The Mailbox Girl

3. With a Little Help from my Dad

"I'm back everyone!" Dad's voice came faintly from the threshold, barely audible under the sound of TV. My favorite science show was on and I was listening to it at full volume. I peeked a look over to the lobby, and chuckled at the sight of Dad struggling to take his shoes off. Noticing me, he shot me a bright smile. "How are you, Jenn?"

"Good, Dad. What about you?" He finally managed to take his shoes off and walked over to the couch, a jubilant smile on his face.

"Today has been marvelous, love!" he said while dropping on the couch next to me as I lowered the volume. "Lots of steps forward."

I smiled. Nothing made me happy like seeing one of my dads happy.

"For me too." I said, lowering the TV sound even more so he wouldn't have time to focus on the show playing. If he found any interest in it, he wouldn't listen to me anymore. "I had an idea to make students tackle their problems more. You know I have to focus on students this next semester."

Dad nodded, his focus slowly drifting away from me as the scientists on TV started an experience. As much as I wanted to know about it as well, I lowered the volume with one hand and put the other on his arm to get his attention.

"I remember you telling me." He mumbled, his eyes finally diverting from the TV. "What's that idea?"

"An anonymous mailbox! People will message me their problems and I'll help them in whatever way I can."

"I'm very proud of you, Jenn. It's important to be useful to the community."

"Well, it's all thanks to you and Papa. You both raised me well." My answer seemed to please him. He pulled me over to kiss the top of my head and I mimicked a face of disgust. "I still have to find how to display my answers while keeping everything private though."

"Why would the answers be private?" He asked, his eyebrows coming together as he seemed to think deep about my problem. "As long as the names of the students are kept a secret, you can display them openly. That way, other students might see them and it will help more people at a time."

"I love that idea! There's a cork board in front of the computing class, I could display the answers there!"

His smile widened at my excitement.

"Thank you so much, Dad! You have no idea how much you've helped."

"Glad I did, glad I did." He replied with a nod. "Now will you please turn the volume on again. I want to know what they're talking about."

I laughed and handed the remote to him. I had now all the keys to making this mailbox thing successful!

***

The night was spent drafting the "School Mailbox" rules. I had to admit that the name was changed partly due to Shane's comment. I didn't want the name of such an important project to sound ridiculous. My plan was simple: advertising this brand new club throughout the entire school by taping up the posters I had made.

I arrived at school early that day to put my plan into action. By the beginning of first period, there were posters on every wall, in every bathroom stall and most importantly, the handmade Mailbox was installed outside the computing class.

I expected the "School Mailbox" to be famous by noon. But it turned out the mailbox itself wasn't getting that much attention. No, by signing the posters, I was the one who gained attention. And I was soon nicknamed the "Mailgirl".

Weirdly enough I, Jenn Carver, was, for the first time in my high school life, not invisible anymore.

***

A/N: I'm so sorry this update sucks!!!

My computer crashed when I was editing it the first time and I was so proud of it, to lose it all really took a toll on my inspiration. It's not half as good as I wished it was. For once, I was pretty proud of what I had written, so yeah, HUGE disappointment.

The chapter is less short than it originally was though, and we get in more details about Jenn and her father's relationship. But the first draft was SO good *sigh* *sigh* *sigh*

If you liked this chapter, you can still vote and comment, I'd appreciate it :)

Have a better day than mine you all <3