To All The Girls That I've Loved

Song Xinran

Dusk comes sooner than expected, the last of the sun's rays cosseted behind the soft grey cloud. The street takes on the look of an old photograph, every familiar thing a shade of grey. Slowly the view fades to blackness and the night begins. Xiaotang just finished rearranging her stuff in her room. She has never felt so diligent in her life. She felt like she had unlocked an achievement during the day. It was her day off, and instead of shopping or spending time with her friends. She decided to clean her room and declutter some stuff that doesn't spark joy. She just finished watching Tidying Up With Marie Kondo on Netflix last night. Marie Kondo's ideology of decluttering inspired her to clean her room. She thought the antique vases and figurines at home don't spark her joy. Her mom loves those vases and figurines though. She knew how much they cost. She also wanted to get rid of them, but if she did, her mom will prolly kick her out of their home. When she was rummaging in her cabinet, she found a purple box. She opened it and discovered some letters inside that she almost forgot she has them. There were some Christmas cards, Valentine's cards, and some love letters she received when she was still in high school. She opened the letters that were from Song Xinran. She laughed when she opened the first letter, remembering when she was in her third year of junior high school.

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January 11

To: Zhao Xiaotang

Hello Tang shijie, I just wanted to tell you how much I admire you. I saw you play basketball the other day and I idolized you so much. You're so cool!

Xiaotang was surprised to receive a letter from an anonymous. She only receives letters when there is a celebration like birthdays or new year's cards.

"Xiaotang, who's that from?" Sunrui asked while she put her shoes in the shoe locker.

"I don't know. Someone just slipped it in the locker."

"You must be happy." Sunrui elbowed her.

"Why would I be?"

"Well duh? Someone finally admired you."

"Am I not that good-looking enough?"

"Depends who's asking."

"If you just knew what's in my mind right now."

"What is it?" Sunrui looked straight into Xiaotang's eye and she knew what it was. She immediately ran away from Xiaotang's fury. They ran inside the school corridor which made the teacher mad. They received a handful of lectures because of that.

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January 16

To: Zhao Xiaotang

Tang shijie, I saw you at the library the other day during cleaning time. I thought you were so cool holding the mop. I wanted to say hi but I'm a shy person. I hope I can talk to you if I have the guts.

During their club activity, Xiaotang showed the letter to Sunrui. "Look. Why would this person be this coward? I don't like this."

"Aiyamaya, you're just saying that but deep inside your heart is fluttering." She playfully poked Xiaotang.

"Oh shut up!" Xiaotang wasn't sure how to react to it. She wasn't really mad or anything. To be honest she felt nice that someone has written a letter to her. Even though she really thinks that person is a coward; she still appreciates it.

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January 18