Dear Aaron

by Mariana Zapata

Loneliness even when you’re surrounded by others is something I understand well.

The only sport I ever watch is figure skating.

That picture you sent me of your sister’s ice-skating costume looks like something that belongs in a museum. You made that? For real?

I reread the message I sent and it didn’t sound half as appreciative as I wanted it to.

Besides fictional characters, he was the only person I had ever been in love with.

Merry Christmas, soldier boy. :)

P.S. At least put some cream cheese on your toast. Calories, girl.

You were just the first person I thought of to tell.

“For that voice. Jesus, Ru. You told me you were worried I wasn’t going to like you, so I had this plan in my head for how I’d get you to talk to me in case things got awkward. And you start giving me shit thirty seconds in,” he argued. “You threw my game off.”

“I’d rather hang out with you.”

You’re the best, and you deserve better than me, but I hope you don’t care.”

Love you too, but I’d love you more if you brought me tacos