Letters With Boys

Tally and Kai/Bridget and Kai, Week 5 - October

Tally,

I hope it’s okay that I’m addressing this to Tally and not Bridget. I mean, the outside of the envelope will still say “Bridget,” so that’s okay, right?

I hope you’re okay. I’m sure Bridge told you that I got bits and pieces of what happened this past weekend, since I was with her when Memphis called her. 

I don’t really know exactly what happened, though—just that Ezra did something shitty to you. I’m sorry about that. Particularly the part where he used an NYC FC game to lure you into his web of lies. Really, couldn’t he have used a Knicks game or something? Soccer is sacred.

Anyway, you can tell me about it if you want, but no pressure. I know we don’t know each other that well, but I’d like to get to know you, if that’s okay, because you seem like a pretty cool person.

Best,

Kai

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Kai,

I’m okay, thanks for asking. My pride is a little wounded, but other than that, I’m peachy.

It wasn’t really fair for me to make such a big thing of it, anyway. Crying like that and making everyone worry about me. He didn’t really do anything to me at all, just called me names. Mem has been through a lot worse than that. Those few minutes before I could explain to her what happened, I think she feared the worst. And I’m sorry to have put her through that.

I’m a little worried about Bridget. She claims she’s having fun chewing Ezra out by pretending to be me in these letters, but I’m not so sure it’s a good idea. He’s clearly a rich and proud guy who’s used to things going his way, and also he’s clearly a sexist pig, which means he’s not going to like a girl talking to him that way. I just hope he doesn’t do something bad to retaliate.

(Especially since he thinks it’s me saying this stuff to him, but also just in general.)

Maybe you could keep writing to her? Not for class credit, I mean, and I’m not saying you have to do it every day. But I think we’ve all grown kind of fond of this project—you know, having letters to look forward to every day—and I think she’ll miss having you to write with.

Though selfishly I am glad to not have to write Ezra anymore, and to be able to write you.

Tally

P.S.: I guess it’s okay that you addressed your letter to me, since I’m signing mine as me. Honestly, if the teachers opened our letters, we’d be in trouble for a lot more than switching pen pals, anyway.

P.P.S.: Did you catch the Atlanta United game last night? They’re really good this season.

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Bridge,

You thought I’d stop writing to you? Don’t be silly. We’re bonded for life, Class Prez.

I hear you’re really pushing it with Ezra. Please be careful. I know you and your friends are brave—especially you—but he’s from a powerful family, and he’s as slimy as it gets.

And, just as a reminder, you’re doing all this pushing under someone else’s name.

Love,

Kai

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Tally,

I don’t think it’s fair for you to feel bad or guilty about having had real feelings about what happened with Ezra. Just because Memphis went through something you consider “worse” doesn’t invalidate what happened to you, or your emotions. Besides, things are relative, aren’t they? If I’ve never been sick, a cold might feel like I’m dying, for example.

Thanks for warning me about Bridge. I’ve just written her a letter as well, which will go out with this one. I told her to be careful with Ezra, for both your sakes. I wish there was more I could do. Gray tried to beat him up this morning in the quad, but he only got a few hits in before Ezra’s stupid posse stopped him. (Okay, not just stopped him, but gave him a pretty good beating of his own, too.) He’s okay, though. And the teachers didn’t see it happen, somehow, which is pretty par for the course around here.

By the way, it dawns on me that you girls have now come to two of my soccer games, yet I haven’t come to any of your volleyball games. Perhaps we should remedy this?

Yours,

Kai

P.S.: Of course, I saw the game. “Really good” is an understatement! NYC better watch their backs!

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Kai,

I know, I know. I’ll chill. And I'll fess up to being me and not her.

Ice cream this weekend?

XO,

Bridge

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Kai,

Well, you were right about Gray. He showed up after school with coffees for us and a gnarly black eye, among a series of other bruises. Heart of a lion, that one. Or at least temper of a bull.

I think I have to ask you something—something I don’t really want to ask you, but I feel like it’s my duty as a friend, so here goes.

As far as you know, does Memphis have a reputation as a “slut” at your school?

I really hate that word, for the record. I don’t believe anyone is a slut, and I doubt you do, either. But Ezra told Bridget that, and I really need to know if it’s true, for several reasons actually, but one of which is that if she does have that reputation, and it’s the reason Gray has been pursuing her so hard, well, that would really suck and make me want to hurt him.

Please be honest with me.

Tally

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Tally,

I can’t really say I’m the kind of guy who would be in on those conversations, even if they are happening, you know? But in the spirit of being helpful, I asked around a little, and I’m sorry to report that it’s true: it seems several of the guys I talked to have heard of her and applied the word that neither of us like to describe her.

For the record, I don’t think that’s the reason Gray is pursuing her. I mean, the guy’s clearly crazy about her—so much that he beat up Ezra just for messing with her friend.

(Okay, I guess technically he beats up a lot of people, so maybe that’s not a huge sacrifice for him. But still.)

He might be the kind of guy who’s shallow enough to seek out a picture of his pen pal, but he’s not the kind of guy who’s pigheaded enough to go this far with a girl just because he heard she’s easy. I really wouldn’t worry about it if I were you—or Bridge, who I’m sure is also panicking about this.

On a brighter note, Sounders and Timbers this weekend! Should we place our bets? My money’s on Seattle.

Best,

Kai