breathing to slow down to normal.

"What's your name?" She asked, and I only just realized it was Jessica.

All I wanted to do was hand her the letter and walk away. Why was she making this so complicated?

"Aren't you going to answer me?"

I shook my head.

"Oh, why not? And what's with the hood? It must be hot under there."

But before I could grip my hood over my face, Jessica pulled it off my head. "Nicki? Weird seeing you here? Are you stalking me?" She had a grin on her face.

"Um, no," I replied. I sounded so stupid! "Actually, I'm just here to drop off something."

"To who?"

"Oh...just...a person."

"It's not a letter, is it?"

Has she figured me out? Does she know? If only I had been more cautious when doing this, then she wouldn't be here asking me a gazillion questions!

I turned to I could face her properly. She was even more beautiful up close! "Yeah, it is. My friend wanted to drop it off."

"If you want, I can do it for you," Jessica offered, smiling. Her eyes were exactly how I described them, as emeralds. And her hair was thick and long. I wanted to reach out and touch her everywhere, because there's no way a human being could be so beautiful.

Instead, I awkwardly smiled, handed her the envelope, and speed-walked away. Jessica was calling my name, but I tried my best to ignore her and not go running back like a lovesick puppy. I continued like that all the way to my car, where I got in and just sat there. I sure hope she isn't following me.

Sadly, I was mistaken when I heard knocking at my window. I rolled it down to see Jessica there.

"Nicki, I have to ask you something," she said, out of breath.

"Can it wait? I-I have something to do."

"Please? It's really important! I was just wondering--"

"Jessica, I can't! I'm sorry, but...I just can't."

And I pulled away, leaving her there, dumbfounded.