With This Pen and Paper

8

It had been 2 weeks since I had sent the letter off to Elijah. I didn't expect a reply but I was still curious to know if he had received it.
I had settled in nicely to my summer classes and working in the library. It was now mid June and I still had a two months until the semester was officially starting.
I had tried to push the thought of Elijah and the letter as far from my mind as possible but that was proving difficult. With each mail delivery I found my self tearing through the stack of papers like a girl possessed looking for anything that could be from him.
I had started to lose hope on getting a letter and tried to convince myself that it hadn't gotten to him. I busied myself with writing for my classes and venturing around the campus trying to find my favourite places. In the short time span I had been there I found a few of what I deemed to be the best places around the campus and I was eager to be able to study and make memories there. Another girl who was living with Alice had moved in a week after I sent Elijah's letter. Her name was Brooklyn. She was very kind and sweet. Like me her brothers and father had gone off to the war. Over the years of living with Alice we found ourselves in each other's comfort more times than I can count and honestly don't know if I would have coped with out her.
We were quick to become friends when she got there. I told her about the letter I had written to Elijah the day she saw me basically fly down the stairs to get the mail. She had the same look on her face that Alexander had gotten when I told him that I was going to homecoming with Elijah. It was a cross between mischief and knowing something I didn't know.
One afternoon after getting home from class Brooklyn was waiting in my room with a giddy look on her face.
"What's gotten you so happy?" I inquired to her after placing my book bag down and taking off my jacket.
"This." She simply stated to me whilst holding out an envelope. I knew very quickly what it was. I felt as though someone had punched me in the stomach and taken all of the air out of my lungs.
I dove on the bed next to her and opened the letter we were both seemingly as curious as each other.

My dearest, Josie
Receiving your letter is quite possibly one of the best moments of my life. I have never been happier that my mother ran into your grandmother. I had wished that you would write to me earlier but I didn't have the courage to write to you either, if I'm being honest I don't know what to say to you either.
I am as okay as possibly considering I am in Nazi germany. I'm sorry I didn't think that was going to sound the way it did. Look at that we both apologise for the dumb things that come out of our mouths.
To answer your question physically I am fine, I've had a few bumps and bruises since getting here but nothing that I haven't been able to handle and in regards to otherwise I'm not sure if I can completely answer that. I think that changes daily so but the time you get this the answer will be different.
It does not surprise me that you are hiding from the storm in the library. I do hope that the lightning and thunder was minimal I do know how much you hate those and I hate the thought of you being alone during the storm. I'm taking from your letter that Simon didn't go with you? Please tell me he has no plans of enlisting, he's like a little brother to me I don't think I can bear the thought of him being here too.
Also how could I forget I was the best Romeo our school had ever seen which was pretty easy considering you were the most beautiful Juliet. And calling me oblivious is the pot calling the kettle black. You always talk about how all the girls at school fancied me yet you have no idea the affect you had on the boys.
I wish I was there with you too. There isn't a day goes by that I don't think of walking down a college hallway side by side with you and sitting in classes together. It would have been quite the adventure. Also you should stop apologising, especially to me you never have to apologise to me.
I hope the war ends soon as well but honestly it feels as though it might go on forever.
I hardly believe that I would pass out anywhere near the fashion that Martha did. I still feel horrible about what I did to her. I meant to scare you she just happened to be next to you.
I wish you hadn't of ended your letter. Reading it makes me feel as though I am with you. There isn't anything in this world that you could do that would bother me, ever.
If I'm being truthful I have reread your letter every day, more than once since receiving it. Just like you I didn't know what to write but reading you words over and over again made mine come a little easier.
I do hope you will write me again. I want to know everything. I want you to tell me all about your classes and your social life as if I was there with you.
I miss you more than you could ever imagine.
I promise you with all my being that I will be careful.
Love, your soldier, Elijah xx
Ps I do hope your keeping good on your promise to keep my jacket warm.