Letter to My Dead Lover
by Ludjina Estilin
I looked up at the cable box and noticed that it was 2:30 AM. My mom came around where I was laid up on
the couch and handed me a mug of hot cocoa. She sat at the end of the couch and ran her hands up and down my
legs in a calming manner. I had just finished talking to the cops for the third time and sleep was the last thing on
my mind. I couldn’t understand what had happened, I tried to make sense of it all but it turned out to be an
unsolvable puzzle.
About half an hour later a familiar voice came through the door. Your mother had arrived. I didn’t know how to
tell her what had happened, I had barely been able to tell my own parents. My dad had left to pick her up from her
work as soon as I told them. My mother sat her down and brought her a mug of hot chocolate. She took a sip of
her chocolate and looked at us expectantly.
“So why am I here at this hour of the morning?” She inquired.
“It’s about Dylan" I knew that I had to choose my next sentence very carefully.
“What about Dylan?” her voice a little shaky when she voiced her question.
I looked up and saw her face and immediately started babbling “We were walking from Didi’s party and he was on
his knees and they stopped and before I knew it I was running after a van”
“Wait, wait” she put her hands up in a halt motion, “Slow down sweetie, breathe and take it from the top.”
I did exactly as she asked and took a deep breath.
“We were walking from my sisters party a few hours ago and something happened”
“Anna I get that something happened, what I need to know is what?” Her voice started getting a little high, she was
getting nervous and frustrated.
“Judith give her a second” My mom came to my rescue. I took another deep breath and took another stab at telling
her.
“On our way home he had the strangest look on his face. When he stopped walking I thought that he was getting
sick but instead he got on his left knee.” I smiled, remembering the most beautiful moment of my young life “He
took out a small velvet box-”
“Is this what this is about? He gave you grandma’s ring and you’re nervous about what it means?” she looked
relieved for a moment until I shook my head sadly.
“No that’s not it.” He asked me to promise myself to him and I accepted. He got up, picked me up and spun me
around. It was such a beautiful moment until a van stopped right at our feet.” The mug of hot chocolate dropped to
the floor as her face went blank. “Two men with masks came out holding guns, Dylan stepped in front of me and
told me to run. One of them grabbed him and tried to get him into the van, but he wouldn’t have it. He screamed
for me to run once again but I didn’t listen, instead I jumped on the other ones’ back and hit him furiously on the
head. Judith had her hand covering her mouth and tears running down her face as she listened tentatively. “The
man shook me off and I went flying which caused Dyl to lose focus. His being distracted gave them the window to
grab him and throw him in the van. It took me a minute to get up but as soon as I was up I was running. I ran and
ran until I tripped over my foot and fell.” The waterworks were back, I could barely talk “They got away, They took
him!” I cried .
***
We waited for weeks which easily turned into months but there was no good news. It's now been 8 months
and we still don't know what became of you. Sometimes it’s easier for everyone to think of you as dead. I kept
hoping and praying but It's hard for me to have hope when no one else does, not even your own mother. She
became this robot, when she’s not working at the hospital she finds something in the house to work on. She's
been like that for 4 months now; I guess that was when she gave up hope too. I’ve spent every weekend with her
since that night, just to make sure that she is okay. Seeing a smile on her face always makes my day, it’s a bonus
when I’m the reason for her smiling. She'll be okay, I'll continue taking good care of her, I promise.
As for me, I've become depressed and distant from everyone besides your mom and my parents. My best
friend is gone, you're gone Dyl, I have no one that understands me like you did. All of our friends feel like I should
at least try to move on and be happy but how can I do that when the only person I ever loved is gone. They’re
acting like they didn't lose you too, or maybe we just morn in different ways. There will never be anyone else, you
are and always will be the only one for me.
Proms is two days away and guess what... I'm running for queen. It was our mothers idea, they were queen
and princess of their proms and they wanted me to carry on the legacy. I decided not to take a date, it wouldn’t
feel right taking someone that wasn’t you. Sense it's a masquerade theme prom I hope no one will notice me
sitting in the corner. We had been planning to be each others prom date since the 7th grade and no ones going to
take your place. You are the only one for me; I promise that I won't ever be with anyone else. This is all that I can
write -in this letter that you’ll never get- before I wake everyone up with my loud sobs. You have to know that I
always loved you and I always will, you’re my first and last love. I know that you always said that promises were
meant to be broken but that's one promise that wasn't meant too.
Love always
Anna.
***
My dear love,
I have so much to tell you but I would like to do it face to face. There hasn't been a way for me to
see or talk to you. This isn’t the first letter I’ve written, the others just never made it out of this stupid cabin
because I’m not allowed to contact anyone says my dad. When those men took me, I had no idea what had been
going on but something told me that it had to do with my drug dealing father. That was the one secret that I kept
from you love, which was why I always changed the subject when you brought him up. I was ashamed and scared,
more scared than ashamed. I was terrified that if you knew anything about him, in some unknown magical way he
would get you involved in his bullshit. Anyway, it wasn't a real kidnapping not in the true sense. My dad had sent
for me because he was and still is in a lot of trouble and I’m the leverage that his enemies had over him. He hates
my mom so he could careless about what happens to her, but he has this dream that I’ll take over his growing
business one day and his enemies knows this. After those guys threw me in the van I was blindfolded. After a few
hours - I had no sense of time- the van had stopped and I was in the middle of the woods with my dad. I hadn't
seen him for years and that was the reason that I was seeing him, you can't imagine how much that hurt.
He explained to me that he did it in such manner so that his foes would believe that I really was gone, and
that he had nothing to do with it. We’re still living in fear that the truth will come out, we’re out here (wherever
here is) hiding our lives away until he resolves his problems. I know that we are still in the country because he
wouldn't dare leave, it would tip off his rivals to our whereabouts.
I miss you so much; I lay in bed every night thinking of you, crying over you. I always said that I couldn't
imagine my life without you and now that I see how it feels I know that I was right. Sometimes when I think of you
my heart stops beating for a couple of seconds. I feel like my heart has been dropped out of my chest, I die a little
more inside every day that I don’t see your face. Your face, the reason that I use to wake up every morning. Those
eyes that were always ready to detect when I was lying. Those lips that always made my legs weak, and that smile
that shined through the dark. I even miss your stubbornness and your sarcasm, and your courage and bravery.
Thank you for trying to help me that night, I hope with my life that you are okay and that fall hadn't caused any
damages.
It makes me feel better knowing that at least my mom has you. She always said that you were the daughter
that she never had, she really does love you. Knowing that you have each other is one of the things keeping me
sane. I'm praying for this war between these men to end so that we can be together again. It's been long, and I
can't ask you to wait for me because I honestly don't know how much more time that this will take. Just know that
I love you and there will never be anyone else.
This is about the thousandth time that I’ve I written you a letter, I know that you never got them because my
father destroyed them all. Some he shredded, some he cut into tiny pieces with sharp scissors and some he
burned.This one, he will not get his hands on, this letter will _____…
"Dylan... Hand it over now!" Dylan's father came into his room to check on him and noticed the situation. He
was tall and he looked a lot like Dylan, brown cropped hair, pink lips hazel eyes but at this moment he was a very
angry version of Dylan.
“Dad what's one letter going to do? Who is it going to hurt? Do you really think that they would really track a
letter?" Dylan was almost the same height as his father and his voice was as loud and deep.
"I will not take any risks" Dylan's father tore the papers into pieces and stormed out slamming the door in the
process. He understood that his father was trying to protect him but at the same time he was hurting him by
keeping him away from Anna. Dylan returned to his bed and lifted his pillow and retrieved the real letter. Before
his dad busted him he had heard footsteps and hid the letter, then held a scrap paper in his hand just in case his
father felt like ripping something. He sat down and continued his letter.
… be delivered to you one way or another. Oh and prom is tomorrow, since the 10th grade my mom had told me
that she was going to convince you to run for queen and I'm thinking that she kept her word. I'm making another
promise to you; I'll be there no matter what it takes. I love you with all my heart Anna and I’ll do anything just to
see your face again, just to kiss your lips again. I promise.
Love always
Dylan.
***
"Honey you look beautiful" Anna's mother said with tears threatening to spill out of her eyes.
"Thanks mom" Anna said to the woman with a sad smile.
"Oh my goodness Angel you look magnificent, don't forget your mask." Dylan's mom said when she came into
the room. "You look a thousand times better than your mom and I ever did" She said with a sad smile of her own.
Everyone was putting on an act as if it wasn't a hard night for all of them. There was a flash and all three
women shielded their eyes with their hands.
"Ugh Dad, Peter!" They said in unison as he took pictures.
"Say cheese everyone" Peter said with forced enthusiasm.
After taking a couple of pictures with her family Anna waited for the limo to arrive. When it finally showed up
she greeted her excited friends and sat by the window quietly, while the rest of them started an early party. What
was she doing? She couldn't pretend that nothing was wrong, she couldn't be at prom having fun while Dylan was
trapped wherever he was, she didn't believe that he was dead. No matter how many times she lost hope, it always
came back.
As soon as the limo arrived in front of the Marriott hotel, Anna was the first out and sprinting to the
bathroom. When she got inside she took off her mask, then she stood there staring at herself through the mirror.
Her brown eyes were wet, her mascara ruined. At least her hair still looked nice, she thought while dabbing tissue
under her eyes to clean up the mess that the mascara had made. Her hair was made into a high bun decorated with
synthetic diamonds, with a bang right above her eyes. Plus her beautiful red gown that had belonged to Mama
Judith was still gorgeous, it hugged her curves perfectly. It was strapless, the top was a corset with mini white
gems and the bottom was made of ruffles.
After refreshing her makeup Anna fastened her mask and joined everyone at the ballroom. She really wasn't
into this whole prom thing, Dylan was the one that had gotten her into it before but now he was gone. She sat at a
table alone bobbing her head to the music turning everyone that ask her to dance down.
Hour going on two past and she still hadn't gotten up to dance, she wasn't even trying. She looked in her purse
and took out a pen and the letter that she had written a couple of days ago. She didn’t even know why she had it
with her; she just knew that she wanted it with her. Not a moment later a big white light shined on her, it was time
to announce the king and queen and prince and princess of the prom. She quickly stuffed the papers and pen in her
purse and got up. She looked nervous and unprepared; on her way to the stage she bumped into a guy and dropped
her purse.
"Oh I'm sorry" They both said to each other. The guy's voice was so familiar, and the way his lips moved, he
wore a white and silver mask that Anna wanted to rip off his face. After they stared at each other for what seemed
like forever the guy got on the floor to pick up the contents that had fell out.
"Go ahead my queen, I got this." His voice was like music to her ears, hearing that boy's musical voice steered
so much emotions inside of her, but she only felt that way about one person’s voice? She wasn’t so sure anymore.
She had promised that Dylan was and always will be the only one which is why she couldn't understand how this
boy's voice alone could make her legs feel so weak. She smiled politely and made her way up the stage.
First the prince and princess were crowned. They were Warren Myers and Cynthia Sinclair, no one that really
mattered to Anna but she clapped and gave her best smile. She couldn't help but look into the crow for the boy, but
he was nowhere in sight. Then it was time to crown the king and queen of the 2012 senior class.
"The king of this masquerade ball is ...Danny Scott" The announcer said after a dramatic pause. Last years king
took off his crown and placed it on Danny's head. Danny was one of Anna's friends, his girlfriend Bianca was her
best friend and Anna had promised Bianca that if Danny won that she could have the first dance with him. So if she
was queen who would she dance with?
"And the queen of this masquerade ball is” Dramatic pause "Anna Davis!" Everyone was cheering, her
competitions were hugging and congratulating her, it was a good moment. The queen from the previous year
removed her tiara and placed it on Anna's head. The floor cleared for the king and queen to dance, Danny went
down and asked Bianca to dance. As Anna descended the stairs the boy that she had bumped into appeared and
asked for her hand in a dance, she accepted.
***
"You look beautiful Anna." The boy said with so much love in his voice, it scared her.
"Thank you" she choked out. They moved slowly and delicately in the middle of the crowd. They barely
noticed the other couples joining them on the dance floor, they were lost into each other.
"Can you please take off your mask?" he felt so familiar but he didn’t go to her school, she knew that for a
fact. She figured if she saw his face she would recognize him.
"I can't, I'm sorry" The boy said with regret. "Why do you want me to take it off?" He asked curiously and a
little amused.
“I know that you don’t attend Hearst High but I feel like I know you." She explained as he held her in his
arms.
The boy brought his face closer to hers and whispered "I know another way that can help you figure it out"
Before Anna could ask "How?" The boy’s lips were on hers; she closed her eyes and kissed him back. His kiss was
so familiar, she felt at home as if she belonged in his arms. Suddenly she pulled back; she opened her eyes and just
stared.
"Dylan!" She whispered her voice ready to break.
"Hi beautiful" Dylan said with a smile. Anna's legs almost abandoned her but luckily he held her. She got
control of her legs again and ran off the dance floor pulling Dylan with her. She led him to a door that led to the
hotels staircase, she opened the door pulled him in and closed it. She took a deep breath then took off his mask,
he didn't stop her. It really was him, his hazel eyes were staring back at her with so much love and happiness. “ I
thought... I thought...”She could barely talk; he removed her mask and kissed her until they were both senselessly
breathless.
As she leaned in for another kiss Dylans cell rang, he excused himself and answered. Anna heard someone, a
man, talking really fast and urgent she knew this moment had come to an end. When he hung up the phone she saw
the sadness that mirrored hers. In a quick motion he had his mask back on then he retrieved something out of his
pocket, it was a folded paper, he placed it in her hand and whispered "I love you, always" not waiting for her to
reply he kissed her and ran out.
Anna was still in shock, after a heart beat or two she ran after Dylan. He was already getting into a car when
she saw him, like the day he got taken away he screamed "I love you Anna." Like the day he got taken away she ran
after the car, she wouldn't let them take him away from her again. After a block she tripped over her gown, and the
car got away. Dylans mask flew out of the window and landed at her feet. She pick it up, got up and continued
running, but the car was long gone. She stopped and tried to breathe, instead of taking her breath she let out a
scream that she didn't know she’d been holding in. Then she looked at her hand.
*Dylan*
He wanted to go back for her, but he couldn't. His dad realized that he was gone and people were dying
tonight (not literally... maybe). He wiped the tears racing to his chin and turned to the driver. "Thanks for doing this
tonight T you’re a great friend" He said with a sad smile.
"No problem D, I know how it feels to be away from the one you love." T said sadly.
Dylan retrieved a flashlight from the glove compartment of the car and took out the papers that he’d picked
up from when Anna's bag had fell. While she went on the stage a few words had caught his attention so he read
the first paragraph and realized it was addressed to him. She really believed that he was dead? Well now she knew
the truth, he thought. He got comfortable and continued Anna's letter addressed to her Dead Lover.
*Anna*
Once again, Dylan was gone. She was grateful to know that he is alive and well; she had the chance to feel his
soft pink lips against hers again. She got to stare into his hazel eyes that always saw through her soul. She knew
that there was no one else that could make her feel the way that Dylan did, it was impossible. Her king had come
back just in time to see her get crowned his queen. The love of her life wasn't dead after all, she could finally stop
blaming herself. This night turned out to be a great night after all. She can say she had a Cinderella night except the
prince was the one who ran out, and left a letter and a mask instead of a glass slipper.
She walked back to the hotel and went back into the ballroom. People were coming up to her asking her if she
was okay, she sent them all away with an "I'm fine." She grabbed her purse from the table where Dylan had left it
and went to the bathroom. There she stood in front of the mirror once more but this time it was to read the letter
that Dylan had wrote addressed to his love.
Fin.
the couch and handed me a mug of hot cocoa. She sat at the end of the couch and ran her hands up and down my
legs in a calming manner. I had just finished talking to the cops for the third time and sleep was the last thing on
my mind. I couldn’t understand what had happened, I tried to make sense of it all but it turned out to be an
unsolvable puzzle.
About half an hour later a familiar voice came through the door. Your mother had arrived. I didn’t know how to
tell her what had happened, I had barely been able to tell my own parents. My dad had left to pick her up from her
work as soon as I told them. My mother sat her down and brought her a mug of hot chocolate. She took a sip of
her chocolate and looked at us expectantly.
“So why am I here at this hour of the morning?” She inquired.
“It’s about Dylan" I knew that I had to choose my next sentence very carefully.
“What about Dylan?” her voice a little shaky when she voiced her question.
I looked up and saw her face and immediately started babbling “We were walking from Didi’s party and he was on
his knees and they stopped and before I knew it I was running after a van”
“Wait, wait” she put her hands up in a halt motion, “Slow down sweetie, breathe and take it from the top.”
I did exactly as she asked and took a deep breath.
“We were walking from my sisters party a few hours ago and something happened”
“Anna I get that something happened, what I need to know is what?” Her voice started getting a little high, she was
getting nervous and frustrated.
“Judith give her a second” My mom came to my rescue. I took another deep breath and took another stab at telling
her.
“On our way home he had the strangest look on his face. When he stopped walking I thought that he was getting
sick but instead he got on his left knee.” I smiled, remembering the most beautiful moment of my young life “He
took out a small velvet box-”
“Is this what this is about? He gave you grandma’s ring and you’re nervous about what it means?” she looked
relieved for a moment until I shook my head sadly.
“No that’s not it.” He asked me to promise myself to him and I accepted. He got up, picked me up and spun me
around. It was such a beautiful moment until a van stopped right at our feet.” The mug of hot chocolate dropped to
the floor as her face went blank. “Two men with masks came out holding guns, Dylan stepped in front of me and
told me to run. One of them grabbed him and tried to get him into the van, but he wouldn’t have it. He screamed
for me to run once again but I didn’t listen, instead I jumped on the other ones’ back and hit him furiously on the
head. Judith had her hand covering her mouth and tears running down her face as she listened tentatively. “The
man shook me off and I went flying which caused Dyl to lose focus. His being distracted gave them the window to
grab him and throw him in the van. It took me a minute to get up but as soon as I was up I was running. I ran and
ran until I tripped over my foot and fell.” The waterworks were back, I could barely talk “They got away, They took
him!” I cried .
***
We waited for weeks which easily turned into months but there was no good news. It's now been 8 months
and we still don't know what became of you. Sometimes it’s easier for everyone to think of you as dead. I kept
hoping and praying but It's hard for me to have hope when no one else does, not even your own mother. She
became this robot, when she’s not working at the hospital she finds something in the house to work on. She's
been like that for 4 months now; I guess that was when she gave up hope too. I’ve spent every weekend with her
since that night, just to make sure that she is okay. Seeing a smile on her face always makes my day, it’s a bonus
when I’m the reason for her smiling. She'll be okay, I'll continue taking good care of her, I promise.
As for me, I've become depressed and distant from everyone besides your mom and my parents. My best
friend is gone, you're gone Dyl, I have no one that understands me like you did. All of our friends feel like I should
at least try to move on and be happy but how can I do that when the only person I ever loved is gone. They’re
acting like they didn't lose you too, or maybe we just morn in different ways. There will never be anyone else, you
are and always will be the only one for me.
Proms is two days away and guess what... I'm running for queen. It was our mothers idea, they were queen
and princess of their proms and they wanted me to carry on the legacy. I decided not to take a date, it wouldn’t
feel right taking someone that wasn’t you. Sense it's a masquerade theme prom I hope no one will notice me
sitting in the corner. We had been planning to be each others prom date since the 7th grade and no ones going to
take your place. You are the only one for me; I promise that I won't ever be with anyone else. This is all that I can
write -in this letter that you’ll never get- before I wake everyone up with my loud sobs. You have to know that I
always loved you and I always will, you’re my first and last love. I know that you always said that promises were
meant to be broken but that's one promise that wasn't meant too.
Love always
Anna.
***
My dear love,
I have so much to tell you but I would like to do it face to face. There hasn't been a way for me to
see or talk to you. This isn’t the first letter I’ve written, the others just never made it out of this stupid cabin
because I’m not allowed to contact anyone says my dad. When those men took me, I had no idea what had been
going on but something told me that it had to do with my drug dealing father. That was the one secret that I kept
from you love, which was why I always changed the subject when you brought him up. I was ashamed and scared,
more scared than ashamed. I was terrified that if you knew anything about him, in some unknown magical way he
would get you involved in his bullshit. Anyway, it wasn't a real kidnapping not in the true sense. My dad had sent
for me because he was and still is in a lot of trouble and I’m the leverage that his enemies had over him. He hates
my mom so he could careless about what happens to her, but he has this dream that I’ll take over his growing
business one day and his enemies knows this. After those guys threw me in the van I was blindfolded. After a few
hours - I had no sense of time- the van had stopped and I was in the middle of the woods with my dad. I hadn't
seen him for years and that was the reason that I was seeing him, you can't imagine how much that hurt.
He explained to me that he did it in such manner so that his foes would believe that I really was gone, and
that he had nothing to do with it. We’re still living in fear that the truth will come out, we’re out here (wherever
here is) hiding our lives away until he resolves his problems. I know that we are still in the country because he
wouldn't dare leave, it would tip off his rivals to our whereabouts.
I miss you so much; I lay in bed every night thinking of you, crying over you. I always said that I couldn't
imagine my life without you and now that I see how it feels I know that I was right. Sometimes when I think of you
my heart stops beating for a couple of seconds. I feel like my heart has been dropped out of my chest, I die a little
more inside every day that I don’t see your face. Your face, the reason that I use to wake up every morning. Those
eyes that were always ready to detect when I was lying. Those lips that always made my legs weak, and that smile
that shined through the dark. I even miss your stubbornness and your sarcasm, and your courage and bravery.
Thank you for trying to help me that night, I hope with my life that you are okay and that fall hadn't caused any
damages.
It makes me feel better knowing that at least my mom has you. She always said that you were the daughter
that she never had, she really does love you. Knowing that you have each other is one of the things keeping me
sane. I'm praying for this war between these men to end so that we can be together again. It's been long, and I
can't ask you to wait for me because I honestly don't know how much more time that this will take. Just know that
I love you and there will never be anyone else.
This is about the thousandth time that I’ve I written you a letter, I know that you never got them because my
father destroyed them all. Some he shredded, some he cut into tiny pieces with sharp scissors and some he
burned.This one, he will not get his hands on, this letter will _____…
"Dylan... Hand it over now!" Dylan's father came into his room to check on him and noticed the situation. He
was tall and he looked a lot like Dylan, brown cropped hair, pink lips hazel eyes but at this moment he was a very
angry version of Dylan.
“Dad what's one letter going to do? Who is it going to hurt? Do you really think that they would really track a
letter?" Dylan was almost the same height as his father and his voice was as loud and deep.
"I will not take any risks" Dylan's father tore the papers into pieces and stormed out slamming the door in the
process. He understood that his father was trying to protect him but at the same time he was hurting him by
keeping him away from Anna. Dylan returned to his bed and lifted his pillow and retrieved the real letter. Before
his dad busted him he had heard footsteps and hid the letter, then held a scrap paper in his hand just in case his
father felt like ripping something. He sat down and continued his letter.
… be delivered to you one way or another. Oh and prom is tomorrow, since the 10th grade my mom had told me
that she was going to convince you to run for queen and I'm thinking that she kept her word. I'm making another
promise to you; I'll be there no matter what it takes. I love you with all my heart Anna and I’ll do anything just to
see your face again, just to kiss your lips again. I promise.
Love always
Dylan.
***
"Honey you look beautiful" Anna's mother said with tears threatening to spill out of her eyes.
"Thanks mom" Anna said to the woman with a sad smile.
"Oh my goodness Angel you look magnificent, don't forget your mask." Dylan's mom said when she came into
the room. "You look a thousand times better than your mom and I ever did" She said with a sad smile of her own.
Everyone was putting on an act as if it wasn't a hard night for all of them. There was a flash and all three
women shielded their eyes with their hands.
"Ugh Dad, Peter!" They said in unison as he took pictures.
"Say cheese everyone" Peter said with forced enthusiasm.
After taking a couple of pictures with her family Anna waited for the limo to arrive. When it finally showed up
she greeted her excited friends and sat by the window quietly, while the rest of them started an early party. What
was she doing? She couldn't pretend that nothing was wrong, she couldn't be at prom having fun while Dylan was
trapped wherever he was, she didn't believe that he was dead. No matter how many times she lost hope, it always
came back.
As soon as the limo arrived in front of the Marriott hotel, Anna was the first out and sprinting to the
bathroom. When she got inside she took off her mask, then she stood there staring at herself through the mirror.
Her brown eyes were wet, her mascara ruined. At least her hair still looked nice, she thought while dabbing tissue
under her eyes to clean up the mess that the mascara had made. Her hair was made into a high bun decorated with
synthetic diamonds, with a bang right above her eyes. Plus her beautiful red gown that had belonged to Mama
Judith was still gorgeous, it hugged her curves perfectly. It was strapless, the top was a corset with mini white
gems and the bottom was made of ruffles.
After refreshing her makeup Anna fastened her mask and joined everyone at the ballroom. She really wasn't
into this whole prom thing, Dylan was the one that had gotten her into it before but now he was gone. She sat at a
table alone bobbing her head to the music turning everyone that ask her to dance down.
Hour going on two past and she still hadn't gotten up to dance, she wasn't even trying. She looked in her purse
and took out a pen and the letter that she had written a couple of days ago. She didn’t even know why she had it
with her; she just knew that she wanted it with her. Not a moment later a big white light shined on her, it was time
to announce the king and queen and prince and princess of the prom. She quickly stuffed the papers and pen in her
purse and got up. She looked nervous and unprepared; on her way to the stage she bumped into a guy and dropped
her purse.
"Oh I'm sorry" They both said to each other. The guy's voice was so familiar, and the way his lips moved, he
wore a white and silver mask that Anna wanted to rip off his face. After they stared at each other for what seemed
like forever the guy got on the floor to pick up the contents that had fell out.
"Go ahead my queen, I got this." His voice was like music to her ears, hearing that boy's musical voice steered
so much emotions inside of her, but she only felt that way about one person’s voice? She wasn’t so sure anymore.
She had promised that Dylan was and always will be the only one which is why she couldn't understand how this
boy's voice alone could make her legs feel so weak. She smiled politely and made her way up the stage.
First the prince and princess were crowned. They were Warren Myers and Cynthia Sinclair, no one that really
mattered to Anna but she clapped and gave her best smile. She couldn't help but look into the crow for the boy, but
he was nowhere in sight. Then it was time to crown the king and queen of the 2012 senior class.
"The king of this masquerade ball is ...Danny Scott" The announcer said after a dramatic pause. Last years king
took off his crown and placed it on Danny's head. Danny was one of Anna's friends, his girlfriend Bianca was her
best friend and Anna had promised Bianca that if Danny won that she could have the first dance with him. So if she
was queen who would she dance with?
"And the queen of this masquerade ball is” Dramatic pause "Anna Davis!" Everyone was cheering, her
competitions were hugging and congratulating her, it was a good moment. The queen from the previous year
removed her tiara and placed it on Anna's head. The floor cleared for the king and queen to dance, Danny went
down and asked Bianca to dance. As Anna descended the stairs the boy that she had bumped into appeared and
asked for her hand in a dance, she accepted.
***
"You look beautiful Anna." The boy said with so much love in his voice, it scared her.
"Thank you" she choked out. They moved slowly and delicately in the middle of the crowd. They barely
noticed the other couples joining them on the dance floor, they were lost into each other.
"Can you please take off your mask?" he felt so familiar but he didn’t go to her school, she knew that for a
fact. She figured if she saw his face she would recognize him.
"I can't, I'm sorry" The boy said with regret. "Why do you want me to take it off?" He asked curiously and a
little amused.
“I know that you don’t attend Hearst High but I feel like I know you." She explained as he held her in his
arms.
The boy brought his face closer to hers and whispered "I know another way that can help you figure it out"
Before Anna could ask "How?" The boy’s lips were on hers; she closed her eyes and kissed him back. His kiss was
so familiar, she felt at home as if she belonged in his arms. Suddenly she pulled back; she opened her eyes and just
stared.
"Dylan!" She whispered her voice ready to break.
"Hi beautiful" Dylan said with a smile. Anna's legs almost abandoned her but luckily he held her. She got
control of her legs again and ran off the dance floor pulling Dylan with her. She led him to a door that led to the
hotels staircase, she opened the door pulled him in and closed it. She took a deep breath then took off his mask,
he didn't stop her. It really was him, his hazel eyes were staring back at her with so much love and happiness. “ I
thought... I thought...”She could barely talk; he removed her mask and kissed her until they were both senselessly
breathless.
As she leaned in for another kiss Dylans cell rang, he excused himself and answered. Anna heard someone, a
man, talking really fast and urgent she knew this moment had come to an end. When he hung up the phone she saw
the sadness that mirrored hers. In a quick motion he had his mask back on then he retrieved something out of his
pocket, it was a folded paper, he placed it in her hand and whispered "I love you, always" not waiting for her to
reply he kissed her and ran out.
Anna was still in shock, after a heart beat or two she ran after Dylan. He was already getting into a car when
she saw him, like the day he got taken away he screamed "I love you Anna." Like the day he got taken away she ran
after the car, she wouldn't let them take him away from her again. After a block she tripped over her gown, and the
car got away. Dylans mask flew out of the window and landed at her feet. She pick it up, got up and continued
running, but the car was long gone. She stopped and tried to breathe, instead of taking her breath she let out a
scream that she didn't know she’d been holding in. Then she looked at her hand.
*Dylan*
He wanted to go back for her, but he couldn't. His dad realized that he was gone and people were dying
tonight (not literally... maybe). He wiped the tears racing to his chin and turned to the driver. "Thanks for doing this
tonight T you’re a great friend" He said with a sad smile.
"No problem D, I know how it feels to be away from the one you love." T said sadly.
Dylan retrieved a flashlight from the glove compartment of the car and took out the papers that he’d picked
up from when Anna's bag had fell. While she went on the stage a few words had caught his attention so he read
the first paragraph and realized it was addressed to him. She really believed that he was dead? Well now she knew
the truth, he thought. He got comfortable and continued Anna's letter addressed to her Dead Lover.
*Anna*
Once again, Dylan was gone. She was grateful to know that he is alive and well; she had the chance to feel his
soft pink lips against hers again. She got to stare into his hazel eyes that always saw through her soul. She knew
that there was no one else that could make her feel the way that Dylan did, it was impossible. Her king had come
back just in time to see her get crowned his queen. The love of her life wasn't dead after all, she could finally stop
blaming herself. This night turned out to be a great night after all. She can say she had a Cinderella night except the
prince was the one who ran out, and left a letter and a mask instead of a glass slipper.
She walked back to the hotel and went back into the ballroom. People were coming up to her asking her if she
was okay, she sent them all away with an "I'm fine." She grabbed her purse from the table where Dylan had left it
and went to the bathroom. There she stood in front of the mirror once more but this time it was to read the letter
that Dylan had wrote addressed to his love.
Fin.
