Papercuts || Klance AU

I - Letters from Garrison Academy

Dear Random Student,

This is kind of weird, isn't it? Being forced by our schools to write a letter to a stranger. Especially when that stranger is a student at a school which is famously arch enemies with mine. I know the government said that this is part of a program to try and improve "community spirit" or whatever, but I still think this is kind of weird.

Anyway, I guess I'll introduce myself. The name's Lance, which comes from the Germanic word for Land, even though I'm Cuban and I totally prefer the sky. I like video games and good music and cartoons and popcorn. I'm 16, in Grade 10, and I go to Garrison Academy (though you obviously already know I go there). I'm not exactly a straight-A student, I'll be honest, but I'm good at English and Music class.

I didn't really want to write this, but Hunk said that it was "important to give everyone the benefit of the doubt" and to have an "open mind". Then Katie made some sarcastic remark about Hunk's mind not being the only thing he always has open, as he never shuts his mouth. After that, I sort of zoned out as they relapsed into their usual "bants": where they'll shoot joke insults back and forth at each other. I try not to get involved because last time I did it ended in a three-day long spat in which neither of us would talk to each other. I guess my burns are just too sick for them to handle.

Anyway, this seems about long enough for an introduction letter, so I'll end it here. Best to leave your audience wanting more!

Signing off,

Lance

***

Words cannot describe how much I resent having to write this letter.

I almost considered not writing it. I thought about perhaps picketing and organising a march to protest against this travesty. Forcing children to communicate with others without their consent? There must be a law somewhere which could prevent this from happening. If I wasn't so swamped in the ridiculous amount of homework this Academy insists on piling us with, I might have done it. But, there you go. The joys of being a 15-year-old stuck inside our fractured and broken education system never cease to amaze me.

I'm not going to tell you my name. I feel like mystery is underrated, don't you think? Maybe you'll one day find it out, but I doubt it. I'm very good at being elusive if I want to be.

I have one request of you before I end this pointless charade of a letter - do you know a student called Matt Holt? We used to be friends of sorts, but a year ago he got into a fight with his parents and thought I took their side. Next thing I knew he was transferring schools and moving to the other side of town and refusing to talk to me or anyone else I know. Which is outrageously unfair and utterly uncalled for, at least in my case.

Anyway, if you see him, tell him that "Pidge" says hi, and that they totally think that it should be his decision whether or not he wants to go to university or not, and that his parents are idiots and that I was on his side all along.

So, thanks, I guess, in advance. Assuming you do pass along the message. If you don't, then fuck you.

***

Hello,

My name is Allura. I am eighteen years old and in Grade 12. I moved here, to Montgomery City, from England about a year ago, where I was born and raised. I enjoy Science and Maths, and am a Cheerleader for the Garrison Galras. I am currently hoping to be Valedictorian at the end of this school year. I have never been to the South Side of Montgomery City, where your Kaltenecker Academy resides, but I am sure it is very nice.

Yours respectfully,

Allura