'Sookie! I'm home, honey!' Anna shouts as she enters the house. Silence. Anna walks in the kitchen and notices the letters and the note. She reads the note.
I'm sorry, mom. Please give people the letters before you read your own. You don't need to worry, I'm fine, I'm safe. I just ... Give the letters to the right people and then you'll know.
Anna's face falls. Where's her daughter? She takes the letters and reads the names. Mom, Valentine, Maia, Paul, Thomas, Mateo. No Clara. Anna sighs and fights some tears. She trusts the word of her daughter. She puts her suitcase in a corner and takes the letters with her.
She enters Valentine's Diner. To her luck, every person she's looking for is there. She hurries to Valentine. 'What's wro-' 'You need to sent you customers home, now. It's important!' Anna says desperate to read her letter. 'Okay?' Valentine says frowning. 'I'm sorry, but you have to leave. There's an emergency. No one has to pay for their food or drinks,' Valentine says trough the diner. 'The Hanlins and Ainsleys stay,' Anna says. Mateo wants to stand up, ready to leave. 'Young man, you need to stay too,' Anna says. Surprised Mateo sits back in his chair.
As soon as the costumers are gone, Anna starts speaking. 'I think Sookie is gone. She left some letters for us to read,' Anna nervously says. 'Mom, she probably organised a scavenger's hunt,' Thomas laughs. Anna looks at him with a serious face. 'It's not a joke, Thomas Hanlin,' Anna firmly says and hands him his letter. She then proceeds to give everyone their letter.
'She probably didn't want to read them togheter, but I want to. I want to know why I get a not saying she's sorry. I want to know what's wrong with my daughter.' 'Okay,' Valentine says. 'Maia, you go first,' Anna says. 'Err... Okay,' Maia says and opens her letter.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LWsxESeG5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wF2WcyweD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb6RQHlqJM
Dear Maia
You were my best friend from the moment we met, and that was pretty soon in our lives. You stayed with me all this time, twenty years. Twenty years of friendship and not ever have you not been my friend. I would probably be a stoner if it wasn't for you. And you would've probably died of clumsyness if I wouldn't have been there for you too.
As you are reading this, I'm far away. I needed to get away. As you know, I wasn't happy anymore for the last months. I was drowning in sadness, in my tears. I don't want that. I want to breathe, I want to be me again. I want to be the Sookie I was three years ago. Free, happy, unworried, in peace with myself and the world.
I'm going to miss you, Maia. Be nice to Clara, she did nothing wrong. I wish you the best with Mateo, I really think he's the right person for you.
Love, Sookie191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAXumx9b4N
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn414M9xAk7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJI6s3Gqtr
Maia wipes away her tears. 'She didn't say goodbye,' Maia cries. 'She didn't to any of us,' Paul says. 'I'll read next,' Mateo says.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp6FE9Kc4v
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEZpnL7J4y
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tcl8OtRI3
Dear Mateo
I haven't known you for a long time, but I don't have to. To me you are the young man Maia described everytime she would fantasize about a boyfriend. You are the perfect one for her, don't ever doubt about that. She's happy with you, she really is. I don't know if you said it to each other already or not, but she loves you.
Now, here's something you should know. If Maia is sad or seems to act weird in any way and you can't cheer her up, make coffee. Not the coffee you sell on campus, that one is disgusting. I mean the real coffee. Valentine Ainsley's coffee is the best coffee you are ever going to find. It's also the only coffee that can cheer Maia up.
You better start learning how to make that coffee, she's going to be sad after she read her letter.
Anyways, I like you, you seem a good person. So if it wasn't clear earlier, I approve of you. ;)
Love, Sookie191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfg807XDKY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EyEOE4V6a
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSnUfcilzU
'You love me?' Mateo asks surprised. 'Of course I do, silly,' Maia says and kisses Mateo's cheek. 'I love you too,' Mateo says and smiles at his girlfriend. 'All really sweet, but I want to read my letter now,' Thomas says.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CT7pV9jz3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQDUruCnCO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHANoz9J0FC
Αγαπητέ Θωμά
Brother, brother, brother. I love you. I'm proud of you! You got rid of your dark cloud, you are raising a beautiful daughter whom I can call my niece. You have the most mature (and cute) relationship. I could only hope to have one like that in the future.
I'm sorry to leave you, but I have to. I was drowning, I want to be able to breathe. I couldn't do it here, in Rose Hills. I have to much to say to you, but it's to much to write down.
Take care of yourself. Take care of Paul. Take care of little O. Take care of mom.
Thomas rolls his eyes reading.
Don't roll your eyes at me Thomas Neil Athanasiou Hanlin! Yeah, I know, I'm your sister.
Anyways, bye?
Love, Sookie191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCybN0JmjO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutfodaPp8e
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT5OD57ahQ
'That long name should be illegal,' Paul says under his breath. 'Oh, Sookie's worse. "Sookie Oona Helen Cecilia Athanasiou Hanlin",' Thomas says. 'Anna, why?' Valentine asks with a raised eyebrow. 'Oona was my grandmother's middle name. Helen is for Helen Allingham and Helen Maitland Armstrong, they were painters, look them up. Cecilia Beaux was the first woman to teach art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine arts. Educate yourself, people,' Anna says and wipes away a tear.
'Paul, read your damn letter,' Maia says crying.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnS28r9JNl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd31TuUkUK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF278cW1gal
Dear Paul
Once we were inmensly disgusted by each other. And now I can't imagine my life without you, my best friend (don't tell Maia :) ). I guess you always thought I was there to save you. Maybe I was, but I needed you more. You got me trough my first two years of college, the first two years of adult life.
I have a few happy memories from the last two years, you are in every single one of them. Thank you, Paul. Thank you for being a part of my life. I'm very sorry I ran and left you. I'm sorry I left everyone.
Next Halloween, take Thomas with you for dinner. You can get the couples discount ;).
Love, Sookie191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Q7I4yG1t
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAELZ0ZfZKR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEqrAypsy0
'Oh,' Paul pouts and starts crying. Thomas comforts him. Anna nervously fidges with her letter. 'I'll read mine,' Valentine suggests and starts opening his letter. Anna nods.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NAmMJesSC
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmGlRc5YoP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuggPaVq9Hl
Dear Valentine
Take a seat and a tissue, you are going to cry my friend. I always had a crappy father, he didn't know how to handle himself. My father was just a man who tried his best, but wasn't a dad. You were, you are. Valentine, for me you are my dad. You have helped me when my father should've.
You made me chicken soup when I was ill, you helped me paint my room when I was sick of the old colour, you taught me how to ride a bike, you taught me how to cook, you helped me with my homework, you supported my mom when she didn't have a husband to do so, you learned me how to drive. You practically raised me. I will forever be greatful of that and everything else you have done for me.
I'm sorry to leave and not say goodbye to anyone. I wasn't happy anymore. You would've wanted me to be happy, you've sad it multiple times. I have to go and heal, find me again.
Now, I know you haven't decided on what animal you want on your new apron, but I will find one you love. I don't know if I'll find one with an animal, but then I'll find another one you'll love.
If you can, please check in on mom, please? And give a few goodbye-pets to Nacho.
Love, Sookie
P.S. If Mateo hasn't come to you on how he has to make coffee yet, please go to him. It's for Maia's sake he knows how to make coffee like you.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3n3b4XmOs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjs5pNXtNj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2rzVaqV3Y
'I should've taken a seat,' Valentine cries and sits on a chair. Mateo hands him a tissue. 'Thanks,' Valentine mutters. Anna tries to not cry that much when she opens hers. 'I don't know if I can read it,' Anna says. Thomas takes the letter. 'I'll read it,' he says.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZXQ9zDNwM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4pSYiJv82
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjL1MI1DcU
Dear mom
You'll probably made the others read their letters outloud, that's okay. Now you know why. Now you know why I had to leave. I'm sorry for not saying anything. I'm not dead, well that's the plan. You'll probably don't like where I went, but leave me be, please.
I love you.
Love, Sookie191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItzVNFM2FR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUa1h3GISR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dx7GvFDny
'Read the rest,' Anna says. 'There isn't a rest,' Thomas says and shows the letter. 'But... I'm her mother! I should be allowed to have an explanation! I should know why and where my little girl went!' Anna says frustrated. Thomas feels a little guilty, he did the same once. 'Anna, take a seat,' Valentine kindly says. 'Oh, you! You shut up!' Anna yells. 'Mom!' Thomas says loud. 'Don't talk to Valentine like that. You are angry with Sookie, not him,' Thomas says. Anna starts crying uncontrolebly.
Later that evening Thomas sits on the couch. Paul is putting Ophelia to bed. Thomas takes his letter and reads it again.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFfRz8a7CR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3ciYWDipa
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhh6qHRsQf
Αγαπητέ Θωμά
Brother, brother, brother. I love you. I'm proud of you! You got rid of your dark cloud, you are raising a beautiful daughter whom I can call my niece. You have the most mature (and cute) relationship. I could only hope to have one like that in the future.
I'm sorry to leave you, but I have to. I was drowning, I want to be able to breathe. I couldn't do it here, in Rose Hills. I have to much to say to you, but it's to much to write down.
Take care of yourself. Take care of Paul. Take care of little O. Take care of mom.
Don't roll your eyes at me Thomas Neil Athanasiou Hanlin! Yeah, I know, I'm your sister.
Anyways, bye?
Love, Sookie
Don't read this to anyone else:
I'm staying with father. I know, I know. I should've come to you and talk about it. I shouldn't have left to stay in Greece. But I had nowhere else to go. I don't know anything in America outside of New York. But I do know the white houses and the beach. I know the little hotel where we would ask for water after playing to much in the sea.
Don't be mad for writing mom a short letter. I didn't know what to write. I wanted to write so much, tell her so much. I wanted to tell her everything that had happened this year. I couldn't, I couldn't bring her that much pain because I keep to many secrets. But I want to tell you.
When I was sixteen, my boyfriend Oliver, intoxicated me. He abused me. We had sex, I didn't want it, he wouldn't listen. I broke up with him. Ever since then I was scared I would run in to him again. And unfortunately I did. I ran into him in April on campus. He was arrested, but two days later he was a free man again. I was scared to leave my dorm, afraid he would come after me.
Months before I ran into the devil, Clara started acting weird. She was distant, wouldn't call me anymore. When I went to visit the last time, I spent more time with Maia and Mateo than with her. After Valentine's birthday I went to talk to her. She said she was afraid of being in a relationship with a girl, because of her parents. I am sure she was lying, she was plucking her fingers.
If I would tell Maia, she would "kill" her. So I told Maia that I broke up with Clara, to make sure she's safe and alive. In order for them to be friends, I have to remove myself from them.
I want a place to heal and find me again, I can't do that here. I'm sorry.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5z5MZGbb4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3I3Y9T1F7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhlHev0L61
'Tom, what's wrong?' Paul asks as he sees Thomas bawling his eyes out. He hands Paul the letter. 'Oh, no,' Paul says after reading it. He hugs his boyfriend tightly.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Pg2ePwno
