Chapter Three - The Love Letter

Alyssa grinned at Eva as she emerged from the washroom, having heard the interaction between her best friend and her brother. “Why didn’t you ask him about the letter?” she giggled excitedly. Eva blushed at the roots of her hair and shook her head. 

“It was a foolish idea and I shouldn’t have listened to you and Skylar.” 

“Shouldn’t you be thanking us instead? It’s because of us you could confess your feelings. I know you, Eva. You would rather die of heartbreak than admit to your true feelings,” said Alyssa and Eva smiled at her friend. No one knew her better than Alyssa did. 

“It’s better I hadn’t confessed. He doesn’t love me the way I do.” 

“He does. Why don’t you win him over? Show him how much you care,” urged her friend. 

Eva sighed and smiled, not promising anything. Her nature was totally opposite to that of her friend’s. She couldn’t express her feelings well, having always bottled them up. While they all had someone or the other to open up to, she had no one apart from Alyssa. However, when Alyssa left school at the same time that Alexander left New York, Eva felt lonelier than ever before. Although the rest of the gang tried their best to cheer her up, her life was never the same. She missed Alyssa and Alexander like two sore thumbs. Alyssa returned this year when her dad fell sick and ever since, the two friends caught up with one another whenever they could. 

Eva changed into the pajamas she had arrived in and occupied the room next to Alyssa’s. However, even after tossing and turning for an hour, she couldn’t sleep. With Alyssa mentioning the letter, her mind went back to the day Alexander left home five years ago. She remembered everything like it had happened just yesterday. The heartache, the tears, the desperation to stop him from leaving everything. 

Flashback Five Years Ago 

“Eva, tears won’t help you, girl. Tell him how you feel before he leaves,” urged Skylar as they sat together in the front yard of Skylar's grandparents’ palatial mansion, which was a few steps away from Alyssa’s as well as Sienna’s parents' house. It was their favourite meeting place since Eva wasn’t allowed in Alyssa’s house. Skylar's grandparents were sweet and welcomed the girls with open arms while their housekeeper, Mrs. Jules, kept them happy with her delicious food. There were no strict rules and the girls could be themselves and do whatever they wanted.

“I can’t. He doesn’t care, since he didn’t even tell me he’s leaving.” 

Alyssa joined them in a few minutes, muttering curses at her brother. “He didn’t even give me a hug. Just warned me to stay away from guys!” Her eyes fell upon Eva’s unhappy face and she gave her best friend a hug. 

“I’m sorry it had to be this way, Eva. I can understand what you’re going through. He’s coming over to meet Caleb, grandpa Phil, and granny Miriam. Why don’t you talk to him when he comes here?” suggested Alyssa, but Eva looked apprehensive and shook her head vigorously. Philip Carnell and Miriam Carnell were Skylar’s grandparents, while Caleb was her older brother. Although he was four years older than Alexander, they were good friends since childhood.

“No, please. I’ll hide. I can’t open my mouth in front of him, let alone confess. He always gets angry whenever I’m around!” said Eva, but clamped her mouth shut at the sight of Alexander approaching the main gates with a backpack slung over his shoulder. “I’ll slip out of the backdoor!” she said nervously, but Skylar caught her hand before she could escape. 

“No, Eva. If you don’t tell him, he’ll never know. What if he gets married to someone else? Would you be happy knowing that he could have been yours if you just tried once?” said Skylar. 

“I can’t just go up to him and admit that I love him!” said Eva, completely horrified at the thought. 

“I have a better idea. Write a love letter to him, and I’ll slip it into his backpack,” said Alyssa. Although most girls were against the idea of their best friend dating their brother, Alyssa was different. She loved Eva and knew that Alexander could never find a better girl than her best friend. Eva’s jaws dropped at the suggestion and she gaped at her best friend. 

“Are you serious? I don’t know how to write a love letter!” she gasped. Alexander stormed in through the gates, his eyes hooked upon her. “So, are you celebrating my departure here? Lisa, I was looking for you everywhere. I can’t find my laptop charger. Have you seen it?” demanded Alexander angrily while his eyes constantly wandered over to Eva’s tear-stained face. 

“I don’t touch your stuff. Search properly, bro. You should be more responsible now that you’ll be all alone,” scolded Alyssa, while Alexander glared at her with disbelief. Skylar smothered a giggle, but picked up a gift-wrapped box and handed it out to Alexander. 

“This is a parting gift from me, Alex. Hope you like it. All the best with your career,” she said. Alexander stared at Eva accusingly for a split second before accepting the gift from Skylar. 

“Thank you, Sky. It was so thoughtful of you.” Eva felt guilty for not getting anything for him. She somehow had the feeling that he had expected something from her. Alyssa’s suggestion rang in her ears incessantly. “I’ll meet Caleb and your grandparents before I leave.” He went inside along with his backpack and Alyssa’s plan to dump the love letter inside discreetly went down the drain.

The moment he left, Eva turned to Skylar. “I need paper and a pen to write a letter to him.” 

Skylar and Alyssa happily provided her with a piece of paper and a pen. Eva wrote whatever came to her mind. Being inexperienced in such things, she just followed her instincts. 

Alexander 

I want to say a lot to you before you leave, but I don’t know where to start. I’ve never been good at expressing my feelings. 

You are leaving! It’s very difficult to come to terms with the fact that I won’t be able to see you soon. I’m sorry I didn’t get any gift for you. It didn’t cross my mind since all I could think of was how I would live without you now. You’re taking my heart and soul with you. 

I have always loved you for a long time and now, with you gone, my life wouldn’t have any meaning. Don’t worry, I expect nothing from you in return. I just wanted you to know that I gave you my heart, willingly and happily. It's the only parting gift I have for you. 

Best of luck with everything you do. If you like me even a little, please keep in touch. I will wait every day of my life for your call.

Yours Eva.

With tears glistening in her eyes, Eva folded the paper, thinking of a way to give it to him. She took out a new handcrafted, leather-bound journal she had received from Georgia on her birthday. Slipping the letter inside it, she waited for Alexander to emerge, determined to give it to him herself.

“What’s taking him so long?” asked Alyssa impatiently. “I’m getting hungry waiting for him here.” 

“Me too. Let’s check what’s there for lunch,” suggested Skylar, pulling Eva along as well. However, Alexander was nowhere to be seen, so Eva reluctantly went up to Skylar’s bedroom, sulking all the time. 

“He’s there in Caleb’s room. Do you want me to slip the letter in his backpack?” asked Alyssa. Eva shook her head. She wanted to give the letter to him herself. 

“I’ll give him if I see him.” 

There was a knock on the door, and they all turned to see who it was. Eva knew it was Alexander. She could feel his presence outside the door. Maybe he came to see his sister. “Come in,” yelled Skylar. 

The door opened and Alexander peered inside, his eyes seeking Eva out. “Lisa, come home. I’m leaving right away. Bye Skylar. Study hard!” he said, glancing at Eva, who sat looking down at her hands. Would he acknowledge her presence at all? How would she ever draw up the courage to hand over the letter to him? Her heart constricted with pain at being ignored again! All her determination to hand the letter over to him crumbled to dust, and she sat dazed, with her head bowed down in defeat, staring at her hands lying on her lap. Maybe he didn’t care enough to even say goodbye to her! 

“Bye, you too,” said Skylar cheerfully, while nudging Eva, who had just turned into a statue. Alexander gave Eva a last look and left, without a word, without a goodbye! Alyssa scowled at her best friend, who sat like a statue with tears in her eyes. She snatched the journal with the letter from her hands and rushed after her brother, determined to slip it into his backpack. 

Eva broke down after they left, and even Skylar wasn’t able to console her this time.

End Of Flashback