Work Text:
May 1
Hey, Natalie.
It’s George, from the rally. That was a while ago, huh? That whole event was pretty sweet, by the way. You’re really smart That was an awesome idea.
I kind of wish we knew each other a lot better. You’re a super nice person, a great speaker, and really cool.
That’s all I can think of writing. Um. See you.
Your friend, George.
~~~
May 14
Dear George
Hey! It’s Natalie, but you obviously know that. Thanks for the letter! The fact that you thought of me was really kind. :)
I also wish we knew each other better, so maybe we could write about that? I’ll start. My favorite color is magenta, My favorite dessert is ice cream cake, and I like listening to K-Pop—my favorite artists are ILLIT and TXT. Maybe if we see each other, we can listen to them together some time.
So what about you? What’s your favorite color, favorite dessert, and favorite music artists? Sorry; that’s a lot of questions.
From the coolest person ever, Nat!
~~~
May 27
Dear Nat,
I hope you don’t mind me calling you that. You addressed yourself as that in your last letter, so I’m assuming you’re okay with it.
I’ll answer your questions here too; and don’t worry. I don’t mind being asked so many questions. My favorite color is green, my favorite dessert is Owen’s mom’s brownies, (trust me, they’re really good. Maybe I’ll send you some.) and my favorite music artists…hard to say, actually. I listen to a lot of artists, but I’d say the ones I listen to the most are Steve Lacy and Weezer.
Maybe we can do a music trade. I’ll listen to some of your favorite artists, and you listen to some of mine. Speaking of which, I’m listening to ILLIT as I write this. It’s not too bad. Maybe a little too upbeat for me, but I can get behind it.
From the second coolest person ever, George
~~~
June 11
George!
I was so excited when I got home from school to see your letter. And it’s one hundred percent okay for you to call me Nat—I quite like it when people call me Nat, so that should be good to know. I’m starting to really look forward to talking to you—which now that I’m writing it, sounds really mean, but it’s genuine—I promise.
I listened to Steve Lacy on the bus ride to swim practice today. I really like his music! Turns out our music tastes aren’t so different, seeing you at least tolerate ILLIT.
I told a couple friends at swim about you. I hope you don’t mind. They said you seemed nice, and a few recognized you from the climate change rally since they watched from home. They said you were cute.
I was thinking we could get on a call sometime and…I don’t know. Just talk I guess. It’ll be much easier than letters that take a couple weeks back and forth. You don’t have to, though.
I realized earlier that I don’t know much of your hobbies! So you should tell me some of them. Like for me, I like crafting, writing, and occasionally drawing. I’d like to know about you.
Sorry about the short letter today!
Your favorite, Nat
~~~
June 25
Hey Nat!
Glad to receive another letter from my favorite (which is what you referred to yourself as in your last letter, so I’m assuming, once again, that you wouldn’t mind me calling you that).
Good to know your friends think I’m cute. That just means my natural charm is working. And to answer your question, I’d love to get on call with you. Attached is a separate piece of paper with all my contact info on it. You’ll find my number there.
I like playing Minecraft, so maybe we could do that. Or just talk. Either is fine.
Finding the words to write to you is hard. There’s lots I want to say, but it’s tough to put it all on paper. I guess that’s the reason for all our short-ish letters.
In other news, Owen’s mom has been talking with Akira’s to try and plan a meet up. It’ll be nice to see your face again.
Yours truly, George
~~~
July 9
George!!!
Hi, George! Good news! My mom said I could possibly go with Akira to visit you and Owen in Canada for a week or two! It’ll also be quite nice to see your face again. To let you know; I look a bit different. I got a haircut, my hair is a little more curly, and I’ve got some freckles on my cheeks, but other than that I look the same. I wonder if you look different.
I had a lot of fun calling with you a couple weeks ago. I think we should do that more often.
OH! I received your brownie package, and you’re right; they’re delicious. If you’ve got the recipe, I’d love to have it!
I’ve been listening to some more of your music. It’s actually really calming while doing homework and such, and through that I was introduced to Green Day. The music is a bit loud for me, but I think you’d like them.
I can’t wait to see you in a couple weeks! Then it’s back to letters and waiting two weeks for a return…
Love Yours From, Nat
~~~
July 23
Nat!
I was pretty happy to receive your letter today. Owen keep teasing me about being a “lovesick puppy” or whatever. And about the recipe, Owen is really secretive about it. He won’t even tell me.
Speaking of Owen, if I’m being totally honest, I started writing to you because he told me you had a crush on me at the rally. The information is coming from Owen, so I can’t know how true that is, but…yeah. Thought I’d clear that up. Okay. That made this letter really awkward.
Anyway…I listened to Green Day. You’re right, I do like them. Also—I found your Instagram somehow? Don’t even ask why. I like your haircut. It’s cute. Lower shoulder length looks good on you. Can’t wait to see it in person.
Love, George
~~~
August 20
George!
I had such a good time hanging out with you, Owen, and Akira these past couple weeks!! Annnd…I’m glad we got a couple things cleared up. I really do like you, you know. I’m glad you feel the same.
I’m not much sure what else to talk about in this letter. School is starting up again soon, and I won’t have much time to write to you…which I feel really bad about. And I’m sorry about the short letters, I just find that there’s not much to talk about now that we’ve talked about…well, everything.
It’s like how our awkward silences aren’t really awkward. They’re more…sweet silences, if anything. I’m not sure how to describe it.
Can’t wait for your next letter!!
Yours, Nat