Hate Mail

by Donna Marchetti

Dear Naomi, I hope you get struck by lightning and die in the middle of your next weather report. Wouldn’t that be ironic? —L

I started looking forward to his letters. I wanted to see how mean he could get. I made it my personal goal to be worse than him.”

I want you to know that if anyone ever did those things to me, it would be because he’s a shitty person and he doesn’t deserve me. Not the other way around. And if I saw someone treating one of my friends like that, I would kick him in the balls. Love, Naomi

She made the hottest girl at my own high school look like a mushroom in comparison.

Sometimes I went to bed imagining that it was me holding her in that photo she posted.

I didn’t realize how much I needed that hug until it was happening. I cried into her shoulder, into her hair, until the parking lot began to fill with other students and their families.

I got a call from an old friend the other day. If you go to Georgia again, tell Maxwell I said hi. Who knew you would go that far to find me? You must like me too, or something. Love, Luca

Speaking of that offer, is it still valid? Because I’d like to come hide away with you if you’ll have me. Just say the word and I’m yours. Love, Luca

I think anyone who reads them would know that I’m in love with you. Love, Luca

Dear Luca, How can you say that you’re in love with me when we’ve never even met? If that’s how you think you feel, you should have told me a lot sooner. It’s too late now. Love, Naomi

Dear Naomi, It’s not too late. Love, Luca

“Do you really think you’re the only one who’s hurting over this? I fell in love with you, and I lost you.”