An Open Letter to Jolene (HS AU)

Kate

*A/N: This story was written for the 'Styles of Expression' contest and based on Dolly Parton's song Jolene. *

Hey Jolene, 

You've been flirting with my guy, Harry, and I can't have that. That's right, he's taken, but I'm sure you already knew that. I'm sure you know what kind of effect you have on guys, and thrive on the attention they give you. 

The first time I saw a strand of your flaming curls on his jacket, I knew I was doomed. To say I'm jealous of your natural auburn hair color is an understatement. I wish I looked firey and fun like you, but even the best hair dye couldn't make my dull locks shine like that. 

You probably won't understand this, but he's the one for me - the only one. I don't think I could ever care for another man the way I have for Harry. I've been by his side through thick and thin, and I can't imagine my life without him in it.

I'm only going to say this once -please don't make be beg- just leave him alone, okay? We're happy, and I can't stand to see anything ruin that. Not after what we've been through, after how far we've come. 

So please, just do me a favor and stop? Stop trying to steal my man from me, stop ruining my life? I know he's handsome and hard to resist, but please try, will you?

Sincerely,

Kate

I read and reread the letter multiple times throughout the morning as I sipped my tea, trying to find something to add to it or take out. I came close to just tearing it up and throwing it in the woodstove multiple times, but the image of that single curled strand of red hair on Harry's jacket kept bringing back the fire and fear I felt upon first seeing it. It was a shock like no other, and my world slipped out from beneath my feet.

I didn't confront him on it, since that would probably make it worse. What if he got mad? What if he chose her over me? I couldn't risk it, and didn't even want to think about all the 'what ifs' that arose from this. He was all I had, and I couldn't do anything to jeopardize that.

I didn't even want to know the extent of the situation - if it was a one time thing, if it's a one-way relationship (if it's even a relationship at all), and I definitely don't want to know if there are feelings involved. I could imagine her liking him, but if he returned the sentiment? 

I don't know what I'd do with myself.

I tucked the letter into the front of my library book and tossed the book in my bag as I went out to run errands. I did my usual shopping, stopped by the post office as I always did each Monday, and finally ended up at the public library. I knew she'd be at the circulation desk at this hour (not stalking her, I just visit this place a lot) and tried to keep my trembling hands in check as I carried the book up to her.

She lifted her head and adjusted her glasses, pushing her vibrant curls out of her face to greet me. 

"I'm just returning this, thank you!" I smiled sweetly and handed her Anna Karenina (yes, that was intentional). I turned and walked away quickly, but I heard her open the book and the beep of the computer as she scanned it. I heard the first few pages turn as she pulled out the letter I'd stuck in there, and she started to call after me.

"Wait, I think you forgot something..." She started, and I turned back to glance at her before I kept walking. I didn't stay long enough to watch her reaction, but enough to know she'd seen it and knew it was for her.

My heart was pounding as I left the brick building, and reluctantly thought 'great, now I can never visit the library again'. I shoved my hands deeper in my pockets and pulled the hood of my jacket down as far as it would go over my forehead. I suddenly felt like everyone was watching me as I made my way to my car, and got out of there as fast as I could.

Harry and I met in college. I was a English lit major, he was an IT major struggling with freshman English. I was immediately drawn to his green eyes and soft curls - so boyish, yet so handsome. I had an intoxicating crush on him -embarrassingly so- and timidly accepted his request for help getting his grade up in that course. I don't know when exactly we passed from being just classmates to boyfriend and girlfriend, but it was sometime after the class had ended and he kept finding reasons to see my still.

He was always more popular than I was, and at times I myself could not believe we were dating. But underneath his charming, handsome exterior was a soft boy who loved cuddling in front of the fire with hot chocolate, or playing video games (even though I suck), or baking cookies on cold winter days. 

Even though we're sort of two nerds, we're two very different kinds of nerds. He played ultimate frisbee on the quad, while I worked my way through the classics (again) under the shade of a nearby tree. He had a work study job in the school's IT department, while I had one in the library. He ended up scoring a job in the IT firm that serviced our local library, while I worked in a nearby cafe.

Our life was perfect, and I wasn't going to let some slutty, ginger, librarian ruin it.