~

blushing bride

in vanilla - white, carved

her ~~~~~~~~~~~ name

in his semi-sweet heart.

he bared his soul for her vows

to inscribe: indelible,

love-laced,

art

.

The naruto-shaped chocolates were safely in Mineka's container as she walked down Egi towards Hirohide's house. The people walked past, silently judging her dimpled smile, as it was so unnatural to see someone happy during wartime. Mineka didn't care. White Day was there before the war started and would continue after. She bounded up to the door and rang the bell to Hirohide's apartment. His elderly mother, Aian, greeted her. Mineka smiled and went in, setting her shoes to the side in the foyer. She went into to the sitting room, where Hirohide's ailing father and young sister, Chami, sat. Mineka took a couple of her chocolates out and pressed them into Hirohide's father's hands, who thanked her shakily. His young daughter went over to inspect the chocolates.

"Hirohide found a keeper," Chami joked. "He loves chocolates."

Mineka blushed, looking down at the floor. Chami took the container and put it in the icebox before returning to Mineka's side. Though she was still in grade school, Chami was Mineka's best friend. The two knelt at the coffee table, sipping the oolong tea that Hirohide's brother had brought back after his long trip to Shanghai. There was a silence, filled by the sound of Hirohide's old father sleeping. His mother sat beside his father, rubbing his tense shoulders. Chami looked back at them, made a face, and whispered softly, "Would you like to go to my room?"

Mineka nodded and Chami made up an excuse for them to depart. Once in Chami's room, Mineka sat on the floor, gripping her teacup.

"When will Hirohide be back?"

Chami shrugged. "His boss called for him early at the factory. It's almost two though and they know he has to get home to care for chichi since he's very sick."

"I noticed."

"Rasen said he would try to find the healer he'd met with in China, but I don't think it is a good idea with the war."

"Rasen is brave. He will be okay."

"I just hope he is not too late. Haha cannot lose another son, but she couldn't bear the loss of chichi."

"Your brother will be okay, as will your parents," Mineka tried to be as soothing as possible.

Chami made a face but didn't argue. It was hard to since Mineka knew nothing but death. She'd lost her father in the first great war, then her mother a year later to disease. Many of her siblings had died in a house fire that left her disfigured as a child, and until recently, she had lived with her ailing uncle and his old wife. The Sugiedas had often let Mineka stay with them for many nights, especially after Hirohide began to pursue her. Chami filled the silence by turning on the radio, where the emperor was talking.

"Successful attack-- Direct hit on American soil-- California--" the radio buzzed.

A grin grew on Chami's face, though Mineka didn't quite understand it. Chami began to explain but was silenced by the soft drone of voices that was slowly getting louder and louder. The two girls raced outside to see people flooding from the streets in excitement. The war had left everyone gloomy, but this one act by the Japanese government had sent an unignorable wave through its people. Chami and Mineka ran to join the fun, but Mineka was stopped by the sound of Hirohide's voice. At the sight of her, he raced to her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her passionately.

"Happy White Day, my love," Hirohide said to her.

Mineka smiled, reddening. "Thank you, Hirohide. I made you chocolates."

"My favorite," he said, lifting her and swirling her around. "You are the best wife on this island."

"Wife?" Mineka murmured.

Hirohide smiled, and Mineka threw her arms around him joyfully, wishing this day would never end.

Once,

it was life-affirming,

encouraging

joy,

kindness,

hope,

peace;

now,

it’s gift-giving focus

leaves arms full,

hearts empty,

souls withered.

Hi, its you from the future and i just wanna start this off by saying I Love you. I love you so damn much. And i know it hurts, i know your still trying to get control of your own body and it sucks. I know it sucks to be told "you're not depressed" by what you thought was one of your closest friends. And im here to tell you its okay. Its okay to be emotional, feel as much ass you can because as you grow older you become empty. So, empty and wanting to please other people so they can fill that hole in your heart. You may not feel it immediatly because right now your trying so hard not to feel but let it out, okay. Right now im numb but my chest always hurts and any little thing makes me want to cry. Yes, i kept the grey hair our parents gave us and yes if your wondering the anger of everything is still there. i may be empty but im always angry and it sucks. Convience ma to take you too a therapist no matter how long it takes get help please, you think you dint need it and you can take everything on your own but if not for your sake for mine, please get help. You're not getting it right now and no one is listening to you and your "friends" didnt care when you almost killed yourself but you stayed up night after night talking them off ledges its okay. I Love You, okay? you may not love yourself now But I Love You, I Love all 171 pounds and 5'11" inches of you. Stop hurting yourself, I Love You.I know your still crying yourself to sleep And thats okay it takes time , I Love you. You may not feel it from anyone else but know, I hear you, i understand you, and I LOVE YOU!

sincerly, 12th Grade you.

To my beloved, Henry

I write this to you to finally admit my love for you after all these years. Do you remember when we first met? In first period, after that bully, Ben Devers, cut your backpack open? I felt so bad for you, so I helped you collect your books and homework off the ground. Do you remember how our hands touched? You looked up into my eyes, and I felt my cheeks flush.

Your eyes are like honey

collected from the darkest rose.

How I wish to swim in the sweetness

of my dear lover’s gaze.

I love your eyes most of all. You hurried your goodbye, and then you were gone, but in my heart, you will always reside. I was never brave enough to approach you. I felt so shy, and you were so cool with all your friends laughing and the way you read books with your cute button nose only a few inches from the page. How I wish you would study me like your books. Do you remember what happened to Ben? The teachers said he exchanged schools halfway through the year, but I made sure to keep you safe, my beloved Henry. I’ve protected you.

You are so smart! I secretly envied your quickness in class, and I was so proud of you when you achieved the highest grades of our year. Do you remember when you threw away your calculus exam? Please don’t think it weird, but I kept it all these years. It still kind of smells like you. Cedar with just a hint of your sweat from gym class. It makes me swoon with desire.

Do you remember your locker combination? It was your little brother’s birthday. I remember, because I watched you, my beloved Henry, when I would be at my locker just across the hall. Do you remember my little gifts? Please don’t be mad, but I stole an old tshirt. I just wanted to feel

you with me when I slept. Just like our love, we would see each other across the way, but it would still be many years until we would be together.

When we graduated, I couldn’t let you go. I had loved you for so long that I couldn’t bare to never see you again. Please don’t be mad, but I may have peeked at your mail to see what college you would go to. I was so proud of you when you got into the college you wanted! You would talk to your friends for hours on the phone about how you were so nervous. I crossed every finger for you, my beloved Henry, and you did it!

I was still too shy to ask you out, but I thought if you would see me everyday, maybe you would say hello. I’m very sorry to go through your things, my beloved Henry, but I needed to know your class schedule. I wasn’t smart enough to get into college, like you, but I knew I could pretend for just a little while until you could meet me and see that I really am the love of your life. And then it wouldn’t matter that I memorized your route from the dorms to class. We had lunch together so many time, you and I. You would read with your nose so close to the pages, and I would eat quietly on the other side of the courtyard. Star crossed lovers gazing at one another across a sea separating them. It was so romantic, and I loved you all the more for it.

You broke my heart, once, my beloved Henry. But don’t worry! I’ve forgiven you, because I know now that you were tricked and manipulated. Just like in high school, I will always protect and keep you safe. I saw you at the party with that girl. That wretched, ugly beast of a girl who thought she could flutter her eyelashes and make you like her. Just like a dog in heat, she followed you around for weeks, making you go to lunch with her, meeting each others’ friends, and then she told you some lie to make you kiss her in the dark of the park walkway. I forgive you, my beloved Henry. She is just a manipulative cretin who thought she could take advantage of your kind and innocent heart.

I forgive you, because I know it wasn’t your fault when you got married to that witch. Do you remember the wedding gift of your favorite books? I gave you those! I remember all the books you’ve read, and I made sure to get all the ones you didn’t have yet. I wanted you to recieve a gift, not that salacious wretch. I wanted you to know that I still love you, and that all you needed to do was to reach out to me, and I will protect you and save you from the awful life with that manipulative woman. Imagine my horror for your plight when I heard she tricked you into getting her pregnant, the skank!

I heard your job interview, my beloved Henry. The supervisor was so impressed with you and told everyone so afterwards. I was so proud, and I made sure to get a job in the same building. I’m always loyal to you, my beloved Henry. I didn’t dare approach you, because I would never attempt to flirt with a married man. No, I’m respectful and moral, and I would never do something so hurtful to the one I love. How many time do you think your “beautiful” wife has flirted with other men? Do you really believe that hussy could ever love and respect you like I do?

Do you remember when you ran into me in the stairwell? I was walking down as you were coming up, and you accidently dropped your files, just like when we first met. I helped you collect your things, my adorably clumsy Henry, and then our hands touched. You looked up into my eyes, and I knew you recognized me! With that one look, I knew you remembered me from all those years ago, that you too also held a deep love for me. I knew with your glance that you were sorry for all the pain you’ve caused me, and you wanted desperately to be with me. You said with your eyes how you hated your whore of a wife, and you needed me to save you. As you took back your things and gave me your thanks, I swore I would do everything to save you, my beloved Henry.

Do you remember Ben Devers, my beloved Henry? Do you remember how I said I protected you from him? It made me so mad when I saw him picking on you that I found him when he went to the bathroom, and I slit his throat, bleeding him like the pig that he was.

Please don’t be angry, my beloved Henry. I did it all for you!

I killed that evil Ben Devers for you!

I corrected your test answers for you!

I blackmailed the Dean at your college for you!

I threatened your boss at your new job for you!

I sent your wife threats to leave for you!

I told your mistake-children to kill themselves for you!

But did anyone listen to me? No! I gave them plenty of warning, my beloved Henry. And I know that you need someone who is good to their word. Don’t bother going home tonight, my dearest Henry. No one is there. I made sure no one would ever get in the way of our love for one another. I see now that all of this has been a test to see if I truly love you as much as you love me, and I passed Henry! We can be together forever now! The police will never find the bodies of that fake family you had, I made sure of it for you!

You’re safe now, Henry. I’ve rescued you from that evil witch and the burden of taking care of her brats. Come to me, my beloved Henry. I’m waiting for you in the next room. Please come and tell me how you too have loved me all these years.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

XOXOXOX

I am glad you are here child. I know how you feel about naps you don't want to take. I know you cannot wait to start school like your brother and sister have.

You are blessed to have loving parents, traveling and music in your life.

You will grow up and face many good and bad times.

Spoiler Alert: You will be a leader. You will gradually gain your confidence.

You will influence others with and without words.

You would not believe all that you will accomplish if I were to tell you about them now.

Keep that honest disposition.

Stay motivated to do well in all your schoolwork.

I will not ask you to make any decisions differently, because if you did, I would not be all that I am. I love you!

The Zombie apocalypse, something that’s been joked about numerus times in timeless

movies, games and television shows. While slow, that still doesn’t stop the mindless beasts from ripping you apart and eating your insides. So, time to learn a little street smarts when dealing with Zombies while you’re stuck in school.

Step 1: Know your school. Whether you’re a freshman, senior or teacher you’ve been in

this school long enough to know your way around. Don’t take a wrong turn and get stuck at the bottom of the stair well because that’s one of the quickest ways to die scared, cornered and alone.

Step 2: Team up. Now this may seem like a great idea at first to have friends to help you,

but really their just sacrifices for when you’re in tough situations and need to get out, the more vulnerable they look the better.

Step 3: Always check your surroundings. Especially if you’re in a bathroom or classroom be sure to check every stall and closet before you let out a breath of relief, because that very well could be your last.

Step 4: Be quiet. This may be common sense but you don’t want the zombies to know where you are so don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

Step 5: Find a weapon, don’t try and be a peace maker with the zombie students because you’re just lunch to them.

Step 6: Do. Not. Hesitate. Listen I know Mrs. and Mr. so and so are your favorite teachers and that’s been your best friend since middle school but right now

they are not the people you grew to admire. Aim for the head or run, simple enough right?

Step 7: Always have a contingency plan. These are important in case one of the people you “teamed up” with had the same idea as you.

Lastly step 8: If you get bitten don’t be that person who hides it and infects the rest of the group. Do yourself a favor before you turn and leave. Unless it’s a group of narcissistic jerks who go around pillaging other groups you should just go ahead and end them all. Well, that’s all I can tell you good luck and try not to die.

Dear twelve year old ‘me’,

How are you? Long time no see- oh! I don’t have much time...

Just listen.. Always be strong.. Always. Make yourself tough.

And you know what? If you try you can be better than the best.. Believe me.

Please improve your math skills by understanding and not mugging up. And.. Another thing.. Please don’t trust blindly. No one.

And.... Don’t ape others. Build your own individuality, dear... You will love it in future, believe me again.

Bye.. See you later though!

Forever yours,

The present ‘me’.....

P.S. I will always love you...

For the longest time you were my best friend.

We stuck by each other through infertility (me),

Divorce and depresson (you).

I bit my toungue when you would say "my friend Maura."

Even though I knew exactly who Maura was

Because she was once my frend, too.

One day Maura branded me a bad person,

A liar, a betrayer of secrets, ungrateful,

And even worse.

I became wary of your continued frienship with her

And distanced myself,

Though you did nothing wrong.

Shamefully, I ghosted you,

Because of an imagined conversation we might have had

If you had asked me about Maura.

I further put a nail in the coffin of our friendship,

When I wrote about my continued frustration with your depression,

Letting your parents enable you,

Your lack of motivation in finding a job,

And to be independent.

This got back to you through Maura,

Who I know shared the news with you gleefully,

And damaged my reputation even further.

The thing is, she was right about the way I treated you.

I'm sorry.

Now I go out of the way to avoid places where you might be

Or where I might run into your family.

Rather than dealing with my shame about everything that happened.

Cassandra, I have too much shame to face you

And I regret every minute of what I have done.

I wish I could turn back the clock

And make it all go back the way it was.

But instead I have to deal with my shame.