I folded up his letter and put it back in the envelope then walked upstairs to my room to put it in the box with all his other letters that I saved, and I didn’t write him back.
* * *
School got a little better, but there was no way I was passing Spanish even though I was getting good grades on my assignments.The damage had already been done and I missed too much when I was skipping class to hang out with Lucas.I should have never dated that guy.
But on the upside, Wes was helping me out in class as much as he could.We started talking outside of class and sometimes I go to see him when he works; we get to hang out on his breaks.It’s nice to have another friend I can just have fun talking to without trying to impress him.
We also talk on the phone.He likes country music and soccer, and he has a girlfriend.He writes me notes when he’s bored in class, and he told me he’s written me more notes than he has to his girlfriend.In one note, he told me that his mom told him once he should never leave a girl for another one.He told me he didn’t know who the right girl was, but he knew he didn’t want to be a cheater.I told him that talking to a friend wasn’t really cheating, but I would probably be pissed if I were his girlfriend and knew he was talking to me so much.I didn’t tell him that last part, though.Besides, he’s not going to my school next year anyways, so I probably won’t ever see him again.
When the school year ended, Wes told me to keep in touch.I didn’t think we would though, people always say that but don’t actually mean it.Not only was he going to a different school next year, but he was moving to another county about an hour away.I was looking forward to days where I could sleep in and walk to the community pool, but I would definitely miss our chats.
* * *
In late June, I found out that Steff was coming to visit for a while.She arrived a week after school ended and Dad set up new bunkbeds in my room in place of my single twin bed.We shared a room and talked all the time.We were already close before, but her moving in with us made Steff become the big sister I always wished I had; someone who could give me advice and share my secrets.One night, she told me that she had talked to Lee while I was out and asked me if I wanted to hear about their conversation.
“Sure.Tell me.”I said, biting my nails nervously.I hadn’t written Lee back since I got his letter a couple months ago.I wasn’t sure why other than I had this lingering feeling of sadness over being the person he only talks to when he doesn’t have someone else more interesting to spend his time with.
“He asked about you.”Steff told me.“He wanted to know why you wouldn’t write him back.”I frowned at that;how could he not know?
“He forgot about me.”She raised her eyebrows in question, so I started to explain, “I called him one day and heard his dad say that he had a girlfriend and then he never called me back after that.”
“Oh.Yeah, he did have a girlfriend for a while.That stupid Stacy chick.He broke up with her because she was obsessed with him and wouldn’t let him do anything without her.”She took a sip of her Diet Dr.Pepper and went on “After that, he was kind of depressed because she made him stop talking to you and his best friends.He started getting into trouble at school again, it was a big thing.Here, let’s call him right now!”She grabbed the phone and dialed before I could object.
“Hello?”Lee answered the phone, and it was on speaker.
“Hey Lee, it’s Steff.”
“Oh, hey” he said glumly.
“Gee thanks, I can hear you’resoexcited to talk to me.”she said sarcastically.
“Sorry, I thought it might have been Ellie.I thought the caller ID said her number.What’s up?Where are you?”he asked.
“I’m actually here with Ellie.Say hi, you’re on speaker!”she held the phone out.
“Ellie?!”Lee asked, sounding surprised and excited.
“Hey.”I said.
“Dang.It’s really you.I missed your voice.”
“Me too.”
“Ugh, stop it!You’re gonna make me gag!”Steff faked sticking her finger in her mouth.“Here, take the phone Ellie, I’m gonna go downstairs.”She handed me the phone and left the room, closing the door.I pushed the speaker button and held the phone to my ear, and I sat there, not saying anything for a few seconds.
“Are you there?”Lee asked.
“Yeah.I’m here.”I said.
“How are you, Ellie Belly?”
“I’m okay.”
“That’s it?Just, okay?”
“Why didn’t you ever call me back?”I said through gritted teeth.
“I’m sorry.I know I should have.”He said quietly.
