1. To what extent do you believe in the power of destiny?


I'm not sure, really. I can't say that I've ever felt like I was guided to do one thing or another. Of course, that doesn't mean it's never happened. How can you know?

2. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? How did you find out?

Well, I don't believe in the actual *person* anymore. I found out about that when I was six. I still believe in the spirit, though. The presents are nice, but what I really like is the excuse to get together with people.

3. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I would rather not 'grow up'. Adults are way too stressed out.

4. Who is the person you trust the most?

Oh man. Like I'd just put that out for anybody to see! No way!

5. Who are your parents and what are they like?

My mom's name is Diane. My dad's name is Tom. They really are pretty cool. They don't give me a hard time about wanting to see aliens, so long as I get all my schoolwork done. They're just hard-working people. Mom always makes a big deal over my friends; she's always asking me to bring them around and hang out. Still, at least she doesn't really insist that I stay home on school nights or anything like that.

So! First couple weeks on the left-out coast are going pretty rad: I'm totally gonna rock this joint after I get settled in.

Honestly, I haven't had much of a summer, what with getting all the paperwork and boring shit done in Chicago. It was a drag leaving everyone behind but what's done is done. Everyone I've met out here has been superfriendly (and someone set all the girls on 'overwhelmingly hot', yow).

Looks like I've got more paperwork to do -- something about my transcripts or something. Man, I just wanna get out there and get my sun on. Oh well, things always turn out one way or another.


Later!

Kayla,

I've been thinking about this for days. Without a firm date in mind, it seemed a long way off. And then there just wasn't any time left. I've been tearing up other versions of this letter all day -- I'm having trouble with the words.

You were right when you said that stopping in at Drake's was a turning point that changed everything. You were right again when you said that I'd come home. I really had kind of given up before I ended up here. I didn't know where I was going. I don't think I cared. Then I came here, and I cared. I cared that I didn't have to sleep where-ever I could find, at first. Basic simple animal stuff. Then I made friends, and then my friends introduced me to you, and everything changed again.

I finally know what I want. I want to come home, to a real place that has you in it. I know that real place could be anywhere that we're together, but at least for now, I want to come home to Grace Grove. I can't say how much it means to know you'll be staying there. I want you to decorate to your heart's content, so I left a few bucks to buy some paint. Check under the lamp.

I love you. Let 'em say we're sappy, I don't care. I'm not as good with words, but I know you understand, at least. If nobody else understands, at least I've got you.

I'll be home as soon as I can. I can hardly bear to leave, but I know you know that, too.