Caleb

[Ainsley Rickett]

Dear Caleb,

Please tell me you haven’t spent the majority of your summer so far being a complete and utter idiot. Oh wait, I think you have, because you haven’t written to Addie yet. At all. Not even once. I’ve heard from you every week since we got out of school, but you haven’t kept in touch with Addie? I thought we were all friends here. I’m so disappointed. Fix this immediately.

By the way, how are you?

Ainsley xx

[Caleb Blackwood]

Hey beautiful,

What a way to start off a letter! I'm truly impressed at your ability to lecture me even when we're away from Hogwarts. As for the writing to Addie thing, I'm going to have to pass on this one. I have nothing to write to her about, so it'd just be awkward. She's your friend, not mine, remember?

I'm great, actually, thanks for asking! Miss you loads, though, so we really need to do something soon. As in, this weekend. Julian wants to see you, too, but I'll just have to make him understand that what you and I have is special and therefore we need our alone time.

How've you been?

Caleb

[Ainsley Rickett]

Don't even try,

You know me, lecturing you is one of my main hobbies. It never gets old, because you never seem to get any less idiotic. Don't say you heard it from me, but I have a feeling that Addie would be pretty receptive if you wrote to her, and it wouldn't be awkward at all. So you should definitely do that if you have any plans to not be a total failure at owning up to your feelings.

I miss you too, even if you're stupid. Oh, really? You need to get yourself together and stop flirting with me, mate, it's getting a bit old. We all know who you're genuinely interested in flirting with.

I've been alright! I haven't been up to much, so I won't bore you with any of the details. You've probably got better things to do.

Ainsley xx

[Caleb Blackwood]

Hey gorgeous (is that better?),

You and Julian are such rubbish. I hate you both. I'm not going to write to Addie, sorry. But wait what? What do you mean, you have a feeling? Have you talked to Addie about this? What did she say about me? You're a traitor and I don't even know why we're friends. Also, what feelings do you speak of? There are no feelings. None. Nope. Goodbye.

I miss you even though you insist on not getting drunk with me. It's because you know we'll end up snogging, isn't it? I think that's what it is. Don't worry, I have a feeling you'd much rather kiss Julian, and I have yet to figure out why. I'm genuinely interested in flirting with you, yes.

Nothing you say could bore me. I love hearing your rants about things.

Caleb

[Ainsley Rickett]

No, you're an idiot,

What did I do? What did Julian do? You're being oversensitive, which is nothing new. I bet Julian's telling you to get your act together as well, and as we've all observed, you have trouble responding to the blatant truth. YOU FANCY ADDIE, I'M CALLING IT. I want you to keep this letter just so there's proof that I said it here first, say, two years into the future when you and Addie are actually dating and I can laugh about how ridiculously stupid you both were and you can produce this letter as evidence of my role in getting you two where you're supposed to be. Because at the rate you're going, it's going to take two years. Possibly three. Is that really what you want?

Oh, I guess it could have nothing to do with the fact that I don't really drink, could it? I don't know what you're talking about. Why would I rather kiss Julian? Why would I kiss Julian at all? And yes, I've noticed. You need to stop flirting with me, it's not even funny anymore. That's a lie It's still funny I don't know if it will ever not be funny

So smooth. Such a charmer. I'm in awe.

Ainsley

[Caleb Blackwood]

Love you too,

I have to tell you something It was so nice seeing you yesterday! You're going to have to fill me in on who that Leo character was, as you seemed to be enjoying yourself with him. What is this new game, Ainsley, where you don't fill me in on your day to day scandals? He looked really into you. I want the whole story next time we meet up, which should be soon. I'll take you out to dinner?

Okay but I really have to tell you something I'm No

I'll have you know that I absolutely don't fancy Addie, but I wrote to her anyway. I hope you're happy.

If Julian says anything about me to you, I'd advise you not to believe him. He's a liar.

I'm so sorry I can't do this

Caleb

[Ainsley Rickett]

Yeah right,

Oh, that? Yesterday at the Tamarisk? That was nothing. There’s no story behind it, I promise. (Aside from the guy, Leo, being a published artist who knows people in the art industry and about upcoming art festivals - all things that I’m sure you’d be interested in. I managed to get his contact information for you, so you’re welcome.) But if you want a real story I have one

YOU WROTE TO ADDIE? About what? And she replied? Are you guys talking now? I want details. Trust me, I’ll end up getting the details from her anyway, so if you don’t tell me, that’s cool too.

Speaking of Julian, I hung out with him earlier today. He told me not to tell you about it, but that was before we actually hung out, and that too only because he was afraid you’d force us to go out somewhere with you or you’d cook for us if you knew we were going to be seeing each other. His words, not mine, and I’m pretty sure they don’t apply now, so be happy that I’m telling you. It was interesting fun unexpectedly hot a good afternoon. He didn't say anything about you, either, so you have nothing to worry about.

Okay, seriously, you never cross out too many things in your letters unless we’re talking about Addie, so now I’m curious. Are you okay?

Ainsley xxxxx

[Caleb Blackwood]

Don’t ever question my adoration for you,

You got his contact information and you still claim that it was nothing? Plus if he’s published and knows all those things, then I’m guessing he’s already graduated. He’s older. You’ve really upped your flirting game, Rickett. I’m so proud. But seriously, thanks! I’ll have to get his details from you eventually.

Nothing in particular, really. I just suggested that she and I should hang out sometime. For your sake, obviously, because it’d make sense for the three of us to get to know each other just like you and Julian and I did Except he fucked up and you don’t even know it You seem like you’re in a really good mood I can’t. Now that you’ve brought up Addie, I have to ask - have you talked to her lately? And by lately I mean recently? She said she was going to send you an owl

WAIT WHAT WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK JULIAN INVITED YOU OVER??? Hold on, you went over to Julian’s? Did he mention anything about Astraia Yaxley Well no I’m going to assume that of course he didn’t Such a fucking idiot Is this real life? What’d you guys do? What’d you guys do? What did he talk about?

I’m totally okay. It’s nothing.

Caleb

[Ainsley Rickett]

Caleb,

So, funny story - Addie just told me something, and she also told me that you’re the one who told her it in the first place, and for several minutes I was seriously considering never speaking to you again, but then I decided that no, that’s not the right thing to do, because if I never speak to you again, then how will I be able to ask you what I really want to ask you? And that is why the hell didn’t you directly tell me yourself? Did you think that you telling Addie and having her tell me would make any difference at all?

And just so we’re both on the same page, the truth is that I don’t fucking care. You should’ve just told me yourself and gotten it over with, because it’s not like I give a shit about who Julian has sex with does and does not sleep with. This is not a big deal at all, but you’ve done a fantastic job at turning it into some sort of dramatic spectacle. I can’t believe You’re the last person I would have ever imagined acting like this, no matter what your intentions were. Congratulations on the achievement.

Also, for the record, so we’re entirely clear - you and Julian can both get off your high fucking horses and stop pretending like I need either of you. I’m perfectly fine and content without you both. Don’t ever doubt that, because you’ll end up disappointed. Feel free to pass that message along to him as well. It’ll save me plenty of time and effort.

Ainsley

[Caleb Blackwood]

Ainsley,

I didn’t think you’d be mad at me for telling Addie so she could tell you, because I figured it would be better for everyone involved if she was the one to tell you, since I’d just start being an idiot and rambling on stupidly about it, and I wouldn't want to put you through that mess. I'm sorry.

I realize now that I could have gone about this in a different way, and I’m so sorry if the way I did go about it ended up hurting you - I would never want to see you hurt, and I’m genuinely sorry at how this turned out. I really hope you’ll forgive me, because you’re one of my best friends. I don’t want to lose you over Julian’s stupidity. Are you sure you don’t care though Because it sounds like you do

Again, I’m sorry. Please tell me if there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, because I will. I’ll do anything.

Love,
Caleb

[Ainsley Rickett]

Caleb,

Yeah, okay. You’re forgiven. I’m sorry if I sounded like a bitch. I was just upset that Julian had sex with Astraia that you didn’t tell me, and I wrote to you angrily without thinking it through. But it’s alright, I understand now why you did what you did. You have Addie to thank for that.

You didn’t actually You didn’t actually tell Julian what I said, did you? Because I didn’t mean it. Well, I slightly didn’t mean it.

Ainsley

[Caleb Blackwood]

Ainsley,

I really am sorry, I hope you know that.

No, not exactly. I didn't think you were all that serious, so I didn't tell him what you said. What do you mean, you slightly didn't mean it? Please tell me you don't completely hate Julian's guts now. I understand if you do, because I literally just found out about you two shotgunning and HE IS SUCH A FUCKING IDIOT I APOLOGIZE FOR HIS EXISTENCE it seems like he's been leading you on and he can be a dick sometimes, but I do think he deserves a chance to explain himself, at the very least. Addie and I have been talking, actually, and we thought the four of us could go out to dinner sometime soon? It'll be fun, and I promise Julian will be on his best behavior. Should I ever really make that promise Oh well

Lots of love,
Caleb

[Ainsley Rickett]

Caleb,

Stop apologizing, I'm over it. Trust me.

I mean that he might not be my favorite person in the world right now, but that doesn't have anything to do with him sleeping with Astraia. I don't give a fuck about that. I have no reason to. I don't hate his guts, don't worry. An explanation would be really nice though

Okay, cool Julian already mentioned this to me. Tell Julian I'll see him there, then.

Ainsley

[Caleb Blackwood]

Ainsley,

Are you sure

Wait, so if it doesn’t have anything to do with him sleeping with Astraia, then what does it have to do with? Don’t get mad - I’m not being a dick, I’m genuinely confused.

You probably already know this, but Addie has just declared this dinner an early birthday dinner for herself. HELP WHAT DO I BUY HER AS A GIFT??? So any ideas as to what type of gift she’d like, since you’re her best friend and all? Just curious. But really, don’t fail me now.

Caleb

[Ainsley Rickett]

Caleb,

Don’t push your luck. For your information, Julian and I are fine, so don’t even worry about it.

You’re ‘just curious’? I find that hard to believe. Anyway, you can never go wrong with some jewelry, but take care not to make it something too cliche that anyone could think up and buy her, because I’m the friend that’ll have to hear her muttering about it under her breath later on. Oh, and try to keep it classy. That’s my advice. Work with it.

Ainsley