DEAR D (pen pal edition) ✔️

1

DIMITRI

August 1st
Dear Delia,
Hey. I'm your new pen pal, Dimitri. I don't really know how to start this. I'm 15, 5 foot 4 (and still growing, I hope) with the curliest red hair, the palest skin, the most boring brown eyes. I think I'm part Irish? I hope we become pen pals- if you write back. I've always wanted one. It's okay if you don't. I like talking to myself.

My therapist actually suggested that I write to a stranger since I'm, quote, 'Not comfortable talking to a trusted adult', unquote. She's right, but she just doesn't get it. My parents wouldn't understand either. They expect me to be this perfect straight-A student with no problems whatsoever.

I'm stepping out of my comfort zone this one time and trying something new. If this doesn't work out, I'm never trying anything new again. My therapist said I should tell you about myself and include a picture. This is the best selfie I could take, trust me. You're lucky we don't know each other in person. My curls would blind you. Here are 5 fun facts about me:

• My full name is Dimitri Margaret Smalls. Yes, my middle name is Margaret. I'm serious.

• I have a burning hatred for anything sport related. (When I was 8, I broke my leg playing soccer and swore off any athletic activities since).

• My cat Simon is everything to me. He's fat and golden brown. (I also included a picture of him). I've had him since I was 5 years old. He's my little chunky baby.

• I have a brother and sister. Diamond (older-18) and Dennis (younger-5). They're both annoying, but I love them. Diamond starts college this year and Dennis starts kindergarten. Me? I'm starting high school in 2 weeks.

• I'm a Christian. My family and I go to church every Sunday with our neighbors. Jesus is #1

That's me. Not really interesting, right? Maybe you'll tell me a little about yourself. If you decide to write back...? I didn't want to do this Pen Pal thing at first, but I saw you have a unique name like mine (I've never met a Delia and I'm sure you've never met a Dimitri). I figured you'd be as weird as me and we'd become best friends. Just kidding. Kind of. The best friends part was my therapist's idea.

It's 1 AM right now. I don't have a normal sleep schedule. It's kind of all over the place, but I want to start going to bed early before school starts. Tomorrow my Mom is taking me shopping for new clothes for school. I love shopping, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to start high school. It can't be bad as middle school, though, right? Are you starting high school? The only information I got about you from the Pen Pals website was your name, age, and that you live in Florida. That must suck.

Well. I hope I hear from you soon.

Love, Dimitri

(I don't actually love you. I just can't spell sincerly)