I read the letters Nathan wrote for me. They were short but sweet, containing heartful words that made me happy.

  The first letter read, "Dear Emma, I love your smile and how your hair glistens in the sun. Love, Nathan."

  The second letter read, "Dear Emma, I love when you laugh when you think no one is listening.  Love, Nathan."

  The third letter read, "Dear Emma, Your hugs make me feel wanted. Love, Nathan."

    The fourth letter read, "Dear Emma, The hoodies are a style that suits you well. They draw out the uniqueness that is you. Love, Nathan."

  The fifth letter read, "Dear Emma, I am sorry you had to go through so much pain. No guy should ever treat you that way. You deserve to be treated like  a princess. Love Nathan."

  The sixth letter read, "Dear Emma, I know you don't love me. It makes me sad because I have loved you ever since we met. Love Nathan."

    The seventh letter read, "Dear Emma,  Keep being you because that is what I like most. You. Love, Nathan."

     The eighth letter read, " Dear Emma, Your cooking skills are great. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Love Nathan."

      The ninth letter read, " Dear Emma, please don't hate me. I can't stop thinking about you. Love, Nathan."

     The tenth letter read," Dear Emma, I hope you like the present I gave you for your birthday this year. It is not as extravagant as the necklace I gave you when you turned sixteen. Love, Nathan."

    The eleventh letter read, "Dear Emma, Why did not you give me a chance? I can be romantic. Love, Nathan."

     I sighed. Would I get another letter today? What would it say?  I know it, is probably crazy, but I kept the first eleven letters. I had to. Somehow, I knew I could not bear to part with them. I began to see Nathan in a new light.

         I blushed when he walked past me to go to class today. It is the Wednesday after letter 11 was given to me. I sure hoped he would not give up. I did not understand what this feeling meant. I could not wait to see him. I wanted to hug him. 

         I smiled. I sat at my desk and leaned over. I kissed Nathan on the cheek. Today, I wore a blue shirt, a yellow skort, and blue sandals. I wore the necklace and had the new present, a small keychain in my backpack. The key chain was in the shape of a hummingbird. 

           I could not believe he remembered I like hummingbirds. What else does he remember about me?  I thought. I faced the teacher and missed the shocked expression on Nathan's face.

            After school, I was walking home when I found the twelfth letter, it was on the steps.  I smiled as I picked it up. I held it close. I was not sure why I looked forward to more letters. It was not like my boyfriend wrote them to me or anything. It was only my best friend, yet somehow I enjoyed every letter as if, a boyfriend had written them.

          Dear Emma, 

           I feel you ought to know. I can't go on this way for much longer.

           I mean the more I am with you the more I want to kiss you. To kiss you senseless until you kiss me and no longer dwell on thoughts about him who shall not be named.

           I  will restrain myself, but you make it so hard when you are beautiful.

         Love, Nathan.

I  blushed.  The letter for today was longer than the others. It contained information that brought joy to me. I did not know why, but I felt happy, he wished to kiss me. Should I kiss him?

   I walked home. I entered my room. No one was there. Same with the rest of the place. Nathan's room was even empty.  I was disappointed. I had hoped to smother him in kisses. Wh-what? I don't...I can't, I must not... I tried to deny it.  What was happening to me? I had sworn off guys, and now this happened. Agh! What is the matter with me?

   That evening I fell asleep with a silly smile on my face. 

    The next day was a drag, school was so boring. I did not get a letter. I felt sad. Had he given up on me already? Did he find me to be a bore like he who shall not be named? Is that it? Is that why no letters for today?

        I sobbed. I thought... I thought...

        I felt strong arms hold me close. "Emma, tell me who dares to make you cry? Tell me and I shall make him pay!"I heard Nathan say. I did not say anything. How could I tell him it was him who made me cry?

        After supper, I almost tripped over something on the patio. I smiled when I saw it. Yes, another letter, He had not forgotten after all.  

      "Dear Emma, I love you. I will never stop.  I will do all I can to make you understand you are the girl for me. The only girl I will ever see. The girl I love.  The girl I want. The girl I need.  Love, Nathan."

 A few days went by and the letters stopped. Nathan was sick so he could not write to me. It was okay because the other letters meant more to me than he would ever know.

    "Nathan, I am sorry you are sick," I said. I brought him soup, and a glass of water, and felt his forehead. He felt hot. 

   Nathan kissed my hand. I blushed. He smirked. "Princess Buttercup, I love you," He said. 

    I gave him some medicine, and he took it and drank water. He only ate a few spoonfuls of the soup. I felt sorry for him being so sick. I kissed his forehead and whispered, "Get better soon sugar  bear." I did not know he heard me since his eyes were shut. I thought he had dozed off.

    I missed the smile that appeared on his face and the response he gave. 

     Two days later, Nathan was better. I smiled when I saw two letters from him this time.

     " Dear Emma, I am sorry, I did not write sooner, but I was sick. Some adorable girl came and helped me. Love Nathan." This is what the first letter from today said.

 The second one made me feel flattered.  It also took my breath away. "Dear Emma, You want to go with me to get frozen yogurt? It will be my treat. I see you still wear the necklace I gave you. Love, Nathan."

  I burst into his room after school today and hugged him. "Sugar bear sure the yogurt sounds good. Oh, and I didn't think anyone saw the necklace." I said. "Well, buttercup, I did and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy," Nathan responded. I laughed when he looked surprised.

     I  held him close, "Nathan, you are cute when you are flustered around me," I remarked.

     I kissed his cheek. I pulled away. "Later sugar bear," I said.

     Nathan nodded his head. He appeared to be shocked. Ha, ha, I thought.

   I  put the more recent letters with the others he had written me. Why did not he say something sooner? I thought. Why did he keep his love for me hidden?  Maybe, if he had told me I never would have wasted time with the likes of that name not to be mentioned.