Page 2 of Jingl
Trace’s handwriting is small and neat on the envelope. I can imagine his tongue poking out as he writes. It used to, anyway. When I open the letter, the scent of pine hits me. I run my finger over the ink where he drew a Christmas tree in the corner. He’s always adding these little details. His handwriting is much bigger and loopier for the letter, which makes me smile every damn time.
Hey Shae Bae!
That’s how he always opens it, and my heart flutters.
I have some good news :) and bad news :( I’ll get right to the bad news first, so you don’t have to worry too much.This is my last letter.
My heart wants to rip from my chest. Of course, we’ve followed each other on social media forever, so this isn’t goodbye. But the letters have beenourssince his family moved to Florida. I hate the thought of not having them anymore.
Take a breath, Shae. I know this freaks you out. But it’s for the better.
My chest hurts. This is like a breakup. We’ve known each other our entire lives. What have I done?
Because… (turn the page over)…
I do as he asks and gasp.
I’M MOVING BACK HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He uses the entire back of the paper to write this and decorated the page with glittery star stickers.
“You jerk!” I grab the second page of his letter to finish reading.
You totally just called me a jerk, didn’t you? I can’t wait! See you…
My phone buzzes with an incoming video call from Trace himself. I answer as fast as I can.
“You jerk!” I say, but the grin doesn’t leave my face. He’s gorgeous. Dark hair, dark eyes. Total opposite to my blond and blue. We’re both still baby faced though.
“So you read the letter.” Trace smiles, and it lights up his entire face like he’s being lit by Christmas lights. I want to think that smile is reserved just for me.
I wave said letter around to show him. “Can’t wait.”
“Me either. I did a virtual walk through with an apartment, just got the approval. I’ll be home in two weeks.” He holds up two fingers.
My heart pounds so hard in my chest. We haven’t seen each other in person since we were fourteen. Timing just never aligned and now he’ll be home again.
My alarm buzzes loudly and we both gasp.
“Sorry! I have to go. Got my audition!”
“Break a leg! See ya soon, Shae Bae!”
“Later, Tracy!” He gives me the biggest grin.
We end the call and I shove my phone in my pocket before gathering my bags and running into the old theater. I can’t believe Trace is coming back to me. But why? What’s changed?
Chapter 2
Trace
“Are yousureyou want to move back to Frostdale? There’s nothing there.” Wendy, my older sister, marks up a box in my kitchen at the same time she’s questioning my life choices. Her dark hair is pulled up in a high ponytail. She’s wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops. It gets annoyingly hot in the studio apartment, so I’m glad to be moving away.
“There’s plenty there,” I scoff.
“Oh, like a certainboy.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Shae’s still there, but—”
