It's Time

Letter 6| A Stranger

Dear Stranger,

You were someone I never forgot, and someone who made me think. You were also someone who caught me at the wrong time. Perhaps if it were later, we could have been friends. But life is life, and the timing changes everything. 

I was walking aimlessly around the park when I saw you. I was still grieving over Emily's death, and let me tell you, I wasn't hiding the tears that were dripping down my face. I must have looked like a mess, with my hair tangled and placed into a messy bun that looked like I just woke up, and my eyes that were bloodshot from crying for a while. A long while. 

I don't know why I was at the park. I guess I just wanted privacy and nobody ever goes to the park anymore, especially the area I was in at the moment. I don't know how long you were there, watching me break down. You had a pained expression on your face, but I couldn't recognize you. You seemed familiar but I couldn't place you. 

I was a heap, laying on the grass when you came up to me. You were beautiful. Your golden locks were placed into a ponytail, and your eyes were filled with concern. You didn't say anything offensive, or intrude at all. You sat next to me and pulled me into a hug. For a while, I panicked. I didn't know who the fuck you were and there you were, comforting me. 

Then it clicked. 

You were one of the girls in Julie's clique. But not one of the main ones, no. You were that girl that was shy yet beautiful and it was your beauty that made Julie recruit you. I pushed you away from me when I realized who you were 

"You're part of her group, and you don't have the decency to stay away from me?" I shouted, my anger taking over every part of my body. I couldn't believe that you were there, and tried to help me out when you were part of the reason for my agony. For Emily's death. 

"I had nothing to do with what they did to her! I promise!" You tried to explain yourself to me. I didn't even know your name and you tried to defend yourself and make me see you in a better light. I'm sorry though. Nobody who was a part of Julie's group would ever earn trust or acceptance from me. You were wasting your time. 

"Go away!" I yelled, my eyes flashing with an emotion so powerful it made you take a step back. 

You didn't give up. "I want to help you." 

I scoffed, the tears suddenly disappearing. "You want to help me? Fine. I'll tell you what you can do. You can be a fucking time traveller and go back to the day Julie decided to torture my friends' lives. You and every other bitch can stand up for what you fucking believe in. Oh wait! Bullshit! Every single one of you is a mindless drone that would step off a fucking cliff if Julie said so. You would never do anything to jeopardize the oh-so-precious relationship you have with her and your fucking reputation. Well guess what? In the future nobody will care if you were part of the most popular group in the school, and that you had fake friends. Nobody will give a shit about any of you. So fuck off!"

You were taken aback by what I said and your mouth worked soundlessly trying to say something, anything. But you knew I was right, You knew I revealed the truth harshly. You shook your head at me and walked away, but not before saying, "I was never a part of what happened. Never." 

You left me panting from the speech I gave you. When I saw you later on that week in school, you weren't with Julie at all. You weren't with her. I would search for you amidst the table they always sat on but you weren't there. Then I saw you, sitting alone on a table reading a book. You had earphones plugged in and you weren't sitting with them. I realized then that I was wrong. You weren't a part of anything, and I wondered how long you stepped away from them. What your punishment was for not being a mindless drone. Before I left the cafeteria, I saw Julie spill a drink over your head and my heart lurched. Everyone laughed and you blushed furiously. I didn't know whether it was from anger of from embarrassment. You looked at me, almost begging me to help. But I didn't do anything. I kept on walking. Walking away from that moment of weakness I had with you, and the moment of anger. 

I never even knew your name. 

Love, 

Jennifer.