Dear Violet,

I hope this finds you well and…quickly. You may not have been expecting a letter so soon but I hope it’s a pleasant surprise. In fact, I’m actually writing this later in the evening after you left. Maybe that’s silly but it’s the only thing I can think to do. I keep looking around our room, hoping my eyes will find you doing chores or emerging from the bathroom. I should probably be getting ready for bed instead but you know me. 

I guess I don’t have too much to say yet. Only that I miss you. I miss you so much already and I fear that it will only grow with each passing day. I don’t mean to make you feel guilty or anything, I just wanted you to know. Of course, I’m curious…do you miss me too? Anyway, I’m sure your friends are happy to have you home and you’ve probably already settled back into work. I don’t imagine you staying idle long. 

Remember, you promised to write me!

Your dearest friend,
Isabella

 

Dear Isabella,

Thank you so much for your letter. I was truly happy to receive it and I eagerly await any others that you sent while you waited. I certainly don’t find it silly and am not surprised at all to find out that you are staying up late to do so. I’m not even gone a full day and you are already falling back into bad habits. Please be sure to get your rest and write me at a more appropriate time.

To answer your question, I do miss you. A great deal. Perhaps more than I thought, if I am being completely honest. I also found it strange to be back in my room by myself, even though I’ve lived here for years at this point. It was starting to bother me so much I ended up going back to work early, just like you guessed. People have been asking about you too and I’ve enjoyed telling them about our time together. They particularly like it when I tell them all the silly things you made me do.

I also wanted you to know I ended up delivering your letter to Taylor. I know I told you I’d have my company do it when I returned, but I decided to do it myself after I left. I think I worried the President because I ended up coming back late but it was worth it. Taylor looks healthy and happy and I can see why you miss her. She is a lovely girl.

Your Dearest Friend,

Violet

Dear Violet,

I know you probably haven’t gotten my first letter but I can’t help but write again. I think my assumption about missing you is coming true and this is the best way to still feel connected. Everything feels harder when you’re not around. Going to class, filling the tub, falling asleep. Maybe I’m just a child at heart? I don’t know.

In somewhat happy news, I had tea with Ashley Lancaster today. Actually, we had tea the day you left as well but I think my brain was in such a haze I forgot to mention it. Both times were nice. We talked about you a lot, of course. It seems you made quite the impression on everyone but I probably don’t have to tell you that. It helped to have someone to do that with, even if I’d much rather have tea and chat with you. I think we might even become friends when it’s all said and done. I hope you’re proud of me!

That wouldn’t be possible without you, though. You give me the strength to do these things even when you’re not here, no matter how difficult they are. Whenever something is challenging, I just ask myself what you would do or what advice you would give and then I just do it. So, thank you, Violet.

I miss you.

Your Dearest Friend,
Isabella

 

Dear Violet,

I’m not sure if my first letter arrived yet. I guess I won’t know how long it takes for a round trip until I get a reply. It hasn’t even been a week so I’m confident it hasn’t arrived or, if it did, your reply is in the mail. I’ll give it another week before I start to worry about our promise. Joking!

Let’s see. I had a coughing fit last night and it was really difficult without you here. I mean, it wasn’t as bad as it was before you arrived because I used the tricks you taught me to help calm down. Still, it was scary being on my own during one again. I just wish this stupid disease would go away or that I could have you back. You make it bearable. You make so many things bearable.

I also had tea with Ashley again today. This time her other friends were there too and it was a little scary but I got through it. You’ll never guess the topic of discussion…you! Actually, I don’t mind it. Talking about our time together keeps it alive to me. If that makes sense. It’s like I’m telling a story and you’re only in the other room and not far away.

I miss you.

Your Dearest Friend
Isabella

Dear Isabella,

I received the best surprise today. Two letters. When my friend came to deliver them, I couldn’t help but laugh a little. I’m glad to hear that you have become friends with Ashley and maybe some of the other girls too. I was a little worried you would be all alone after I left. Good job, I am very proud of you! Maybe I was an alright teacher, after all.

I’m sorry to hear you had another fit during the night. I wish I could be there to help you through them. To be your pillow and rub your back or to help you drink water. Just remember to always keep a glass by your bed and ask the maids for extra pillows if you haven’t already. Also, don’t forget to hug your teddy bear tight. Before I left, I sat him down and informed him of the responsibility that was now his. Please inform me if he isn’t doing his duty.

Oh, I found a place close to my home that serves noodles. I never had the ones at school but I remember you liked them a lot. I’m not sure how they compare but the meal was very good. If you have any other favorite foods, I’d like to try them as well.

I miss you too.

Your Dearest Friend,
Violet

Dear Violet,

Your letter arrived! I was so happy when I found it waiting for me in my room that our neighbor came and told me to keep it down. However, she did also say she was happy that I’d finally gotten it. Ashley expressed the same, she never doubted you would write. Of course, neither did I!

I also can’t believe you saw Taylor! I’m very jealous but I’m glad that she looked healthy. Isn’t she precious? I hope you gave her a big hug for me. It felt really good to write that letter so maybe I’ll write her again soon. I could always send it to you and ask you to send it on. Only if you wanted to, of course.

What I’m not surprised to hear though, is that you went back to work early. Did you miss me so much you had to distract yourself? I’m only teasing. I think that’s just you, isn’t it? Always on the move. I’m surprised you stayed so long with me then; it must have been so boring! Anyway, I hope that when you do finally go somewhere on assignment, you’ll tell me all about it.

I miss you.

Your Dearest Friend,
Isabella

 

Dear Violet,

Another letter! It’s like a dream come true. It’s funny that both my letters got there together. You can see that I might have gotten a little carried away. I don’t regret it though. It really did help. Well, it still helps. The truth is, I still feel lonely. Especially at night when it’s just me in this big bed. No matter how many pillows I fill it with, I can’t seem to capture your warmth.

They are also not the best substitute for you when I have my fits. I wish you could be here for those too. I had another last night and was honestly a little surprised. Teddy has been doing a good job though and I promised him I would tell you as much. Come to think of it, maybe if I told you he was doing a poor job you’d come and lecture him? Then I could see you again.

Noodles! I’m sure they are delicious and wish I could taste them with you. As far as my other favorite foods. Let me think…I used to really like eating sausage rolls and they don’t make them here. Maybe they consider them too much like peasant food? I’m not sure. I miss them a lot though, but not more than I miss you.

Your Dearest Friend,
Isabella

Dear Isabella,

Please send my apologies to poor Rebecca. I hope that any subsequent letters I send you are received with less excitement. Not too much less, of course. I’m glad to hear that you didn’t doubt me. I’m a lady of my word, you know. I’ll always write you. I promise. And, if you would like to write Taylor in the future, I would be happy to forward it to her.

I could never be tired of being around you, Isabella. I didn’t feel that way any time I was there and doubt I would in the future. Even when we were sitting at the table silently while you studied, I still wasn’t bored. I’d gladly do it again.

It seems that you may get your wish sooner rather than later. The President told me that there will be a big assignment coming up in a few weeks that will require me to travel out of town. Nowhere near as long as the time I was with you, only about two weeks. I’ll let you know when I have to pause our letters, though I suspect you’ll keep writing. It will just be some time before I can reply.

I miss you too.

Your Dearest Friend,
Violet