I Hope This Doesn't Find You

You were right, Sadie Wen. I am completely, helplessly obsessed with you.

Love,

Julius

I never expected to be the first choice. I wouldn’t blame you—”

“I do choose you.”

“It’s about mine. By insulting my competition, you’re insulting me.”

And Sadie is the light of my life,”

All of this is to say that Julius is lovely,” I say quickly

“I’ll give you the medal as a present,” he says, already turning around. “Just wait.”

“I’ll run it for you.”

“All you do is work and study and live for other people,” she goes on, gesturing to the stacks of textbooks on the floor, the shiny awards and sports trophies on the bookshelf. “Yes, you help out a lot, and I’m very grateful for it; the bakery wouldn’t be running without you. But I’d much rather see you enjoying your teen years while you can. I worry that you’re going to look back when you’re twenty or forty and all you’ll remember is your desk and the dishes. Really, it would ease my guilt if you did.” Her smile is sad. “I never wanted you to have to grow up this fast.”

“You’re the only person worth paying attention to.”

“You’re prettier when you don’t talk.”