My Cardboard Balcony

One Year Has Been A Dream by Belinda Roddie One year has been a dream - a near surreal escapade starting with a nervous "Hi" and "Nice to meet you." As anxiety lifted, then came the sushi, delicious and preceding a walk with warm hands held. We kissed while the sun set. We fell hard and fast. We nearly crashed and burned. We both knew we would be far away most of the time. But now, after San Francisco trips, song, dancing, pictures, kisses and embraces, we know no matter what, our love is tough, sweet, hungry, war-ready, and powerful. So we have loved each other for a year, and for many more if we wish to, dear.

As Harriet bent down to retrieve the scrap of paper that had flown out of her empty backpack, she recoiled at the sound of laughter. The three most popular girls in school - Lucy, Lisa, and Leslie - were all skipping toward her, pointing at her. "Getting your letter from your boyfriend?" they teased before dancing away.