Chapter Text
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Dear S.B.
Hi. Hello. Hey.
So... I guess you're my penpal. I don't really know what to put here because it feels a bit like talking to a computer screen, which I suppose is almost accurate. Only I'm typing and not talking...
A few things about me are that I am 11, I currently live in Michigan, I'm an only child, and I think my favorite color is dark blue -but I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.
Well. I hope you respond. I hear people in this program sometimes don't, but I move like... all the time so I don't have a ton of steady friends.
And yes, I'm aware that sounds a bit pathetic. But it is what it is.
Your friend (?)
-R.L.
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To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Hi RL!
This program is mandatory for 1st years at my new school Im about to start, but I am pretty pumped to have a penpal actually, so count on me being so steady it'll get annoying! Haha!
I'm 11 too. But I turn 12 at the beginning of November so I like saying I'm 12 already when people ask. I live in London but I'm off to boarding school in 9 days 6 hours and 28 minutes. I can't wait to leave. I hate being home.
My favorite color is... I don't know. Oh gahh! I feel pressured to pick one now because you did but I can't decide!
No wait. Red. Definitely red.
Maybe. Eh. I don't know. I'm only (nearly) 12 afterall. This is way too much pressure!
Why do you have to move so much? I think I'd enjoy that if it were me. Adventures and such... I've been in the same stuffy house my whole life with only my little brother who barely tolerates me for company. I give it 1 star. Do not recommend.
Your new best mate (yea I said it! No take-backs!)
SB
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To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Dear S.B.
My dad works for the government on a case-by-case basis doing boring legal stuff, that's why we move so much. I don't mind the moving, but it does make it difficult to make friends. Add to that my being homeschooled and you can imagine how absolutely riotous my social life is not.
I didn't mean to make you feel pressured to pick a favorite color... but you should know that I am judging you pretty hard for thinking red could even possibly be number one.
Honestly, being in the same house for more than even 2 years sounds like a dream. I hope you enjoy boarding school all the same though. You'll make all kinds of new friends that you'll get to live with and hang our with every day. That's really cool.
Your friend,
R.L
P.s. I realized just now that we don't know each other's names. I really don't want to tell you mine because I truly hate it, but if you want to know I'll tell you.
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To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
RL
It's alright if you don't want to say your name. I have mixed feelings about mine as well. It's sort of part of a weird family tradition thing and... I really don't want to be like anyone in my family. So that's complicated. Anyway I sort of feel like we're two spies with secret identities like this. Which is obviously very cool. I mean... for all I know you're making all this up and aren't even really 11 or in Michigan! Is your favorite color even dark blue?!
I bet it's red. It's alright. You can tell me. I won't judge you because I'm a NICE PERSON.
Best mate
-SB
Ps: I was in a bad mood because I had to spend the day school uniform shopping with my mum, so getting your email was... good timing. Thanks.
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To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Dear S.B.
You got me. My favorite color isn't dark blue. It's actually yellow. Unfortunately I am really 11. And really do live in Michigan.
I'd be the worst spy ever. Unless my job was like... building robots or drones or something. I'm pretty good at stuff like that. Not really the 'run stupidly into danger and hope I can fight my way out' type myself.
The knowledge that you have to wear a uniform makes me slightly less jealous about your upcoming boarding school adventure, so thank you for sharing that. I really love my mom, but I wouldn't want to go shopping with her for any of my clothes either. That sounds awful. My condolences to you.
Your friend
-R.L.
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To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
RL
I don't think I'd make a very good spy either. I was fairly confident in my potential future as a spy, but as I definitely am the 'run stupidly into danger and hope I can fight my way out' type, and you typed it out so plainly like that, I realize how absolutely terrible I'd be all by myself.
Bet we'd be a good team though. You can make me a jetpack, and also remind me not to do dumb stuff with it. And I'll make sure that whenever I conquer the enemy I shout "this is for my nameless spy partner!"
Imagine something like "this is Sparta" but with less abs and longer hair.
The uniform is a small price to pay for my freedom, but I'll gladly wear a tie if it means being anywhere but here.
Best mate
SB
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To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Dear S.B.
Everytime you mention your family I feel a little... punchy? Which is weird because I've never really wanted to hit anyone before. Maybe I am more of the run stupidly into danger type than I initially thought.
Then again that's what you do for your partner right?
I think we'd make a good team too. Perhaps before we go into battle we should pick call names though. I don't want to die a hero's death and "no-name" be written on my grave. That would really suck.
Anyway, tomorrow is boarding school day so just remember that I am living vicariously through you and will need the description to be detailed enough that I feel like I'm there too. Good luck! Don't forget me when you make a million friends!
Your friend
R.L.
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To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
RL
It's the middle of the night but I'm writing you anyway since I can't sleep because I'm so excited about leaving in the morning!
And also to remind you that we're best mates and I would never forget you.
You said in your first email you didn't have many friends, but you're the first friend I've ever really had. I wish you could come with me. Is that weird? The only people I'll know there are my cousins, and as I've mentioned before, I don't really enjoy the company of my family apart from my brother.
I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin. I hope my dormmates like me. I hope I'm not in the same house as my cousins.
I guess I should sleep.
Goodnight, R.
SB
Ps. Call names sound great! I'll have to think about mine. This might be the most important decision of my life.
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To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Dear S.B.
I'm sure your dormmates and everyone else will like you. I like you, and we barely know each other.
I can't wait to read all about it.
Goodnight, S.
R.L.
P.s. I hate to break it to you, but based on every spy movie I've ever seen... you don't get to pick your own call name. Sorry. I don't make the rules.