Page 172 of I Was Always Yours (RCA: Royal Crown Academy)

“Hey Six, how are you today?” Stephanie, the post office delivery person, asks me as she hands me a clipboard.

“I’m good, how are you?” I sign and hand it back.

“Good. I have another big one for you today,” she says and crouches to pick up a massive bouquet of flowers, a card, and a box of chocolates. “Some apology your boyfriend is making.” She says, handing the items off to me and placing her hands on her hips. “How long is he going to be in the doghouse?”

“Permanently.” I answer, putting the flowers and chocolates on the counter and keeping the card.

“Good for you.” She says with a validating nod. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow. Excited to find out what he gets you!”

“Bye, Steph.” I call absentmindedly as I close the door behind her.

Her and I have gotten close over the past week and a half thanks to Phoenix. He’s sent me gift after gift, forcing the post office to assign a person dedicated to bringing me my mail.

There’ve been flowers and chocolates aplenty, but also a bridle for my horse, a spa treatment, rare editions of my favorite books, a chef who’s cooked my meals around the clock, and a lifetime’s supply worth of champagne, just to name a few.

With every gift comes a letter from him. I never unblocked him so this is his only way of reaching me. He writes me handwritten letters every day, ten in total since the day he left taking into account the one I hold in my hands.

I don’t know where he is. I don’t see him and he doesn’t come to class. I’m not even sure if he’s still in the country. I’m too prideful to ask Rogue and Rhys although I’m sure they know.

The letters are my only point of contact with him and I’ve come to rely on them.

I didn’t read them at first. They piled on the counter next to the multitude of gifts that I couldn’t possibly keep up with. It took seven days without him and seven letters taunting me each time I walked past my counter to finally make me crack.

My hands had trembled so badly as I opened the envelope that I dropped the first letter when I went to pull it out. I’d picked it up and unfolded it with still shaking fingers.

Letter #1

Wild girl,

Selfishly, I just want to start by telling you how good it feels to finally admit that I love you.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

Yours,

Nix.

After that, I’d ripped into the remaining letters, my eyes desperately reading every word of his smooth handwriting.

Letter #2

Wild girl,

There’s one other thing I want you to know, and it’s that I loved you first. I saw you first, crouched and stealing my flowers, your hair shining in the sun, and I loved you before you’d even turned around.

Yours,

Nix.

Letter #3

Wild girl,

Remember that flower crown you made me? When I found it in my room, the level of happiness and relief I felt were almost cataclysmic.

That’s how obsessed I’ve been with you since the day I met you.

Yours,

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