#innblccm1

irene,

wow, i didn’t expect you to reply so fast but if it’s not too dumb to admit, I really liked finding your letter in my locker. i like doves too. i couldn’t draw you one because i really had to focus in class but i’ll bring you one tomorrow, promise. 

you like to draw too? you could show me one of your drawings if you’d like, i’d love to see one. when’s your birthday? mine was on may 21st and i hated that it was a monday :/ i like owls, especially in cartoons. like the one in winnie the pooh and in the sword in the stone. i think his name is archimides and he’s really grumpy and fluffy. i don’t know if this helps but owls can only turn their heads 270 degrees, or else they would die. i like drawing cartoon owls too. 

absolutely. there’s a pink post it on the back of this letter with all the places i know and you don’t have to worry about me, i left out the one where i will be today so you can be alone. you got to keep the best ones, so no worries. you should be able to do what you feel like. talk if you want to. or just don’t. i don’t really like talking, i’d rather draw or write. 

it’s good, though? that you don’t have to go through this alone? maybe when things calm down you can see who sticks around and those are the ones who really care. i promise to respond to any letter you leave in my locker. you’re not a mascot. you’re a person. a person who didn’t deserve what happened to them. mascots are disguises and i think you’re really brave so you’re definitely not a mascot. you’re a person inside and out and you matter and you deserve good things :0)

is there really a set way to react? it’s not like there’s a book... i think you should just give your body and your brain and your heart the chance to be free. if you wanna be angry, be angry. rip some old newspapers or something... i can’t remember the last time i was angry. if you wanna be sad, be sad. cry as much as you want but drink some gatorade after and take something for the headaches and try to sleep. that’s what i do. chamomile tea is great. rehydrate, watch your favorite movies, or even a puzzle. Puzzles are great because they are distracting. i could lend you one if you don’t have any.

i get wanting to feel nothing. i wish for that a lot too but at the same time it’s scary. because feeling nothing when you come across a cute puppy? how unsettling would that be... we need feelings or else everything gets messy like riley from pixar’s inside out. did you watch that? id like to work for them some day.

i’m here,

-R.P.