Chapter 1

• "He's in the hospital, Ky."
• "He almost bled to death...head hit on the side. There was blood-lots of it. He might not even live."
• Words raced into Kylie Darthrow's head as she looked at the letters in the bottle one more time. Though the bottle was slightly cracked, it still stood tall holding all the emotions Sam had pent up inside of him. They said he was on his way to deliver these to her that it was right for her to have it. But was it? He had gotten into an accident just to send this. And as the sun fell and stars found themselves twinkling into the night once more, she couldn't bare to look at the little tiny letters.
• Was it the fear that jolted through her spin every time she glanced at them?
• Was it because of the worry and selfishness because she couldn't face him-not right now?
• I don't know.
• I hate this.
• Kylie sniffled. The dried tears were evident on her high cheekbones and so were the incoming tears in her short eyelashes. It was impossible to do this-to read something from someone who's now in the damn hospital bed fighting for his life.
• I need to be strong.
• When was the last time they saw each other? A month or two? She gritted her teeth and wiped the thoughts from her mind. No. I don't need this now.
• Heart pounding and breaths coming off short, she wrenched out the first letter that was taped on the cap. Kylie brought it closer to her, inhaling the little lavender scent it had-her favorite. A weak chuckle slipped her lips. He always knew what she loved.
• And without another thought, Kylie opened the letter, eyes scanning the neat handwriting.
• ---
• Kylie,
• God, I'm so, so sorry. I'm an idiot. You know that. Heck, everyone knows that. And idiots say some stupid things.
• For that, I'm sorry.
• You have every right to be angry.
• I pulled you down with me every single time, and I know that. I've done things I shouldn't have done, said things to you that I shouldn't have said.
• But I did mean something when I said I love you, Ky.
• And here it is.
• Twenty-two letters to prove to you that I do care, and twenty-two letters to let you decide what you want to do.
• I love you, I really do.
• But you're my best friend first.
• And I don't want to lose that too.
• ---
• You love me, huh?
• Kylie thought bitterly, memories splashing into her mind like a large tidal wave. She sighed as her eyes glanced back at the bottle. Well, there is no going back now.
• She grabbed the bottle and opened the lid, releasing folded green papers on the table.
• Should I forgive him?
• Should I let go?
• Biting her lip, Kylie Darthrow opened Letter Number 1.