“The Letter” At my old yearbook, I paused on his face—Chad Barns, my high school crush. We’d never had a falling out, yet just before graduation, he vanished. No explanation.

At our reunion, I saw him across the room. Same smile. Same pull.

Later, outside on the old school bench, he approached.

“I thought you didn’t care,” he said. “After the letter.”

“What letter?” I asked.

“The one I left in your locker, asking to meet. Lora told me you weren’t interested.”

Lora. My best friend. She appeared just then, guilt on her face. “I was jealous,” she admitted. “I kept it from you.”

My heart sank. Two decades, lost to a lie.

Chad and I sat under the stars, finally talking.

We couldn’t change the past—but maybe, we could start again.