Dear Stanley [Watty's 2019. Completed]

Talking to her

Thursday, March 15th

Dear Stanley,

I felt weirdly excited to go to school today. I felt like I was going there to do something, to talk to someone, to see a friend. It's a nice contrast from the normal broodiness stirring inside of me.

My mind was stuck on Breeze the entire day yesterday and today morning. She's a distraction from the pain. When I came back from school yesterday, Mom and Dad weren't home as usual (these days they are never home) and I hopped excitedly into my room. My goal is to say at least one word to her today.

I saw her yesterday walking with multiple people through the halls, laughing and talking with them. It was impossible to miss her, even in the sea of students in the halls of passing periods. I noticed that we had lunch together too, but I managed to avoid her the entire time. My table is in the back, and it's not exactly noticeable. It's a perfect seat to spectate people from however.

Today, I will try to be different. I want to do it for you Stanley. I want to be like you. Friendly, amiable, and charismatic.

I was going to get to English early so I could be there before her and ease my way into a conversation, but then I remembered that Principal Kinley emailed me and asked me to see him in his office before first period to talk about the Ashley accident. Today might be the first day that I am in school early since your disappearance Stanley.

So here I am, sitting in the waiting room of the office, the security guard sitting boredly behind a desk, scrolling through his phone. The walls are white like the hospital with posters plastered on about issues going on in the world, and pictures of students or past students. It smelled like musty old papers.

"Nicolas?" Kinley's voice sliced through my thoughts, sharp and cold. I stood up and saw him holding the door leading to his office open, "Follow me."

I entered his office and took a tentative seat at a plush maroon chair that was just across another one. There was a small glass coffee table between us with donuts and coffee on it. Kinley sat in the other chair, his plaid button up shirt neat and ironed, and his jeans a deep blue. He smelled like a strong peppermint cologne, and that overpowered the comforting smell of coffee. His steel silver eyes bored into mine and he forced a smile, "You can take one if you want," He gestured to the donuts. I looked at them, one of them had a strawberry frosting on it with sprinkles. You loved strawberry. I politely shook my head, too shy.

Kinley nodded then poured himself coffee into a plain white mug. I looked around him while he did so. There was a desk behind him and a chair too. His desk was neat and had pictures of him and his smiling family on it. A son and wife.

"How are you doing, Nicolas?" He asked while taking a sip of coffee. His legs were crossed and his back was straight, he seemed so intimidating.

"I'm doing good," I sputtered out, trying to make eye contact.

Kinley nodded like he understood, "Good, good. I apologize on Ashley's behalf for the incident that went down. He is facing the consequences, however, he will be back in school on Monday. If he causes trouble, don't hesitate to let me know."

I just nodded back, murmuring "Ok." I looked stupid and scared, I know. I know you would've hated that. You would've made small talk, even though Kinley hated you because of the trouble you used to cause.

"Is your family doing good?"

I nodded my head again, my mouth glued shut. It was a complete lie. My family is shattered apart. No one talks to anyone in that house anymore, unless it is to fight. Maybe Kinley could see through the lie but he didn't care. He had his perfect son and wife to worry about, not a random kid who's brother went missing a few weeks ago.