Fourth Grade Pen-Pals

Chapter Five ~Vannessa~

Dear Sean,
I just wanted to tell you I love receiving your letters. They make my day. With moving to a new school and all, it's one thing I look forward to every week.

I'm not sure I can see you soon. I'm still moving in. I'm sorry.

How has your life been? My new school is pretty cool. There is a lot more art classes, my favorite class has been graphic design. I get to mess with a computer and change pictures. I only wish that I had another language arts class. I don't mean to complain. I love it here, just settling in.

Your friend,
Vanessa

+++

I set my pen down and sigh. I'm writing from my small dorm room. I look up and cringe. I feel like my head is going to hit my bed if I move.

Mom was having a tough time with an assignment for work, so she sent me here. "You can become just like me!" She said when she sprung the news.

I can't say I hate her now, or that I threw a fit when she told me. I actually was pretty mellow. I was a little upset about leaving my friends and my mom, but the school is still in New York.

Looking back at my letter to Sean I remember the day I was told he was my pen pal.

"Now class remember, you need to introduce yourself."
Mrs. Lyons syrupy voice filled my head. "...Vanessa: Sean Myers." I remember being so mad that all my friends got girls and I got a boy. The minute I heard his name I blew up inside.

I'm glad to say I'm over it now. It's cool writing to Sean, I like seeing the world from his point of view. And his world in general.

Just then my new roommate, Caprice, burst through the door. "Whatcha doin?" She asks in a loud voice.

"Homework." I give her my go to, one word answer. I quickly hide my letter under a stack of school books.

She starts rummaging through her closet. "Me and friends are going out tonight with a few people, would you like to come with us?" Her face is buried in the closet which makes her voice sound weird.

I think about it. "Sure." Another one word answer. This is my chance to meet some people. "When are you leaving?"

"In half an hour." She smacks her gum as she pulls a short sundress out.

"I have some homework to finish up, I'll meet you on the main hall." She leaves and I run to the copier in our room. I copy the letter I just wrote and put the copy on my bed. I unlock my computer to get his address. I never seem to memorize it, but I do know he lives in a nut or tree street.

Sean Myers
1918 Walnut street
Cleveland, Tennessee

I fold the letter carefully and put it in a envelope. I unlock the only lockable drawer on my desk and shove the copy in. Slam. Lock. Caprice would never let me forget it if she found out, that's why the fewer is locked.

I run down to the mail room and push the letter into our mailbox. It should go out tonight. I look at my watch, 4:37. I have 23 minutes to get ready for dinner.

Back in the room I pull my only dress from the back of my closet. A navy blue top with a Aztec print skirt, yellow runs throughout the skirt, but it also has pink and light blue and lime green and other colors. I pair it with a small yellow cross body purse and yellow Ked like shoes I dyed myself.

Wondering what Caprice meant by going out, I lock the dorm door. I know she has a credit card, but some times going out means paying the cooks a little more for a better dinner in a private room. I guess I won't know till I get there.