Dear Charmed,

Can't believe we're already three weeks into school, and something like twenty letters in. I guess we're both really having fun with this project.

So how are things going in your drama class? I know you were worried about that performance that's 25% of your grade. Just keep in mind that you can get a B on it and you'll still be fine.

Answering about your last letter, no, I've never really thought about actually singing in front of anyone. It's just a really terrifying idea. I mean, what if I totally mess up and make a fool of myself? That's the last thing I'd want to do.

Until Next Time,
Cinder

Ashley re-read her letter thoughtfully. She couldn't remember when she had started beginning her letters with "Dear Charmed," but it seemed to fit and she didn't want to break the habit and risk offending him.

A few weeks into the project and Ashely already felt like she almost completely trusted Charmed. Of course, it could all be some elaborate prank or he could be doing it only for the grade, but Ashley didn't think that was it. If anything, she was getting a real friend out of the project.

"How are you liking your writing partner?" Kenzie asked, eying the letter in Ashley's hands.

"He's great," Ashley replied. "I think we're actually getting to be really good friends."

"Lucky you," Kenzie sighed wistfully. "I got Nathan. And you know what his pen name is? Burrito. I choose a name like Red Riding Hood and he chooses Burrito."

"You aren't supposed to know who your partner is," Ashley reminded her.

"I know, but it's not like Nathan cares. He's not even trying with his letters. Do you know what is last one said? RRH, this is getting boring. Can we talk about something else? That's literally all his letter said!"

"Were you taking about your boyfriend?"

"No. But thanks for reminding me, I need to go find him. See ya!"

Kenzie vanished down the hallway as Ashley smiled. The halls of school were virtually empty. School wasn't due to start for another twenty minutes, so none of Ashley's other friends had arrived yet. Folding her letter to Charmed, Ashley stepped away from the hall wall and started towards the doors to the courtyard.

"Look who it is," a female voice said from behind. Ashley shriveled inside.

"I don't see anyone," a second female voice responded. Ashley turned to confront the girls.

There were three of them, pretty girls who could get away with anything because of the teachers they were friends with. Ashley had never understood them. They were nice to everybody. Everybody except her.

"Oh my gosh, Ashley, is that your outfit?" one of the girls asked. "It's like, actually cute!"

"Yeah, if you like garbage dumps," one of the other girls countered. "It looks like a mop died on her head."

"What's your problem?" Ashley asked. "I never did anything to you."

"Let's go," the third and final girl told the two others. "We're not here to waste our time on some attention-hungry girl who hangs around tons of guys who aren't even cute and then still can't get a boyfriend."

The three of them set off down the hall, twittering to each other about their lunch plans. Ashley felt herself shrivel further.

I don't even want a boyfriend, Ashley reminded herself. Why do I care about what they say? I'm perfectly happy with my life.

Her chest was aching as she felt a strand of her hair. She smiled half-heartedly.

"Can't even think up a good insult," she added. Her eyes were starting to sting. She rubbed them, feeling wetness beneath her fingers.

"Great. Just what I need," she huffed, marching to the girl's bathroom. She checked the mirror, fiddling with her hair and face until she was certain not a sign of her tears remained.

"There," she said to herself. "See, Ashley? You're pretty. And if you really wanted one, you could get a boyfriend. You just don't feel like it. Who needs their opinion?"

She glanced down at her letter to Charmed. Where tears had hit it, the ink had smudged slightly.

"Sorry," she said to the letter. "Didn't mean to bring you into my problems. Let's get you to your basket."

Composing herself, Ashley stepped into the hallway and merged with the crowd of students.