Page 1 of Our Secrets and Scars

Prologue

Four years ago

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Kinsley Garcia

1152 Llamarada Blvd.

Twin Falls, ID 83301

DearFletcher,

Is it okay if I call you that? The pen pal program didn’t give me your first name, and it doesn’t feel right to call you inmate #7492. They didn’t tell me much about you at all actually. Just that you’re in juvie for something you did when you were sixteen. Don’t worry, they didn’t tell me what it was, just reassured me that you’re not considered dangerous. It’s up to you if you want to tell me, but it’s not really any of my business.

Truth is, I’m doing this because my therapist thought it would be a good idea. Okay, I’m not sure she meant enrolling in a prison pen pal program exactly, but she suggested I reach out to someone who’s misunderstood. Like me. And there wasn’t a better example of a social outcast I could think of than a guy in a juvenile detention center.

That was crass. I’m sorry.

It’s just that I got into an accident not long ago that killed my twin sister and left me with bad facial scarring. I’ve had skin grafts and stuff to make it better, but I still look different. Before everything happened, I was popular and pretty, and people wanted to be around me. I had friends and a boyfriend too. Not anymore though. Those same people I used to sit with at lunch and go to parties with now make fun of the scars on my face. They say the meanest stuff and do the cruelest things to me, but I never let myself cry in front of them.

But you probably don’t care about any of that. Mom thinks I’m selfish for being so bothered about my burns because I should just be grateful that I didn’t die like my sister. I don’t know. Maybe you think the same. But I’m not telling you to make you feel sorry for me or anything, it’s just that they’re a pretty big part of why I’m writing to you now. Because for the first time in my life, I’ve found myself on the outside. People judge me before they know me, and they don’t care about anything other than the way my face looks. I don’t know, I guess I thought you might understand what that feels like.

Do you?

Anyway, I’ll stop bothering you now. Please don’t feel like you have to write back, but I’d really love it if you did.

Love, Kinsley

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Inmate #7492

Southwest Idaho Juvenile Detention Center

222 N 12th Ave

Caldwell, ID 83605

Kinsley,

Hi. I’ve been staring at this blank piece of paper for an hour now with no idea what to write. Words aren’t usually something I struggle with, but I guess it’s important to me that I say the right ones. I just don’t know what they are.

I guess the best place to start is to tell you that I know that feeling well. Today especially. Maybe it sounds silly, but my girlfriend broke up with me this morning. She came to see me during visitation, sat in the chair opposite me, and said she deserves better than a man dressed in prison overalls. I don’t blame her, but I can’t say it didn’t suck having to listen to all the reasons why I’m not good enough for her anymore. And when she was done, I went back to my cell and stared at the wall for hours.

That’s when I got your letter. Truth is, it came right when I needed it to. During my darkest moment, you were able to make me smile. And I’m not sure I can thank you enough for that.

Always, Fletcher

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Kinsley Garcia

1152 Llamarada Blvd.

Twin Falls, ID 83301

Dear Fletcher,

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