Dear Little Jo,
Half the time we were supposed to be talking about the SAT in the library today I was thinking about other things. Specifically I was thinking about how, that last time in the school library, I got so angry with you for bringing up our kiss in the park. And how now I’m the one who wants to bring up that topic. Kissing, I mean.
You kept saying, “Are you even listening?”
And I’d say, “Yes, of course. Keep talking.”
And you’d tell me how to eliminate the two least-likely multiple-choice options right out of the gate.
And I’d be thinking how there were only two or three other people in the library anyway, and would it be such a big deal if I just leaned over, just for a second, and pressed my mouth to yours? I mean I felt a sharp little thrill just thinking about it.
You’d say, “Are you paying attention?”
And I’d say “Yes,” but I’d be thinking about how you had to finish your letter to me in a huge hurry that time. I was standing in the classroom with Khang waiting for you to hand it over. Remember? You signed your letter differently that time. You left off the word truly and wrote, Yours, Jo.
I know it was just a slip of the pen. But I couldn’t help it. He’s yours, I thought. Just go ahead and kiss him already.
So finally I stood up and said, “Follow me,” and led you around to the back corner section of the library, the section on Reptiles & Amphibians where I know for a fact nobody ever goes.
“What?” you were saying. “We don’t have much time before we have to—”
I turned around and caught your words in my mouth. Caught your waist with my hands and snaked my arms around your ribs and pulled you against me and kissed and kissed and kissed you.
Sincerely,
AK
PS: As you can see from this letter I pretty much know exactly how to use quotation marks for dialogue. I just always think they get in the way of telling the story somehow. To be honest when I first noticed you putting them in your letters I thought it was sort of pretentious. These are letters, not novels, I thought. But I get it. It’s a good idea to practice for the SAT at least. So okay, I’ll do it from now on.