Every morning, Spencer opened his locker and a letter in a purple envelope fell out. They always were so sweet, and they always made Spencer smile like an idiot. They had compliments, such as, "Your hair is messy and adorable." or "Your smile is the most attractive thing I've ever seen." or, his personal favorite, "Your laugh is ridiculously cute." Sometimes, they had cheesy poems, like "Roses are red, violets are blue, the sun is hot, but not as hot as you." Never did a single letter ever include a name. Throughout the years of high school, Spencer had grown to love the writer. The way they wrote, the smell they left on the letters, they were perfect. As Spencer opened the letter on his birthday of senior year, glitter rained out of the envelope and dusted him in sparkling particles from head to toe. Aw shoot, now my suit is all...glittery. He internally groaned, but smiled at the sweet gesture. Spencer always wore a suit on his birthday. The letter said, "Happy Birthday my love! I got you with the glitter, didn't I? I have the best present for you: my name. I bet you're just dying to know who I am. Well there's only one way to find out. Now, go see Mr. Keyser!"
Well that's awfully strange, thought Spencer, but at least I'll finally know who's been writing these letters! He practically sprinted the distance to A-7. Mr. Keyser was waiting at the door for him.
"I don't know why I'm doing this. It's dumb and wasting my time. Whatever. Here, take this card and rose."
Whoa, somebody's in a bad mood, thought Spencer. He carefully opened the purple envelope to find a riddle:
In this room we began to sing, both as tenor, yet not for long.
here, a lot of time is spent
making multiple voices join in one song.
Spencer quickly deduced that he was to go to the choir room. When he arrived, Ms. Surden was smiling at her desk.
"This is honestly the sweetest thing I've ever seen! Go, take this clue and flower and find your person!"
Trumpet, clarinet, trombone
Timpani and saxophone
This room is where your talents shone
And where we both have musically grown.
Obviously it's the band room. These clues are too easy! As Spencer approached Mr. Sheridan's door, he heard a squeal coming from his office. When he opened the door, he saw the door between the band director's and the choir director's offices slam shut. Mr. Sheridan spun around and presented Spencer with yet another purple envelope and a third flower. In sparkly silver sharpie, the final clue was written.
We've displayed attraction and fake rage,
From day by day to what a remarkable age.
In our scripts we've turned many a page
Now I ask you to join me on the stage.
Spencer shoved the clues in his back pocket, gripped the roses, and ran to the auditorium. He heard faint music as he entered. The house lights were down and fairy lights twinkled against the dark. Spencer stepped through the doors, and his heart stopped. Joel was standing there in a suit at a dinner table. "May I have this dance, my love?" requested Joel. Spencer slowly ascended the stairs to the stage and walked closer to Joel. Joel reached up to put his arms around Spencer's neck and, subconsciously, Spencer put his arms around Joel's waist. As they were swaying back and forth, Spencer stared straight into Joel's eyes. Joel was very nervous, and whispered, "Please say something. Anything at all. Do you like it? Is it good enough? Are you disappointed that it's me? Did you want-" Spencer interrupted Joel by pressing a kiss to his mouth, and then to his cheek. He leaned his forehead against Joel's. "I love it and you. Everything you've done, from the letters, to the clues, and now this, has been perfect. Thank you."
Joel sighed in relief as Spencer kissed him again. He melted into Spencer's lips as the music came to an end. All of a sudden, clapping and cheering were heard from the audience. The two boys spun around, confused, until they saw Mr. Sheridan and Ms. Surden standing in the front row. They laughed, and then took a bow together. Ms. Surden wiped a tear from the corner of her eye as the boys walked off stage arm in arm. "Well Tim," she began, "our ship has finally sailed."
Fin
