Long Distance Love Letters

Water Under the Bridge

My Dearest Gil,
        I cannot believe we have actually survived these past six months. I thought that for sure I would suffer beyond recovery without you, but thankfully, I have been doing alright. I noticed that I had been unconsciously neglecting my friends. Reconnecting with them and increasing focus on my studies has helped immensely.
        However, since this will most likely be the last letter before we never have to be apart again, I feel that it must be one of much solemnity. The only issue is that I'm not sure what to say. It is almost as if I have said everything that could possibly ever exist in my heart in my previous letters.
        To righten this, I will simply say that I love you more than I could ever express and I cannot wait to see you, to never again need to say goodbye. Two weeks, my darling love. Two weeks. Soon I will be able to hear your voice and my heart will be full again. I live for that day.
                                  Forever and always yours,
                                                                        Anne

Gilbert tucked the letter into a box with all of the other ones before putting it in his suitcase. He smiled wistfully, knowing that they will be very nice to look back on someday.

He took a deep breath and plopped down on his bed, looking around his dormitory. He had just finished his last final exam of the year and at that moment, he would've like nothing more than to sleep for a full 24 hours. However, thinking of his Anne made a little smile light his face.

Gilbert turned as he heard a knock on the door. He went over and opened it to reveal Hazel.

She smiled. "Hey."

He returned the smile, albeit weary. "Hey. Come on in."

She followed him inside as sat in the chair by his desk.

She let out a surprised laugh when she saw his suitcase. "You're already packing? You don't leave for two weeks."

He exhaled self-consciously, sitting back down on his bed. "I'm just anxious to get home, I guess. And besides, since I won't be living here next year, I want to have time to make sure I packed everything."

Hazel nodded. "Where's Adam?"

"Oh, he's at the library. I guess he still has one more homework assignment to turn in." At her silence, he furrowed his eyebrows. "What's up?"

She sighed, sobering. "This may be random, and I know we haven't talked about it since it happened, but I wanted to tell you that I am really sorry for what I did that day."

He immediately knew what she was talking about and waved it off. "Please, it's alright."

"No, it's not," she retorted. "Me not knowing that you were in a relationship does not justify my actions. They were forward and inappropriate and I shouldn't have made such a bold move without your consent." Her voice lowered to barely above a whisper. "I'm very sorry, Gilbert."

He simply looked at her and offered her a kind smile. "It's water under the bridge. Truly. Besides, Anne likes you so me not forgiving you would be absurd."

Hazel chuckled. "I like Anne, too. She's very kind and clearly loves you more than I've ever someone love anyone."

He couldn't help the blush that appeared on his face. "And I think I love her a little more than that." He met Hazel's eyes. "You can come to the wedding if you would like."

Her eyes took on a surprised gleam.

"We haven't planned anything yet," he hurriedly explained. "But we do know that it will be near the end of the summer. Anne and I would love it if you came."

She seemed to consider it for a moment before smiling and nodding. "Alright, I'll be there." The two shared a smile as she stood up. "Well, I'll be going. I guess I'll see you at the wedding."

He nodded before walking over and giving her a friendly hug, which she reciprocated.

"See you then," he replied.

The two pulled away and she smiled before walking out.

Gilbert stared at the closed door for a minute, grateful he had a friend like her, before returning all of his attention to Anne.

His Anne with an e, who he would be seeing in two short weeks.