Dear Friend, I'm Back - A 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' Story

Chapter 7 - Dear Friend, I'm Back - A 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' Story

January 30, 1993

Dear friend,

I am sorry that I haven't written to you in a while. It's just that after Patrick's letter arrived, a photograph arrived. It's just of him, in black and white, sat on a wall and smoking. And he looks beautiful. He really does. And most of all, he looks really happy. My Dad has also increased my allowance, too! I don't know why. But I've saved up about $70 and I still haven't checked the price of a Polaroid camera.

My track running is going well. I can do the one hundred meters sprint in sixteen seconds. I don't know how close that is to the school record. But I don't think I should tell you about my track running too much. Because I guess you find me. But you haven't written back yet, and I've been writing for over two years now. So now that I have thought about it, I think I'll still tell you about my track running.

I also think that I'm going to try and find a job. I don't know what kind of job though. I'm not even sure if Sam or Patrick had jobs here. Sometimes I wondered how they paid for their pot and cigarettes. But I don't suppose it matters that much.

My drawing for Sam is finished now. I think I've done it better this time, now that I drew it at home. I'm going to write Sam a letter, and I guess I will try to tell her about everything properly. I will try. But if I can't write about it then she will just get my picture and I will have to hope that she likes it and that people don't throw paint on it. Because that would make me sad. And just thinking about it makes me sad.

This is the letter I wrote to Sam:

Dear Sam,

I know that you said I could call and that we could write each other letters, but I didn't know when we were supposed to start doing that. It's been about a month since we last saw each other, and did those things with each other. And I want you to know, that I really liked it. I also didn't start to feel weird like the first time we were together, and not wearing clothes.

Do you remember Dave? The boy that raped his girlfriend at my brother's party, and the one who's tyres I let down? Well, I hope you do, because he's going to be charged for rape, and it sounds like the girl from my brother's party is going to testify against him. I hope he goes to jail. But I've not been doing that much really. I don't have any friends to hang out with now that you, Patrick and Mary Elizabeth are all gone, and I haven't gone to see Bob because I think he'll try to sell me pot and I'll probably but it because you know how I am. But I am trying to change that, Sam. I really am trying to. Because I know that I shouldn't put other peoples' happiness before mine, and I try to do things to that make me happy, but also ones that let me participate, as that's something I need to do a lot more.

But when I was trying to do that, they ruined it, Sam. They ruined it! But I haven't told you the whole story, so I'll go back. I joined art club after school, and I had drawn a picture of you in the back of your truck going through the tunnel. I really tried hard on it, Sam. I really did. And the teacher even put it up on the wall, because I think they thought it was good, even though I didn't think I'd drawn you pretty enough. Not as pretty as you are in real life, instead of on paper. Does that make sense?

Anyway, these bullies splashed paint over it, and wrote horrible things on it. It made me very sad, and I took it home, even though it was ruined now. But I've drawn you another one; a better one! Although, it still isn't as pretty as real-life-you but I think for paper-you it isn't that bad. I'm putting it in with this letter, so I hope you like it, I tried my best. And if you don't like it, could you please send it back? It'd be nice to put on my wall with the picture of Patrick.

I haven't told you yet though! Patrick replied to the letter that I sent him. And I know that it makes me a bad person because I sent him one before I sent you one, but it didn't have as much in it as this one, Sam, honest. He even said that you'd told him that we are boyfriend and girlfriend. That made me very happy, Sam. I'm really happy that's how you think of us.

I've been meaning to ask my Dad if I can borrow his car, and drive to Penn State for Valentine's Day. I think it would be nice if we could spend it together. I've not had a Valentine's Day date before, and this is the first time I've had a girlfriend to celebrate with, too! So what I'm asking is, can I drive up to Penn State to spend Valentine's Day with you, Sam?

Love from,

Charlie

That is my letter to Sam. Have you ever asked a girl out on a date by writing her a letter? I wonder if it'll be too old fashioned. But then again, I thought that men just threw rocks at a girl's window until she opened it, and then they'd declare their love for her. I'm not in a position to do that though, as I don't know if I'd be prepared to throw a rock at a window. I'd probably break it, and then have to pay for it. I'd lose all the money I've saved to buy my camera! But I hope Sam replies soon, and I'm going to go do school work now, but I probably shouldn't be drinking this brandy at all.

Love always,

Charlie