Writing To Teddy

||Tell Me About Beauty||

I opened my eyes the next morning to a spitting headache. I rolled over, turning off my phone's alarm. I begged myself to not be so uptight for one day and just go back to sleep.

Still, I forced myself to get up, down a glass of water, and get dressed. I had to study for a test. I got everything ready set down at the table with all of my papers out and... Just stared.

I was horrible at this whole studying thing. It's just, whenever I looked at a book that I knew I was going to be tested on, my brain went blank. Surprisingly, I still made mostly B's in my classes, but the only studying I knew how to do was write, rewrite, and maybe make flashcards.

I gave up, put on my shoes, and decided to go pick up a donut or two at the bakery down the road.

I got there, inhaling the rich, warm, scent that only fresh baked goods could put off. I leaned over the display case like a little kid and picked out two that I found ideal. Then I paid the polite cashier and went on my way. Instead of going back home, I decided I might as well get a head start and go to school, glance over the book a bit more, and prepare for my test.

Waking towards the library, I ended up passing the hallway Physiology was taught in. That's when I remembered note. The note that maybe, just maybe Teddy had replied to. If he did, that meant that I was sitting here missing out on whatever reason was that he had written me. Something about that bothered me, I don't really know what.

I glanced at the clock, even though I already knew I would have plenty of time to do this and be back with time to spare. Then, after scolding myself for being so impulsive and foolish, I walked to the classroom door. The room was completely and totally empty, but the door was open so... I let myself in.

I looked around my desk cautiously, about how stupid it was that I would come to the cursed classroom on my short time off just for a piece of paper. But, as I looked, I found it. I smirked, satisfied, and eagerly opened the letter walking out of the room quickly.

"OK Marilyn, you have to do me a favor first. Tell me about beauty. I mean, the most beautiful thing you've ever seen in your entire life. Describe it for me.

-Teddy".

My brows furrowed as I walked to my car and drove a bit farther to my second class. What was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen? Whatever it was, I had a test to take first.

Later

I sat in the library, attempting to study once again. I processed nothing for the second time, distracted with the concept of beauty. I thought of sunrises over empty woods, sunsets at festivals, fireflies, my sister, and a million other stunning things.

The bell rang obnoxiously, interrupting my thoughts. I grabbed my stuff, walked into first period, and sat down once again. This time there was no silence to fuel my train of thought. Soon, the question Teddy had asked was far from my mind and notes, class work, and lessons were all that mattered.

Second period came by, I took the test which I now regretted not truly studying for. After I finally turned it in, I was frustrated. But somehow amongst all of this negativity there was a small realization. I got out a pen and more paper.

The most beautiful thing I had ever seen was that night at the beach. It was before I moved and, believe it or not, I had the time of my life with people who I considered my closest friends.

"Teddy,

The most beautiful thing I have ever seen was the beach on the night of April 12, 2014. The sky was filled with stars, the air was filled with laughter, smiles, and the light of a bond fire. A few people in and I were laying there- talking about the universe and whether or not we believed in aliens. The stars were the clearest I have ever seen and there were clouds of color that can only be compared to the galaxy art you see online. It was something you had to see to believe. That, mixed with the orange fire-light making my friend's loving smiles glow, was and will always be the most wonderful sight I have ever seen.

Now, you've got me curious. What's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen, Teddy?

Sincerely, Marilyn."

I waited until lunch, when the halls were empty to sneak back to the Physiology room and gently place the note back under my seat. Unlike yesterday, the curiosity never left me. All day I wondered what this total stranger thought was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen, and thought about the guy I had seen tape the letter that morning. Did I already know who Teddy was?