One House Behind | ✓

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

Shelly

I blushed as I remembered that day. I had my fair share of thoughts about him too. At least he had the same experience.

I opened the third letter for the third time and reread it. It only made me hope for more.

Dear Shelly,

Side note: have you ever had someone tell you 'Shelly Sells Sea Shells on the Sea Shore?' If so, I'm sorry to bring it up but it crossed my mind writing this. And yes, I know it's 'she' not 'Shelly' but it'd be funny either way.

Anyway, when we met face to face, I remember being so starstruck. You were different than I imagined and it was something I couldn't describe.

But I can now.

The dark brown of your eyes in the bright sun was like watching the warmth of the sun soaking into you. It was as if I was your sun and I took everything away all the bad for you to experience happiness. My heart thudded in my chest and everything felt right.

The smile didn't leave your face. It was tattooed to your face. You looked happy then, freer than you sounded over the fence, and I faintly remember smiling.

I wanted to comment on it. Wanted to tell you how pretty and unique you looked, even if people smiled everyday. But this smile was different. It was wide enough that I could see your bottom teeth. It was uniquely mine and that scared me.

So, I threw the thoughts out as a way to keep you near. I knew what relationships did when you added extra feelings. I didn't want to do that. Losing you was my biggest fear, I couldn't risk you.

So I kept my feelings hidden. I forced them away. Now, I realize that's wrong. Because I pushed them away, I pushed you away. And I'm sorry.

Sure, I had more than enough time to get back to you but I was scared that once you saw how tiny things caused my anger, you would disappear on your own. I don't know where my anger comes from. I can't control it.

But I have noticed that with you, I never got angry. And feeling like your sun had made my body warm. My mind jumbled up and I'm amazed I was able to keep a straight conversation with you.

You amazed me when you still sat there when you saw how Susie got me angry when you came over. You were quiet, scared me but you still stayed, and I knew then that you meant more to me.

So when I walked outside and you weren't there, I let you leave completely. I figured you would be better off than with someone who was clingy and always angry. You deserved someone who cares about your needs while you make them happy by just being you.

Add mine and Leslie's relationship in the mix and its even more confusing. I messed around with her and then left her high and dry. Not really, we still talked but it was only when my sister was talking to her.

I guess the term still applies.

I thought you would be angry at me for that. You would see me as a guy who only wanted fun. I mean, I'm only 18 (you missed my birthday) and I still have no clue what I'm doing.

But one thing I do know is that my feelings for you have changed. First, it was annoyance at you for not listening. And then a friendship, dependency on you to be at the fence. To now, where I don't know how much longer I can go without you.

Saying I like you feels so mundane. There's no rush to it like there is when I think fo you. I like you doesn't really feel like out thing anyway, we don't talk about emotions like that. So, I'll make a replacement for the three words:

I'm your stalker.

-Tanner

I couldn't stop the wide smile on my face. I was going to make him suffer just a bit more but rereading this was enough for the reconcile to happen.

"Mom!"

"Huh?"

"I'm going to Tanner's!"

I quickly put my shoes on. I didn't even mind the last letter, I knew what it was. A three-page apology that was sorta a rewrite of his first three. But it meant more to me that he was taking the time to fix what had happened.

"What? It's..."

"It's only eight. I'll be fine. He has to be home. Also, I'll be wearing my mask the way there and stay the appropriate length."

"What was in those letters?"

"Just the right thing." I smiled at her.

She set the spoon down in the pot. Her hands came up to rest on either side of my face and I leaned into her left hand. A smile adorned her face and her dimple showed. I internally scowled as I hadn't inherited that.

"Be careful,"

"I will. I love you."

And with that, I rushed over to Tanner's. Knocking on his door, letters in hand, I tapped my foot in anticipation. And then I heard the door unlock.

Taking a couple of steps back, I saw a woman stare at me. My eyes widened. Gulping, I was about to speak but she beat me to it.

"Tanner! It's for you!"

My palms got sweaty as I heard his 'what'. Taking a deep breath, I watched as he stood behind the screen with an expression that mirrored mine. We just stood there and I took another breath before telling him the first thing that came to mind.

"I'm your stalker too."

******

A/N:

This has got to be my corniest book. But I love them.